If you think cruising is only for the elderly and their parents, think again.
The median age of cruisers last year was 46, down from 49 just two years ago, indicating that cruise vacations continue to appeal to younger vacationers, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 24 of the world's largest cruise companies and 16,000 travel agencies. Indeed, the first new luxury vessel in six years for the Yachts of Seabourn has doubled the number of passengers younger than 45 on average compared with its older cruise ships.
In response to the shift in age and interests, cruise lines are kicking it up a notch by dishing out offerings and onboard entertainment that attract more youthful and energetic travelers. Following are some prime examples.
--If exploring Antarctica appeals to you, consider spending 22 challenging days with Doug Allan, an award-winning wildlife cinematographer, on a journey to an emperor penguin rookery near Snow Hill Island and to South Georgia, the habitat of the king penguin. The Emmy winner, who shot footage for the BBC's "Blue Planet" and "Planet Earth," promises to let you in on his filming secrets aboard Quark Expeditions' Antarctica discovery adventure starting in Ushuaia, Argentina, Nov. 15, and ending in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 6. Per person pricing begins at $21,890 for a triple cabin. Twin cabins begin at $28,490 a person. quarkexpeditions.com
--Sometimes just laughing confers a sense of youthful abandon -- and laugh you will when "Hairspray" hits the high seas on the debut sailing of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas. Oasis, the world's largest cruise ship, departs from Port Everglades in December. The line licensed the musical exclusively for three years aboard Oasis, with an option for a fourth year.
"Hairspray" earned eight Tony Awards, including for best musical, during its nearly seven-year run on Broadway, which ended in early January; the show is playing in London's West End. royalcaribbean.com
--For those of all ages with a taste for the good life, Windstar Cruises has a few lip-smacking opportunities for you. The line, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury motorized sailing yachts small enough to explore hidden harbors and secluded coves, plans cruises in 2010 that include top chocolate artisan Fran Bigelow of Fran's Chocolates; renowned winemaker Jay Schuppert of Cuvaison Estate Wines; and San Francisco-area restaurateur, author, national radio and TV personality Narsai David. On a cruise from Rome to Venice beginning May 2, Bigelow will discuss how she creates extraordinary chocolates and will conduct chocolate tastings. Fares start from $2,599 per person, double occupancy. Oenophiles can hone their ability to distinguish the oaky from the fruity aboard Windstar's Lisbon-to-Barcelona sailing, which departs April 4. Schuppert will lecture and conduct wine tastings. Fares start from $2,399 per person, double occupancy. David hosts a gourmand's cruise from Barcelona to Rome, departing May 1. The star of the nationally syndicated PBS television series "Over Easy" will be whipping up culinary delights at his lectures and cooking demonstrations. Cruise fares from $2,399 a person, double occupancy. windstarcruises.com
--For anyone who wants to feed the mind as well as body, Silversea Cruises offers a roster of sailings for the fall and winter hosted by noted historians, political analysts and authors. Guest speakers include Terry Hughes, former head of BBC TV Variety; Alastair Bruce, the royal and national events commentator for Britain's Sky News; Michael Buerk, BBC news correspondent and anchor; Bill Toone, conservation biologist and executive director of the Ecolife Foundation; Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington; Richard Cowley, former director-general of the Anglo-Uruguayan Cultural Institute; and John Harrison, a British explorer and author. silversea.com
--In a similar vein, Crystal Cruises will let political junkies vent on a seven-day cruise with former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle and journalist Tom DeFrank, who has covered the White House since the Nixon years. The New England/ Canada cruise sails Oct. 1 from Boston to Montreal. Fares start at $2,575 a person double occupancy and include up to $1,000a-person onboard credit -- but you'll have to make your own political arguments.