It used to be that "singles" cruises were as exciting as the options got for specialty cruises. Not any more: It seems that no matter your interests or affiliations, there's a theme cruise for you. Here are some of the more unusual and noteworthy specialty sailings for 2007:
Nude CruisesYup, there is such a thing! Bare Necessities Tour and Travel is hosting a 14-day clothing-optional cruise roundtrip from
Phuket, Thailand this March. Rates start at $3,150 per person. If cruising au natural in
Europa tickles your fancy, Castaways Travel (warning NUDE photos) plans a nude Danube River cruise in
Germany in July of 2008. Just enough time to decide what not to wear! Bonus: Hey, nude cruises really solve many packing dilemmas!
Forget the Midnight BuffetIt might seem counterintuitive since many people look forward to cruising in order to put it bluntly -- pig out -- but there are even specialty sailings for people who want to lost weight. One of these is Richard Simmons' Cruise to Lose. This April, the wild and wacky fitness guru Mr. Simmons will be boarding the Carnival Valor to inspire fellow passengers to get fit while sailing
the Caribbean. The Cruise to Lose features "Sizzlin' Sweatin' and Tonin'" workouts as well as "Project Me" motivational seminars. And of course, there will be special menu selections.
Improve Your Bottom Line at SeaWealth and investment cruises are increasingly popular. Visit
investmentcruise.com for offerings that include the Forbes Cruise for Investors and Collectors, with an April sailing through
Asia on the Crystal Symphony. Magazine editor and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes will be onboard. The Inaugural Financial Advisor Cruise also sails on the Crystal Symphony -- through Scandinavia and Russia in June.
Music Lovers, Take NoteIf you tend toward earthier music, book yourself on a 10th Anniversary ETA Bluegrass Cruise on Feb. 16-23, 2008. It sails through
the Caribbean on Liberty of the Seas. Special events include performances by notable bluegrass artists and a bluegrass talent show for passengers. Rates start at $1,383 for the weeklong tour, sailing out of
Miami.Bring Your MotorcycleThis definitely takes cruising to a new level. For five years, Entertainment + Travel Alternatives has been hosting cruises for motorcycle lovers, allowing passengers to bring their bikes on board with them and ride them at the ports of call! There are about a half-dozen organized cruises in 2007 with destinations in
the Caribbean and
Bermuda. If you're a biker, book soon, many of the sailings are almost sold out. Vroom vroom!
Cruise With Your Favorite MagazineMagazine cruises have large and like-minded followings. For the political conservatives, there's The Weekly Standard Cruise through
the Caribbean aboard the Seven Seas Mariner on March 24-31, 2008. Hosted by magazine editor Bill Kristol and executive editor Fred Barnes special guests include Michael Gerson, former speechwriter for President Bush, and military historian Fred Kagan. Rates: $2,000 to $6,276 per person depending on cabin type.
