- Love2Cruise
- Themes
Carnival Theme Nights
Themed nights on Carnival cruises
One of the cornerstones of the Carnival experience is the famous schedule of themed parties and events held throughout your voyage. These theme nights are a fantastic way to transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary celebration, and the best part is they are completely free and open to everyone on board!
Whether it is a colorful decade dance on the Lido Deck or a special celebration in the main atrium, these parties are designed for maximum guest participation and fun. You will find that hundreds of fellow cruisers enthusiastically join in, dancing to the music, playing games, and enjoying the ship’s festive atmosphere.
While many guests love to dive into the spirit by coming dressed for the occasion—wearing neon for an 80s night or all white for a glowing party—it is absolutely not required.
The most important thing to bring is your desire to have a great time. Feel free to show up in your casual cruise attire, grab a drink, and enjoy the high-energy entertainment.
These theme nights create some of the most memorable photo opportunities and are a perfect way to meet other passengers, making them an essential part of your Carnival cruise adventure.
Decades and Music Parties
The decades parties are some of the most popular and are held in various locations, often on the Lido Deck or in the atrium.
The 80’s Rock & Glow Party is one of the most widely held and well-attended theme nights across the Carnival fleet. This celebration of the rad eighties features rock hits, pop classics, and dance contests. To participate fully, guests often pack clothes in neon colors, throw on leg warmers or headbands, and wear anything that will glow brightly under blacklights, turning the party into a pulsing sea of fluorescent fun.
The 70’s & Motown Party is a groovy celebration that pays homage to the disco era and the soulful sounds of Motown. Guests can expect to hear classics from legendary artists that defined the decade. Attire often leans toward disco-inspired looks, such as bell bottoms, leisure suits, shiny fabrics, and bright, bold colors, or more casual 70s flair.
The 90’s Farewell Party, often held on the final night of the cruise, gives a nostalgic nod to the music and fashion of the 1990s. The music typically features hits from pop, hip-hop, and grunge artists. Guests who dress up often wear baggy jeans, flannel shirts, tracksuits, or iconic band t-shirts.
The ABBA Party is dedicated entirely to the timeless music of the iconic Swedish pop group. This event is a dance-along featuring all the hits from the band. Attire is generally inspired by the 70s disco era or the band’s memorable stage outfits, meaning sequins, platforms, or simply fun, over-the-top party clothes.
Immersive and Location-Specific Parties
The Silent Party, or Silent Disco, is a truly unique experience where guests receive wireless headphones and can choose between two or three different music channels played by live DJs. There is no specific dress code for this event, as the focus is on dancing and personalization, but since the lights are often dimmed, comfortable clothes and anything that glows or flashes are good choices.
Festa Italiana, or the Italian Festival Party, is a feature primarily seen on the Venice Class ships (Venezia and Firenze). This event celebrates Italian culture with themed food, music, and entertainment. Guests often choose to wear the colors of the Italian flag—red, white, and green—or simply wear a white outfit if the event is combined with the White Night theme.
The Superhero Party is a themed night designed to bring out the comic book fan in everyone. Found on select ships, this party encourages guests to wear t-shirts featuring their favorite superhero logos or to go all out with full costumes of popular heroes or villains.
The Mega Deck Party is typically a high-energy dance party held outside on the Lido Deck. While there is no single dress code, the party atmosphere calls for casual resort wear, such as shorts, colorful sundresses, or whatever you find comfortable for dancing under the stars.
The Island Party or Tropical Nights Party celebrates the spirit of the destinations you visit. The music and decorations reflect a warm, tropical paradise. Attire is simple: Hawaiian shirts, shorts, sarongs, sundresses, or any clothing with bright colors and floral patterns.
The Backyard Bash is a laid-back, casual deck party designed to feel like a neighborhood barbecue. The music is generally crowd-pleasing, sing-along fare. Guests are encouraged to wear casual, comfortable clothing, such as jeans, t-shirts, or even attire supporting their favorite sports teams.
Signature and Specialty Parties
The White Night, often called the White Hot Night Party, is an extremely popular themed evening. The event is a high-energy dance party where the lighting is manipulated to make white clothing glow. Guests are highly encouraged to wear white attire from head to toe to maximize the effect and create a striking visual experience across the entire deck or atrium.
The Lonestar Tailgate Party is an exclusive celebration found aboard the Carnival Jubilee, which homeports in Galveston, Texas. This multi-quarter, Texas-sized event is themed around a fictional college football game day tailgate. The suggested attire includes casual sportswear, football jerseys, Texas-themed apparel, or college gear to match the high-spirited atmosphere.
The DFH (Dancing Feet Highway) After Party is tied to the “Dear Future Husband” production show on select ships. This is essentially a dance reception that follows the show, continuing the festive mood. Attire is generally what guests wore to the show, which is often smart casual or dinner attire, ready for an evening of dancing.
The Country Music Trivia Party is more of a focused entertainment event than a full dance party. Guests gather to test their knowledge of country music stars and history. While dressing up is not required, participants often wear casual country-themed clothing like flannel, denim, or cowboy hats to show their spirit.