Faith-based cruising sails on (cont.-)

Such trips are also known as fellowship cruising, and their primary purpose is often sharing faith and friendship. You not only enjoy the religious aspects with your group, but share in the many enjoyments of a cruise vacation.

Today there's more itinerary options and more varied activities than ever before.  For instance there's specialty cruises designed to educate and entertain, by bringing along popular leaders and entertainers, as well as providing ample opportunities for networking.

Sometimes these cruises even raise money for worthwhile causes through donations, like on Royal Caribbean's “Cruise with a Cause,” a five-day cruise to the Bahamas featuring an all-star lineup of Christian pop stars and inspirational speakers.  There's a “Girl’s Get-a-Way Cruise,”  Christian Family Cruises, Singles Cruises, Retreat Cruise and Reunion Cruises, offering Christian music, Christian TV channels, family movies, religious-themed shore excursions, clean comedy, inspirational lectures and speakers and Pilgrimages can even be arranged.  

Other Cruise lines like Windstar and Clipper make every aspect of the cruise ship fully kosher for the Jewish faith-based cruise community.  Holland America Line will donate a certain amount of money per group cabin booked toward the chartering company's designated charitable cause. This cause can be anything from a local church to a national ministry effort.

Cruising with a Purpose is the catch phrase applied to religious cruising today as the experience really brings believers together, whether it is for learning, preaching or enjoying Christian or spiritual music together with your group.  Social exchange and enrichment programs while on a cruise vacation is quite appealing to many different types of people. It's one of the most popular vacation options, with more and more faith-based groups of all religions  discovering the convenience of organizing a group cruise vacation for their families, their friends and their fellow parishioners.

You can enjoy a religious-based cruise to anywhere in the world that appeals to you; the Caribbean, Hawaii and the South Pacific, a Transatlantic crossing, South America, Bermuda, the Mediterranean or Scandinavia/Russia, just to name a few. If you prefer, you can stay closer to home and do an Alaska cruise or a New England/Canada itinerary.

If you are considering bringing your kids, cruising is great for children! Cruising offers a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to connect while sharing a unique faith-based experience.

Fundraising

Faith-based cruises also offer religious groups the perfect setting for a fundraiser. Everything is done for you; there are wonderful restaurants open at all hours and a lot of onboard flexibility. Out at sea, you can combine business and fun, while sailing to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. These cruises offer powerful fundraising tool, where you can expect a big response.

A Group Cruise Retreat or Conference

There are many advantages to selecting a cruise ship for as your religious retreat or conference. The relaxed environment will encourage camaraderie among your religious group as you share an exciting travel experience.

Other advantages include multi-choice dining options, diverse menu selections and endless buffets. Additionally, because it is a self-contained environment with a variety of function rooms for private events, it is easier to get people to attend.

Our cruise specialists can help you with any questions you may have in organizing your faith-based group sailing.  If you need assistance making arrangements for your religious or faith-based cruise, Call or Email Us and we'll help you select the perfect cruise package for you and your group.

Faith Based Cruise Programs

The acronym CRUISE provides a good foundational outline for launching a faith-based cruise program at your church or religious organization:

Contact a trusted cruise travel planner with specific Faith Based Cruise experience and inquire about initial information.

Review your cruise line options, the benefits of using that agency, cruise destination choices, itineraries, prices, etc.

Understand how a cruise theme, such as a biblical seminar cruise, Christian entertainment, etc., will affect your cruise.

Implement your chosen cruise theme into your travel information, your ministry and all cruise program offerings.

Sell, sell, sell your cruise to your church, religious group, members, community, etc..

Emphasize the enjoyment and experience of sharing faith, fun and fellowship; this will make the cruise memorable.

By doing the above, you will be off to a great start. Keep in mind that the most critical components in launching a successful faith-based cruise are finding the right travel specialist and agency and finding the right cruise line. Fortunately we have travel planners that specialize in this form of travel.

No matter what cruise you choose, though, you are sure to wow your members. Cruising remains one of tourism’s most popular forms of travel today, with almost 20 percent of Americans  having already taken a cruise, and such a trip will attract many in your faith community.

And, possibly best of all, it’s a kind of vacation for any age group. Grandparents, parents, young adults and children can all come along. Offer your group a water-filled, spiritual vacation getaway.  Call us today or email us to start planning your next faith based cruise.