Charter Cruises You Can Join
Music festivals at sea, LGBTQ+ takeovers and adults-only themes — the established organizers and their 2027 sailings.
Ask About a Charter CruiseCharter Cruises: Sail With a Shipful of Your People
Some cruises are about the ports. Charter cruises are about who is on board. When an organizer charters a ship, every guest has come for the same reason — a band, a genre, a community — and the whole ship is programmed around it.
Cruising Groups is a guide to the theme and charter cruises you can join, run by long-established organizers. We sort them by community, list the 2027 sailings published on each organizer’s own site, and explain how a charter differs from the group blocks that friends and clubs book on regular cruises. We do not list prices or artist lineups, because both change; each listing links to the official site where you can book.
Who Runs the Big Charter and Theme Cruises
Music festivals at sea
Sixthman, StarVista LIVE and others charter ships for rock, country, soul and more.
Music charters 2027 →
LGBTQ+ group cruises
Atlantis Events and Olivia run trips built for the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ sailings →
Theme cruises for adults
Electronic music, late-night parties and clothing-optional charters with age limits.
Adults-only themes →
Theme cruises 2027
The 2027 calendar of verified charter and theme sailings, month by month.
See the calendar →Why Join a Charter Instead of a Regular Cruise
Everyone shares the theme
You do not have to find your people; the whole ship is your people.
Programming all day
Concerts, meet-and-greets, workshops and themed parties fill the sea days.
Access you cannot get on land
Artists and hosts mingle with guests in a way festivals rarely allow.
Easy to go solo
Shared interest makes it easier to meet people, even if you board alone.
The trade-offs: charters run on fixed dates, often sell out early, and use the organizer’s booking terms rather than the cruise line’s. If you want the theme without a full charter, a group block on a regular sailing may suit you better — see charter vs group cruise.
Charter Cruises 2027 at a Glance
| Community | Organizer | Examples of 2027 sailings (from the official site) |
|---|---|---|
| Rock, Americana, country | Sixthman | The Rock Boat (Feb 2–7), Outlaw Country Cruise (Mar 5–10), both from Miami |
| Country, soul, disco, classic hits | StarVista LIVE | The Country Music Cruise (Feb 7–14), Soul Train Cruise (Feb 14–21), both from Fort Lauderdale |
| Hard rock and metal | Monsters of Rock Cruise | May 6–11 on Norwegian Joy, from the Los Angeles area to Ensenada |
| Electronic music | Groove Cruise | January 21–25, 2027 |
| Gay men and the LGBTQ+ community | Atlantis Events | Caribbean, Northern Europe, Mediterranean and Greek Isles sailings |
| Lesbians and LGBTQ+ women | Olivia | Caribbean, Danube, Iberia and Greek Isles trips |
Full details, with the itinerary for each, are on theme cruises 2027. Always check the organizer’s site for the latest dates and availability before planning travel.
Part of a Family of Group Cruise Sites
If you are organizing your own group — a club, reunion or wedding — CruiseGroups.us explains group packages and discounts, and Group Cruise Planner walks organizers through planning. For how theme cruises work across every interest, from food and wine to hobbies, see Special Interest Cruises; classic rock fans will find more at Classic Rock Cruises. Travelling solo? Sailing Single covers single cabins and supplements.
Prefer to build your own themed trip on a regular sailing? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can hold a block of cabins for you and your friends. You can also browse cruise lines and services on the Official Cruise Directory.
Charter Cruises: Quick Answers
What are charter cruises?
A charter cruise is a sailing where an organizer has bought the whole ship, or a large share of it, and runs its own program on board: concerts, parties, talks, themed nights. You book through the organizer and sail with people who share the same interest.
Can I join a charter cruise on my own?
Yes. Most theme cruises sell cabins to individuals, and many guests travel alone or with a friend. Some organizers help solo guests find roommates or social events on the first night.
Do charter cruises sell out?
The popular ones often do, sometimes many months ahead. The 2027 Country Music Cruise and the cabins on Groove Cruise 2027, for example, were listed as sold out on their official sites in October 2026.
Do you organize these charters?
No. Each is run by the company named, and you book with that company. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can help if you would rather sail in a group on a regular cruise.
More Cruise Sites From Our Network
Cruising Groups is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
If the charter you want is sold out, or you would rather sail as your own group, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the right ship and hold the cabins. Meet Mister Cruise →
Plan Your Own Themed Group Cruise
Want a theme without a full charter? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise hold group space on regular sailings.
Get Group Quotes