Carnival Theme Parties 2025
*This list of Carnival theme parties was updated on 1/14/2025 and is up-to-date for 2025.
Are Carnival Cruises Just Giant Parties?
I have a reputation for being cheap and nerdy and Carnival has a reputation for offering cruises with a wild, party atmosphere. So is either actually true?
Yes and partly. You’ll likely find me doing one of two things on a cruise. First, gorging on complimentary food and calculating how much the same meal would cost me on land in my home city of Seattle (sometimes I actually cheer when I determine I’ve reached the break even point on my cruise fare). And second, reading, walking while listening to an audiobook, or looking for wildlife on an outside deck. Cheap. Nerdy.
As for Carnival, it has somewhat embraced its reputation as the party cruise line by referring to vessels as “fun ships,” calling the daily onboard schedule of events the “Fun Times,” with its “Funderstruck” marketing campaign, and by offering onboard theme parties.
Know though that your experience on Carnival will vary depending on the specific ship, itinerary, and time of year. I once sailed with my toddler on a spring break Carnival cruise so wild I had to have the sex talk with him a decade earlier than planned. But I’ve also sailed on many Carnival cruises that have felt more peaceful and subdued (look for longer sailings and dates when school is in session). Regardless of which ship, itinerary, or time of year you sail though, you’ll find your fellow Carnival cruisers among the friendliest at sea and your ship will offer several onboard theme parties for those who like to dress up, let loose, dance, and have a good time.
While I nearly always sleep through them (see, nerd), you should definitely check out these parties if interested! So…
What are Theme Parties on Carnival Cruises?
Usually (but not always, so check your Fun Times schedule of events for the location) held in the evening near the main lido pool or in the atrium, theme parties are short (typically lasting around 30-45 minutes) and energetic gatherings led by the cruise director and Fun Squad with music and dancing consistent with a particular theme. Guests are encouraged to dress in accordance with the theme, but it’s not required. (Everything I own is from the 90’s, so I just show up to that party in my regular gear only to feel low-key offended when I hear: “Nailed it!”)
Themes include decades parties from the 70’s through the 90’s, Mega Deck where you can wear blue or red, White Hot where you can dress in white and dance amidst black lights, 80’s Rock and Glow where the Fun Squad will pass around glow sticks, Motown, Mardi Gras (sometimes including a parade), port-themed parties featuring Hawaiian or Alaskan themes, and Backyard Bash featuring country music and line dancing. Relatively new to Carnival are “silent” parties where music is played through provided headphones.
Which Theme Parties will be on my Carnival Cruise?
Here’s the schedule of planned theme parties by Carnival ship for 2025 (source: John Heald, Carnival’s Brand Ambassador). Keep in mind that these parties are at the discretion of the cruise director, so always double check your schedule once onboard.
Carnival Breeze Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Motown Party
Lone Star Tailgate Party (5-day cruises only)
80’s Rock and Glow
Motown Party
Carnival Celebration Theme Parties 2025
White Night Party
80’S Rock and Glow Party
Motown Party
Evolution Party
Carnival Conquest Theme Parties 2025
80’S Rock and Glow
Motown Party
Carnival Dream Theme Parties 2025
Farewell Hot White Night Party
80’s Rock & Glow
Mega Deck Party
Silent Disco
Carnival Elation Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock’n’Glow
Silent Disco
Motown Party
Farewell Hot White Night Party
Carnival Firenze Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Silent Disco
DFH After Party
Motown Party
Fiesta Italiana Party (White Night)
Carnival Freedom Theme Parties 2025
Motown Party
Farewell
80’s Rock and Glow
Silent White Night
Decade Music Party
Carnival Glory Theme Parties 2025
80’S Rock and Glow Party
Motown Party
Farewell
Carnival Horizon Theme Parties 2025
Hot White Night Party
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Mega Deck Party (only on 8-day cruises)
Silent Party
Motown Party
Carnival Jubilee Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock & Glow
Hot White Night Party
Lonestar Tailgate
DFH After Party
Carnival Legend Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock N Glow Party
Silent White Hot Party
Mega Deck Party
DFH After Party (when offered)
Carnival Liberty Theme Parties 2025
Mega Deck Party
80’s Rock & Glow
White Hot Night Party
Motown Party
Country Music Trivia Party
Farewell Party
Carnival Luminosa Theme Parties 2025
Silent Night Party
80’s Rock and Glow
Island Night
Superhero
ABBA
Carnival Magic Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock & Glow Party
Mega Deck Party
Silent White Party
Motown Party
Farewell Party
Carnival Mardi Gras Theme Parties 2025
White Hot Party
80’s Rock & Glow Party
Silent Disco
Carnival Miracle Theme Parties 2025
Mega Deck Party
80”s Rock and Glow Party
Silent Disco (White Night)
Motown Party
Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Panorama Theme Parties 2025
Mega Deck Party
80”s Rock and Glow Party
Silent Disco
White Night
Motown Party
Carnival Paradise Theme Parties 2025
Silent Disco
80s Rock & Glow
Motown Party
Farewell Party
Carnival Pride Theme Parties 2025
Mega Deck
80s Rock and Glow Party
Silent Disco
Motown Party
Carnival Radiance Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow Party
White Hot Night Party
Mega Deck Party (6+ days only)
Motown Party
Farewell (Journeys Cruises Only)
Carnival Splendor Theme Parties 2025
Island Themed Deck Party
Silent White Disco
80s Rock and Glow Party
Backyard bash
ABBA Music Party
Superhero Party
90s Farewell Party
Carnival Spirit Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow
Silent Party
White Party
Country Music Trivia Party
Carnival Sunrise Theme Parties 2025
Silent Party
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Motown Party
90’s Party
Carnival Sunshine Theme Parties 2025
Silent Party
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Superhero Party
Backyard Bash
90’s Music Party
Tropical Nights
Carnival Valor Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Motown Party
Carnival Venezia Theme Parties 2025
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Mega Deck Party (Journeys cruises only)
Italian Festival Party
Motown Party
Silent Disco
Carnival Vista Theme Parties 2025
Mega Deck Party
80’s Rock and Glow Party
Silent Night Party
Hot White Party
80’s Theme Night
What Should I Wear to my Carnival Cruise Theme Party?
You don’t have to dress at all (I mean dress up at all – even Carnival has some standards), can keep it simple, or go all out. Here are a few reasonably-priced ideas available to purchase on Amazon (click on the photo to pull them up)*:
Costume Ideas for a Motown Theme Party
Costume Ideas for an 80’s Theme Party
Costume Ideas for an 90’s Theme Party
Costume Ideas for a White Hot Theme Party
Costume Ideas for a Backyard Bash (country) Theme Party
And with that…
Class Dismissed.
Don’t forget to PIN so you can refer back to this later and share with your traveling companions and social medial groups!
Homework (10 points): What’s a party without a few adult beverages? Find all the Carnival bar menus and drink prices HERE:
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