What floats your boat?

So what does float your boat?

We live in a world of diverse tastes and some of these may not be to yours but it takes all sorts.  Cruising is branching out with more and more dedicated themed cruises to attract specific clientele. In fact it is tipped to be the biggest growth area in the cruise industry.

Some of these may shock you, Surprise you, intrigue you and perhaps tempt you…

Number 1.

For the adventurous amongst you that like to get into the “Swing of things shall we say there are cruises just for swingers. Highlights include a “Roman Orgy Toga Party”, a “Glow Panty Rave”, “Fetish Friday”, and a “Holiday Tease Party”, featuring “Elves, Snowmen and Dreidels and a turn on Santa’s Lap”.  All sounds strange to me.  There are rules regarding when and where serctain activities can occur but it all seems very racy to me.  They also have Cougar Cruises – where older ladies can meet the young man of their dreams…

Number 2.

Something a little less racy now.  Are you like many a fan of the many Zombie films and programs on the screen at the moment like The Walking Dead?  Well believe it or not there are Zombie themed cruises like the “Walker Stalker” cruise on board Norwegian cruise lines.  The cruises feature talks from the show’s stars, costume contests and other apocalyptic shenanigans.

Number 3.

Oh dear we are back to the racy again.  Well perhaps not racy but certainly strange unless of course you enjoy walking around without any clothes. A number of themed cruises are geared around this very thing where Nudity is expected, except when the ship is in port and during meals. One of the most famous of these or should I say infamous is the rather less subtle Big Nude Boat , an annual naked cruise organised by Bare Necessities.

Number 4.

A little more geeky but here you can Cruise with a Klingon or rub shoulders with a Trekkie – Star Trek fans – have permeated every corner of the world, and the high seas are no different. On the annual Cruise Trek, you’re likely to get appearances from actors and production staff and all manner of themed japery. See www.cruisetrek.com

Number 5

Spy an eclipse.  A little more run-of-the-mill but each year there are a variety of cruises which will be aiming to watch this natural wonder form the very best vantage points possible.  Or if an eclipse is not accessible to you there are many cruises each year from January to march that aim to catch the spectacle which is the Northern Lights.

Number 6

Why not connect with the spirits Psychics on a themed Psychic cruise where some of the best psychics and mediums gather to tickle your fancy.  Or if ghosts and ghouls are more you thing there are Ghost Hunter’s Cruises.

Number 7.

How about a Meow Meow Cruise. Yes it a cruise for cat lovers! Sadly your feline friends cannot join you on the cruise so they may have to make do with a postcard.

Number 8

This one you may have already heard of. For lovers of the popular TV series Strictly Come Dancing. P&O’s Strictly Come Dancing-themed cruises have proven hugely popular since they were launched in 2012. Expect performances from the pros, sequins galore, and the chance to dance in an on-board competition.  All great fun.

Number 9

Rock out on-board there are a number of themed rock cruise. The Monsters of Rock Cruise, featuring bands with names like Helloween, The Killer Dwarfs and Lynch Mob get the whole ocean rocking and there are specific themed cruises for bands such as Kiss and Paramore.  Something tells me that not many people will get much sleep on these cruises.

Number 10

Transgender Cruises. If you are transgender, Transgender Vacations organises cruises around the Caribbean.

Number 11

After all that how about a Zen Cruise. Designed to help you relax and find your happy Place. These cruises feature yoga classes, spoken word and musical performances, “sound healing” and “late-night conscious carry-ons”.  What is a carry-on? Do we need to look out for Kenneth Williams and the gang?

Number 12

Well cruises are famous for their casinos but how about a whole cruise themed to Poker? It’s either your idea of heaven or Hell. Several cruise lines host poker tournaments at sea, including NCL.

Number 13

Goth Weekends are very popular in this country. Don’t believe me then venture to the little seaside town of Whitby in Late April or October. You can now go Gothic on a cruise from well where else but New Orleans. Excessive eye make-up, vampire costumes, a live performance by the bipolar-sounding band Angels and Agony.  All good stuff if you like this sort of thing.

Number 14

Knitting Cruises. Again this may bore you to tears but to some this is destressing, exciting and they like to come away with other likeminded knitters.  Cruises include demonstrations of knitting techniques but also crocheting, needlepoint, hand spinning and beading.

Number 15

Get involved with a little role play as Poirot on a Murder & Mystery Cruise. Hotels have rund these for years and now some of the cruise lines are getting in on the act. Fred Olsen ran one which linked the Poison Gardens at Alnwick Castle with the Poison Garden of Guimar in Tenerife. If you soleve the mystery you get a prize.

Number 16

Now this is my kind of themed cruise. Raise a Glass – River cruises and cruises at sea with wine tasting arranged at the various ports of call.  Specialist AMA Waterways offers a wide range of wine- and beer-themed options as do some other cruise lines. Not sure I would be safe on a ship after all that wine though…

Number 17

Film based Cruises now. Going back to a space theme and Disney holds regular sailings for fans of the Star Wars movies, where you can dress up as a Stormtrooper or Ewok and meet some of the actors and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offered a “UK Scenes from the Silver Screen”. Sailing around the UK and Ireland, the itinerary included trips to settings from TV series Game of Thrones and the Harry Potter movies.

So what do you think? Would you go on a theme cruise? If so what type of theme would you go on?

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.