Ships Offer Something for Just About Everyone

Once considered the province of older women and couples seeking a sedentary vacation, cruising has become more active, with water sports, golf and tennis lessons, aerobics and fitness centers emphasizing more than bingo, movies or bridge lessons.

Also, you can hobnob with sports and entertainment stars, watch live theater, listen to top jazz and classical musicians, explore changing life styles and take computer courses.

As a result of special-interest and theme cruises, plus a greater variety of activities, more people under 40 are looking forward to cruising, according to a study recently released by Cruise Lines International Assn.

About two out of three people between ages 25 and 39 said they wanted a cruise vacation, and 30% more middle-aged men expressed an interest in cruising than they did two years ago in the same poll, the survey reported.

On many ships today “Nostalgia Night” is more likely to be a look back at the ‘50s and ‘60s than the ‘30s and ‘40s.

‘Big Band’ Cruises

An exception is Holland America’s Rotterdam, setting sail this fall with its fourth-annual series of “Big Band” cruises featuring singers and notables including Patty Andrews of the Andrews Sisters, Nov. 20; Connie Haines, Tuesday, plus Oct. 21 and Nov. 10; Don Cornell and Margaret O’Brien, Oct. 31; Kay Starr, Nov. 30, and Helen O’Connell, Dec. 20.

The 10-day cruises sail round trip from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., to the southern Caribbean, $1,550 to $3,085 per person, double occupancy, including air fare.

Theatre Guild and Exprinter Cruises will present eight American entertainment stars--Colleen Dewhurst, Helen Hayes, Judy Kaye, Larry Kert, Richard Kiley, Mary Martin, Patricia Neal and Jason Robards--in special productions aboard Cunard’s QE2 next March.

Passengers fly to Sydney on March 6 for a series of special performances and social gatherings with Australian actors at the Sydney Opera House, followed by a 16-day cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong.

“Theatre at Sea ‘89” will be staged between such exotic ports as Bali, Singapore and Bangkok before the QE2 arrives in Hong Kong on March 16. Call toll-free (800) 221-1666 for details.

Actresses Eva Marie Saint and Lee Remick will salute women in film aboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess on Dec. 10 on a trans-canal sailing between San Juan and Acapulco.

Broadway Musicals

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norway and Seaward are presenting productions of Broadway musicals--currently “A Chorus Line” on the Seaward and “42nd Street” on the Norway.

In addition, both lines have scheduled theme sailings, from jazz cruises this fall (Oct. 22 on the Norway, Oct. 30 on the Seaward) to magic, comedy and country music cruises next spring on the Norway.

Baseball stars sail with the Norway Nov. 5; the Miller Lite All-Stars sail with the Seaward Nov. 6, 13 and 27; golf and tennis stars June 3 on the Norway, and football stars Feb. 5 on the Seaward.

The Pacific Princess will offer back-to-back sailings with members of the Los Angeles Dodgers talking baseball. Nine-day sailings depart San Juan on Dec. 2 and Miami on Dec. 11.

Fitness fans get a two-for-one offer from Sheila Cluff, creator of the Oaks at Ojai and the Palms at Palm Springs. She’s leading a special spa cruise aboard the Norway on Oct. 29 through Nov. 5 that offers a free week at either spa immediately after the sailing. The cost is from $1,245 to $1,645 per person, double occupancy, including air fare. Call (800) 255-7727 for reservations.

Spa Cruise

Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Westerdam are taking the Bonaventure Spa(Vogue magazine called it the “ultimate spa”) to sea this fall with a special program. It will include an outside double cabin, spa cuisine and exercise program, massages, salon make-over, facial, manicure, pedicure and body treatment for $2,335 per person, double occupancy. Tipping is not required on Holland America ships.

Royal Cruise Line’s “New Beginnings” program combines healthful meal options with lectures, exercises, activities and classes in everything from pain reduction to improving self-esteem to help travelers revitalize themselves physically and emotionally.

Computer classes are taught aboard Holland America ships, Cunard’s QE2 and Vistafjord and Regency’s Regent Sea and Regent Star; check on space availability on cruises.

A new company, Ocean Quest, is renovating a ship just for diving cruises. The company, converting the former Sunward I into the Bahamian-flag Ocean Spirit in Singapore, plans round-trip cruises from New Orleans to Belize, Cancun and Cozumel beginning in late January. Prices from $995 to $1,795 per person, double occupancy. Call (800) 338-3483 for details.

Water-Sports Equipment

Windstar Sail Cruises carries water sports equipment on its computerized sailing ships, along with an open-air launching platform for the sailboats and inflatable motorized rubber boats on board.

Activities include windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing. The Wind Spirit, Windstar’s newest ship, will be cruising in the Caribbean from Nov. 5 through Dec. 10. Price for seven days is $1,995 per person, double occupancy.

You can play detective aboard Dolphin Cruise Line’s Dolphin IV between Nov. 28 and Dec. 19, when actors mingle with passengers, dispersing clues to a murder. The three- and four-night “Mystery” cruises will sail Mondays and Fridays from Miami. Prices from $445 to $915, including round-trip air fare.