The festivals of the world bring people together in a colourful celebration of unique heritages and cultures. Each year, Princess Cruises host festivals onboard that originate from every corner of the globe. Parties, enriching activities, lively musical performances, festival-related movies and speciality shopping are just some of the ways these celebrations come to life onboard. Here, we look at the Festivals of the World in more detail:
Festivals of the World
Rio Carnival (January to March)
On select South American cruises
Delve into the culture and exotic folklore of Brazil with the wildly colourful 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. Take part in a Samba dance class, decorate a traditional headdress or mix and mingle with fellow travellers at a themed party.
Featured Rio Carnival activities:
- Local dancers perform a 30-minute Carnival show
- Guests can learn the Samba beat with a drum circle class
- A presentation on the history of Rio Carnival
World Festival (January to October)
On select world and Asia cruises
A cornucopia of countries come together in a celebration during Princess Cruises’ commemorative World Festival. Special touches range from onboard entertainment, enrichment opportunities, dining activities and themed gifts, all uniquely designed to showcase these global jubilees.
Featured World Festival activities:
- Celtic, Tarantella and Poi Ball dance lessons
- Global cultural trivia
- Flower and ribbon lei-making classes
Celtic Festival (April to September)
On select British Isles cruises
Tartan plaid abounds when the spirit of Celtic heritage comes to life on Princess Cruises. Learn to play the penny whistle, shop for themed items in the onboard 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 Festival activities:
- Celtic dance lessons
- Celtic penny whistle classes
- Turnip carving
Klondike Days (April to September)
On select Alaska cruises
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 and learn the symbols and language of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian clans. Youngsters will delight in the interactive Junior Ranger Program.
Featured Klondike Days activities:
- Alaskan Icon and sledge racing championships
- Discovery™ at Sea cultural activities
- Penny whistle classes
Festival of the Med (April to November)
On select Mediterranean cruises
Celebrate the diverse cultures of the Mediterranean in a festival filled with music, food, dance and art. Learn the steps of local dances and practice your moves at a top deck party like no other, study foreign language phrases and test your knowledge of the region at a trivia game, all while gaining a greater appreciation of the Mediterranean.
Featured Festival of the Med activities:
- Dance lessons
- Art and crafts sessions
- Language classes
Oktoberfest (September to October)
Fleetwide
It’s time for Oktoberfest with Princess Cruises! More than 6 million people celebrate this 16-day annual fair in Munich, Germany each year. Onboard, 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 dancing and language classes
- Beer tasting
Caribbean Festival (October to April)
On select Caribbean cruises
Celebrate the diverse cultures, delicious food and rich traditions of the Caribbean with Princess Cruises’ 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
- Traditional arts and crafts, including Mask and Mola needlework
Carnaval de Panama (October to April)
On select Panama Canal cruises
It’s been called the world’s greatest shortcut and cruising the manmade marvel that is the Panama Canal, is certainly cause for celebration. Princess Cruises Carnaval de Panama festival helps to immerse you in the region, with arts and crafts, dance lessons, Discovery™ Animal shows, lectures and documentaries on the Panama Canal and a colourful party in the Piazza.
Featured Carnaval de Panama activities:
- Traditional Mola arts and crafts
- Piazza party featuring salsa, reggae, calypso and merengue music
- Drum circles and steel pan music classes
Matariki Festival (October to 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 had passed from this world to the next.
Featured Matariki Festival activities:
- Vibrant Kapa Haka performances
- Cultural trivia
- Poi Ball dance classes
Mexican Fiesta (October to April)
On select USA and Mexico cruises
The Day of the Dead is a colourful 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 Mexican Fiesta activities:
- Children’s pasta skeleton making
- Aztec flower making
- Decorating marzipan skulls
King Kamehameha Festival (October to May)
On select USA and Mexico cruises
Get into the aloha spirit when you participate in King Kamehameha Festival. The national holiday of the Kingdom of Hawaii honours 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 ukelele, learn to tie a sarong and gain valuable insights into the island’s culture.
Featured King Kamehameha Festival activities:
- Hawaiian music and language classes
- Hawaiian culture trivia
- Hula dance classes
