Try a theme cruise

Try a theme cruise

Sunning yourself by the pool and stuffing yourself at the buffet are indulgences that cruise ship passengers expect to enjoy at sea. But an onboard performance by Grammy Award-winning blues singer Taj Mahal? Or a cooking class given by a Relais & Chateaux chef? Perks like these are exclusive to ships that cater to passengers with particular passions.

Theme cruises offer specialized itineraries for devotees of everything from blues music to Photoshop. There are even cruises especially for knitting aficionados, chess enthusiasts and Mac computer users.

"It's great seeing incredible places, but when you come back to the ship it's even better to have an interesting program onboard," says Brad Ball, public relations director for luxury Silversea Cruises, whose Enrichment Voyages offer passengers culture-, nature- and gourmet-themed programs, including a new Viking Cooking School cruise.

In many ways, theme cruises are just like ordinary cruises. The ships travel to destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other seas. However, both at ports and between stops, theme-cruise passengers can attend seminars, concerts or other activities that enhance their transit time. They also can interact with experts in their areas of interest.
 
"This is for someone who is looking for an alternative to just sitting around the pool and reading," says Neil Bauman, the CEO of InSight Cruises, which offers programs in literature, chess, classical music and various sciences. "The cruise ship itself is the destination."