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Whether you want to dip your toes into the shallows of something new or totally immerse yourself in a favourite subject, there’s a themed cruise to suit you.
Think of an activity – from aerobics to zoology – and, chances are there will be a cruise offering you the opportunity to have a go or learn more about it. The incredible range of experiences just keep on coming: art and astronomy, gardening and gold, food and drink, cycling and walking, business and marketing, bridge and poker, quilting and quickstep… themed cruises offer a real voyage or discovery for everyone.
Cruise lines have two main ways of tapping into this trend – either by turning an entire ship into a theme-based voyage open to all, or by requiring passengers to sign-up for specific classes and activities which are separate from the usual on board offering. The concept creates a win-win situation for both cruise line and customer. For the former, passenger numbers are swelled and themed activities attract customers who might not otherwise think of taking a cruise; for the latter, the hours dedicated to a specific subject, the high quality of its delivery and the chance to spend time in like-minded company all add up to superb value for money and a truly enriching holiday.
And the great news is that with themed offerings available on both ocean and river cruise itineraries , there’s a wealth of choice in terms of the time, location and cost of your voyage.
Building on the classic style of her sister ship, 2011’s Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is the fourth ship in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. It will include many of the innovative features from the Dream including the popular AquaDuck – the world’s first shipboard water coaster. The Fantasy will have an identity of its own, however, with new design elements and guest experiences. Some of the highlights include Europa – a night-time … [Read more...]
Do culinary-themed cruises sound appetising to you? One region that guests are increasingly interested in delving into deeper is food, and cruises with a culinary theme are growing in popularity. Whether it's the chance to mix it up with celebrity chefs such as Marco Pierre White – cooking up a storm on P&O Cruises' newest ship Ventura – or James Martin offering live cookery demonstrations on board Ocean Village Two as it heads to Greece … [Read more...]
Enjoy beautifully scenic walks at voyage destinations. While some themed activities, such as golf, comprise elements both on and offshore, others use the voyage's destination points as an integral part of the package. Hebridean Island Cruises' 'Footloose' theme is typical of one such vacation that is focussed on its Scottish destinations. These walking cruises, such as October's Footloose through the Inner Isles – taking in the beautiful north-west … [Read more...]
Best Foot Forward Royal Caribbean International’s newest themed programme is offering guests of all ages the opportunity to let loose and learn new dance moves. Based on a documentary film by Dori Berinstein, the hip-hop ‘Gotta Dance’ experiment went fleet-wide this summer. The award-winning documentary film of the same name – first screened in cinemas in July 2009 – chronicles the first-ever senior citizen, hip-hop dance troupe for … [Read more...]
Riding the crest of a wave with horse-loving cruisers. Champion show jumper Paul Schockemohle has collaborated with Peter Deilmann to develop a series of equestrian themes. An all-American experience was delivered when MS Deutschland departed Baltimore in November 2009 for a 16-night cruise with calls at Washington, Philadelphi, New York, Miami, New Orleans, Mexico and Jamaica. Fares were priced from £3,635, plus 750 Euros for the equestrian … [Read more...]
In 2009, Crystal Cruises unveiled 'Experiences of Discovery', a collection of theme cruises designed to enrich more than two dozen of its cruises. Special interest classes, events and, in most cases, a destination programme augment 25 cruises, with themes including Fashion & Style, Tennis, Photography, Chance & Fortune – where gaming professionals lead gambling classes and tournaments in poker and other table games – and Ballroom Dance, … [Read more...]
An entirely different kind of spectacle is presented by P&O Cruises with its themed 'Music Festival at Sea' programme, now it its 25th year. During November, as Aurora sails through the Mediterranean, a repertoire of classical music performed by internationally-renowned musicians will entertain passengers. Philip Price, Head of Brand Marketing at P&O Cruises comments: “Many of our passengers are passionate about music and see it as … [Read more...]
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