Source: www.unlockthepastcruises.com
Interested in going on a genealogy cruise anyone? I sure wasn’t until now.
Family History Month challenge number 5 is to “Have a look at some of the great genealogy cruises coming up with Unlock the Past www.unlockthepastcruises.com “. Unlock The Past Cruises & Events is one of the Australian National Family History Month prize sponsors.
I cannot believe that when I scanned through the 31 challenges (yes it is OK to use numbers rather written words for numbers now days) that one of the first challenges I checked out was the genealogy cruises. I had always said that if I suggested we buy a caravan to travel right around Australia or a camper-van to tour New Zealand or a super-sized Winnebago with all mod’ cons’ to travel up and down Route 66, I should be put down. If I asked to go on a cruise, and talked you into it, then throw me overboard as it is time to give up.
I had always imagined you just sat around doing nothing so it is an extremely boring idea for me. I never ever thought I would consider sitting on the deck of a cruise ship.
Why consider a genealogy cruise then?
So why does the idea of a genealogy cruise sound like an trip I should consider? You are not just sitting around, you are doing something that interests you. You get to meet others that love genealogy too. You might meet up with your family history heroes. I read on one of the presenters pages that Lisa Louise Cooke presented along with other experts. (The link to the presenters is no longer available.)That is something that got me thinking.
If you make an effort and network you will make friends and acquaintances that may help you break down some brick walls. Who would not like that to happen? Unlock your past sooner!
It read that there where a number of times in the year to select from, different ports they visited, a variety of prices to suit different budgets and even different genealogy themes on some cruises.
Cruises are a lot more interesting than I ever thought after checking through the Unlock The Past Cruises & Events website.
Would you consider a genealogy cruise?
Leave a comment, I love to know what you think.
Or read my other Family History Month Challenges.
Disclaimer: No one has paid me for this post and any views I have about products or services are my own.
Fran, I’ve just come back from my 4th genealogy cruise. And while I am not into cruising as such, I do love genealogy cruising. It is a great way to see sights, a great way to learn, and a great way to meet and make new friends with the same interests.
Alona, Thanks for visiting. I will be checking out cruises as an option for a future trip. I often travel for work and I don’t think that I can pretend a cruise is the same as visiting suppliers. I do enjoy your pictures on the blog expecially the ones from the cruise on the Marco Polo. I have a great grand mother from Jersey. Going to Guernsey being so close would have been frustrating. Fran
Like you I was a “why cruise” kind of person until earlier this year. It was the temptation of hanging out with my blogging geneamates that broke my barriers. I had a great time and now I’m a convert! Still and all one must balance one’s travel priorities so not sure how many genie cruises I’ll be doing. Having enjoyed the (February) 4th UTP cruise we took the plunge and did our first holiday cruise in June…around the Mediterranean. I’m sure that cruises don’t fit every travel wish-list but for particular places they’re perfect I think. The super-big plus is you move in, get settled and don’t have to pack or haul your luggage (or are you an “I can fit it all in an overnight bag” person?). You don’t have to think about where to stay, which restaurant to visit etc etc. Beyond UTP cruising I think the trick is to pick the type of cruise line you like which fits with your travel agenda and personal style.
I didn’t think I’d like the huge Voyager of the Seas that we sailed on in Feb with its 1000s of people but since we were in the conference room it didn’t matter and overall it had a fun vibe….and then there’s all those geneamates! If you can do something the scale of RootsTech you can do a geneacruise.
Pauleen, I have found it interesting to read the comments about the cruise. Looks like I will be adding this ideas to my bucket list even if it is not a genealogy one. Love the idea of not having to lug baggage around, sailing by night and seeing a new port by day. Just so many things to do and still have to work to pay for them. Fran
Like Jill, I am a bit of a cruise addict and earlier this year travelled down to Australia to join the 4th Unlock the Past Cruise which was a fantastic trip. Even my Husband, who is not a keen Genealogist enjoyed many of the lectures. Even “normal” cruises, we spend little time on board, except on sea day, running off when the gang plank touches and back on just before the all aboard time. It’s a great way to tour and avoids all that made packing and unpacking you get on land based tours.
Hi Jane, Nice to meet you on Jill’s Google+ hang out. Not sure if my husband would be interested in a Genealogy based tour. I have managed to get him to drive me to all sort of odd places in the UK to see the places my ancestors have lived. We even stay in Bermondsay near Tower Bridge when in London as this was one of the places my Nana lived in the late 1800’s. All to make me happy!
As with Pauleen, the idea of not unpacking is a big benefit. Fran
I am a cruise aaddict. Mr GeniAus and I take a couple each year and you will rarely find us relaxing on deck as we choose those that visit lots of ports and only have a few sea days that are needed to recover
from hectic sightseeing days in port.
I leave Mr GeniAus at home when I go on genealogy cruises which are enormous fun and provide super learning experiences. I concur with all you have written about them.
Jill, Thanks for visiting. I am getting jealous of all the fans of cruises seeing I have not been on one unless you can count the Inter-Island Ferry in NZ or I once went down to Christchurch on a school trip – overnight on a vessel called the Maori, sister ship of the ill fated Wahine. Gives me an idea to write a post about memories on school trips. Fran
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I am returning the gesture :). I have never heard of a genealogy cruise. My family have done much in the way of studying our genealogy as my mums cousin is a genealogist too. I will have to send this information to him, he resides in the UK. I think we even discovered there was a highwayman way, way back in our English roots.
Lee 🙂
Lee, Totally enjoyed the Villa pictures. Interesting that you may have a Highwayman back in your roots. Makes for an interesting story. Fran