For what must be the first time in its history, Swan Hellenic, the cruise line that has academic lectures as entertainment, is out to capture the teen market.
The 22-day Antarctic Discovery cruise on Minerva departing December 16 will have a youth director on board who will be running a Young Explorers' special activity programme for 10 to 17-year-olds, as well as teaching fun ship-board things such as how to navigate and tie knots.
It's a great idea. A cruise to Antarctica is a exciting experience for all ages, but tweenies and teens will have a great time getting up close to penguins and seals, keeping watch for whales, and taking cruises on inflatable Zodiac boats around giant icebergs.
Christmas Day will be spent in South Georgia, with a slap-up dinner, music and entertainment served on the ship in the evening. Come New Year's Eve, there will be a Champagne party to welcome in 2010.
And that's just where it starts to go slightly wrong for me. People cruise with Swan because it's full of "like-minded" passengers, they are certainly aged over 55 but mostly in their 60s and 70s, and like the guarantee of having no children on board to spoil the peace and quiet by partying the night away - not because they are banned, as such but because it's just not a cruise line - or ship - that appeals to families.
Nonetheless, I still think it's a great idea. Unfortunately for parents - or should that be grandparents? - though, the cruise isn't cheap. Prices start from £5,495 per person, including flights, transfers and all drinks on board. Child fares are available on request.
Jane Archer
