2009 may go down as the year of the Themed Cruise. Some of the most notable that you’ll find are:

– The Elvis “Love me Tender” Cruise (July 30-Aug. 8). A “nostalgic celebration of the King’s greatness” that will include tribute performances of Elvis classics, an Elvis talent contest, trivia contests and more. The nine-night sailing is out of Baltimore to the Eastern Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. Rates start at $1,199 per person.

– The Psychic Medium Cruise (June 28-July 5). Psychic mediums Joanne Gerber and Rita Berkowitz host this cruise, which will include several shows to “contact with friends and loved ones who have passed on,” plus a “Mingle with the Mediums” cocktail party. The eight-night sailing is out of Miami to the Western Caribbean on the Carnival Valor. Rates start at $999 per person.

– The Caribbean Islands Marathon Cruise (Feb 14-21). Runner’s World columnist John “The Penguin” Bingham and running coach Jenny Hadfield lead a “staged marathon” across the Caribbean (each day brings a segment of a marathon on a different island, adding up to 26.2 miles over the course of the cruise). The seven-night sailing is out of Fort Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean on Holland America’s Eurodam. Rates start at $1,351 per person.
– The 2nd Annual Ukulele Cruise (April 24-27). Hours of ukulele instruction, jam sessions, hulu parties and even a talent show are in store for passengers on this cruise. Thethree-night sailing is out of Long Beach, Calif., to Mexico on Carnival’s Paradise. Rates start at $829 per person.
– The Rock the Soap Cruise (March 20-24). Hang out with one of more than 20 soap opera actors from Days of Our Lives, All My Children, As the World Turns, General Hospitaland other daytime shows. The three-night cruise is out of Long Beach, Calif., to Mexico on Carnival’s Paradise. Rates start at $709 per person.

It should come as no surprise that cruise lines are trying to spice things up to entice niche travelers into hoping on board in this slowing economy.

For more Themed Cruises check out ThemeCruiseFinder.com.