Variety of cruises provide Christian music, missions

A number of companies and cruise lines now offer themed cruises that focus on Christian music, teachers or even missions opportunities.

Below are upcoming highlights from some of these:

• American Cruise Club, 1-800-697-0097, www.americancruiseclub.com/stepsofpaul.htm
  Oct. 27–Nov. 5: The name “Club” is misleading because membership in American Cruise Club is free and open to anyone. The “Steps of Paul” cruise package includes roundtrip air between New York and Athens,  Greece, a one-night hotel stay in Athens, the cruise and related shore excursions. The route includes visits to Thessaloniki, Philipi, Pergamon, Sardis, Miletus, Ephesus, Smyrna, Patmos and Corinth.
• Christian Cruises.Net, 1-877-229-6155, www.christiancruises.net
  Various dates: With a variety of cruises planned for women only, couples and mature adults, itineraries include Jamaica and Grand Cayman with Kevin Leman and Wayne Watson, Key West and Cozumel with Lisa Whelchel (from the TV show “The Facts of Life”) and Alaska with Don Francisco.
• Templeton Tours, 1-800-334-2630, www.templetontours.com/TTIS@S.html
  Oct. 31–Nov. 5: The “Singing at Sea” is a mini-version of the National Quartet Convention, with a lineup of premiere southern gospel talent such as Legacy Five, The Hoppers, Gold City, Greater Vision, The Kingsmen and Squire Parsons.  Jerry Goff serves as emcee, plus Aaron Wilburn and the hilarious team of Geraldine & Ricky assure plenty of laughter during this celebration over water. Cruise is roundtrip from Jacksonville, with stops at Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.
• Sailing and Serving, 1-800-443-0227, www.sailing­andserving.com 
  Various dates: Based in Burbank, Calif., this organization has invested 45 years in ongoing missions work in the Freeport and Nassau regions of the Bahamas. Sailings are generally scheduled for dates in January, June and July.  Passengers pay a reasonable fee to participate in the cruise and missions teams, choosing from a variety of assignments such as drama team, food services, sports activities, teaching and more.

Source: Judy Woodward Bates