TRAVEL: Wacky Cruises

Do you fancy jousting on the open seas, quilting your way to Europe or dressing up in Renaissance regalia while cusing? Theme cruises are becoming popular as people look for once-in-a lifetime experiences. No matter how out there your hobby or interest, chances are there is a cruise for you.

Some, like the Antiques Roadshow cruise where passengers can dig for antiques with archaeologists, are meant to be educational. Two such cruises are scheduled for this year: one to the Great Lakes, the other to Greece and Turkey. The Renaissance Faire themed cruise is just old-fashioned dress up fun. This June, Princess Cruises embarks on its Renaissance Festival cruise from Vancouver to Alaska with plenty of costumed knights and nobles, ready for jousting.

With cruising rising in popularity, liners are taking full advantage of unique niche hobbies, lifestyles and interests. They’ve also discovered that it’s great way to get single people (or shy ones) to sign up by putting them with people who share their same interests.

Motorcycle cruise? Bluegrass? Or maybe you always wanted to be a spy: try the top-secret mission to Istanbul on the Spy Cruise and learn about Cold War and Soviet spy missions from retired (and some still active) intelligence officers.

We’re leaning toward the Pink Floyd-themed cruise. Drugs optional.