Faith-based Cruises

An all-inclusive cruise is not only "economically friendly," but offers vacationers the opportunity to relax, be totally pampered, visit different beautiful parts of the world, enjoy fine dining and much more. Perhaps what is best of all about a cruise is that you only pack and unpack once. Hassle-free cruising will allow you to spend your time on what is really important to you: your religion and your family.

Like many other groups who select cruising as their vacation choice to be with like-minded passengers, it is a nice option to be able to join others with the same interests as you and is a main reason turn to religious- or faith-based group cruises for their vacation choice, meetings or retreats. They are discovering that cruising is one of the most popular vacation options, with more and more faith-based groups of all religions are have discovered the convenience of organizing a group cruise vacation for their parishioners.

And there is good reason: cruising is the perfect choice. The unique experience of being at sea and be catered to, so you have no worries or concerns, can help your congregation focus on each other and "bond." As you not only enjoy the religious aspects with your group, but share in the many enjoyments of a cruise vacation. A cruise can also be a way to build strong ties with your religious group, as it offers a relaxed atmosphere to better get to know people. Of course, you can also share the enjoyment of the many onboard amenities, including diverse restaurants, spa facilities, high-tech fitness centers and much more.

Types of Christian Cruises

There are several choices for Christian cruises that might appeal to you. A sampling is:

• Christian Family Cruises
• Christian Couples Cruises
• Christian Singles Cruises
• Christian Seniors Cruises
• Christian Retreat Cruises
• Christian Reunion Cruises

Purpose-Driven Cruise

As many people are familiar with the best-selling book by Dr. Rick Warren, a "Purpose Driven Life," religious cruising is now often referred to as "Cruising with a Purpose," as the experience really brings believers together, whether it is for learning, preaching or enjoying Christian or spiritual music together with your group.

More and more Christian groups are selecting these cruises for as a means for both social and spiritual bonding. When the group is large, there can be special Christian-oriented music and entertainment, plus special religious-themed shore excursions and arranged group meals, so there is always a level of comfort and lots to talk about. These religious-oriented cruises can vary in size from a small group, to mid-size and larger groups.

Our cruise specialists can help you with any questions you may have in organizing your faith-based group sailing. These cruises sail are on scheduled itineraries, where activity centers on your religious group. Depending on the number of people, your group may also even comprise a half-ship or a full ship charter. Pilgrimages can also be arranged, allowing you to retrace the Footsteps of Paul and John or to visit the Holy Land if you select this region of the world. And while many faith-based travelers choose to visit such spiritual sites, others may also enjoy the non-religious activities or a combination of both. According to surveys, many of these cruisers said it was not all about religious activities, but about an equal mixture of activities.

Of course, 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! There are typically facilities for children as well as baby-sitting services and kids' menus, as well as age-specific activities for them. There are also shore excursions that the entire family and group can enjoy together and our cruise specialists can help arrange special tours for you in advance. Cruising offers a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to connect while sharing a unique faith-based experience.

This is really a wonderful time for others to learn about your ministry and a time to get to know each other better.

Fundraising

These 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. Here, 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.

Typically there is a focus on Christian cruising, however there are alternative cruises for the "spiritual" as well. All the cruises are designed for you to share the wonderful cruise experience with those who share your beliefs, so whether your group is from a local church or a national ministry, this is an excellent opportunity.

Nondenominational Religious Services

Whether you are cruising with a group or not, some ships also provide nondenominational religious services on Sundays and religious holidays, and some offer daily Catholic masses and Friday-evening Jewish services. Many of the cruise ships also have chapels, often used for onboard weddings, where services can also be held. If a wedding is taking place or there is no chapel, services are help in the ship's library, theater or one of the private lounges. The following is a sampling and our cruise specialists can help you with any information you need about your faith-based cruise.

Many cruise lines, such as Holland America Line, has a priest on all sailings, so there is a mass. Additionally, on High Holy Days, there is a minister and a rabbi as well. You can also do variations depending on your requests and our travel specialists can assist you. Depending on the group, Carnival Cruise Lines will hold a specific religious conference; have special speakers and even religious entertainment.

Princess Cruises offers inter-denominational services that are conducted every Sunday by a member of the ship's staff (Captain, Cruise Director, etc.). Princess also places guest Catholic and Jewish clergy onboard for religious holidays, including Easter Sunday, Christmas, Passover and Yom Kippur.

Catholic clergy will perform both Catholic and Protestant services when onboard for Christmas and Easter and Catholic clergy will perform both Protestant services as well Catholic mass.

During Passover, there will be a Seder dinner held onboard. The Rabbi will determine when the Seder(s) will be held. Services will be held in one of the ship's chapels and every effort to host services at this location is made. However, if weddings are scheduled weddings with large attendance expectations, services will be held at a suitable onboard location such as the Princess Theatre. For larger faith-based groups there are arrangements on a case-by-case basis, for the reservation of public spaces for specific gatherings, bible studies and other related functions.

Luxury Silversea Cruises also welcomes affinity groups, such as church groups. Non-denominational services are held on Sundays for Christians as well as Friday Sabbath services for Jewish guests. The Card/Conference Room is the usual venue.

Deluxe Azamara Cruises features a Roman Catholic Priest, who is onboard for Easter and Christmas. A Rabbi is also onboard for the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar.

Another choice is Celebrity Cruises. And though the line's cruise ships do not feature chapels, religious services are held in Celebrity's smaller auditoriums.

Norwegian Cruise Line is also very popular for religious group cruises typically has clergy staffed onboard during Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah. A clergy member can be assigned to all other sailings depending on availability and need. While nine of Norwegian's 11 ships have chapels onboard for services, there will be an area designated for use when needed on the ships that do not.

Advantages of 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. And they don't have to drive there or look for a parking space!

One of the best aspects is that there is a high level of personalized service, making everyone feel special. And best of all, a group cruise is almost all-inclusive pricing provides better budget control.

Christian Cruise Events & Entertainment

Indulge in all the pampering elements that have made cruises such a popular vacation choice while satisfying your spiritual appetite at the same time. Come aboard one of our fabulous Christian cruises and be blessed as you enjoy:

• Christian concerts
• Christian music
• Life changing seminars and workshops
• Uplifting praise and worship music
• Fellowship with believers across denominations and locations
• Lectures from inspirational and/or religious speakers

Extended Family/Religious Cruise

Our travel specialists can arrange the faith-based cruise you want. Many of these groups want an extended family cruise, which not only includes the immediate family, but the church family as well, so it becomes an "extended family theme," revolving around religion and activities for all to enjoy. It allows you to combine the pleasures of a resort hotel with the adventure of foreign travel and different ports daily. There are also built-in activities program offers variety for participants, spouses, and kids without extra planning or cost.

A religious-based cruise also be perceived as a high value by your attendees because it is so cost-effective, so year after year you can enjoy these cruises and anticipate their popularity to get many repeat passengers. Our cruise specialists will help you today to make arrangements for your religious- of faith-based cruise. So relax and enjoy your new experience on the high seas with your religious group. It will be a wonderful time for all.