This is a guest post.  While we normally don’t publish information about day cruises, I found this article intriguing and hope you will, too.

Throughout literary history, certain locales have served as a colossal source of inspiration for writers.  Walden Pond was the stimulation for Thoreau.  Dorset in the south of England did

The Steam Yacht, Gondola, on Conistan Water, Lake District. Courtesy http://bit.ly/hQh14x

the same for Thomas Hardy.  And the Incan citadel in Peru inspired Pablo Neruda to pen Alturas de Machu Picchu.

But of all of the unique and unusual corners in Britain, it seems that no place has attracted and inspired as many writers as the remarkable landscape of Cumbria’s Lake District.

Inspired by Inland Waterways

Nestled in the northwest of England, this corner of my country was first put on the literary map towards the end of the 18^th and early 19^th centuries.  The Late Romantic poets like Wordsworth, Southey and Coleridge all spent a good portion of their lives in the Lake District and have often been referred to as the Lake Poets.

“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”, probably Wordsworth’s most famous poem – and the bane of every British school child who, like me, had to recite it from the back of the class – was composed here, along with many other of his immortal poems.

The Inspiration is Timeless

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome, inspired by the beauty of the Lake District

Fast forward to the 20^th century and if you’re an Arthur Ransome fan you won’t be surprised to learn that he too was inspired by the pristine beauty of the Lake District.  The famous journalist and children’s book author spent much of his time in the area, laying the groundwork and stimulation for what would become Swallows and Amazons, the first of his famous series of children’s novels.

Ransome’s novel, as with several of his sequels, is set on a fictional lake.  But much of his inspiration was drawn from Coniston Water.  At five miles (8 kms) long, Coniston is the third largest of the ribbon lakes in the region.  Chiseled by glaciations in the last Ice Age, today the lake sits in a serene, u-shaped valley.

Admittedly, Ransome invented his own geography, but he used many actual features from the Lake District landscape.  Some of Coniston’s islands and other local landmarks can easily be identified in the novel – like Peel Island, the Wild Cat Island of the story, including the ‘secret harbour’.

You Will Be Inspired Too

Fast forward once more, this time to the present, and maybe you too will be inspired by the languid beauty of Coniston Water as I was.  The setting is bound to awaken the writing muse within you (as it did me), and no more so than on one of Britain’s must unusual day cruises.

I recently took in the 105-minute ‘Swallows & Amazons’ lake cruise.  For me, it ended up being one of those remarkably rare moments when the

Coniston Water at Dusk. Courtesy C.J. Roberts http://bit.ly/fLRJbM

world of my childhood fiction was now before me, inseparable from what I could see and experience on the lake that day.

A Piece of History on the Water

The vessel for this lake cruise is as unique as the entire experience was.  Gondola is a venerable steam yacht, originally built in 1859, and capable of carrying 86 passengers.  Today she still reflects snippets of the sumptuous luxury and splendor of the Victorian era through her beautifully upholstered saloons.

Built by the Furness Railway Company, Gondola is still used today as it was then.  The company brought tourists to the Lake District by train and rounded off their visit with a scenic tour of Coniston Water aboard the steam yacht.  The lake tours continued for decades until a few years prior to WWII when she fell into disrepair.

The prow of the Gondola, Lake Conistan, Lake District. Courtesy Dean Ayres, http://bit.ly/i36rzp

In 1980, the National Trust, Britain’s keeper of our heritage, bought and restored Gondola.  And with the arrival of the 21^st century came an alternative source of fuel.  In bygone days, coal was used.  But in 2008,  sustainable and long-lasting logs made from the waste by-products of lumber were introduced.  This has proven to be a much more eco-friendly way of enjoying this special corner of England.  Arthur Ransome and the Lake Poets would certainly have approved.

Interior of Gondola, showing rich upholstery and quilted ceiling. Copyright: ©NTPL/Paul Harris

Here’s how you can join the pilgrimage to seek out your writer’s muse in the Lake District:

How to Get There: British Rail drops you at Windermere station and a local bus (one hour) can take you to Coniston village.  Although the vessel can be boarded at various points around the lake, embarkation is usually at Coniston Pier, half a mile from Coniston village on the north end of the lake.  For a helpful site to assist with public transport planning, visit Traveline.

