Baby Boomers,
For the last week or so I have bringing you a collection of "crazy" cruise tips. These range from sneaking booze on board the ship to making sure you spread your "adventure" wings and take control of your excitement destiny.
Hopefully, a few of these tips will make your future cruise experiences more enjoyable and memorable. I get a feeling if you are willing to try out some of my "crazy' tips then you are ready to take your cruise adventures to a whole new level.
Why not take a "crazy" cruise?
If you spend any time watching the human parade you'll know that there is "something for everyone." That's why there are 100 different brands of breakfast cereal, 500 different cars on the road and thousands of stupid TV shows to numb your mind.
Everybody likes something different in their life. Well, why not carry that "different" over to the type of cruise you take. Do you like sports? Do you like science fiction? Do you like cooking, knitting or crochet? How about zombies, rock n' roll or sex? Yep, there's a cruise for that. If you can imagine it, then there is probably a themed cruise for it.
Do you think you are a "geek" because you like Star Trek? What would you say about joining a couple of thousand other "Trekkies" on a week long cruise around the Caribbean islands dressed in the official uniforms of the USS Enterprise and shooting each other with lasers and stun guns. Yep, you can do that but you will have to wait until 2018 because the 2017 cruise is already sold out.
Maybe you are a little embarrassed because you have been spending most of your free time preparing for a zombie apocalypse. Better safe than sorry right? What could be more fun and and self -rewarding than spending a few days with fellow "Walking Dead" fans discussing blood transfusions and new and exciting ways to re-kill the undead. Better book your cabin soon. The February, 2017 cruise sets sail from Miami on the Norwegian Pearl. 
I wasn't kidding when I said there is something for everyone. I'm not a real conventional old guy but some of these themed cruises even scare me. I have listed my top 5 favorites themes below. Let's see if any of these spark your interest.
TOP 10 CRAZY CRUISE TIPS FOR BABY BOOMERS
#9 Take a Crazy Cruise
Ask any of my ex-wives and girlfriends and they will confirm that I'm definitely not prudish when it comes to shedding my clothes around the house or even in public if the circumstances are right. Hell, as I get older I find I am showing more proclivity toward sexual experimentation than I ever have but even I have my limits to exhibiting and acting on my animal instincts. How about you? Could you spend a week with 2000 other people naked aboard a ship?
1. NUDE CRUISE
At first rush that sounds like a lot of fun to me. Nude volleyball has it's positives. You definitely don't have anything to hide when meeting new friends. And think about your chance for a truly overall tan. But then I get to thinking......What are the primary shipboard activities on a nude cruise?
Watching naked people swim?
Watching naked people eat lunch?
Watching naked people play bingo?
Watching naked people in the glass elevators?
Well, if any of this sounds interesting to you then you're in luck. There are dozens of nude cruises available at any time to any part of the globe. You can show your boobies in the Bahamas. Your can show your buttocks in Belize or you can bounce your balls in Bali. In general, nude cruises are similar to conventional cruises with the slight difference that you can go "sans" clothing while on board the ship and in designated areas. Clothing is recommended for dinners and some events and must always be worn when in port. Most of the folks on these cruises just enjoy the wind on their skin and are truly more comfortable outside the confines of their clothing.
The nude cruises host a myriad of fun events to join in like "NudeaPalooza" concerts, the "NudeMan" festival based on the popular "BurningMan" event held in the Nevada desert or "FantaSea-Fest" which pays tribute to the wonderful Key West extravaganza.
While most "nude" cruises are relatively conservative there are some some real "fringe" motifs that may not be for the weak at heart. There have been "Cougar" cruises pairing 40+ year old women with young men in their 20's. That makes for interesting evenings below deck. Alternative Lifestyle cruises range anywhere from straight "gay" cruises (does that make sense - straight gay?) to transgender cruises and full out "sex" centric cruises.
