From antiques, to running, to comedy, to Goth. You name it.
Theme cruises are rocking the high seas so much so that even the most zealous voyager would be surprised to discover how diverse they have become.
Because cruising has grown dramatically within the past 20 years, cruise lines now are meeting the demands of their guests by offering more specialty onboard programming focused on lifestyle interests such as stargazing, cooking, and, yes, even blogging.
Cruiser travelers have adventured out with Richard Simons and his Cruise to Lose (no telling what’s offered on those buffets) and, dare I say, Bare Necessities, a clothing-optional cruise with the staying power of alternative dressing and what not to wear.
Religious and music cruises, featuring guest speakers and various artists and bands, top the list of the most popular theme cruises that made up approximately 20 percent of revenue for the industry; and the trend has been growing ever since.
So why do vacationers flock to these theme cruises?
Typical cruises are a great value, according to travel experts, because they offer a myriad of enjoyable and exciting activities in their own right. Add a gamut of specialized programming from hands-on learning seminars to celebrity appearances, and the value just went from great to outstanding.
Merritt Island, Fla., resident Debbie Harris Thiel, an avid Southern and Classic Rock music enthusiast, says her passion for theme cruises has her searching every year for venues that offer concerts performed by some of her favorite artists such as the Marshal Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Getting “shiprocked” is the way to go if you have an inkling of love for any kind of music, according 53-year-old Thiel, who has been on more than 10 theme cruises in the last decade.
Thiel, owner and operator of Quality Labor Management, a nationwide company that helps match the skills of workers with the needs of employers, has collected more than 1,000 vinyl 33 rpm albums from the 60s and 70s since 1972. She attributes her love for music to her father, William Franz, who played drums and keyboard in several local bands in the Port Canaveral area where she grew up.
Thiel’s vast collection of albums, which also includes hundreds of cassettes and 8-track tapes, is just one reason she looks forward to vacationing with like-minded music enthusiasts.
“It’s a great way to share what I love with other passengers who have the same interest,” Thiel said, adding. “It also takes it down to a personal level when a rock legend like the lead singer of Marshal Tucker Band is sitting next to the pool and approachable just like a regular Joe.”
Band members and actors are a big draw for theme cruises. Disney has put together a TMC Classic Cruise on its ship the “Magic,” which features actors and talent from movies of old.
Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz will host the fourth TMC Classic Cruise for five nights at the end of October out of Port Canaveral. On the sold-out cruise, passengers will watch films, speak with actors and talent who made them, hear stories from behind the scenes and enjoy special presentation with other passionate movie fans.
This unique vacation experience is a classic movie paradise at sea, according to Disney officials.
Disney also offers seasonal themed cruises for the upcoming holidays such as Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruise for Christmas.
Charity cruises like Royal Caribbean’s High Seas Rally also are big with philanthropists who strive to raise money for their cause. The High Seas Rally attracts cruising motorcyclists who fund the trip of a lifetime for those suffering from kidney disease.
And the list goes on.
You don’t have to be an extreme collector like Thiel to find your cruise of a lifetime. They are available with every cruise line, including Norwegian, Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean. Websites like ThemeCruiseFinder.com are devoted to finding what’s right for you.
“It’s righteous to be able to party onboard with a group of people who think like you do,” Thiel said. “For me, I work really hard, so when I get a chance to go, I go. And, I know I’m going to have wonderful memories to bring home.”
Thiel summed up her theme-cruise experiences by adding, “It’s awesome. It’s such a great experience that when I get off the ship, I’m already looking for the next cruise to book.”
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