Business Opportunities Weblog

February 19, 2008 by Rich Whittle | 1 Comment

Forbes Traveler:

Welcome to the world of theme cruises. In this case, it’s the Elvis Cruise, where each night lonesome-hearted hound dogs sing along with “Elvis Tribute Artists” to little ditties about hotels for the broken-hearted and the kind of rockin’ that apparently happens in jailhouses. Don’t abandon ship just yet—music is just one theme used by cruise lines to keep their privileged spot as the fastest-growing sector of the travel industry.

“Cruise lines have tailored the on-board experience to satisfy the needs of special-interest groups,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association, “whether it’s jazz, theater, baseball, health and fitness, or wine and food.” Some luxury passengers prefer to entertain themselves while at sea, but many others are jumping on board the growing theme trend. Lyn Farmer, director of entertainment and creator of the Spotlight Series at Regent Seven Seas Cruises, says that the special-interest programs give passengers the opportunity to “look at the destination from a different perspective.”

So, while some theme cruises focus on entertainment, others work hard at getting you out of the pool and into the classroom. But this is no traditional schoolhouse education. Ships are adding and revamping programs that revolve around the voyagers’ personal interests. Think: wine, caviar or car racing. For pure decadence, chocolate-lovers can indulge for a week or two aboard one of two Regent Seven Seas vessels, which set sail from Ft. Lauderdale to the Eastern Caribbean and from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale. On board the Seven Seas Voyager and the Seven Seas Navigator, lucky passengers can sample fine Valrhona concoctions on a ship packed with cocoa bean experts and pastry chefs.

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Photo by Hogs On The High Seas.

In Creativity, Niche, Success | 1 Comment