Cultural Cruises

Introduction

• Whether you prefer a T’ai Chi class or a lecture in ancient history, cruise ships today offer passengers lectures, workshops and classes in all manner of subjects.
  
• Some cruise companies (like Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and Hebridean Island Cruises) make every sailing a cultural experience by inviting specialist lecturers on board to offer a passengers a deeper real insight into the places they're visiting.
  
• Lecturers are drawn from many disciplines; some will be experts in ancient history and archaeology; others will be former diplomats with first-hand experience of a country's culture and politics.
  
• In many destinations expert botanists, horticulturalists and ornithologists will be at hand to talk about a region's flora and fauna - and the learning experience is not confined to lectures.
  
• Specialists also host informal question and answer sessions, and accompany guided walks and tours ashore, pointing out objects and areas of interest and providing background information, so that passengers return home feeling that they're really learned something about their chosen destination.
  
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  Learning at sea
  
• While `cultural' cruises feature destination-related educational programmes, many cruise ships offer learning programmes at sea, allowing passengers to broaden their general knowledge across a range of subjects.
  
• For example, some companies (including Cunard Line and Crystal Cruises) offer computer, art and language classes on every sailing; others include acting classes or workshops on personal finance, health and fitness, art, dance or Yoga.
  
• Passengers can dip in and out at will - participation is certainly not obligatory! - but these added-value facilities satisfy a modern trend towards using leisure time to discover new interests or brush up on existing skills.
  
• Some of the big-ship cruise lines (including Princess Cruises) are now experimenting with `tiered learning' schemes. Passengers can attend complimentary general lectures on a variety of subjects like - for example - pottery making.
  
• Then, those who decide they'd like to take a deeper interest can join smaller workshops, paying a nominal fee to cover materials. This system keeps class sizes down, enabling participants to enjoy more personalised tuition.
  
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  Special interest cruises
  
• Many cruise lines (including P&O Cruises and Fred Olsen Cruises) now offer one-off `special interest cruises' built around a specific theme, such as antiques, cookery, watercolour painting. classical music, football, health and wellbeing or dance.
  
• Again, participation is optional, and passengers who want simply to relax and enjoy their holiday at sea are left in peace to do so. But the range of subjects covered is huge (some are even dedicated to popular soaps like The Archers) and the special interest element adds an extra dimension for travellers who want to do more than soak up the sun.
  
• The best way to check out special interest cruises is to look in cruise company brochures, as these will tell you which sailings are dedicated to which themes.
  
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  WHO GOES WHERE:
  CARNIVAL CRUISES
  You can now combine a Carnival cruise with a choice of USA homeports. As well as the beaches and resorts of Florida, there’s Jacksonville – close to historic St Augustine, America’s oldest city, founded in the 1600’s; New Orleans with its’ blend of quaint architecture, turn of the century mansions and Creole culture. Or take a cruise to the Caribbean or Canada from New York and take in all the museums, theatres and culture the Big Apple has to offer.
  
  CRYSTAL CRUISES
  Crystal Cruises is very proud of its internationally recognised educational programme, the Creative Learning Institute, an unparalleled educational programme offering five areas of learning: Arts & Entertainment; Business & Technology; Lifestyle; Wellness and Wine & Food. Contemporary lifestyle topics are chosen to complement a particular cruise's destination or its additional days at sea and each class and workshop is designed to expand guests’ knowledge in an entertaining, hands-on style.
  
  For example, Garden Design sailings through the British Isles; a Nature & Wildlife programme along the coast of Baja California; a Trans-Atlantic Big Band party; and Photography cruises perfectly framing glaciers in Alaska and penguins in Antarctica. With more than two-thirds of its 95 worldwide itineraries in 2005 featuring dedicated educational programmes, these new themed cruises join a list of proven favourites including Crystal's Health & Fitness series; cruises hosted by The Smithsonian Associates and Sotheby's Institute; and the renowned Crystal Wine & Food Festival. Careful consideration is given to the development and timing of each themed cruise, matching the topic to the itinerary to allow for greater appreciation. By bridging the onboard lectures and interactive presentations with shore excursions, guests are able to experience each destination in-depth.
  
  FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES
  Fred. Olsen’s ArtsClub programme offers a choice of specialist subjects including antiques, painting, photography, gardens, wine, music and dance. Guests can enjoy talks and demonstrations from experts in their field who may also escort shore tours. Some of the best known names involved in this programme are the celebrated ceramics expert and Antiques Roadshow presenter, Lars Tharp, wine expert Jilly Goolden and cast members of Radio 4’s long-running serial The Archers. Cruise themes are often chosen to enhance the destination – such as a special Hans Christian Anderson theme on a Scandinavia cruise calling at his birthplace Copenhagen, and wine themed cruises that visit areas such as Oporto – home of port – and wine-producing regions of France. Comedians, famous sportsmen and well-known broadcasters may also be found sharing their wit and wisdom with guests on selected Fred. Olsen cruises.
  