Check out TheSwingerCruise.com if you are interested in something different and definitely more erotic. It's like "Spring Break for Oversexed Adults" states one excited travel agent. Beside the obvious erotic nature of these types of cruises you have to admit that packing for them is much easier than your standard cruise. These types of cruises put a whole new twist on the phrase "fun day" at sea.
2. MUSIC CRUISE
OK, so maybe a nude or swinger cruise is outside your realm of sensibilities. How about a cruise that markets to you love of music? Like the nude cruise market there are dozens of different music themed cruises that can be booked at any one time. Are you an aging Rock N' Roller like me? Then check out the "Rock Legends" Cruise that sails every year. You get up close and personal with some of the 60's 70's and 80's headline acts for a week on the high seas. There are the anticipated concerts all day long as well as informal jam sessions, personal gatherings with the stars as well as fun "rock and roll themed events and even music education. the 2016 cruise includes great acts from our youth like Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon, Creedence Clearwater revisited, Thin Lizzy, The Marshall Tucker Band and Nazareth. Yep, these bands are older like us but they are legendary and they still "kick-ass."
Maybe Rock N Roll isn't you music of choice. Do you fancy yourself a Polka person. Yep, there's a cruise for that. A gentleman named Bob Wojtowicz has been putting together a Polka music trip to exotic cruise locations every yearfor the last 26 years. You can spend 7 amazing days in the Caribbean with Polka giants like Hall of Famer John Gora, Heavyweight Polka Master Eddie Forman and "The Bad Boy of Polka" himself Eddie Bigeaj
Some of the trips are highlighted on the Bobs Photo Album tab of his web site.
If Rock'N "Roll or Polka are too extreme for you then check out next year's Jazz Cruise with legendary Jazz great Al Jarreau, Lewis Nash and Bill Evans. Not sure what type of Jazz you are in the mood for. There's a cruise for every taste....Smooth Jazz, Classical Jazz, Big band or Contemporary Jazz.
And if Jazz is not your cup of tee how about enjoying a cruise with just your favorite music act. In November, you can be part of the "KISS Navy Kruise" and spend a week with the metal makeup masters Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Too heavy, then how about hitting the high seas with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Heart or Kid Rock on their signature cruise events.
If you like rock, reggae, country, classical, jazz or alternative there is definitely a good chance you can find yourself on board a luxury cruise ship with some of your favorite musicians.
3. HOBBY CRUISE
So you say you need some rest and relaxation and you want to catch up on your favorite hobby? Why not book a cruise that highlights your passion? Is it "knitting?" Then the 18 day "Knitting Cruise" is what you have been waiting your whole life for.
Visit the Hawaiian Islands and revel in pure relaxation as you indulge knitting classes like "Conquering Kitchener", "Flat to Circular and Back Again", "Knitting in Both Directions" and the cutting edge "Knitting Without Wool." I don't what any of these classes are about but with so many days at sea this cruise is the ultimate setting for that long awaited knit-along project you have been longing to do.
Maybe you're more intense and quilting is what gets your blood boiling. Then, the Quilting Cruise is for you! These cruises feature quilting seminars taught by world-renowned, award-winning quilting instructors. Passengers may use the ship's on-board sewing machines, attend classes, and tour quilt guilds and shops at some of the cruise destinations.
Ready to step it up a notch? Then check out the multitude of cooking, astronomy, gardening, scrapbooking, gambling, sports or woodworking themed cruises. Hell, you can take a cruise to learn how to command your own cruise ship.
4. FANTASY CRUISE
Taking a vacation with a cruise ship full of zombies sounds like the premise of a blockbuster Hollywood film, but it will be a reality now for those who get aboard the Norwegian Pearl in January of 2016. In a partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, festivals at sea marketer Sixthman and Walker Stalker Con, this unassuming cruise ship will be transformed into playground for fans of the hit television series and comic books, “The Walking Dead.”
