Take the clothing-optional cruises. Nancy Tiemann, president and co-owner of Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, says that ``going to sea and nudity is a perfect match." Participants feel a level of comfort they sometimes can't find on land: Because the ship is filled with only nudist passengers, there is no snickering and no sitting by the pool in a soggy bathing suit . Passengers, however, are required to dress when the ship is in port -- one reason , Tiemann says , ``we like those days at sea" -- and in the formal dining room, although what they wear tends to be more informal than on traditional cruises.
How popular is nude cruising? In addition to the 10-night Hidden Jewels of the Caribbean sailing, which leaves from Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 3, three more such cruises are planned next year, some on ships larger than the Maasdam. No matter: ``Whatever the ship's capacity is, that's what we usually sell," says Tiemann.
Another popularly themed cruise with multiple sailings centers on Christianity. ``Passengers find a family -friendly environment that enriches their religious experience," says Honnie Korngold, president of Christian Travel Finder, which has five Christian-themed cruises coming up this year and next. One of the most popular is Cruise with a Cause, sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., to Nassau and Coco Cay, Bahamas, June 4-8 aboard Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas. ``We had 2,300 participants last year," says Korngold, ``and this year we are expecting 2,600."
Passengers keep on the sunny side with Christian music, talks by leading evangelists, special events for children, and mission work ashore. But one of the biggest attractions is what isn't there. Unlike most cruises, no alcohol is served aboard and the casinos are shut tight.
Music of all kinds plays a part in many cruises, but it is the reason for a few. Two music-themed cruises, in fact, have strong Boston connections.
One is the seven-night Sinatra Tribute Cruise, hosted by Boston radio personality Ron Della Chiesa, and departing March 18 from Fort Lauderdale for a week in the western Caribbean aboard the Costa Mediterranea -- fittingly, an Italian ship.