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  HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES
  Joining guests onboard many of the cruises are a series of specialists in a wide range of disciplines including history, archaeology, birds and wildlife, wines, opera and gardens, to name just a few. Alongside these dedicated specialists Spirit also welcomes knowledgeable and talented local guides, artists and photographers to join the cruises and share their enthusiasm with the guests. The emphasis on all Hebridean Island Cruises remains very much on informality and, generally, no lectures or educational courses are involved.
  
  HOLLAND AMERICA
  Every Holland America ship is adorned with at least $2 million worth of art and antiques – guests can take a special art history tour of their ship to learn about 17th century Dutch landscapes, Ming dynasty vases and rigged wooden sailing vessels displayed around them as part of the living environment. New cultural features for 2005 include a culinary arts theatre featuring celebrity cooking demonstrations and guest chefs.
  
  Holland America’s longer voyages explore in depth the culture of the regions visited, for instance the Amazon, South America & Antarctica, Asia & Pacific – and even a 106-night annual Grand World Voyage. On these cruises longer days ashore ensure unforgettable experiences while guests speakers will offer insight on regional history, art and culture on all sailings 10 days or longer.
  
  NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOAYAGE
  The Norwegian Coastal Voyage is a cultural cruise in itself. Although as well appointed as the finest cruise ships, the coastal voyage ships are working vessels which carry passengers and vital supplies to remote coastal communities. As they go about this daily business, passengers are able to enjoy an extraordinary opportunity to explore and savour the living heart of Norway and its culture. The ship travels up and down the magnificent coastline of Norway from Bergen in the South to Kirkenes in the North calling at 34 ports along the way, most never visited by cruise liners. There is no dressing for dinner and no fighting for the Captain’s table – the coastal voyage is about immersing yourself in the heart of the destinations culture. A range of land excursion are also offered from a Midnight Sun Concert in the Tromso's Arctic Cathedral to a stay in the Lofoten islands, an inspiration for many artists.
  
  NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
  Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers Freestyle Cruising holidays for singles, couples and families operating out of North America, to Alaska, the Caribbean, the East Coast US and Bermuda, South America, Mexico, the Panama Canal and Hawaii. Whether you enjoy following in the footsteps of the Gold Rush pioneers, seeing the world's greatest collection of totem poles, touring a plantation home, visiting the Mayan Palaces of Cahal Pech or taking a tour round Seattle, Miami or New York, relaxed resort-style cruising with freedom and choice in your dining and activities is all part of the NCL experience. Now with more cruise and stay options than ever before, the choice is even greater. NCL operates a fleet of 12 ships sailing to more than 140 ports around the world.
  
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  ORIENT EXPRESS
  Road To Mandalay - A journey on board the ‘Road To Mandalay’ in Burma (Myanmar) is a voyage of constant cultural discovery. Whether travelling between the ancient cities of Pagan and Mandalay on a regular cruise, further a field to Bhamo or on the Chindwin River, all itineraries immerse guests in the culture and history of this forgotten land. A series of guest lecture cruises are also offered with topics ranging from ‘Archaeology of Pagan & Myanmar’, Missionary Work in Burma’ and ‘The History of River Travel in Myanmar’.
  
  Afloat in France - All itineraries with Orient-Express’ fleet of Afloat in France péniche-hotels submerge guests into the culture of rural France, whilst cruising the country’s beautiful inland waterways. A visit with the chef to the local cheese maker, a glass of burgundy poured straight from the barrel by the master of wines of the vineyard or a private viewing of a renaissance art collection at a 13th Century chateaux – all of these experiences are just some of the pleasure that await on an Afloat in France cruise.
  
  PETER DEILMANN RIVER CRUISES
  Central and western Europe are rich in cultural associations – history from Roman times, art through the centuries, magnificent architecture, fine music, and all the best known cities and towns such as Cologne, Avignon, Strasbourg, Meissen, Lyon, Regensburg and Rouen, are sited on the famous rivers.
  
  Peter Deilmann River Cruises offers the highest quality river cruise programme in Europe with a choice of 9 de luxe vessels exploring the rivers Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Rhone & Seine, as well as many tributaries on 7-night cruises between March and October each year where the whole emphasis is to have passengers ashore as often as possible, sightseeing!
  
  Instead of tying up in harbours or ports, river vessels moor right down-town allowing passengers easy access to explore the destinations on their own or take more formal excursions which provide a comprehensive insight into the culture of places visited. Castles, cathedrals, churches, ancient walled towns, romantic ruins, charming inns, are all readily to hand. Additionally, there are opportunities to enjoy opera, music or ballet, when the vessels overnights in principal cities like Vienna, Budapest, Dresden, Prague and Paris.
  
