Can’t decide if you want to go to a West End show and Michelin-star restaurant or on a cruise? Would love to watch your favourite band but fancy sailing around the Mediterranean? Or perhaps you’d join your family on a voyage to one of your bucket list destinations, but you don’t want to miss your twice-weekly round of golf or Strictly?
Well, a themed cruise centred around your favourite hobbies or special interests means you can do both.
From listening to West End stars performing classic hits to taking an Arctic polar plunge under the stars – and even meeting sports heroes and celebrity chefs – there’s a voyage where you can combine what you love with a holiday at sea.
Here are 10 of the best themed cruises sailing this summer and beyond…
PARTY CRUISE with HaysTravel
Celebrate the best of the 1980s to the 2000s while sailing to Amsterdam on an all-inclusive non-stop Back to the Beat party cruise.
Three decades of entertainment, music and events will take place on Ambassador’s Ambition to keep the party going round the clock. Along with boogie sea bingo, and bottomless brunches, there will be an Ibiza-style sailaway as well as live performances. Join in the dance inspired fitness classes, and aqua aerobics in the pool during the day, or simply grab a lounger to soak up the sun and reenergise for more retro fun at sea.
Getting there: A Hays Travel exclusive four-night round trip cruise to Amsterdam on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition departing Newcastle on August 27, 2027, starts from £643 per person in an inside cabin.
hayscruise.co.uk, haystravel.co.uk/cruise/back-to-the-beat
WELLNESS with Viking
It’s guaranteed to snow every day as you discover the rugged landscapes and awe-inspiring nature of the Arctic Circle on a Viking cruise – as it has a snow grotto on board. The award-winning cruise line’s Nordic Spa embodies its Scandinavian heritage and is free for guests to use during their voyage. The grotto produces real snow and temperatures of –10°C help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, relieve pain, and strengthen the immune system. Guests can also try the traditional Nordic sauna method in Nuuk, Greenland.
After relaxing in your private sauna – complete with views of the Sermitsiaq mountain through a glass wall – step outside to take a polar plunge, then warm up in a jacuzzi under the stars, with champagne and snacks. Brrr-illant.
Getting there: A 12-night Into the Northwest Passage round trip cruise from Nuuk departing on July 11 and calling at Itilleq Fjord, Ilulissat, Uummannaq, Pond Inlet, Canadian High Arctic, and Sisimiut, starts from £11,990 per person, in a balcony cabin. The price includes return flights, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, eight excursions, WiFi, gratuities, and access to Nordic Spa.
RUGBY AND STRICTLY LEGENDS with MSC Cruises
Why not tackle a cruise to the Canary Islands with World Cup rugby champions Ben Cohen, Ben Kay and Neil Back? As well as hands-on rugby coaching sessions, the stars will be reliving the historic moments in their careers, culminating in winning the 2003 World Cup. And if all that sport talk and action is all a bit trying, Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff will be adding some sparkle to the sailing and giving dance lessons, answering questions and talking about the hit show.
Getting there: A 12-night sailing on MSC Virtuosa to the Canary Islands departing Southampton on August 6, 2026, starts from £1,279 per person for an interior cabin.
COMEDY with P&O Cruises
Laughter will be part of this summer’s sailings as one of Britain’s best-loved comedians Jason Manford brings his comedy club to sea for a season of exclusive performances.
Manford’s Comedy Club will feature comedians handpicked by the entertainer to perform in P&O’s Limelight Club on board Iona and Arvia on select cruises from now until October.
The ticketed shows will be exclusively for adults and feature a double bill of comedians delivering ‘bold comedy’ in the luxury cabaret-style dining venue.
Getting there: A 14-night round cruise on Arvia to Spain and France from Southampton on August 16, 2026, starts
at £1,229 per person, based on two sharing an inside cabin. pocruises.com
GOLF with Hebridean Island Cruises
Get in the swing of cruising on a voyage with golfing legend, Colin Montgomerie OBE which takes in the scenic isles of Argyll and Ayrshire as well as Scotland’s most celebrated golf courses.
Not only will you be able to spend time with the Ryder Cup Legend on board the 48-guest Hebridean Princess, which was twice charted by Queen Elizabeth II for private family holidays, but you’ll also play golf with Monty at Dundonald Links in Troon.
Golf fans can also play at The Machrie, Machrihanish Dunes, Dundonald, Shiskine, Portpatrick Dunskey and the Gigha Golf Course while non-golfers will enjoy visits to castles, gardens and distilleries as well as the understated elegance of the ship.
