A whole world of hobby, special-interest, and lifestyle theme cruises awaits your participation.
What’s your interest? Think of it and you’ll probably find a special cruise dedicated to it. These are the special theme cruises that don’t really fit into the normal range of offerings, although they usually follow the same itinerary.
Theme cruises are primarily ‘regular’ cruises, but with additional programs, linked to personalities and theme subject specialists. With special seminars and hands-on learning sessions, dances or concerts, sports, activities, and leisure on the menu, the possibilities are endless. Also, you’ll be traveling with people who have the same hobbies, interests, or passions, or to increase your knowledge of a particular subject. You could also be close to your favorite celebrity and get to talk to them in person.
Music on the high seas
Music has always been a popular feature of shipboard entertainment, and special-interest music festivals, celebrations, and even competitions at sea have been part of the modern-day cruise scene since the 1960s. It’s like having a special backstage pass to be up-close-and-personal with world-class musical talent.
Solo instruments are an unusual item for a theme cruise, but in 1986 the first Accordion Festival at Sea – with over 600 accordionists on board competing for financial and other prizes – took place aboard Chandris Fantasy Cruises’ Galileo. It was not a full ship charter, so the other passengers were fascinated by the richness of performances of this versatile instrument.
Even before that, however, starting in 1976, a Classical Music Festival At Sea took place annually aboard the Paquet French Cruises’ 650-passenger Mermoz until the early 1990s (and wine, all other drinks, and shore excursions were included in the fare). The artistic director André Borocz organized the whole event, including booking about 70 musicians who sailed on each of these special cruises (either in the Mediterranean or Caribbean). World-class artists such as James Galway, Barbara Hendricks, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Maurice André, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax, Schlomo Mintz, Bobby McFerrin, and the English Chamber Orchestra sailed aboard the ship, with music concerts performed ashore – usually in the evening – in Caribbean venues such as Papa Doc’s Citadelle in Haiti, La Popa Monastery in Cartagena, or, in Europe, the ancient Greek theatre at Epidaurus, the Teatro Mercadante in Naples, or the ancient open-air theatre at Xanthos, Turkey.
Néstor Torres performs as part of The Grammy Experience aboard Norwegian Getaway.
NCL
What was unusual, and fun, was to watch these world-famous artistes rehearsing in the daytime – often in their bathrobes – with passengers (also in bathrobes or casual clothing) attending; then, at around 6pm, everyone donned tuxedos for the evening. The close contact and the interaction between performers and the music-loving passengers were wonderful. Suffice it to say that this was indeed a very special theme cruise.
In 1993 Paquet French Cruises was purchased by Costa Cruises, which was itself purchased by the Carnival Corporation in 1996. In 1999 Paquet Cruises was dismantled, and the Mermoz ship was scrapped in 2008.
Today, several cruise lines have taken up the Classical Music Festival at Sea theme, with Hapag-Lloyd’s annual Ocean Sun Festival the most prestigious and sought-after event.
The company also hosts the annual Stella Maris International Vocal Competition (opera, song, and oratorio) in cooperation with renowned opera houses throughout the world. It is organized under the direction of Canadian tenor Michael Schade aboard Europa, with up-and-coming opera singers from around the world competing to win €15,000 and a recording contract with the German classical music record label, Deutsche Grammophon.
Cool jazz
Staying on the music theme, Big Band theme cruises have also always been popular, with bands such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra all having been part of the music on the high seas theme. In October 2015, Cunard hosted the first-ever Blue Note-themed crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 – showcasing Blue Note’s 75th anniversary All Star Band. It featured keyboardist Robert Glasper, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Kendrick Scott. Herbie Hancock was the headline act on one of two more special Blue Note-themed crossings in 2016, as was jazz vocalist Gregory Porter.
Jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry (trumpet), Woody Herman (clarinet), Benny Carter, Buddy Tate, Gerry Mulligan (saxophone), Junior Mance, Mel Powell, and Paul Broadnax (piano), Howard Alden (guitar), Keter Betts, Major Holley, Milt Hinton, and Kiyoshi Kitagawa (double bass), Chuck Riggs and Louis Bellson (drums), Mel Tormé (voice), the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, and Joe Williams and the Festival Jazzers have all sailed and played on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ‘Floating Jazz Festival’ cruises aboard the now-scrapped Norway and other ships in the fleet (organized by Hank O’Neal).
Today, the Smooth Jazz Cruise (also known as ‘The Greatest Party At Sea’) has been attracting well-known names such as the jazz violinist Ken Ford, guitarist-vocalist George Benson, bassist Marcus Miller, guitarist Earl Klugh, saxophonists David Sanborn, Mindi Abair, Paul Taylor, and Richard Elliott, and jazz fans – principally aboard Holland America Line ships.
Off your rocker
Today, even rock ’n’ roll stars and fans have taken to cruising, with music-themed charters of ships becoming more prevalent.
The Moody Blues with Peter Dalton, The Zombies, Carl Palmer and The Orchestra with ELO, Starship, Little River Band, and Yes have all featured on cruises. Not to be left out, grown-up ‘boy bands,’ including the Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block, have also been cruising.
In 2017, over 20 bands rocked aboard Carnival Victory on a four-night cruise, with 44 concerts spread out among five venues, under the brand name ShipRocked. Expect more of the same, as rock ’n’ roll and blues bands go cruising to replace the loss of land-based venues and revenue (merchandising aboard a cruise ship with a captive audience is a massive incentive).
Although classical music and jazz cruises tend to last 7 to 14 days, most other music themes, such as rock ’n’ roll, or heavy metal ones, tend to be shorter (and less expensive).
Soul train
Usually a full-ship charter, a re-creation of the popular music show Soul Train includes artists such as Gladys Knight and Earth, Wind and Fire, together with numerous artists that have been part of the television show, created and hosted by Don Cornelius. The artists, dancers, and fans have a blast, and enjoy the close interaction with each other (www.soultraincruise.com). In 2016, Smokey Robinson performed aboard Celebrity Constellation. The 2018 lineup include Charlie Wilson, Eddie Levert of the O’Jays, and The Pointer Sisters.
Going up country
Country and Western and Gospel music theme cruises also pop up occasionally. Stars who have sailed in the past few years include the country and western band Alabama, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Wynonna, Neal McCoy, Love and Theft, Craig Morgan, Lonestar, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, and Kathy Mattea. There are also songwriter workshops and karaoke (judged by the professionals), late-night dance parties, and a little unscheduled jammin’ along the way.
Strictly Come Dancing with the stars
Fans of TV’s Strictly Come Dancing ballroom dancing shows will find special theme cruises with P&O Cruises (www.pocruises.com).
Family themes
Aboard the ships of Disney Cruise Line, everything is Disney – every song heard, every game played, every participation event, race, or party – it’s the complete Disney at sea package.
Royal Caribbean International has its own star themes at sea, including characters from the DreamWorks Experience such as Alex from Madagascar, Fiona and Puss in Boots from Shrek, and Po from Kung Fu Panda.
A complimentary music class aboard Crystal Serenity.
Douglas Ward
Culinary theme cruises
Food and wine cruises have always attracted interest, although some are better than others. Most have tended to be more like presentation lectures at cooking stations set on a large stage, and always seem to leave audiences wanting to ask questions one-on-one rather than as part of a general audience.
Wine-themed cruises are especially popular with oenophiles (wine lovers), who get to meet owners and specialists from various world-famous vineyards with wine talks and wine tasting as part of the pleasure of these special voyages.
Star Wars
In 2016, Disney Cruise Line designated eight sailings aboard Disney Fantasy as Star Wars cruises. Star Wars films were shown, and Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, and other characters from across the Star Wars galaxy were aboard for meet-and-greet sessions.
A shipboard version of the Jedi Training Academy invited young Jedi hopefuls to learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi master.
Families participated in Star Wars trivia games, while themed arts and crafts, games, and activities were featured daily.
In 2017, there were 15 Star Wars sailings aboard Disney Fantasy; in 2018 there are 15. May the Force be with you!
