The cruise market is booming, and it’s now not just retired people who are setting sail for their summer holidays. New cruise concept holidays are being developed constantly, with more relaxed offerings for family-friendly holidays, cruises to unusual destinations such as the Arctic circle, and one of the most quickly growing market sectors is that of the “themed cruise”. It’s the ideal way to combine a holiday and your favourite hobby, and cruise operators are rapidly becoming more innovative in what they are offering.

Strictly Come Dancing

It’s one of the BBC’s biggest shows, and in 2017 P&O cruise passengers have the opportunity to combine a cruise around the Mediterranean with dance lessons and shows featuring their favourite professionals from the show. The holiday also offers dance lessons for all passengers, competitions with the prize being dancing on stage with one of the professionals, and question and answer sessions where you can get all of the backstage gossip from the show. Expect to pay upwards of £1,300 for 14 nights on board, leaving from Southampton in July.

Foodie Cruises

Cooking and food is an eternally popular theme for cruises, and the Food Heroes cruise offered by P&O features big names such as Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochar on its programme for 2017. As well as being able to sign up for cookery demonstrations where the top class chefs will show you how to make some of their signature dishes, passengers can also go on themed foodie shore excursions, get their cookery books signed and join their favourite chef for dinner. Expect to pay around £1000 for a week on board with a foodie expert, with some of the additional classes and demonstrations costing extra.

Disney Cruises

There’s no brand which is more family-friendly than Disney, and the company’s own cruise line offers nothing but Disney themed cruises in both the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Expect lots of Disney themed shows for the whole family, meet and greet sessions with some of the brand’s most famous characters, movies in the on-board cinema, parties on deck and even on board waterparks. It’s a holiday the kids will never forget, but if you find it all a bit full-on, you have the option of combining a week on board ship with a week in a hotel before flying home.

Opera Cruises

Upmarket cruise brand Cunard aren’t keen on themed cruises, and they brand their own programme as “enrichment cruises”. The theming is perhaps lower key than with some of the other brands, with many guest speakers from the world of Arts or politics. A Cunard cruise doesn’t have to mean leaving the UK either, as in 2017 the company is offering a Literary tour around the UK taking in such attractions as the Orkney Islands and Guernsey. At each port there is a wide range of excursions on offer, allowing you the flexibility to create your own bespoke cruise holiday experience. Staying close to home doesn’t mean cheaper prices though, with 7 nights costing from around £1,300.