Getting there: A seven-night Golf in Argyll and Ayrshire round trip cruise from Oban departing September 15, 2026, and calling at Port Ellen, Campbeltown, Troon, Lamlash, Loch Ryan and the Isle of Gigha, starts from £5,465.50 per person including all meals and drinks, golf activities and guided shore excursions, use of bicycles, gratuities, and WiFi. hebridean.co.uk
TRADITIONAL SEAFARING SKILLS with Windstar Cruises
On Knot Your Average Crossing sailings guests can step up to the flying bridge and take the helm, learning age-old seamanship skills from the crew. Set sail on an unforgettable ocean crossing on board the 148-guest sailing ship Wind Star and immerse yourself in the timeless art of seafaring. Listen to talks about navigation history, legendary explorers and even swashbuckling pirates then learn to read charts, tie sailor’s knots and even navigate the vessel alongside the ship’s officers. Enjoy stargazing and star mapping sessions and, for a final splash of fun, join the lively Pirates of the Atlantic-themed party.
Getting there: A 14-night non-stop transatlantic sailing to Barbados departing Lisbon on November 10, 2026, starts from £3,060 per person including all meals, soft drinks, port fees and onboard activities.
MUSICAL MED-LEYS with Marella Cruises
West End stars Lee Mead, Zoe Birkett and Jenna Lee James will be on board a musical mini-cruise around the Mediterranean where guests can watch them perform – and even sing along.
Lee, the former star of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jenna, who is best known for playing Elsa on stage in Frozen, and Zoe, famous for her portrayal of Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, will be performing some of the most famous musical hits in the ship’s Broadway Show Lounge. Lee will also be hosting a Q&A session while there will be fun musical trivia quizzes and themed activities throughout the sailing.
Getting there: A five-night Musical Med-leys cruise on Marella Voyager to Malaga, Spain, departing Corfu on October 30, 2026, and calling at Palma, Majorca and Cartagena, starts from £801 per person for an inside cabin, all-inclusive with flights included.
tui.co.uk/cruise
FOOD with Royal Caribbean
Hungry to explore cuisines from around the world while sailing it? Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Legend of the Seas, is the ultimate foodie cruise with more than 28 dining venues – the most at sea.
From quick bites to world-class fine dining, a voyage on the latest Icon class ship is a delicious globe-trotting journey.
The new Royal Railway – Legend Station is an immersive culinary adventure that will transport you along the Silk Routes over five courses while the Hollywoodland Supper Club pairs gourmet courses with cocktails and live jazz for a glamorous night out. Along with the largest waterpark at sea, seven pools, an aerial obstacle course that dangles you over the ocean, and surf simulator, this is a cruise that should tick all the boxes for the entire family.
Getting there: A seven-night Western Mediterranean round trip cruise on Legend of the Seas departing Barcelona on August 30, and calling at Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples starts from £1,459 per person based on two sharing an interior cabin. Flights not included.
CELEBRITY CHEF AND NORTHERN LIGHTS with Iglu Cruises
What could be more exciting than a Michelin-starred celebrity chef cooking for you while chasing the Northern Lights on a cruise around Norway and its North Cape?
Michel Roux is taking his culinary skills to sea on Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, where he will be giving cookery demonstrations as well as sharing fascinating insights into his life and career. With the doors of Le Gavroche, the restaurant that defined fine dining for decades now closed on land, this partnership brings Roux’s talents to the luxury cruise line world renowned for its White Star Service, Grills experience and liveried bell boys. After sampling the chef’s signature dishes, head up to the top deck to look for the Aurora Borealis – the ribbons of neon lights that create a sky ballet between October and March in Norway.
Getting there: A 12-night Norway and North Cape round cruise from Southampton on November 13, 2026, with chef Michel Roux, calling at Tromsø, Narvik, Alesund and Stavanger from £1,625 per person for a balcony cabin, full board.
02037 335557; iglucruise.com/queen-anne/13th-november-2026_c356603
HIKING with CroisiEurope
Walk this way for a voyage that combines hiking with a touch of cruise chic as you explore the Med with French operator CroisiEurope.
Join qualified guides as you sail from Nice to Corsica to hike up the French island’s Calanques de Piana, a series of red rocks and cliffs that plunge up to 300 metres (985ft) into the Mediterranean below and walk the wild Rutali Path through the Bonifatu Forest and its Transhumance trail which was inspired by the route that sheep farmers used to take. Your ship, La Belle des Océans, has 65 ocean-view suites, a swimming pool, fitness centre and wellness salon. There is also a non-walkers programme..
Getting there: A seven-night Corsica cruise round trip departing Nice on October 9, 2026, and calling at Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, Bastia and L’Ile Rousse starts from £3,210 per person including all meals and drinks, guided walks, excursions for non-walkers and port fees.
Pricing is correct at time of writing and is subject to change.
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