If you like the idea of using some time at sea for broadening your knowledge (rather than just your waistline), you can find an amazing variety of expert lecturers working on cruise ships across the globe.
Seabourn Sojourn's 2014 world cruise will host the line's Seabourn Conversations program. Guest speakers include former CIA operative Tony Mendez, whose exploits in Tehran inspired Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning movie Argo, and famous America's Cup-winning yachtsman Dennis Conner.
Passengers on board the Durban to Cape Town segment of MS Amsterdam's world cruise next year will have the opportunity to attend two lectures by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and former archbishop of Cape Town will talk about South Africa's struggle to overcome apartheid and answer questions from his audiences, which no doubt will be packed.
Cunard is renowned for its high-profile speakers. Next month crime buffs on board Queen Victoria will enjoy Ian Brown's true crime stories, Frank Carter's insights into wartime code-breaking at Bletchley Park and insider stories from a retired fingerprint expert, New Scotland Yard's Terry Rockall.
If want to know more about what happens under the sea you're sailing on, boutique ship Paul Gauguin offers some fascinating cruises with world-famous oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau on board. Cousteau will join the ship in March, June, August and October 2014 to give lectures and video presentations of his work as well as accompanying several dives in the beautiful waters of French Polynesia.
You can also meet champion free-diver Herbert Nitsch, the "deepest man on earth", on Paul Gauguin's June 14 Fiji to Australia cruise.
Other lines that regularly host celebrity speakers include Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Swan Hellenic and Voyages to Antiquity - and then there is a huge range of themed cruises in everything from astronomy to zoology.
And if you're an expert who enjoys cruising, have a look at websites such as speakoncruises.com - you might find a new career as a speaker at sea.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN: RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS
LAUNCHED 1997. In 2012 Rhapsody had a $US54 million ($57 million) makeover during which specialty restaurants were installed, cabins were updated and Wi-Fi made available throughout the ship.
PASSENGERS & CREW 1998; crew 765.
ACCOMMODATION Out of 1020 cabins, 613 are oceanview (233 have balconies); 407 are inside; 212 have third or fourth berths and 14 are wheelchair accessible.
REGULAR HAUNTS Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific.
PERFECT FOR Couples, singles, multi-generation family groups.
DINING Edelweiss, the main dining room, can seat 1090 people. Windjammer Cafe is the buffet alternative and Park Cafe, in the Solarium, serves breakfast, lunch and snacks. Extra charge options include Izumi (Japanese/Asian); and for very special occasions, Chef's Table (degustation and wine-pairing, $95).
PARTYING The R Bar in the atrium is busy all the time and is a good people-watching spot. The Schooner bar and Viking Crown Lounge are relaxed spots and the Shall We Dance Lounge features live music.
DOING Have a go at the rock climbing wall, walk or run a few laps of the ship on the jogging track or make use of the gym in the Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre. Aquarobics classes are held in the Solarium pool.
DID YOU KNOW? As well as soft and alcoholic drinks packages, Royal Caribbean offers specialty dining packages.
THE DETAILS Fares for a 10-night Pacific Island cruise, departing Sydney on February 1, start at $1016 for an inside cabin. Phone 1800 754 500, see royalcaribbean.com.au.
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Viking River Cruises is extending its early bird discount of $1000 a couple on voyages in its 2014 River Cruises Atlas. There are 22 itineraries ranging from eight to 23 days, including new destinations such as Portugal, Myanmar and Bordeaux. Phone 1800 131 744, see vikingrivercruises.com.au.
OTHER DEALS
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS
Book a 22-day expedition cruise to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands on board National Geographic Orion or National Geographic Explorer by January 31, 2014 and you'll receive $1000 a person air or land credit. Departures are February, November and December 2014 and January and February 2015. Phone 1300 361 012, see orionexpeditions.com.
STAR CLIPPERS
The 24-night Grand Voyage from Lisbon to Istanbul onboard the luxury 170-passenger Star Clipper opens Star Clipper's European sailing season on April 16, 2014. Fares start at $9065 for the full cruise but you can take shorter segments. Book before January 31 and you'll save up to 35 per cent on all fares. Phone 1300 362 599, see starclippers.com.
It doesn't seem to matter how many cruises I take, I always forget to pack something.
Before embarking on my recent Pacific Island cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas I didn't think to ask if we needed BYO snorkelling gear as I wrongly assumed it would be available to hire at the destinations or on board.
I had to buy a new mask, snorkel and fins on the ship, which set me back $US85 ($90). Memo to self and fellow cruisers: do your homework and ask questions!
