Enhance your knowledge at sea: Discover educational cruises and their passionate travelers

On a sunny afternoon, the brand new 190-passenger Ocean Albatros expedition ship is docked at Scrabster in northern Scotland. Instead of lounging by the pool or at the bar, passengers have gathered in a lecture hall to hear Professor Donna Heddle from the University of the Highlands and Islands in Orkney discuss Scottish history.

With her charming accent, she shares fascinating tidbits with the audience, including that William Wallace, the famed Scottish hero of Braveheart, was nearly 7 feet tall; that Scotland has the oldest national flag in Europe; and that its monarchs have traditionally ruled over the people rather than the land, as exemplified by Mary, Queen of Scots.

Who would have thought?

These intriguing historical insights are just a part of the experience on the 12-day "The Hidden Coasts of Scotland: An Expedition on the Ocean Albatros" cruise, which explores the northern isles and highlands of the country. It’s one of Road Scholar's Floating Campuses — fully chartered cruises where every passenger engages in comprehensive educational activities.

Forget about poolside parties, casinos, or Broadway performances. Picture a college campus at sea — designed for adults over 50, which is the primary audience for Road Scholar, the educational travel company. This program taps into the rising demand for immersive and enriching travel experiences.

In fact, Road Scholar isn't the only one offering these educational cruises. Other organizations like Smithsonian Journeys, National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions, and Aurora Expeditions provide similar experiences.

Does the idea of a trip focused on education seem tedious to you? Think again! The academic vibe is far from dull for this group of enthusiastic lifelong learners. They’re not just here to enjoy Scotland; they’re eager to deepen their understanding of the region. These globe-trotting PBS fans fully embrace the educational elements like enthusiastic apprentices.

Transforming a cruise ship into a classroom

A cruise provides an ideal setting for learning, particularly when the lessons enrich the experiences at each port of call.

For instance, to get ready for our exploration of Orkney's Skara Brae, known as the "Scottish Pompeii" and the best-preserved Neolithic site in Western Europe, lecturer Steve Ragnall delivered a captivating illustrated presentation on the Neolithic era in Orkney and Shetland.

Think that sounds dull? Far from it! Other lecture topics span Scottish history, language, literature, and geography, and my fellow travelers and I were completely engrossed by each one.

Heddle and Ragnall, a maritime historian and a passionate amateur archaeologist, are the primary lecturers on this education-centered cruise, joined by an expert on birds and a geologist. Together, they share their insights about Scotland as part of a program that also features book club meetings and photography workshops.

Alongside twice-daily lectures (where some guests even take notes!), the experts are available throughout the journey for informal chats, offering passengers personal chances to explore topics that pique their interest more deeply.

I often see Heddle and Ragnall engaging with passengers during meals in one of the ship's two dining areas. They draw guests in like devoted fans to rock stars.

"I really value that Road Scholar changes up which lecturer joins our group during excursions," shares cruiser Wendy Baldwin from Indianapolis, showing her admiration for the trip's stars.

The evening entertainment is equally impressive: screenings of a BBC documentary on Scottish marine life and the comedy "Whisky Galore!" which tells the tale of islanders raiding a WWII ship for whisky. One night, a local ceilidh band captivates everyone with their performances of lively Gaelic folk music accompanied by bagpipes right on board.

Experience study abroad on a Floating Campus

What distinguishes a Floating Campus from other educational cruise offerings?

To begin with, "it's crucial for everyone on board to be involved in the program … by chartering an entire ship (as opposed to other Road Scholar cruises)," explains Chanelle Quealy, program operations manager for the Floating Campuses. "A significant aspect is fostering a sense of community, with activities like the book club [we received the book title and a detailed reading list in advance] and photography lessons."

The 112 Road Scholars, identifiable by their nametags, are divided into five smaller color-coded groups, each with its own leader, for daily guided "field trips" that are scheduled to minimize overcrowding.