Seasonality: Beginning of April or Easter – whichever is sooner – to the end of October.  Cruises operate daily, but the longer itineraries are only on certain days of the week.  For details and cruise frequency, check the timetable.

How to Book: Tickets for the cruise can be bought in advance at Coniston TIC, tel. 015394 41533 or by emailing them at mail@conistontic.org Tickets can also be purchased on board on the day of the cruise, subject to space availability, but I wouldn’t recommend this.

Cost: The 45-minute cruises are £9.90 for adults, £4.90 for children and £24.70 for families (2 adults and 3 children).  Full lake cruises (105 mins.) are what I would recommend.  These are £21 for adults, £10.50 for children and £52.50 for families.  Unfortunately, children under six are not allowed on the ‘Swallows and Amazon’ cruise.

Have you visited a special place that has inspired you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)?  Share with us what your favourite setting is when you’re looking for creative writing inspiration.

James Helliwell (aka Firespin Jay) is a London-based travel and eco writer who relishes all things nautical.  He writes for several cruise sites, covering everything from mainstream cruise deals to niche cruises.

Specialty cruises [...]]]> Of the more than 14 million(!) who cruised worldwide in 2010^*, just over 10% were non-mainstream, or what are known as specialty cruise, passengers.  So for every nine big-box passengers who prefer the Vegas-style floor shows, climbing rock walls or enjoying wave pools, only one cruise passenger prefers a road less traveled.

Specialty cruises are a very thin sliver of the cruise pie.  This corner of the cruise market isn’t for everyone.  But what exactly is this thing we call a specialty cruise, a niche cruise, or a non-mainstream cruise?

Three contributing factors set specialty cruises apart.  Cruises in…

a) unusual vessels, often to

b) unusual destinations, or sometimes with

c) unusual cruise themes – or any combination of these three –

…make up the world of specialty cruises.

Let’s look at each in more detail and you can then ask yourself if you’re a candidate for a specialty cruise.

Unusual Vessels

I’m not keen on defining something in the negative, but in this case it really helps to illustrate the point.  In its simplest terms, a specialty cruise ship is any vessel that’s not a megaship.

Having said that, dozens of different types of specialty cruise vessels exist.  Some previously saw service as working vessels; others are just so different in design to the traditional cruise ships we’ve all seen or been on.

Half the excitement of a specialty cruise is the actual type of vessel you’re on.  Ask anyone who has cruised on a barge, a paddle wheeler, a riverboat, or a mail ship.

The list goes on.  The tranquility of a tall ship slipping into the sunset.  A brisk adventure on board an ice breaker. The quiet intimacy of a small-scale luxury cruise ship.

And there are even more types.  How about a Turkish gulet?  Or a Chinese junk? Or a West Coast tugboat!  Yes, Virginia, there are even tugboat cruises.  The only vessel you won’t find among them is a big-box cruise ship.

Most of the time, these vessels have a capacity of well under 250 passengers.  But there is also what I call the classic cruise ships.  These are the older ships of the Love Boat era.  They’re much smaller versions of today’s megaships, but with fewer amenities (and much more charm).  Maximum capacity usually runs between 250 and 750, still a far cry from the behemoths that dominate the cruise market today.

Unusual Destinations

In most instances, specialty cruises go to places the big-box ships don’t go to – or can’t get to.

Big-box cruise ships cannot sail under most bridges that span the world’s navigable rivers.  Megaships cannot put you ashore to view the Emperor penguin colonies up close in Antarctica or to walk amongst the giant tortoises in the Galápagos Islands.

Specialty cruise ships can.

And even in the most popular mainstream cruising regions of the world, specialty cruises take the less traveled route, the country roads rather than the cruise highways.

In the Caribbean, for example, a catamaran can anchor for the night in a crescent-shaped, moonlit bay with no signs of humanity.  In the Mediterranean, a boutique-styled cruise ship can call at Santorini well after the crowds from the megaships have left.  And in Alaska, a motor vessel can cut the engines and come close enough to the shoreline for you to even smell the grizzly feeding on a cohoe salmon.

