SETTING sail on a cruise doesn’t have to mean hitting pause on your hobbies.
Tour operator Cruise Nation has seen interest in themed voyages rocket by up to 50 per cent this year.
Lisa Minot looks at a host of options to please sports fans, green-fingered gardeners, cyclists and even armchair detectives.
BEST FOR CRICKET LOVERS
PAIR your passion for the Gentleman’s Game with a chance to explore some Christmas markets on Ambassador Cruise Line’s Cricket Legends Festive Getaway.
Sailing from London Tilbury, Ambassador Ambience will welcome players and broadcasters including Garry Richardson, Graham Gooch, Henry Blofeld, Jonathan Agnew, David Lloyd and Angus Fraser.
The five-night cruise will include Audience With sessions, with the VIPs sharing stories, insights and behind-the-scenes moments as well as a lively sports quiz.
There’s also the chance to shop the Christmas Markets with calls at Bremerhaven, Germany; Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, and Zeebrugge, Belgium, as well as lots of entertainment onboard.
Five nights’ full-board is from £789pp, departing London Tilbury on December 13.
BEST FOR TRUE CRIME FANS
THERE are high stakes on the high seas with Virgin Voyages’ True Crime sailing onboard Scarlet Lady.
The adults-only cruise is perfect for armchair detectives and podcast lovers.
The five-night voyage includes meet-and-greets with podcast favourites including Disgraceland, Buried Bones and Wisecrack as well as crime-based trivia and events, themed dining and calls at Virgin Voyages’ private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas, and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos.
Cruise Nation has combined the trip with a three-night free hotel stay in Miami and return flights from the UK, departing March 17, 2027.
Prices from £1,569pp including full board on the cruise, wifi and up to $150 in free drinks.
See cruisenation.com.
BEST FOR CYCLISTS
COMBINE a love of cycling with the chance to cruise among spectacular Croatian scenery.
Sail Croatia has regular cruises that feature experienced cycling guides to help you explore from mainland national parks and shimmering lakes to smaller islands off the coast.
This is small-ship sailing where you will be joined by a small group of fellow cyclists and can opt to bring your own bike or hire a traditional or electric one.
Unpack once and then cycle at your ports of call with plenty of daily swim stops.
Seven nights’ full-board on a Premier ship, round-trip from Split, is from £949pp, based on April 2027 departures.
Flights extra. For details, see sail-croatia.com.
BEST FOR ASTRONOMY BUFFS
IF the 2026 partial solar eclipse in the UK unlocked your inner astronomer, don’t miss next year’s total solar eclipse passing over Spain in August.
With a cruise offering one of the best opportunities to capture it thanks to unobstructed 360-views, absence of light pollution, and lack of crowds, how about Celebrity Cruises’ 11-night sailing through Italy and Spain.
Celebrity Ascent departs from Rome on July 24, 2027 and calls at Italy’s Livorno and Portofino, plus Spain’s Barcelona, Cartagena and Malaga before a day at sea for the Solar Eclipse itself then stops in Cagliari and Palermo.
The full-board cruise is from £2,779 including a free two-night stay in Rome and return flights from the UK.
See cruisenation.com.
BEST FOR FLOWER FANS
A TRIP to the incredible Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden covering nearly 80 acres, is a must-do for all horticultural buffs.
Open for eight weeks between late March and mid-May, the historic Dutch estate erupts into vibrant colour as seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and irises bloom.
Explore the festival and the estate’s pavilions, waterways and windmill on a five-day Riviera Travel excursion.
Boarding the 5H MS Emily Bronte in Zaandam, the round-trip river voyage takes in the picturesque countryside and villages of Zaanse Schans and Huizen.
There’s a full day at the Keukenhof before a relaxing morning sailing into Amsterdam for a guided tour.
The full-board cruise starts from £1,339pp including an all-inclusive drinks package, free wifi, six included excursions and return flights or Eurostar from the UK on April 2 with transfers.
Other dates are also available. See rivieratravel.co.uk.