Cruise Lines cooking up a storm

Thursday, 08 Feb, 2006 0

In an effort to stand out in a very competitive market, cruise lines have been cooking up a tidal wave of themes that are ranging from celebrity chefs to Broadway entertainment.

US cruisers no longer have to visit New York’s Broadway to see top theatrical performances.

The later, for example, includes:

Carnival Cruise Lines is now offering 40 Las Vegas-style production shows.
Celebrity Cruises has four production shows on seven of its ten ships on cruises of seven days or more.
And even the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 has three full-scale production shows — a rock opera, a dance extravaganza and a tribute to Judy Garland.

Said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International (CLIA):

“Many activities that are ‘extras’ on a typical land-based vacation, including entertainment, are included in the cost of a cruise.”

Experts that are increasingly accompanying passengers include winemakers, yoga gurus, antique hunters, military historians and explorers.

Jazz and fitness aficionados have not been left out, either. Nor have golfers.

Or how about a cruise with fellow Elvis Presley fans and activities themed to the singer?

Crystal and Radisson have a broad range of themed topics that include not only food but also big-band sounds, analyzing movies with filmmakers and meeting movie stars.

Food and wine festivals are among the most popular new themes, cruise observers say.

And celebrity chefs are also increasingly being found on theme cruises.

Holland America Line is a leader here with its new Culinary Arts Center on all of its ships. The program features more than 60 experts in anything from cheese to chocolate.

Silversea Cruises is doing 16 culinary and a dozen wine cruises, which is one of the biggest programs it’s ever offered.

Report by David Wilkening

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David

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