'Weekend long dress-up party': Rob and Ali love themed cruises so much they've been on 14
From 1980s disco fests to boot stomping country nights, themed cruises have become a hit for sailors around the world.
And Queensland couple Rob Stansfield and wife Ali Townson love them so much they have been on 14.
"It's like a weekend long dress-up party," Rob tells 9Travel.
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Rob Stansfield and wife Ali Townson love themed cruises. Supplied
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"They are generally just short three-night cruises run over a weekend so they do not use up a lot of annual leave from work. They are usually reasonably priced."
Add to that the potential to meet 'regulars' who become friends back on land, and they became hooked.
Their next voyage will be an 80s cruise this week, and then an Aussie Classics cruise in January.
However, that's set to be the last of Carnival's scheduled themed cruises in Australia. Something that has left the Brisbane couple a little disappointed.
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The newly rebranded Carnival Encounter Supplied/ Carnival Cruises
The Aussie arm of the cruise company tells 9Travel it will instead offer themed nights on all cruises.
But Rob, who runs a travel social media page with Ali called Rob and Ali Cruise & Travel says it won't be the same.
"The themed cruises were a type of cruise run by P&O cruises before they were disbanded," he says, adding they used to sell out.
"At that time, Carnival Cruise Line Australia took over the ex-P&O ships, Encounter and Adventure and continued to honour the themed cruises that were originally sold by P&O for sailings up until January 2026," he says.
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Rob and Ali have started a petition against axeing themed cruises. Supplied
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Carnival Cruise Line folded beloved 90 plus year-old brand, P&O Australia into the Carnival brand earlier this year.
Carnival does still have some themed cruises for upcoming sailings for this season. You can sail on a three-day comedy cruise, or get your legwarmers out for an 80's Cruise.
However, they're not on offer to book for the 2026-27 season.
The couple have launched a petition asking for the three-night themed cruises to return.
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Elvis themed cruises have proved popular. Getty
A Carnival Cruise Line spokeswoman confirmed they're "moving away from fully themed cruises" adding they're "instead embracing a diverse mix of celebrations on every sailing."
"From Elegant Night and the 80s Rock'n'Glow Deck Party to 90s Night and our Silent Disco White-Hot Night, plus seasonal highlights like Grinchmas in July, Halloween, and Christmas, there's something for everyone," a spokeswoman tells 9Travel.
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Carnival Splendor has popular themed cruises. Supplied
But the cruise line says it will listen to feedback.
Themed cruises currently taking bookings around the world include everything from Princess' Love Boat themed cruises featuring the TV cast to a Magic Castle Conjurer's Cruise from the same cruise line.
Norwegian Cruise Line also has music themed cruises - check out the Headbangers Boat 2025 in October and a country cruise in February 2026.
Upmarket cruise line Cunard also does themed cruises, with Transatlantic Fashion Week and Literature at Sea among the options.