Passengers will test their wit against drugged out, killer zombies with flesh eating tendencies. They will interact with other passengers using live guns, swords, lasers and tactical nuclear weapons. Just kidding......These lucky zombie loving passengers will get to meet with actors from “The Walking Dead,” attend question and answer panels, have photo opportunities and autograph sessions, zombie gaming, costume contests, theme nights and more.
Some of the celebrities already signed to appear include Norman Reedus, Chandler Riggs, Emily Kinney, Sonequa Martin-Green and Chad L. Coleman.
Not into whacking the heads of zombie passengers then how about a cruise where the force is definitely with you. That's right I'm talking about Star Wars. Next Year, Disney Cruise lines will have official Star Wars Days on at least 15 dates aboard the Disney Fantasy ship. As you enjoy your Caribbean cruise, you'll be transported to "a galaxy far, far away" for an entire day of fun, including:
Deck Parties with the Star Wars characters including music, dancing and fireworks
Star Wars-themed games and activities
Extensive Photo opportunities with a universe full os Star Wars characters
Intergalactic food and beverage menus
On deck presentations of the Star Wars films plus episodes of Disney's animated series Star Wars Rebel
and I saved the best for last......................
An onboard version of the Jedi Training Academy, where young Padawans learn lightsaber maneuvers
The fantasy possibilities are almost endless. There are upcoming cruises where you can transport yourself into a myriad of different worlds including:
Harry Potter
Wizard World/ComicCon
Battlestar Galactica
Star Trek
and even................wait for it............
Power Rangers
5. LIFESTYLE CRUISE
So, what's the one style of living you refuse to leave behind even on vacation? Are you an adamant wine, beer or cigar aficionado? There are cruises that cater to your deepest passions. You can spend a week cruising the tropics while you immerse yourself in a world wide assortment of alcoholic amour :
The Wines of the Danube
The Bourbon sponsored by Maker's Mark
Fine Bordeaux from France
The Brew Cruise featuring craft beers from all corners of the planet
Are you the weekend warrior that refuses to let go of their "glory days?" The why not join fellow "wannabe" athletes on any number of sports themed cruises including:
NASCAR
World Cup Soccer
Football
Hockey
or even
Indian Cricket
Are you a fan of having the breeze between your knees? Don't like driving around in a "cage" all day? It 2 wheels for you rather than 4? We'll why not join your fellow motorcycle enthusiasts on one of several "Hogs on the High Seas" cruises this year. These cruises are perfect for the enthusiast who can't bear to leave their bike at home. Bring it along right on board the ship. There are sanctioned "bike runs" at the exotic ports of call. Bike shows, contests and leather bathing suits abound. I can't think of anything cooler than riding your Harley off the ship in the Honduras, cruising Ft. Lauderdale on your flat head or biking with fellow Bobbers in Barbados.
Maybe motorcycles isn't your bag but you still love the thrill of wheels. I sure you won't be shocked to know that there are at least a dozen different biking/river cruise tours you can book this year. Not only do you get to experience the luxury of cruising some of the most beautiful rivers of the world but you can get up close with historic cities and the surrounding countryside on preplanned bike tours through Italy, Germany and France.
I don't think there is a lifestyle that doesn't have a cruise that caters to it. It amazing to see how many people from so many different countries and so many different cultures share the same passions as you. I didn't know so many options existed until I began looking: Antiques, Art, Gambling, History, Healthcare, Fashion and Religion. Oh, did I mention there's an Elvis cruise?
I don't know about you but as soon as I am done with this blog I am booking a cruise that fits my lifestyle and passions. Does anyone want to join me on the Garter Belt wearing, nipple piercing, cheese eating, wombat loving, stickball training cruise to Antarctica? I call it my "little slice of heaven" cruise.
If you found today’s blog helpful, interesting, or even funny, I bet your friends would too.
It's easy to tell them about it.
Forward it on to them or just email them my blog link at www.survive55.com.
The more Baby Boomers we can help, the better place we make this world !!!