Around the world, in every season, festivals bring people together in vibrant celebrations of unique heritages and cultures. Princess is thrilled to bring those celebrations aboard by hosting festivals that originate from every corner of the globe, giving you a taste of local life through parties, enriching activities, lively musical performances, and so much more. Discover Aztec traditions and delicious marzipan skulls at a Day of the Dead festival, or watch the fascinating dances and ceremonies of the Māori while you cruise around New Zealand. Connect with the culture of Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more to broaden your horizons both on board and ashore.
Celebrate the start of the Māori New Year at the Matariki Festival, and learn all about the ancient traditions of the Māori people. From ceremonial harvest offerings to cultural trivia, you’ll be immersed in the history and culture of indigenous New Zealanders. Honor the legacy of whakapapa (ancestors) who have passed from this world to the next, and participate in a colorful variety of cultural events. Make wish boxes, take a Poi Ball dance class, or watch a vigorous ‘Kapa Haka’ performance before trying it out yourself!
Truly embrace the “Aloha Spirit” at the King Kamehameha festival, honoring the memory of Kamehameha who united the Hawaiian islands in 1810 and became Hawai’i’s first king. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture, from taking Hawaiian language classes and hula dance classes to making fragrant leis and strumming ukuleles. Discover even more of the islands’ culture from onboard cultural ambassadors and test your knowledge with Hawaiian cultural trivia.
Dive into ancient Aztec traditions at the Day of the Dead festival and discover how different cultures celebrate the passing of loved ones. Day of the Dead is typically celebrated in central and southern Mexico, but Princess is bringing the holiday directly to you! The little ones can enjoy face painting, flower making, pasta skeleton making, and sugar skull mask making, as well as decorating marzipan skulls of their own!
Discover the stories of the Alaskan Gold Rush at the Klondike Days celebration, and you’ll feel the thrill of adventure coursing through your veins. Learn the language of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian clans, and listen to tales of early settlers and the native tribes. Get to know sled racing champions and their furry friends, pick up a new musical skill at penny whistle classes, and inspire the kids to explore the Alaskan wilderness with the interactive Junior Ranger Program, developed with the National Park Service.
With such a rich history and mix of cultures, the Caribbean is like no other place on Earth – and their rich traditions are just as fascinating as the islands themselves. At the onboard Caribbean Festival, you can create works of art in a traditional needlework class, learn how to play the steel pan drum, and show off your salsa skills at the onboard dance party (but don’t worry if you don’t know how – there’s salsa classes too). Connect with Caribbean culture in new wild ways, and meet some feathered friends with the Parrots in the Piazza program. Come home with unforgettable stories and experiences.