When someone tells you they’re going on a cruise, you typically assume they’ll be spending their days lying by the pool, gambling in onboard casinos, feasting on endless amounts of fantastic food, watching talented entertainers perform elaborate shows, and frolicking on exotic beaches of many tropical ports. It seems that those aren’t always the only possibilities – an increasing number of cruises these days feature a theme, some quite unusual, enticing like-minded travelers to sign up and set sail.
Not your average vacation — the following six cruises offer travelers a truly unique vacation experience:
The Elvis Cruise
Calling all Elvis fans! Devotees looking for a tropical vacation where they can bond over their mutual love for the king have been gathering together for five years on the Elvis Cruise. The ship sets sail in January, following the king’s birthday celebration in Nashville, and journeys the beautiful waters of the Caribbean. On-ship entertainment includes hits from some of the most talented Elvis impersonators in the world, appearances by actors who co-starred in movies with him, and words from many of his close friends and associates. Enthusiasts stay busy with panel discussions, concerts, fashion shows, movies, and more — all centered on the King of Rock n’ Roll himself.
Caribbean Running Cruise
The Caribbean Running Cruise just might be a dream come true for fitness enthusiasts who want to come home from vacation feeling fit, tanned, and toned. Four picturesque runs/walks are planned for guests, one at every port, each containing a three mile and a five-to-six mile distance option. Guests choose how far they want to go and whether they’d like to run or walk, completing either a half or full marathon by the time the cruise ends. While at sea, cruisers stay entertained with seminars on topics like running, racing, nutrition, and strength training, in addition to many fun social and dining events. Vacation never felt so good!
St. Louis Cardinals Cruise
When St. Louis Cardinals fans want to see their favorite team in action, they don’t just say ‘take me out to the ballgame,’ they also have the option to hop on a cruise ship and sail the Caribbean with their baseball heroes. The team hosts an annual week-long cruise, where fans have the opportunity to set sail with their favorite Cardinals celebrities, enjoying activities like autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and the chance to participate in Q&A sessions. All the fun is for a good cause too — profits go to Cardinals Care, a community fund supporting various organizations the team helps to fund.
The New Kids on the Block Cruise
Fan who still have “the right stuff” for the New Kids on the Block have been heading out to sea with the band for their annual NKOTB cruise since they reunited in 2008. Band members Donnie, Danny, Joe, Jordan, and John spend the three day cruise roaming the boat making fans swoon, performing concerts, and getting to know the loyal fans who have been with them since they were teenagers in the 1980’s. Fans have been known to get creative and decorate their doors with pictures of their favorite New Kid, creating a fun festive vibe. When on the cruise, it’s always a good idea to answer a knock on your cabin door, as it just might be your favorite band member on the other side, there to pay you a visit!
CraftCruises
Anyone searching for a way to learn new crafting skills, or hone ones they already have, is in luck thanks to CraftCruises. The company offers cruises focused on themes on themes like knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, handspinning, beading, mixed media, Christmas crafts, and crafts for kids. Guests are able to take part in classes led by talented instructors, who are highly sought after in their respective industries. In addition to learning new skills in class sessions, participants are encouraged to make new friends and seek inspiration from local art at every port. Guests are led on excursions at each harbor, where they are able to get a feel for the local artistic culture and visit prominent crafting supply stores in the area.
Social Media Cruise
Social media fanatics can embark on the Social Media Cruise, a vacation where it’s not only acceptable to post tweets and status updates at all times, it’s encouraged. Bloggers, marketing gurus, journalists, and those just plain addicted to social media sail the waters of the Pacific, while deepening their knowledge of social media practices. Guests enjoy keynote speeches, break-out sessions, networking opportunities, brainstorming, and learning opportunities to improve their social media skills. Special social media excursions also take place in Vancouver and San Francisco, where participants have the opportunity to get off the boat and do some social networking on dry land.
If you’re thinking of embarking on a cruise, it might be a good idea to do a little research and see if any themed ones out there might suit your interests. Think about the fun you’d have setting sail with your favorite band, baseball team, or even 1,000 others who share your favorite hobby. You’d be sure to come home with vacation stories that people actually want to hear about!
Sara Collins is a writer for NerdWallet. She works to help readers save money by learning about personal finance topics, from va mortgage rates and fha mortgage rates to finding the best deals on travel.
