Four cruises for fans of fangs

Theme cruises, featuring everything from golf to history, are a popular way for consumers to mix a holiday with their favorite hobby.

With the success of the hit movie Twilight last year, vampire cruises appear to be the next best thing.

Cruise Critic, a website dedicated to all things cruising, has put together its top list of cruises for blood-thirsty holidaymakers.

1. The Alaska Twilight Cruise and Convention at Sea

Passengers will be able to meet stars from the movies - including Alex Meraz (who played Paul in Twilight), Michael Welch (Mike Newton in New Moon) and Jodelle Ferland (Bree in the forthcoming movie Eclipse), pose for photos with the celebs and enjoy themed activities like a costume ball. The cruise operator even offers an additional three-day tour to Forks, Washington, where the story is set, before the Twilight cruise sets sail.

2. A River Cruise to Romania and a Visit to Dracula's Castle in Transylvania

Forget the fictional variety, and hunt for "real" vampires on a trip to Transylvania. Take an Eastern European river cruise into Romania with Viking River Cruises' Eastern European Odyssey River Cruise, and add on a trip to Brasov for a tour of "Dracula's Castle," actually Bram Castle, which once belonged to Vlad the Impaler.

3. Vampire-friendly New Orleans

Home of Anne Rice - author of the Vampire Chronicles - and the setting for much of Interview with the Vampire, New Orleans embraces its vampire heritage with tours and tales galore. Vampire fans can add on a few days' stay in New Orleans before or after embarking on a Caribbean cruise from the port. British cruise line P&O offers a 30-night cruise on Aurora, taking in 11 ports in eight countries, including a stop in New Orleans.

4. Annual Gothic Cruise and Masquerade Ball

Referred to simply as the Gothic Cruise (for brevity), this cruise is for fans of goth and industrial music and has been held annually for the past 15 years. Taking place on Carnival Liberty in September, the Gothic Cruise is not vampire-themed, per se. But, because there's a particular affinity for vampires among goth fans, and the typical formal wear on the cruise is Victorian style, we think vampires would enjoy this cruise.

Website: http://www.cruisecritic.com