  PRINCESS CRUISES
  Princess Cruises offers its ScholarShip@Sea on all its vessels throughout the fleet. As "Sea Scholars", Princess passengers are offered the latest contemporary enrichment courses allowing them the chance to enhance not only their holiday experience, but also the quality of their personal and professional lives.
  
  Passengers can choose from a menu of approximately twenty courses per voyage, from areas including Photography, Ceramics and Pottery, Computer
  Technology, Culinary Arts, and a selection of special topics (including History, Art and Finance).
  
  Computer Classes are also now available onboard all vessels in the fleet. Passengers can choose from a wide selection of computer learning courses. Classes are available to suit every level and interest from first-time computer users to experienced users looking to learn how to design a web page.
  
  RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
  Radisson Seven Seas Cruises offers themed cruises that are closely linked to each individual itinerary, such as history of art in the Baltic, jazz in Bermuda or antiques in the Mediterranean. On every cruise, however, there are experts and guest speakers who lecture on subjects related to the ports of call: be it wine tasting in Malaga; film-making in Cannes; or ancient Greek literature in Athens - so you don't have to go on a themed cruise to find out more about your destination!
  
  Lovers of fine food can put their culinary skills to the test onboard Voyager and Mariner with the Le Cordon Bleu Ecole Culinaire de Paris, which runs dedicated cookery programmes on selected sailings. As for the Paul Gauguin, qualified PADI instructors offer a dive programme year-round in Tahiti for both novices and experts alike, not to mention an educational programme for children that focuses on protecting the underwater environment.
  
  With such a wide variety of themes and lectures, there is something to suit all tastes – be it culture or education.
  
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  SILVERSEA CRUISES
  The four 6 star rated ships of the Silversea fleet - sister ships Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper with a passenger capacity of 382 guests and sister ships Silver Wind and Silver Cloud carrying 296 guests - offer a wide variety of culture attractions on their year round global itineraries. Ranging from visits to the Valley of the Kings and Queens in Luxor and the Pyramids of Giza outside Cairo to private tours of the fabulous Hermitage museum and summer and winter palaces of St Petersburg, Silversea offers a rich range of cultural pursuits. Included in next year's itineraries are visits to destinations as varied as Tripoli, the Taj Mahal, Beirut, Ho Chi
  Minh City, Venice and a wide range of Mediterranean ports that allow guests to explore the history and lifestyle of these exotic countries. On the majority of voyages private, personalised tours can be arranged and lecturers will be on board to give in depth talks about the countries visited. Silversea also offers a number of wine and food themed cruises which take in escorted private visits to some of the finest vineyards across the globe which include wine tastings and lectures from experts in this field.
  
  STAR CRUISES
  Star Cruises is the only cruise line operating year-round in the Far East. The SuperStar Virgo gives access to favourite Asian cities and exotic destinations such as Singapore, Phuket, Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, and on speciality cruises, Bangkok, Koh Samui and Langkawi. Excursion options take in the best cultural sites plus include the chance to try activities such as elephant riding and sea cave canoeing.
  
  ST HELENA
  The home in exile of Napoleon Bonaparte, St Helena in the South Atlantic is steeped in history. Still without an airport and only reached by sea on the RMS St Helena it is one of today's unspoilt destinations. Take a tour of all the fortifications around the island dating from Napoleonic times right up to World War 2. Visit the fort at Jamestown if you can climb Jacob's Ladder with its 699 stone steps!
  
  VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY
  Voyages of Discovery cruises are expertly designed so that you can truly make the most out of your cruising adventure. No matter what sailing you choose, whether the North African Treasures, Red Sea Explorer, Black Sea Discovery, Scandinavian Summer, St. Petersburg and the Northern Capitals or the Newfoundland and Greenland Discovery, you will be offered an exclusive programme of guest speakers who will give a wide range of talks, from relaxed and informative speeches to in-depth lectures. You can do as much or as little as you like, but on three cruises - Voyage to Canada, Iberian Discovery and Red Sea Discovery - BBC History Magazine introduces you to the culture and history of your destination, while on the Mediterranean Odyssey there will be a team from BBC Homes & Antiques. Voyages of Discovery are sure you will reap the rewards of your knowledge once ashore!
  
  WINDSTAR CRUISES
  Many Windstar cruises feature in-depth lecture programmes explaining the in-depth bio-diversity and culture of the places visited. Special Signature Voyages are designed to help guests get even more out of their Windstar cruise, including a special shoreside event, complimentary soft drinks and wines with meals. Guests may for example observe an active volcano from the crater’s edge in Costa Rica or enjoy a unique folklore display in Belize.
  
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