There have always been so many reasons to take a holiday.
Be they just stepping off for a moment the normal treadmill of life’s routine, seeing new sights, enjoying romance, showing off, having an exciting time, or relaxing from a stressful existence.
Or else it could be the weather, chasing the sun, or running away from it. Meeting new people, or leaving behind an old life and using a break as a watershed to start again.
Enriching yourself while away and studying or learning a new skill is something cruises ships have been doing for many years and it is especially popular at the moment.
Cunard Line
Having always been keen on discovery, is now partnering Oxford University Press (OUP) to introduce Science at Sea. They will be inviting a number of highly regarded scientists from the fields of human biology, genetics, evolution and the environment to give talks and seminars and address a range of contemporary issues that are designed to stimulate discussion and debate.
Members will also be able to stay abreast of the latest in popular science publishing through quarterly OUP email newsletters and invitations to book launches.
Princess Cruises
Their fun scholarship@Sea programme with some on-board classes that are unique to cruise customers.
In the culinary arts it is possible to learn the secrets of some of the dishes served and see guest chefs giving demonstrations. Wine tasting courses offer a good opportunity to make new friends, while tasting selections that have been hand-picked by the cellar master.
There is also a wide range of computer workshops catering for the beginner to the expert, in subjects such as using Photo Shop or making web pages.
A more unusual new course is scrapbooking, where it is possible to produce a souvenir of the trip through page design and other skills. Also for the artistic, is the new on-board kiln. This gives passengers the chance to learn how to throw their own pots or else just paint some already made and have them fired ready to take home.
Amateur or intermediate photographers have a chance to learn to achieve professional results with photography@Sea teaching everything from basic techniques to digital technology. Taught by professional photography staff, courses include Introduction to Photography, Using and Setting a Digital Camera, Photo Digital, Film Basics, or Creative Photography.
While different navigation techniques have evolved over the ages, navigation@sea is a multimedia presentation that highlights the basics of cruise ship operation, and is presented by one of the ship’s officers. Participants have to chance to learn the history of navigation and increase their maritime terminology
Celebrity Cruises
Their enrichment programme include destination-driven lectures, and special interest programs. As an example, a naturalist may talk about Alaska, a curator about Europe, or a local expert in the Caribbean.
Onboard presentations also highlight the special attractions of the upcoming ports, through information about shore excursions, local cultures and crafts, or the regional cuisine.
Finally Celebrity have special interest lectures in subjects as diverse as
music, astronomy, maritime history, health & wellness. Examples of some of these lecture topics include:
• Frank Sinatra, the Man and his Music
• The Big Band Era
• Art and History of Navigation
• Celestial Navigation and Nautical Astronomy
All the great opportunities on these ships are sometimes rather hidden among the pages of the brochure and can be frequently hard to spot. In some cases they are included in the overall package, but not always. So like most things, a bit of research beforehand can pay dividends.
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