Festivals of the World

Caribbean Festival (October – April)

On select Caribbean cruises

The Caribbean is full of rhythms, from the way the day flows from gorgeous sunrise to warm sunset to the irresistible sounds of the steel pan drum. Celebrate the diverse cultures, delicious food and rich traditions of the islands at our onboard Caribbean Festival. Learn the iconic steel pan drum, dance the night away in the Piazza after learning to salsa or create vibrant works of art in a Mola class. Just like the Caribbean itself, this festival has something for every passion.

Featured Caribbean Festival Activities:

• Steel Pan drum classes
• Salsa dance classes
• Caribbean Piazza Dance party
• Traditional arts and crafts, including "Mask & Mola" needlework

Carnaval de Panama (October – April)

On select Panama Canal cruises

It's been called the "world's greatest shortcut" and cruising to this manmade marvel is certainly cause for celebration. Our Carnaval de Panama festival helps immerse you in the region, with arts and crafts, dance lessons, Discovery^TM Animal shows, lectures and documentaries on the Canal, a colorful party in the Piazza and much more!

Featured Carnaval Activities:

Rio Carnival (January – March)

On select South American cruises

Delve into the culture and exotic folklore of Brazil with the wildly colorful and exhilarating Rio Carnival! Hailed as one of the greatest parties on earth, the official "Carnival" is held in Rio de Janeiro, four days before Ash Wednesday. Kick up your heels at a Samba dance class, decorate a traditional headdress or mix and mingle with fellow travelers at a themed party!

Featured Rio Carnival Activities:

• Local dancers perform a 30 minute Carnival show that will include some capoeira and guests
• Learn the Samba beat with our drum circle class
• Cultural historical trivia
• The History of Rio Carnival presentation

King Kamehameha Festival (October – May)

On select California Coast and Mexico cruises

Throw on your Hawaiian shirt and get into the "Aloha Spirit" when you participate in this national holiday of the Kingdom of Hawaii, honoring the memory of Kamehameha who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810 and became Hawaii’s first king. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture, make fragrant leis, strum a ukulele, learn to tie a sarong and gain valuable insights into the islands' culture from onboard cultural ambassadors.

Featured King Kamehameha Activities:

• Hawaiian music and language classes
• Hawaiian cultural trivia
• Hula dance classes

Matariki Festival (October – April)

On select Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises

This traditional Maori celebration gives a nod to the heavens. Matariki is the Maori name for the Pleiades star cluster, or The Seven Sisters, whose appearance marked the start of the Maori New Year. This ancient festival is resplendent with ceremonial harvest offerings and homage to the legacy of the whakapapa (ancestors) who have passed from this world to the next. On select Princess cruise vacations, participate in a colorful variety of cultural events and make wish boxes or watch a vibrant 'Kapa Haka' performance before trying the dance yourself!

Featured Matariki Activities:

• Cultural trivia
• Poi Ball dance class

Mexican Fiesta (October – April)

On select California Coast and Mexico cruises

The Day of the Dead, also known as Day of the Innocents or Little Angels, is a colorful and fascinating holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during the chilly first days of November. Explore this ancient Aztec tradition on Princess Cruises, with face painting, flower making and sugar skull mask making. Don’t miss the dance-filled variety show, with such enthralling numbers as 'The Procession of the Dead.'

Featured Day of the Dead Activities:

• Decorate marzipan skulls
• Aztec flower making
• Children’s pasta skeleton making
• Learning traditional dances

Festival of the Med (April – November)

On select Mediterranean cruises

Celebrate the diverse cultures of the Mediterranean in a festival filled with music, food, dance and art. Learn a few steps of world-famous, local dances and practice your moves at a top deck party like no other. Study foreign language phrases that could come in handy, and test your knowledge of the region at a trivia game. Gain a greater appreciation of the spectacular Mediterranean while reveling in your time at sea.

Featured Mediterranean Activities:

• Dance lessons – from basic flamenco (Spain) and cancan (France) to the tarantella (Italy) and syrtaki (Greece – the Zorba dance)
• Deck dance party
• Arts & crafts – making Venetian fans
• Trivia contest
• Language class offering basic phrases in Spanish, Italian, French and Greek

Celtic Festival (April – September)

On select UK cruises

Tartan plaid abounds when the spirit of Celtic heritage comes to life on Princess Cruises. Clap your hands in "Scotland," where light-footed dancers and bagpipers perform, and in "Ireland" watch "Gaels Afloat," a Celtic performance of indigenous dance and music. Learn to play the penny whistle, shop for themed items in our retail boutiques, try your hand at turnip carving and enjoy arts and crafts for the wee ones. You'll be wearing a kilt in no time!

Featured Celtic Activities:

• Scotland (Greenock) Highland dancers
• Celtic dance lessons
• Cultural trivia
• Turnip carving
• Celtic penny whistle classes

Klondike Days (April – September)

On select Alaska cruises

The vast Alaskan wilderness holds many stories. Discover the history of Alaska and celebrate Klondike Days, as real Alaskans regale you with tales of early settlers and the native Tlingit tribes. You’ll feel the glory days of the Gold Rush come to life on select Alaska cruises with Princess and learn the symbols and language of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian clans. Youngsters will delight in our interactive Junior Ranger Program, developed with the National Park Service.

Featured Klondike Days Activities:

• Alaskan Icon and sled racing champion’s
• Discovery at Sea cultural activities
• Penny whistle classes

World Festival (January – October)

On select World and Asia cruises

We’re bringing festivals from destinations all over the world on board. A cornucopia of countries come together in a celebration during Princess' commemorative World Festival. Special touches range from onboard entertainment, enrichment opportunities and dining Activities to dining room photo templates and themed gifts in our boutique retail shops, all uniquely designed to showcase these global jubilees.

Featured World Festival Activities:

Oktoberfest (September – October)

Fleetwide

Pull on your lederhosen and grab a stein of beer. It's time for Oktoberfest with Princess Cruises! More than 6 million people celebrate this 16-day annual fair in Munich, Germany each year, commemorating the 1810 royal wedding of King Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. On our Oktoberfest cruise vacations, polka music fills the air, leg-slapping dancers perform in Bavarian garb, squeezebox classes are a gas for all involved and the "kinder" can try their hand at pretzel making.

Featured Oktoberfest Activities:

• Cultural trivia
• Traditional dance & language classes
• Beer tasting