In the world of cruising, shipping out with a theme seems to be a growing segment of the market. Often the theme cruises feature big name musical entertainers or sports celebrities.
A leader in the cruising-with-a-theme market is Norwegian Cruise Line, whose theme trips this year include country and western, `50s and `60s, jazz and big band sounds. For the C&W cruise, Barbara Mandrell is the headliner while Paul Revere and the Raiders will be featured on the `50s and `60s cruises. Returning Oct. 24 for its 10th season is the Annual Floating Jazz Festival aboard the Norway. Other NCL ships with theme cruises are the Seaward, Sunward and Southward.
Other NCL themes feature a murder mystery and a Universal Studios Movie cruise.
Contact a travel agent for more information, or Norwegian Cruise Line, 800-327-7030.
HIKING HOLIDAYS The Bay of Fundy on New Brunswick`s Atlantic Coast. The Berkshires of Massachusetts. England`s Devon coastline. The Swiss and Austrian Alps.
Those are some of the destinations for hiking trips from New England Hiking Holidays, a New Hampshire company in its eighth year leading hiking trips.
Trips start in mid-March (to Hawaii) and continue through October with fall color walks in the U.S.
There are two guides per trip and groups are limited to 16 participants. Trails are diversified to suit various hiking abilities, and hikes cover 6 to 10 miles a day.
Packages include lodging (in country inns), meals, guide services and ground transportation via vans. Airfare is extra.
For a copy of the 1992 trip brochure, contact New England Hiking Holidays, Box 1648, North Conway, N.H. 03860; 603-356-9696.
IRISH TRAVEL PASSES With Ireland`s Rambler Pass, visitors have unlimited travel throughout the island on a train or bus for eight days ($96) or 15 days ($144).
A pass that allows bus and rail travel costs $125 for eight days, and $184 for 15 days.
The Emerald Isle Card is for traveling on buses and trains in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Cost is $168 for eight days and $288 for 15 days.
The passes are available in the U.S. from travel agents, or through CIE Tours International, 108 Ridgedale Ave., Morristown, N.J. 07960-4244; 800-CIE- TOUR.
AUSTRALIA SOLO Here`s an incentive to travel to Australia if you want to go solo. A 16-day tour to the country from the Austravel company offers a savings of more than $400 for single travelers.
From Chicago, the rate is $3,179 and includes roundtrip airfare to Australia, domestic flights in the country, accommodations, sightseeing and some meals.
For more information, contact Austravel, 800-325-7572 or 312-368-0325.
CYCLING ALONG Indiana`s Amish country around Nappanee and Goshen is one of the destinations for 33 bicycling trips offered this year from Endless Summer Tours, a Midwest tour operator.
Other Midwest trips will take cyclists through covered bridges in Parke County, Ind., and a trip that combines a cruise on Lake Michigan with cycling in Michigan and Wisconsin.
The 3-day/2-night trips cost $349-$389 (per person, double occupancy) and include lodging, meals, snacks while cyling and support vans.
Also on the schedule are trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Missouri.
For more information, contact Endless Summer Tours, 1101 Franklin St., Michigan City, Ind. 46360; 800-345-3389.
FREE FOR THE WRITING For a copy of the `92 Traveller`s Guide to Kentucky, contact the Kentucky Department of Travel Development, Dept. MR, Box 2011, Frankfort, Ky. 40602;
800-225-TRIP, ext. 68. . . . For a copy of the 1992 Calendar of Events for Anaheim, contact the Anaheim Area Visitor & Convention Bureau, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, Calif. 92802; 714-999-8999. . . . For a brochure about winter vacations in Waterbury, Vt., call the Waterbury Tourism Office, 800-800-2224. . . . For a copy of the new Hampton Inn Directory, call 800-426-7866.
