Indulge Your Passion

Themed cruises attract fans of everything from art to yoga. Jump aboard to meet like-minded guests and learn from the experts, says Sally Macmillan.

Whether you’ve taken 10 cruises or are contemplating your first, a themed cruise is a great way to combine your passion with dream destinations. What mad-keen gardener could resist a cruise that takes in Monet’s gardens at Giverny, private tours of French and English estates and a day at the Chelsea Flower Show?

Gardening, golf, music and wine-appreciation are among the most popular themed cruises but you can also find itineraries specialising in cinema, quilting and even the stock market. There are experts on board hosting workshops and giving lectures, tailored shore excursions and fellow passengers to bond with over your shared interest. Here are a few to inspire your holiday plans … 

Fitness and wellbeing

RIVER: Cycling around cities or alongside Europe’s waterways is all the rage on river cruises and some lines now offer canoeing, hiking, Segway and jogging tours as well. APT’s new cycling cruises on its Bordeaux itineraries are designed for novices to the super-fit. Distances vary from 18 to 100 kilometres and guides take you off through villages, vineyards and small, unspoilt towns.

All bike tours are graded by length, intensity and duration and support vehicles follow “just in case”. There are four on APT’s eight-day Bordeaux cruises in 2017. See aptouring.com.au.

OCEAN: Wellness is the buzzword of the moment. Silversea Expeditions runs “Wellness Expedition” voyages dedicated to improving your health while you explore South-East Asia and the South Pacific. Off-ship activities with the expedition crew can include hiking, scuba diving and kayaking; on board, you can take classes in yoga, Pilates, stretch and aquarobics with nutritionists and lifestyle consultants. See silversea.com. 

Gardens

RIVER: As its name suggests, Botanica World Discoveries specialises in cruises and tours focusing on gardens, led by expert botanical guides. Art and architecture are part and parcel of Botanica’s itineraries, which are designed by the company’s director, Judy Vanrenen, a very well-travelled garden enthusiast and author.

In 2018, the 12-day cruise-land package that visits Monet’s garden at Giverny and London’s Chelsea Flower Show starts in Paris on May 17. The seven-night Seine cruise on APT’s AmaLyra includes tours of exquisite gardens in Normandy and Napoleon Bonaparte’s Château Malmaison, famed for the roses planted by Josephine. In England, you will spend five days exploring some of the country’s outstanding historic homes and gardens.

OCEAN: Botanica runs garden-themed cruises on APT’s small ships in Asia, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. As on the river  cruises, you’re accompanied by a botanical guide and cruise director, who host excursions and present lectures on board. Perennial favourites include cherry blossom cruises to Japan and South Korea; castles, gardens and wildflowers in Scotland and Norway; and romantic palaces and gardens in Italy and Croatia.  Visit botanica.travel.

Gourmet

RIVER: Foodies and wine lovers are spoilt for choice when cruising on Europe’s rivers – every country you can name has hundreds of regional dishes and wine varieties to sample as you sail through them. There are numerous cruises for all sorts of connoisseurs but Scenic is the first line to offer cooking classes on board its river ships.

Culinary schools on ocean-going ships are incredibly popular, so Scenic Culinaire is right on trend. French cooking classes for up to 10 passengers are held several times per cruise on Scenic’s Bordeaux and Rhône itineraries, featuring ingredients you will have bought earlier with the chef. Afterwards, you get to savour your gourmet creations. See scenic.com.au. 

OCEAN: Well-known TV cook and best-selling author Lyndey Milan is hosting her third Gourmet Western Mediterranean cruise in October, on board Celebrity Constellation. Lyndey will lead tours to some of her favourite foodie places in Europe, including fabulous markets in Spain, Italy and Corsica, local vineyards and restaurants. As her catch-phrase is “hospitality of the table”, you’ll have lots of fun while soaking up valuable insider tips. See travelrite.com.au. 

Music

RIVER: If you enjoy Christopher Lawrence’s ABC Classic FM radio programs, check out the music and  art cruise he’s hosting in June 2018 on Germany’s Elbe River. The eight-night itinerary will feature museums and galleries as well as music events.

High notes are performances at Berlin’s Philharmonie and Konzerthaus, opera at the Berlin State Opera and a concert at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague.

Elbe Princesse is a new CroisiEurope ship and this cruise sails from Berlin to Prague. She only holds 80 passengers so you may want to book soon. See renaissancetours.com.au. 

OCEAN: José Carreras is headlining this October’s Bravo! Cruise of the Performing Arts on board Radiance of the Seas as part of his farewell world tour. The world-famous tenor will be joined by stars from musical theatre, opera and classical music – Marina Prior, David Hobson and choirmaster Jonathon Welch to name just three. The seven-night round-trip cruise from Sydney calls at Noumea and the Isle of Pines. See bravo2017.com.

History

RIVER: In Europe you are surrounded by Roman ruins, gothic cathedrals and ornate palaces but a history-themed cruise offers a much more detailed perspective. This year, Uniworld has two new itineraries for history buffs.

The Monarch Collection is all about European royalty and celebrates the 300th anniversary of Empress Maria Theresa’s birth. You’ll be invited to a concert and dinner in a Renaissance palace and join a princess for drinks in her castle, among other one-off events.

Jewish Heritage cruises cover the gamut of Jewish history from the Middle Ages to World War II and modern times. Historians and knowledgeable local guides will take you to sites that will make you weep and others that will inspire you. See uniworld.com/au.

OCEAN: Learn how to trace your family history on Queen Mary 2’s A Journey of Genealogy in November 2018. Experts from Ancestry will be on board the transatlantic crossing, holding workshops, presenting lectures and revealing fascinating facts about selected guests and ship’s officers. See cunardline.com.au.

Photography

OCEAN: Lindblad Expeditions’ 17-day Epic Galapagos Photo Expedition in November is accompanied by no less than 10 professional photographers, who are also qualified naturalists. They lead tours (advising on photo techniques on the ground) and hold practical workshops back on the ship after a day’s incredible wildlife spotting. Smartphone snappers to the more accomplished will benefit from their expertise. See au.expeditions.com.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth runs its first Photographic Journey in July 2018, on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords. Award-winning photographers will be on board to teach you how to make your own masterpieces – in one of the most photogenic areas of the world. See cunardline.com.au.