I’m not rich enough, old enough, or sea-worthy enough to have actually gone on any cruises, but this random anecdote in another thread got me really curious. I always thought of cruise ships as either floating orgies for spring break or oceanbound casinos for the elderly. I didn’t realize any of them offered “enrichment” programs.
What does that mean, exactly? Like Masterclass-type things, or ranger talks? What are they about, and who gives them? Does that make these cruises more like the Semester at Sea programs…? If so, that sounds WAY more appealing.
Are there any other cruises with philosophies more like that… as in less party-boat, more just laid-back lounging with some interesting discussions and the like? On one hand, the idea of being trapped at sea with drunken horny rowdiness and puke everywhere sounds absolutely horrifying. Or kids. But a relaxing journey with interesting conversation over a glass of wine…? You know, that actually sounds appealing. Is that really how it is, or am I totally misinterpreting @commasense’s anecdote?
There are cruises to suit almost any personality. You just need to get it clear in your head what you want from a cruise and then find that ship that caters to what you want.
I went on the Queen Mary 2 from New York to South Hampton (think London…close enough).
It is 100% sea days (no ports to get off at). The ship is the whole thing. It is not called a “cruise” but a “passage” (something I was constantly corrected on). The ship itself is the ONLY ocean liner left in the whole world (yes, there is a difference). Since it is all sea days the ship-board experience is the whole thing. Theater, enrichment, spas, hanging by the pool, reading in the bar…whatever.
I liked it. I am not a fan of the Caribbean booze cruise and cheesy port visits. But, to each their own.
ETA: Those in the know say the better trip is South Hampton to New York since you get 25 hour days.
Hm, hit youtuber Emma Cruises. She does more ‘economy’ oriented cruises [for luxury, “Ben and David” or “Chloe and Sometimes Ludvig”]
My husband and I have done a few nonluxury cruises and enjoyed them. For ‘enrichment’ we had some fun demonstrations [I really wanted to get called up to the stage to walk through making a Black Forest Cake] some interesting lectures on the local history and my husband went on some shore excursions [I got a great bottle of rum with my name engraved on the bottle from Puerto Rico =) ] [[I am handicapped co he tends to go on excursions and I hang out and people watch off my balcony or in public areas on the boat]]
I will point out that while I really like Ben and David’s vids because they do a nice job of looking at the cabons, the food and the excursions their attitude towards the ‘common free coffee’ found anywhere NOT starshit coffee is annoying. One can not compare a barista drawn oatmilk latte with decorative swirly foam to a common American style filter/drip coffee. Complaining about Lavazza brand drip coffee not being a Starcrap burnt Oatmilk Latte with foofy art foam is rather freaking annoying. If you don’t like filter coffee, go buy your damned Starshit and do not diss filter coffee that is perfectly adequate.
I’ve been on quite a few cruises (mostly with MSC) and none of them have had much “drunken horny rowdiness”. Maybe that’s reserved only for spring break or certain destinations?
In general, we treat them as a floating hotel + overnight train ride to go from city to city (and the cost is quite reasonable on that basis). The only time we spend on the ship is eating breakfast and supper and watching the nightly show (usually amateurish singing and dancing, but sometimes a magician or comedian). On nice days, the pool area is usually crowded but we’re not real “relax by the pool” people.
Each day we’ll get off the boat and explore whatever port we stop at (either on our own or, more often, as part of a tour arranged by the ship). I’m not sure if that falls into the category of “educational” for you, but I like exploring different areas of the world.
I would also recommend Gary Bembridge videos for info on cruising. He has a lot of guides for cruising that are helpful if you are interested in a cruise:
I’ve been on three Viking cruises (Rhine, Baltic, and Arctic Norway). It is basically a tour or your choice nearly every day in a new city, town, or other place of interest). You wake up each morning in a new place, get on a bus, and spend the day in museums, castles, battlefields, whatever) get on the boat again and it moves you to the next destination. You don’t have to pack/unpack or arrange your own transport, lodging, or meals. All the hassles of traveling are gone until they kick you off the boat and bus you to the nearest airport. For me it is like surveying a class. “Was that city interesting with more I’d like to see?” (like Gadansk). Next time we’ll book an airbnb and spend a week. “Was it a miserable place full of miserable people?” (St. Petersburg), I can just cross it off my list and try somewhere else.
On the other end of the spectrum is the cruise I went on last week. I barely slept, ate badly, and danced my ass off for four days straight. Only got off the boat long enough to catch some Lucha Libre in Cozumel.
