Carnival Theme Parties 2024
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), a Hawaiian themed Tiki Party, 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 2024 (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 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Showdown
- Decades Atrium Party
- White Night Silent Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
Carnival Celebration Theme Parties 2024
- 80s Rock and Glow
- White Hot Party
- Motown Party
- Evolution Party
Carnival Conquest Theme Parties 2024
- 80s and 90s Party (3 and 4-night sailings)
- Motown Party (4-night sailings only)
- Mega Deck Party
Carnival Dream Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Party
- 90s Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Silent White Night Party
Carnival Elation Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Trivia Party
- Mega Deck Party
- 80s Party
Carnival Freedom Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Decades Party
Carnival Glory Theme Parties 2024
- 70’s and Motown Party
- Getaway Island Afterparty
- 80s Rock and Glow Party
- White Night Party
Carnival Horizon Theme Parties 2024
- Motown Party
- White Night Party
- Farewell Music Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Silent Disco Party
Carnival Jubilee Theme Parties 2024
- Lone Star Tailgate
- 80s Party
- Motown Party
Carnival Legend Theme Parties 2024
- Motown Party
- 90s Party
- Mega Deck Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Silent Party
Carnival Liberty Theme Parties 2024
- Mega Deck Party
- 80s Trivia Party (3-night cruises)
- 70s and Motown Trivia (4-night cruises)
Carnival Luminosa Theme Parties 2024
- Silent Night White Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Island Nights (7-nights and shorter sailings)
- Backyard Bash (8-night sailings and longer)
- Motown and 70s Party
- Decades Music Party
- Superhero Party
Carnival Magic Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Party
- Farewell Music Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Mega Deck Party
- Serenity Nights (8-night cruises only)
Carnival Mardi Gras Theme Parties 2024
- 90s Party
- White Hot Party
- Tiki Party
- Rock and Glow
Carnival Miracle Theme Parties 2024
14-night Cruises
- Ballroom Dancer Demonstrations
- Hula Class
- Hawaiian Appreciation Event
- Farewell Music Party
- Sail Away Party
- Luau Deck Party
- Silent White Night
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Mega Deck Party
Carnival Panorama Theme Parties 2024
- Motown Party
- White Party
- Farewell Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Silent Night Disco
- Mega Deck Party
Carnival Paradise Theme Parties 2024
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Rock the Prom
- Motown Party
- Fun Farewell
Carnival Pride Theme Parties 2024
- Silent Disco
- Mega Deck Party
- Electric White Night
- 80s Rock and Glow
- 70s and Motown Party
Carnival Radiance Theme Parties 2024
- Mega Deck Party
- Rock the Promenade
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Motown Showdown
- White Party
Carnival Splendor Theme Parties 2024
- Superhero Party (5-night and longer sailings)
- 80s Rock and Glow
- White Hot Party (6-8 night sailings)
- 90s Party, Island Night (8-night and longer sailings)
- Backyard Bash (8-night and longer sailings)
Carnival Spirit Theme Parties 2024
- Mega Deck Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Silent White Party
- 70s and Motown Party
- Fun Farewell
Carnival Sunrise Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- 90s Party
- White Hot Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
Carnival Sunshine Theme Parties 2024
- Rock the Promenade
- Motown Showdown
- 90s Party
- Mega Deck Party
Carnival Valor Theme Parties 2024
- 80s Rock and Glow
- Motown Party
- 90s Trivia Party
Carnival Venezia Theme Parties 2024
- Motown Party
- 80s Rock and Glow
- 90s Party
- White Party
- Silent Party
- Festa Italiana
Carnival Vista Theme Parties 2024
- Rock and Glow
- Mega Deck Party
- Motown Party
- White Hot Party
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 70’s and 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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