Tall Ships

If cruising conjures up images of enormous vessels full of swimming pools, casinos, and Vegas-style shows along with blue-haired old ladies and their gentlemen friends scoping out the midnight buffet, let me tell you about another type of cruise.

Known as the tall ship cruise, these cruise ships are much smaller than the floating cities you see in so many cruise commercials. They have sails and although they don't totally operate on wind power, you will get a sense of what it was like to actually sail around the islands.

If you thought it might be fun to travel like the guys in Pirates of the Caribbean, there are cruises for you. Wind-powered tall ships with decks that creak still ply the waters around Jamaica and other pirate dens.

A great line for these is Windjammer. They're nicknamed "barefoot cruises" because they tend to be informal, appeal to a younger crowd, and definitely promote a party atmosphere. Like to find out more without going to a cruise site just yet? Check out http://www.thecruise-shopper.com/Tall%20Ships.html.

The ships are smaller but that has the paradoxical effect of helping you get to know your fellow cruise-mates better. You'll see the same people over and over! Food is great on these vessels, but not quite as formal-fancy as some of the major lines.