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When Holland America's Maasdam sets sail to the Caribbean in February, the first thing most of the 1,250 passengers will do is shed their clothes. Every stitch.

And why not? They will be participating in a nudist cruise — just one of many special-interest sailings that cater to fans of everything from "Star Trek" to chocolate concoctions to the sound of Sinatra. The people who organize such cruises, sometimes chartering an entire ship, say they are a wonderful way for people with similar interests or lifestyles to get together.

Take the clothing-optional cruises. Nancy Tiemann, president and co-owner of Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, says that "going to sea and nudity is a perfect match." Participants feel a level of comfort they sometimes can't find on land: Because the ship is filled with only nudist passengers, there is no snickering and no sitting by the pool in a soggy bathing suit. Passengers, however, are required to dress when the ship is in port and in the formal dining room, although what they wear tends to be more informal than on traditional cruises.

How popular is nude cruising? In addition to the 10-night Hidden Jewels of the Caribbean sailing, which leaves from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Feb. 3, three more such cruises are planned next year, some on ships larger than the Maasdam.

Another popularly themed cruise with multiple sailings centers on Christianity.

"Passengers find a family-friendly environment that enriches their religious experience," says Honnie Korngold, president of Christian Travel Finder, which has five Christian-themed cruises coming up this year and next. One of the most popular is Cruise with a Cause, sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., to Nassau and Coco Cay, Bahamas, June 4-8 aboard Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas. "We had 2,300 participants last year," says Korngold, "and this year we are expecting 2,600."

Passengers keep on the sunny side with Christian music, talks by leading evangelists, special events for children, and mission work ashore. But one of the biggest attractions is what isn't there. Unlike most cruises, no alcohol is served aboard and the casinos are shut tight.

A cruise can be a breakthrough experience for gay and lesbian travelers. A gay cruise, for instance, "is especially helpful to people from small towns in getting to know people who share their lifestyle," says Diane Berube, travel service manager of Gay Days Travel, which books cabins on cruises for the general public and holds special events for the 100 to 200 gays who typically come aboard.

The agency's First "Official" Women's Gay Days Cruise will be aboard the Carnival Sensation, a three-night trip leaving Port Canaveral Jan. 18 and heading to Nassau. In addition to entertainment, there will be gifts, goody bags and get-togethers.

There are many more special-interest cruises, among them sailings geared to lovers of all things Irish, baseball fans, history buffs, antiques hunters, and those who devour dance, design and literature. But here's one that's out of this world, sort of. Cruise Trek is putting together its 15th annual "Star Trek" cruise, visiting Australia and New Zealand aboard Holland America's Staatendam, Nov. 4-18, 2007.

While details are incomplete, the past trips, which have attracted up to 750 passengers, show there is a lot more to the cruises than just walking around in Spock ears. Actors from the legendary TV series are aboard, and there are rituals known only to "Star Trek" fans.

After the cruise, there is an Internet chat room, where participants discuss their adventures, friendships, even romances. The cruise may not beam them up, but it appears to leave them beaming.