Not your regular theme cruise
Other unusual theme cruises include naturist vacations – clothing-free vacations. Bare Necessities has been doing it since 1990, although participants do dress to go to the dining room. The Big Nude Boat Cruise 2016 took place aboard Celebrity Constellation. Then there’s Dream Pleasure Tours (http://dreampleasuretours.com), founded in 2007 for sensual indulgence. This company charters ships for hedonistic lifestyle cruises, including for the gay, lesbian, and swinger communities. A swingers’ (adventurous couples) cruise took place in 2016 aboard MSC Divina, with a Bliss Cruise (for couples) aboard Celebrity Silhouette.
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Rally At Sea has been happening for around 10 years aboard Celebrity Cruises. Dress code: biker attire. There’s a belly smacker contest; a treasured chest (women); best beard (men); and a contest for the best tattoo.
Some cruises are just magical adventures in themselves. In 2013, everyone’s favorite wizard, the venerable Harry Potter, took to the seas with his own theme cruise.
Other themed cruises include Wellness, Fitness, ‘Mind, Body and Spirit,’ and ‘Life Modification’ cruises (the first Holistic Health Cruise at sea was aboard Cunard Countess in 1976 and included Ida Rolf – the esteemed creator of the extreme massage technique known as Rolfing – on board). Then there’s the Quilting and Girlfriends cruise – for girls who cruise to quilt (https://stitchinheaven.com); castles and gardens cruises (www.hebridean.co.uk); and scrapbooking cruises (www.cruiseandcrop.com).
Several cruise lines also have golf-themed cruises, but perhaps the best packages are put together by companies including Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and SeaDream Yacht Club, all of which operate smaller-size ships for a more personal experience.
The author taking part in a culinary class aboard Britannia.
Douglas Ward
Corporate cruising
Corporate incentive organizations and seagoing conferences need to have such elements as accommodation, food, or entertainment for delegates organized as one contract. Cruise companies have specialized departments to deal with all the details. Helpfully, many larger ships have almost identical cabin sizes and configurations.
Once a corporate contract is signed, no refund is possible, so insurance is essential. Although you may need only 70 percent of a ship’s capacity for your purposes, you will have to pay for the whole ship if you want an exclusive charter.
Although you can contact cruise lines directly, I strongly recommend contacting the Miami-based ship charter specialists Landry & Kling (http://landrykling.com), who can arrange whole-ship charters for theme cruises.
Maiden and inaugural voyages
It can be fun to take part in the maiden voyage of a new cruise ship. Or you could join an inaugural voyage aboard a refurbished, reconstructed, or stretched ship. However, you’ll need a degree of tolerance – and be prepared for some inconveniences, such as slow or non-existent service in dining venues.
One thing is certain: any maiden voyage is a collector’s item, but Murphy’s Law – ‘If anything can go wrong, it will’ – can prevail. Service aboard new or recently refurbished ships (or a new cruise line) is likely to be uncertain and could be a disaster. An existing cruise line may use experienced crew from its other vessels to help ‘bring out’ a new ship, but they may be unfamiliar with the ship’s layout and may have problems training other staff.
Plumbing and electrical items tend to cause the most problems, particularly aboard reconstructed and refurbished vessels. Examples: toilets that don’t flush or don’t stop flushing; faucets incorrectly marked, where ‘hot’ really means ‘cold’; and ‘automatic’ telephones that refuse to function.
In the entertainment department, items such as spare spotlight bulbs may not be in stock. Or what if the pianos arrive damaged, or audio-visual materials for the lecturers haven’t been delivered? Manuals for high-tech sound and lighting equipment may be in a foreign language.
Items such as menus, postcards, writing paper, TV remote control units, door keys, towels, pillowcases, glassware, and even toilet paper may be lost in the bowels of the ship, or simply not ordered.
The galley (kitchen) of a new ship is in trouble if the right supplies don’t turn up on time.
If you feel any of these mishaps might spoil your cruise, it would probably be better to wait until the ship has been in service for at least three months.