Cruise theme nights are changing, and the latest trend took me by surprise

From Gatsby glamour to Y2K nostalgia, how celebrations at sea are evolving.

Theme cruise parties are a great reason to dress up. Picture by Getty Images

By Louise Goldsbury

August 5, 2026

My recent voyage on Royal Caribbean's newly launched cruise ship Legend of the Seas had me feeling ancient, because I remember the original Legend of the Seas coming to Brisbane in 2015. I didn't think I was old enough to see ship names recycled throughout history. Then came the final insult: the throwback party is called Millennium Mania.

I'm perfectly fine with a 70s or 80s theme. Even a Gatsby night feels familiar, despite the fact that few of us were alive when flapper dresses and feathered headbands were fashionable.

But the early 2000s just seem too recent to be retro - until you remember that children and teenagers were not even born in the early noughties. Those young passengers turned up wearing metallic tops and cargo pants, low-rise jeans and trucker caps. Others embraced double-denim. Watching them re-create Y2K, I realised I'd quietly crossed into the elder generation.

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It also made me wonder how cruise theme nights might evolve in the future. Gatsby parties remain popular, but it's been a century since the Roaring Twenties. At what point will they fizzle out?

Before long, a "20s Night" won't mean jazz bands, art deco glamour and champagne towers. It will mean the 2020s.

I shudder at what that could look like. Comfortable athleisure, oversized hoodies, white sneakers and g-string bikinis?

The soundtrack would skip from Taylor Swift to "trending audio", while people do TikTok-inspired dances. Get ready for the embarrassment, kids. Although I will always support espresso martinis as the official drink. Legend of the Seas also commemorates history at the 1400 Lobby Bar, where the menu marks milestones of the cruise line's legacy. Each cocktail is linked to features of past and present ships.

Some cruise lines have formal nights. Picture by Getty Images

Viking's Crown honours the glass-walled, top-deck observation lounge of the same name, which was introduced on Royal Caribbean's Song of Norway in 1970, becoming the line's signature architectural trademark.

Free Fall is inspired by the first skydiving simulator at sea, which debuted on Quantum of the Seas.

Several other theme parties were held to launch this new ship.

We dressed up in animal print and florals for Welcome to the Jungle, which was much less confronting than millennium nostalgia.

Whatever comes next, cruise themes are a reminder of the passing of time, and eventually everyone reaches an age when our memories become vintage.

Pro Tip: Dress codes

Don't confuse a cruise line's dress code with its theme night. Dress codes apply to restaurants and evening venues, while theme nights are optional and designed for fun. On most cruises, 'smart casual' is acceptable for dinner, if dressing up isn't your thing. Men wear long pants and a collared shirt, while women can pack versatile pieces that work for more than one occasion, such as a black dress, white top, colourful scarf or statement jewellery. These items take up little suitcase space but can be transformed with a few accessories to suit a theme party.

Words byLouise Goldsbury

Louise is the Cruise Explorer columnist for ACM. Over the past 20 years, she has sailed on more than 100 ocean, river and expedition cruises in seven continents.

My all-time favourite destination is … Antarctica, but three times is greedy.

Next on my bucket list is … Africa, Maldives, Philippines, Cuba, NZ subantarctic islands, Iceland, Greenland, and three months on a round-the-world cruise.

My top travel tip is … If you're turned off by the stereotype of big ships, start with your dream destination and book the smallest ship you can afford - preferably all-inclusive, so you can fully relax and enjoy.