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
I’m so impressed with your pulling together all this information about the high seas and the ‘traveler’ as opposed to the ‘tourist’. I had always claimed to not have been on a cruise but reading this I realize I have been on several; smaller vessels where adventure / learning was the intent & outcome. Ex: cruising down the Nile & stopping at ancient temples, getting to each Galapagos Island to enjoy the marvels before the ‘box ship’ arrived, and Tall Ship Bark Europa across the N.Atlantic where I signed on as a trainee for research for my novel. Obviously a specialty cruise is my preference and I would seek out this type as opposed to the ‘big box’ floating hotel for my next ‘on the ocean experience’.