The more off the beaten path the destination, the more likely it’s a port of call for a specialty cruise.  It’s what intrepid travelers crave – unique and unusual destinations.

Unusual Cruise Themes

Inside the domain of specialty cruises you’ll also find the intriguing world of theme (or special interest) cruises.  Theme cruises are not so much about the destination or the vessel.  Instead, they’re all about you and others like you who share a common interest or affinity.

It is the third factor that separates a specialty and small-ship cruise from a traditional cruise.  Interests can range from archeology to whale watching.  From family reunions to fine art enthusiasts.  Whatever your specific interest, theme, affinity or activity, odds are you’ll find a theme cruise to match it.

Theme cruises come about in two ways.

The cruise line itself will sometimes dedicate certain departures for a special theme – like seeing the tulips in Holland in springtime, or watching humpback whales in the Sea of Cortez.

The other way to feed your special interest is to help make it happen yourself.  If you can persuade enough people who share your passion to join you, you can reserve a portion or the entire vessel for a specific departure date.

A theme cruise is also the one area where specialty cruises can and sometimes do share the same stage with mainstream cruises.  Recently, an entire departure of RCCL’s Allure of the Seas (capacity 5,400) was chartered by a travel company and billed as the world’s largest gay cruise.

Either way, theme cruises can create a unique cruise experience and give you the unusual opportunity to share your special interest or affinity with like-minded fellow passengers.

Your Takeaway

Specialty cruises do not appeal to the masses.  They are not for tourists.  They’re for travelers.  They’re for explorers, not holiday-makers.

They are for travelers who prefer a non-traditional cruise ship or an off-the-beaten-path destination.  Or they appeal to those who harbor a special interest that can be shared and enjoyed with others.  Or it can be a combination of any or all three of these factors.

One thing is certain.  Specialty cruises are for those who pursue authentic experiences.  They’re not for those who get upset if there’s not enough ice in their cocktail.

What do you think?  Is a specialty cruise your cup of tea?  Share your thoughts with us, even if you disagree with anything I’ve said.

^* 2010 CLIA Cruise Market Overview

It’s true.  Negative news sells.  That is why a cruise calamity catches our attention.  Positive news is usually, uh, buried next to the obituaries or never offered up – or followed up – at all.  And this seems truer of the small ship cruises than the big-box behemoths.

As you may recall, the Carnival Splendor had to be towed back to San Diego after an on-board fire knocked out all power on the 3,300-passenger mega-ship as it cruised the Mexican Riviera.  If you [...]]]> In the (ahem) wake of recent events, you may be wondering whether it’s safe to cruise anywhere these days.

As you may recall, the Carnival Splendor had to be towed back to San Diego after an on-board fire knocked out all power on the 3,300-passenger mega-ship as it cruised the Mexican Riviera.  If you missed the story, you can read about it here.

The mega-yacht, Clelia II. (Courtesy of Travel Dynamics)

And today we have news that the luxury mega-yacht Clelia II with 160 passengers and crew aboard is limping back to Ushuaia in Argentina after a 30-foot wave smashed windows on the bridge and crippled one of its engines while crossing the Drake Passage, one of the roughest seas in the world.  Check out the story and watch the video here:

Watch Clelia II limp back to port after visiting Antarctica

When interviewed after being towed safely back to port, some passengers aboard the Carnival Splendor said they won’t ever take a cruise again.  I wanted to find out if somehow they were put in peril by the fire.  It turned out that no passengers nor crew members were at risk of being placed in harm’s way.  So, why say you’ll never take a cruise again?!

To me, that’s just plain silly.  Accidents happen.  I was expecting to hear people talking about the possibility of injury or death after such a catastrophe.  I believe what they’re really saying is that they don’t ever want to be inconvenienced again by having to eat nothing but salads and crackers, by air conditioning that’s inoperable, and by toilets that don’t flush. And this probably paled in comparison to the trauma – ye gods! – of the casino being closed.

After viewing the video clip of Clelia II’s predicament, I would imagine these 160 passengers and crew may have a much more legitimate cause for concern. The vessel looked like a cork bobbing on a cruel sea. I’m sure there were a few prayers uttered, and justifiably so. If these passengers were told they’d have to endure unflushable toilets as a result of their plight, they would have been elated if it meant safe passage in return.

Inconvenience is relative; at worst, it’s, well, inconvenient. Safety when lives are at risk isn’t. Cruising is and will continue to be a very safe way to enjoy a vacation. When my number’s up, I prefer my odds aboard a cruise ship rather than a plane – except if I knew that airline Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger was in the cockpit.

What are your thoughts about the safety of cruising?  Will you feel less safe on a small ship cruise?   Share your comments with us and others.

Emperer Penguins

Sights change rapidly during the austral summer season. Local flora and fauna must pack a lot of living into these few warm months, so each cruise departure is, in effect, travelling to a different Antarctica, Falklands or South Georgia Island. November to early [...]]]> What will you see on your Antarctica Cruise?

Emperer Penguins

Sights change rapidly during the austral summer season. Local flora and fauna must pack a lot of living into these few warm months, so each cruise departure is, in effect, travelling to a different Antarctica, Falklands or South Georgia Island. November to early December offer the spectacular courtship rituals of penguins and seabirds, wildflowers on the Falklands and South Georgia, and the highest level of research activity. Mid-December to January see the emergence of penguin chicks and seal pups, escalating whale sightings, and longer days creating incredible light conditions for photography. February to March bring whale sightings at their best, blooming snow algae, and increasingly numerous fur seals on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Antarctic Mountains with Glaciers

If the thought of an Antarctic cruise holiday makes your teeth chatter, you might be surprised to know that, during the November-to-March season, temperatures usually range between 20º and 45º F. Highs in the 50s are not uncommon. As a rule, the Falkland Islands are a bit warmer, with average highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s to high 30s. Weather on South Georgia Island is harder to predict. Its rugged topography makes for highly changeable weather patterns, with dull rain followed by fine sunny days. Tie your hat on! Sudden, intense katabatic winds and short-lived squalls known locally as “williwaws” are a fact of life on South Georgia.

Serene Beauty of Antarctica

Take in the “White Continent”, the seventh continent. Explore the incomparably beautiful Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands and waterways. The sights, sounds and emotions will stay in your mind forever – enormous tabular icebergs, hillsides covered with thousands of penguins and the excitement on deck as someone shouts, “Whales!”

Iceberg Sculptures in Antarctica

Though it isn’t a passive destination, rest assured that travel to the Deep South doesn’t require great physical exertion or feats of special fitness.

We have a wide selection of Antartica Cruises on our website and Specialty Cruise Advisors to help you select the perfect cruise.

Like extended-stay properties compared with conventional hotels, the per diem price gets better the longer you stay. The cruise [...]]]> An extended cruise?! I can barely afford a one-weeker! But if you have the time and you’ve set aside your budget for a specialty cruise, start researching the possibilities of an extended cruise. Here’s why.

Like extended-stay properties compared with conventional hotels, the per diem price gets better the longer you stay. The cruise lines are no different. The longer your cruise, the lower the daily cost.

Most extended cruises come about in two ways. A cruise line may only have a single vessel that is continually on the move around the world. In this case, you can enjoy one segment of a lengthy itinerary or even combine two or three. The longer you cruise, the lower the daily rate.

Another way to benefit from a long-haul journey is to join a re-positioning cruise. Many times the cruise lines will relocate a vessel from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean or from the Caribbean to Alaska. Take a look at this week’s Featured Theme Cruise. Re-positioning cruises are likely opportunities for more attractive prices, since segments of the cruise are often without a port of call for several days as the vessel crosses a major body of water.

Six Week European River Cruise

Mind you, this doesn’t necessarily translate into a dull, monotonous time. I have been on enough cruises where I welcomed the relaxation and down-time of the ‘days at sea’ portion. A chance to really read up about the highlights of upcoming ports of call. Or an opportunity to listen to an interesting and informative lecture. Or a rare moment to actually handwrite a postcard (remember them?) or finish that riveting Paul Theroux travelogue you started on your last cruise.

I know that economic good times have yet to rise from the ashes of the global recession. But if you are looking at getting the best value for your cruise budget, do consider a long-haul cruise. For inspiration, check out our Extended Cruises.