Best cruises for active travelers

By Steve Faber

updated 12:34 p.m. ET Jan. 23, 2007

A decade ago, the title "Best Cruises for Active Travelers" might have been considered an oxymoron. The prevailing perception was that cruising was heavily weighted to the, well, heavily weighted. Cruises for active-minded folk were an entirely separate entity from mainstream ships and voyages, and there was little passenger crossover. Gradually, the descriptions have begun to blend, and the young at heart and active in spirit now typically share ships with their more passive fellows. Active travelers will, as well, find no shortage of shore experiences on those ships to whet their appetite for adventure.

That does not mean that all options are equal, or that you can't make choices that maximize your bent for adventure, however. Consider these suggestions:

In this case size does matter
Smaller ships can get into spots the biggies can't. Small ship architecture supports active passengers' active pursuits. Many have transoms that fold down into "sports platforms" (effectively mini-docks) from which passengers can swim, windsurf, waterski, kayak, etc.

Look to the Zodiac
We're talking inflatable boats, not whether the captain's sun sign is Pisces! If the ship you choose has them you have a great tool to get closer to the action than by typical tour boats.

Don't pooh-pooh shore excursions
The range of what is available from your cruise line is far greater than in the past, and usually includes a number of choices for the physically active. Many are unique — Carnival, for example, offers scuba trips at Yucatan port calls to "cenotes" (underwater cave systems fed by freshwater springs).

Choose a cruise of seven days or less
Though, as we have stressed, active options are now almost universal on ships, shorter cruises attract a younger passenger group, and the more active the passengers the more active-friendly offerings and more fellow passengers to share the experiences with you are likely to find.

Lastly, choose your cruising region with active pursuits in mind
In the same way that you can find active pursuits offered on any ship, you can find active things to do in any port. Still, some ports are "more equal" than others. That is why we have listed, below, our picks for the best regions to cruise for those who are active in mind and spirit, beginning with...

FRENCH POLYNESIA
Where: Located in the mid-Pacific about the same distance below the equator as Hawaii is above it, the main islands of interest are Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, and Huahine.

Why: To a degree, by process of elimination. Inactive pursuits like motor coach tours are few and far between; affordable shopping is virtually nonexistent. But, in the atolls' sheltered lagoons you will find arguably the best snorkeling anywhere. Then there's the chance to snorkel or scuba with big numbers of big critters: sharks and giant Pacific Mantas, to name a couple. The mountainous islands with underdeveloped roads beg for exploration by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Who: Our choice? The Paul Gauguin. We like the watersports platform, which (when it can be used) facilitates windsurfing, swimming, kayaking and waterskiing. We salute the ample diving and snorkeling options, including onboard dive instructors for dive excursions and even full scuba certifications. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which operates Paul Gauguin, will offer cruises through December 2008 -- after that point the ship, which has been acquired by Grand Circle Travel, may sail other itineraries.

COSTA RICA
Where: The Pacific coast of this Central American eco-tourism mecca has the most favored itineraries.

Why: Because few places on earth offer as wide a range of activities for the active traveler. You can hike the rainforest or zip between canopy treetops on pulleys and cables. Sight crocodiles, toucans and monkeys. Go white water rafting or kayaking in mangrove estuaries.

Who: We like Wind Star for this itinerary. Returning to Costa Rica for winter 2007, this 148-passenger luxury motorsailer has many of the trappings of expedition cruising including an onboard naturalist, but Windstar also is known for offering pampering, luxurious service, and top of the line cuisine. The sports platform and onboard watersports platform, scuba program and visits to a private island primate rehabilitation facility are other pluses.

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN (WINDWARD ISLANDS)
Where: The islands stretching from Martinique to Grenada.

Why: The Windwards include some of the Caribbean's least visited, most unspoiled islands, featuring rainforests, volcanoes, pristine reefs and deserted beaches.

Who: Since sailing is so much a part of the region, active travelers should consider one of the three cruise lines with sail-powered ships that regularly cruise here: Windjammer, Windstar, and Star Clippers. Of the three, we opt for Star Clippers' Royal Clipper, which shares many of the ports and active passenger amenities with Windstar (fold-down sports platform, Zodiacs for wet landings, windsurfers, banana boat rides and other water toys), but spends more time under pure sail power.

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