Theme cruises

Enjoying the myriad activities aboard cruise ships is enough for most guests. But some cruise guests are seeking more from their vacation. What you get are all the wonderful attributes of a cruise, plus the enhanced experience of learning about, or participating in, an area of your particular interest.

Theme cruises run the gamut: jazz, politics, sports, finance, poker, dancing, religious, running, photography, health issues - the list is endless. The best approach is to do research into your areas of personal interest and then see if there is an associated cruise.

There are two basic types of theme cruises - those put on by organizations, and those put on by the cruise lines. Be careful, as a cruise line event may feature a big name, but is open to everyone on board (and therefore less hands-on).

Private theme cruises are open only to those who book through appropriate channels. These private theme cruises normally have a premium associated with the price, but the experience can be fantastic.

Seminars, specialized events, socializing and dining together are all part of these cruises. Traveling with others who share your passion adds a wonderful element to the experience.

If you are a single traveler, theme cruises might be the best way to travel as you are insured of meeting fellow guests who share your passion for a particular subject matter. In the case of the "private" theme cruises, you will typically dine with only those guests who are traveling as part of the group.

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