What a coincidence-SKEPTIC Magazine just sent me a flyer today for a special trip on the Mitsui Ocean Fuji with lecturer Professor Jared Diamond, “Japan Through The Ages: Exploring Nature, History, Culture &Society” It is a 17 day adventure in several Japanese ports and one stop in Busan South Korea. It is an all-suite trip costing $12,890 to $13,890, and if I had the cash I would definitely go.
Also, the Viking river cruises are on smaller long boats, not the typical big cruise ships you see for Carnival. My mom and aunt did the Rhine tour a few years ago, and loved the slow pace and educational aspects of it.
Any ‘educational’ portion of a cruise is more likely to occur at ports of call where you can select excursions to local sites. Be aware that these excursions purchased through the cruise line is convenient but can be had for less money & smaller groups if you book them directly.
Like anything else, cruise quality is largely determined by how much you pay. Some cruise lines are more budget oriented—you get what you pay for. Some cater more to families/children while others are more adult oriented.
Be aware that when you leave the ship at ports of call you will have ‘Sucker’ stamped on your forehead. Loads of vendors will be awaiting your arrival with specially increased prices in honour of the occasion.
My family members sailed with this small ship company several times. Hawai’i, Baja, Cali and Alaska. Small ships carry 20-80 people, all inclusive and lots of activities and focus on local culture and environment
Windstar cruises
Once upon a time used to be known as windjammer cruises.
We have been on several cruises: Baltic, Mediterranean, and Iberian.
After the first, we found a set of criteria: the ship has to be relatively small. 6000 passengers is ridiculous. The destinations have to be interesting and the price reasonable.
Now we have to manage a wheelchair; we prefer Southampton departures (not South Hampton) purely for convenience.
All the cruises we have enjoyed have offered some “education”. Usually related to the destination, so I learned a lot about St Petersburg before we got there. Apart from the shows, there are usually quizzes, bridge tournaments, and a variety of other ways to pass the time. I tended to spend a lot of time on sea days in the library.
By this, I take it you mean bridge, the card game, not tournaments on the bridge of the ship? (Sorry, never played the game or been on a cruise)
What were the shows and quizzes like? Were they just sort of general entertainment and trivia type things, or tied to the places you were visiting and learning about (like St. Petersburg)? What I’m asking, I guess, is how thematic & educational those events were.
They have libraries? What kind of books are typically held there?
I mean… if there were actually a cruise that had Jared Diamond lectures during the day and archery competitions in the evening, sign me up! Hell, add in a well-stocked library and I might just move onboard for good. Closet thing to the Enterprise we have on this planet.
There used to be this 90s dreamboat-fantasy-scam called the Freedom Ship, basically a floating tax haven city that would continuously circumnavigate the globe. Imagine Snowpiercer, but with more intact limbs and cocktails and schools and gyms. I would’ve loved to live there for a while.
It varies between ships. A mixture, ranging from fluffy romance to serious literature and reference books with information about the countries the ship usually called at.
The “libraries” are often large but I’ve never seen one in any sort of order. I doubt the cruise lines actually buy any of the books. Passengers like me just have no desire to lug around a book that I’ve already read and just leave them. And onboard lecturerers might seed the room with their self published books of local interest. Think of it as a big version of those leave-one-take-one “tiny libraries” in your neighborhood. The rooms themselves are often elaborate, but the pickings are similar to what you might find in an airport Hudson’s.
Road Scholar is the big dog in the educational cruises department. It’s been mentioned in several threads including this one:
I went on two of their excursions: one to the Grand Canyon and one to Alaska. Both had their pluses and minuses.
Pluses: Small groups (< 25 people), some less “touristy” stops, all-inclusive and no tipping (I even opted to get airfare included), very knowledgeable guides and programs. Lots of choices for unusual tours (e.g., to check out the polar bears in Canada).
Minuses: There were no travelers under 50 on the tours – and those in their 50s and 60s were with older relatives. RS does offer grandparent/grandchild tours that are more younger person friendly. This may not be a minus for you. It was kind of depressing being reminded of my demographic for the whole trip, but I was grateful there were no youngsters around too. The accommodations and food were good, but not at all glamourous; if you are looking for the luxury hotel experience, RS is not it. Our tiny ship on the Alaska cruise was old and cramped. The Grand Canyon trip relied on an elderly bus with defective air conditioning (too cold) for our tours. The trips were very expensive up front compared with more commercial tours, but probably break even when you consider that gratuities and excursions are included.
I felt both RS trips were positive experiences but I don’t think I’d go on another one.
