What will the Theme Parties be on my 2023 Carnival Cruise? · Prof. Cruise

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 2023 (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 2023

• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido
• Motown Party – Atrium
• Farewell Party – Atrium

Carnival Celebration Theme Parties 2023

• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido
• White Hot Party – Lido
• Motown Showdown Party – Atrium
• Evolution Party – Atrium

Carnival Conquest Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• Motown Party – Lido

Carnival Dream Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Rock and Glow Party – Lido
• Motown Showdown – Atrium
• 90s Party – Atrium

Carnival Elation Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• Motown Party – Atrium
• 80’s & 90’s Party – Atrium

Carnival Freedom Theme Parties 2023

• Motown Party – Lido Deck
• Farewell Party – Lido Deck
• Mega Deck Party – Lido Deck
• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido Deck

Carnival Glory Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido
• White Night Party – Atrium

Carnival Horizon Theme Parties 2023

• White Night Party – Atrium
• Motown Party – Atrium
• 80’s Rock and Glow Party – Lido
• Silent Disco – Nightclub

Carnival Jubilee Theme Parties 2023

Not yet released.

Carnival Legend Theme Parties 2023

• Motown Party – Atrium
• 90s Party – atrium
• Mega deck Party – Lido
• 80s Rock & Glow – Lido
• Silent Disco Party – Nightclub

Carnival Liberty Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Party – Atrium

Carnival Luminosa Theme Parties 2023

3 and 4 day cruises

• Rock & Glow Deck Party – Lido
• 90’s Atrium Party – Atrium
• Motown Party – Atrium

7 day cruises

• Rock & Glow Deck Party – Lido Deck
• White Night Party – Atrium
• Silent Disco – Lido Deck
• Motown Party – Atrium
• Superhero and 90’s Party – Atrium

Carnival Magic Theme Parties 2023

• Motown Party – Atrium
• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• Silent Disco Party – Lido
• Country Music Party – Lido
• Rock & Glow Party – Lido
• White Hot Night Party – Atrium

Carnival Mardi Gras Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Rock N Glow – Lido
• Tiki Fest – Lido
• Motown Showdown – Center Stage
• Backyard Bash (country) – Summer Landing

Carnival Miracle Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Rock and Glow Party – Lido
• Motown Party – Atrium
• 80’s Party – Atrium

Carnival Panorama Theme Parties 2023

• 80s Rock & Glow – Lido
• Motown & 70s Party – Atrium
• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• Silent Disco Party – Lido
• White Hot Party – Atrium

Carnival Paradise Theme Parties 2023

• Divas Atrium Party – Atrium
• 80’s Rock and Glow (5 day cruises only) – Lido
• Mega Deck Party – Lido

Carnival Pride Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido Deck
• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido Deck
• 70’s Party – Atrium
• 80’s Party – Atrium

Carnival Radiance Theme Parties 2023

• Motown Party – Atrium
• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 80’s Rock n Glow Party – Lido

Carnival Splendor Theme Parties 2023

• Superhero Party – Atrium
• Abba Party – Atrium
• 90’s Party – Atrium
• Backyard Bash (country) – Lido
• Island Party – Lido
• 80s Rock and Glow – Lido
• White Hot Party – Lido

Carnival Spirit Theme Parties 2023

• 80’s Rock and Glow – Lido
• Silent White Hot Night – Lido
• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• 70’s & Motown Party -Atrium

Carnival Sunrise Theme Parties 2023

• 80’s Rock and Glow Party – Lido
• 70’s & Motown – Atrium
• Farewell Party – Atrium

Carnival Sunshine Theme Parties 2023

• Mega deck party – Lido
• 70’s Motown party – Atrium
• 80’s and 90’s party – Atrium

Carnival Valor Theme Parties 2023

• Rock the Promenade – Atrium
• Motown Party – Atrium
• 80’s rock-n-glow – Lido

Carnival Venezia Theme Parties 2023

Not yet released.

Carnival Vista Theme Parties 2023

• Mega Deck Party – Lido
• Silent Disco – Lido
• Rock & Glow 80’s – Lido
• Motown Showdown – Atrium
• White Hot Party – Atrium

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*:

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: