Call them S.S. colleges; passengers are eagerly embracing the new wave of learning at sea

Cruise Travel, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Georgina Cruz

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines--ArtsClub, a program introduced in 2003, comprised offerings in classical music, dance, jazz, watercolors, and bridge on 24 voyages. Experts on the subject in question feature lectures, performances, discussions, and get-togethers. During a recent Amazon cruise, British watercolorist Frank Halliday taught a half-dozen lessons and sponsored three competitions with prizes among the passengers, and provided paints and materials free of charge. The program is complimentary (an equivalent course at our local museum would have set us back $60 per person).

Holland America Line--As part of its $225-million Signature Of Excellence initiative announced in the fall of 2003 (to be implemented fleetwide by the fall of 2005), HAL will introduce a number of learning-at-sea enhancements including a Culinary Arts Center with a demonstration kitchen and overhead cameras, and distinguished chefs who will present cooking and wine classes. A new Sidewalk Care/Exploration Center will be inspired by European coffeehouses, said David Giersdorf, senior executive vice president of sales and marketing for HAL. "It will be a cultural center using the broad definition of cultural--with music, books, coffees, and wine." Lectures will be presented in the facility. In fact, the line will expand its Flagship Forum lecture series, which includes everything from art classes to feng shui, and which will also be supported with in-cabin television programming. Additionally, HAL continues to offer its artist-in-residence program while in Alaska as well as featuring a naturalist on every Alaska sailing.

Norwegian Cruise Line--NCL pioneered a dedicated learning space at sea in 2001 aboard its Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Star. Called Tech/Lifestyles Rooms on the former and Lifestyles Room on the latter, it sets the scene for computer lessons and other enrichment programs.

Princess Cruises--Princess introduced the ScholarShip@Sea program with the 2003 debut of the Coral Princess, the first in the industry to feature a pottery studio with kilns. The ScholarShip@Sea program offers up to 20 courses per voyage (six per sea day) including culinary arts (with cooking demonstrations in a full demonstration kitchen set with projection screens in the Universe Lounge), visual/creative arts, photography, and computer technology. There is a nominal fee for such hands-on courses as pottery and photography. A variety of lectures on topics including archeology, performing arts, marine biology, and wellness are offered during each cruise. The ScholarShip@Sea program was rolled out fleetwide during 2003.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises--New in 2004 is a fleetwide expanded series of Spotlight Cruises with more than 40 themed voyages. Among the educational and entertaining options are wine, music, well-being, and American chefs. Returning for a second year are Antiques Boatshow sailings with Antiques Roadshow TV hosts/appraisers onboard. Complimentary computer classes are offered in Club.com, a facility with 14 work stations, and certified Bridge Masters instructors teach in the card room. On selected voyages guests may take French cooking lessons--hands-on workshops taught by master chefs from Le Cordon Bleu (fee is $395 per person). Participants in these Le Cordon Bleu's Classe Culinaire des Croisieres workshops learn to prepare a three-course meal and may join chefs on tours of local markets in selected ports. On graduation, they receive a chef's apron and short toque, a tea towel, Le Cordon Bleu cookbook, and certificate of participation.