More tours, cruises keeping the faith
It’s not your reverend father’s church retreat.
The four-night “Cruise With a Cause” next month aboard Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas will offer a “Hip Hop ‘Til You Drop Show,” music by a dozen Christian rock and pop acts, a rock-climbing wall and spa treatments–but no drinking or gambling.
On Grand Bahama Island, passengers will disembark to attend a crusade and take the gospel to more than 20 schools.
The topper? The whole trip, organized by PraiseFest Ministries Inc., a non-profit ministry in Northport, Ala., will be filmed by JCTV, a Christian youth channel owned by the giant Trinity Broadcasting Network, as a 12-part reality TV series.
Religious, or faith-based, travel is going big time. Although most trips are still organized ad hoc by churches and other religious groups, large tour operators and agencies are entering this niche market.
For the spiritual traveler, that shift is bringing varied activities, more departure dates and fancier lodging. You no longer have to depend on your local church, synagogue or other organization to set up a trip; you can join a scheduled one.
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