In contrast to other educational cruises, these groups are further divided into two activity levels — catering to both more and less active participants — ensuring that everyone in this older demographic can take part. Additionally, unlike typical cruises, there are no options for shore excursions; we all explore the same locations, but the methods of getting there are adjusted for those who may need more support.

"That's all quite distinctive," remarks Zoe Fox-Mailer, director of cruise program operations.

The program even features its own classroom-style "show and tell." (Remember those?) After the farewell dinner, we gather in our color-coded groups to discuss our favorite aspects of the journey.

Some standout remarks include: "I appreciated how Steve's lectures made history come alive," and "This trip inspires further research we plan to pursue at home." Call these travelers nerds if you like, but they are undeniably joyful ones.

Another unique feature is the itineraries, which lean towards the extraordinary. On this sailing in Scotland, for instance, we're exploring the rugged northern coastline and isolated islands like the Orkneys, Shetlands, and Outer Hebrides, dotted with exceptional archaeological sites and castles. It's a rare route to hard-to-reach destinations, accessible primarily by ship.

"We concentrate on locations that aren’t reachable by land or coach," explains Fox-Mailer. Upcoming Floating Campuses in 2024-2025 will also include Corsica, Iceland, a route from Lisbon to London, and the "Ultimate UK" encompassing England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Who are the Road Scholars? They are lifelong learners driven by a passion for exploration.

While many cruises, particularly expedition ones, offer educational elements, Road Scholar trips particularly draw in dedicated learners.

"Road Scholar participants come ready and enthusiastic to learn," says Heddle, who also lectures on other vessels. "With other groups, there's often a greater emphasis on entertainment."

Ragnall, who shares his insights on different ships, agrees. "Road Scholars typically have some background knowledge, so I don’t need to simplify things. Yesterday, I received more questions than on any other ship. It turned into a genuine discussion."

Meet Henry and Elaine Burkholder from Meadville, Pennsylvania, who have taken part in 15 Road Scholar trips. "I enjoy expanding my horizons and learning new things," says Henry.

"This is our first cruise where all the participants are Road Scholars, which is a great advantage," Elaine adds. "It feels a bit like being back in school, but that’s exactly what we wanted."

"However, you’re not obligated to attend the classes," Henry points out, emphasizing that there’s plenty of free time as well. In fact, you could opt out of all the instruction. But why would you want to?

Dione and Jim Mahoney from Columbia, Maryland, are on their 19th Road Scholar trip, seeking enrichment. "I was amazed at how much I learned about Scotland," Jim shares. "The lectures were extraordinary. You won't find this level of education on a typical cruise."

Others have a slightly different perspective. Wendy Baldwin, who has participated in 14 Road Scholar trips, believes there is "more education available on other Road Scholar programs." However, she feels that the "education is more intentional on this cruise," which contrasts with the land programs. She appreciates that the Floating Campus has a larger group size than other Road Scholar programs, providing more "opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals…. I especially value the cultural elements, such as the music group that performed on board."

Some travelers are more focused on the destinations than the classes. First-time cruiser Barbara Koehler from Birmingham, Alabama, was eager to visit Skara Brae. While her husband Bob was drawn to the lectures, Barbara wasn’t initially interested but has found that "most of them have been fantastic. They weren’t pushed on you, either."

Indeed, it’s not just all study aboard the Ocean Albatros. Casual quiz nights and cocktail receptions liven up some evenings. Guests gather in lounges or the library to read or socialize during downtime. Some take advantage of the small fitness center and spa. However, this group tends to retire early to be ready for the next day’s learning adventure.

Like many others, I truly appreciated the profound insight into Scottish history and culture that I gained, not to mention these intriguing tidbits from cocktail parties:

• Scotland boasts more sheep than residents.
• The 5,000-year-old Standing Stones of Callanish in the Outer Hebrides predate Stonehenge and inspired the popular "Outlander" TV series.
• The Scottish motto can be loosely translated as "Touch me if you dare."

Learning fun facts like these creates more lasting travel memories than losing money at the craps table.