More and more cruise lines are realising the importance of offering more on their cruises than just destinations.
Themed cruises are also an effective way for cruise lines to get "first-time" cruisers onboard, as special interests may hook them.
Not only do the cruise lines offer pre-planned themed cruises, but more and more guests are planning their own specific themes, be it around a family event, a wedding or specific sports event, such as golf.
Some typical theme cruises you may want to join are:
- Wine and food-themed cruises are offered by a number of cruise lines, where speciality chefs are offered on board, who not only prepare special dining experiences, but give actual demonstrations of preparing those meals, often in dedicated demonstration kitchens aboard vessels.
Matched with the food, wine plays a major role. So, on the same cruise, there would be wine specialists paring wine with different meal courses and giving wine tastings. On some cruises visits are arranged to unique wine estates.
- Health and wellness-themed cruises could feature special programmes onboard that include tai chi, yoga masters, fitness experts and wellness specialists.
Typical daily programmes include wellness and fitness assessments to establish a suitable exercise regime coupled with a proper diet. Of course, the chefs onboard offer healthy meals to complement your programme.
An example of such a cruise is Crystal Cruises' 11-day Thanksgiving Voyage on Crystal Serenity, which is a "mind, body and spirit" cruise sailing from Miami on November 19, or Costa Cruises' seven-day, Holistic Holiday at Sea aboard the Costa Fortuna, sailing March 30, 2008 from Port Everglades. Workshops cover vegan and macrobiotic cooking, as well as shiatsu massage and heart disease prevention.
- Music-themed cruises are wonderful cruises of music and fun, spent listening to great bands and performers and dancing the nights away.
Often cruise lines will secure famous musicians that perform once or twice exclusively for their audience aboard that particular sailing, often in a unique setting, such as under the stars while at sea. Some cruise lines go as far as offering music lessons while on these cruises.
On January 26, 2008 the Carnival Freedom departs from Miami on a "Grand Ole Opry" cruise with good old country music fun hosted by some well-known country music stars.
A cruise I would love to do is the Jazz and Blues Festival that includes a port visit to New Orleans (If we can find 40 interested guests, lets go!).
- Sports themes are becoming more and more popular. A sports theme could be arranged around golf, with guest golf professionals hosting games, giving lessons and, on some cruises, a day at a major golfing event, such as the British Open could be included.
Some cruise lines include games at courses such as Mahogany Run Golf Course in St Thomas and at Barbados Golf Club.
A wonderful golf-focused voyage is on the Silver Shadow departing December 8, 2008 and hosted by Brian Williamson, playing at courses such as Acapulco's Fairmont Pierre Marques Golf Club.
- What about a cultural-themed cruise that offers a Theatre at Sea with wonderful theatrical entertainment? Consider the 12-night cruise aboard Seven Seas Mariner, cruising from Manaus to Fort Lauderdale next year, offering performances by Ed Asner, Tovah Feldshuh, Patricia Neal, Eli Wallach and others.
And what about finally learning about digital photography or about using that computer standing in the study gathering dust? Some cruise lines offer "technology cruises" on which guests are given the opportunity to learn these skills.
More and more cruises are also recognising the importance of social gatherings, be it a family reunion, a celebration of a major birthday, a wedding, Bar Mitzvah or a "celebration of life".
Most cruises offer enrichment lectures often focused on specific subjects around which an interested group of friends could tailor a holiday.
So, next time you are thinking about a cruise, ask about themed cruises if you are interested in a specific subject, sport or whatever else piques your interest.