The best special interest cruises
When you sit down and think about it, a cruise ship is the perfect venue to host an event. A fully-staffed, self-contained hotel that includes bars, clubs and theatres – everything you need to bring together a group of people, whether that’s a work conference or a bunch of avid knitters…
This fact hasn’t gone unnoticed by event organisers or cruise lines either.
In fact, there are cruises to suit almost every hobby and special interest, with itineraries tailored to visiting relevant sites along with onboard activities.
And when we say almost every hobby – we actually mean EVERY hobby.
We’ve got outlined a few that caught our eye below…
P&O Cruises
Strictly Come Dancing
P&O Cruises has established itself as the official cruise partner of Strictly Come Dancing and is offering four specialist cruises for the coming year.
Each sailing will feature judge Craig Revel Horwood, two pairs of the programme’s professional dancers and a past celebrity contestant. There will also be the chance to take regular dance classes and compete in a competition – which will be judged by Craig himself.
The cruise will give opportunities to meet the show’s stars, see a selection of the costumes which will be displayed around the ship and watch Strictly showcases – produced by BBC Worldwide.
The Strictly special interest cruises are under the following cruise codes: X409, E413, A421 and R417.
AmaWaterways
Knitting cruise
This December AmaWaterways is offering the world’s first specialist knitting cruise – which will feature Barry Klein, one of the world’s most influential experts.
Departing from Vilshofen for a seven-night special interest sailing, the cruise will feature classes on technique, pattern and everything else you could possibly think of.
All in the company of your fellow knitting aficionados of course!
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Pirate Radio Anniversary
British line Cruise & Maritime Voyages has announced a cruise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio Caroline – the original swinging sixties pirate radio station.
The ship, which inspired the film The Boat That Rocked, saw legendary DJs like Johnnie Walker, Emperor Rosko and Dave Cash ply their trade in international waters – while broadcasting into the UK. The cruise will include those names plus the likes of The Rhythm Kings and Georgie Fame taking to the DJ booth.
The cruise itself will sail close to the original mooring of Radio Caroline in a voyage from Tilbury to Holland this August.
Crystal Cruises
Up close and magical
This December ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises is offering a Caribbean sailing that will feature multiple maestros from Hollywood’s exclusive members-only club, The Magic Castle.
The brilliant magicians will be dazzling, mystifying and sharing their illusionary talents with classes and shows.
Definitely one for the fans of the mystical!
Royal Caribbean
World Poker Tour
This cruise is being run by the World Poker Tour itself – onboard Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship Allure of the Seas – which is a testament to the popularity of some specialist cruises.
The sailing will feature a range of tournaments and lessons from some of the industry’s most famous faces – on a week-long sailing from Fort Lauderdale down to Jamaica and back.
A great experience for those gamblers and card-sharks out there.
Azamara Club Cruises
The Open
Royal Caribbean’s cultural arm, Azamara Club Cruises, is offering an itinerary tailored towards those who wish to combine a British Isles sailing with a chance to see the final day of one of the most famous golf tournaments in the world: The Open.
After the day at St. Andrews guests will sail up to the Norwegian Fjords and cross the Arctic Circle – without some of the British Isles most renowned courses first.
The line has partnered with PerryGolf to offer a top of the range golf package for the trip with an itinerary that will suit both players and those waiting at the 19th.