Travel Tips

Mythical Cruising

Locations in this article:  Chicago, IL

Cruisers who want to mix education with their vacation now have even more options.

Some cruise ships are recreating mythological journeys that trace the routes of ancient travelers. Here’s where to find them.

The Field Museum in Chicago offers a mythology-themed cruise complete with various history professors on board.

For about $8,000, you can take an educational cruise of the Mediterranean, tracing the path of the Odyssey and the Aeneid.

Zeus Cruises’ Ionian Odyssey cruise takes you to seven different islands in the Ionian Sea.

Prices start at a little over $900 for this eight-day cruise with an overnight stay on Ithaca, home of the warrior-king Odysseus of Greek legend.

But the Greeks aren’t the only ones with a mythic history.

Alternatively, Asian Oasis Cruises offers brief two- and three-day cruises along the Mekong River that pass through Luang Prabang, Laos, one of Asia’s best-preserved ancient capitals.

These cruises start around $250, but have a two-person minimum for booking.

So don’t just take any old cruise … these mythic adventures can add a great cultural angle to what might otherwise be just a ride in a big boat.

Cruising with little ones? Get the scoop on Cruise Ship Kids Programs.

Looking for other alternatives to cruises? What about Taking the Slow Boat: Freighter Trips?

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