Travel Dynamics International

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Onboard

Travel Dynamics International operates education-focused travel programs aboard two ships, luxurious Corinthian and more bare bones Yorktown. The company manages to create an onboard ambience that's both relaxed and sophisticated. Five-course dinners and complimentary wines are served each evening at open-seating tables. Casual buffet breakfasts and lunches promote an easy camaraderie among passengers. Lectures are held almost every evening on each ship. Corinthian has in-cabin movies, but there are no TV's in Yorktown's cabins.

Most passengers participate in daily shore excursions, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides. The fast-paced touring leaves little time for independent exploration. So those interested in sampling the local cuisine or power shopping may need to pass on a scheduled excursion or two.

About Travel Dynamics International

The New York-based company was founded in 1959 (as Classical Cruises) around the premise of offering customized voyages to off-the-beaten-path destinations of historic and cultural importance. Adding to the uniqueness of the sailings are resident lecturers and hand-picked local guides, who share their expertise and enthusiasm. Unlike competitors Academic Arrangements Abroad and Gohagan & Company, Travel Dynamics focuses exclusively on cruise travel and operates its own small fleet.

Travel Dynamics International Fleet

Travel Dynamics has two ships in its fleet, and the two are quite different from each other. Yorktown is a 138-passenger expedition ship, acquired in late 2012 after Cruise West went defunct. While the ship received a $3.75 million refurbishment before joining TDI, it's more functional and comfortable than luxurious. The cabins are a little bare, and many have twin bed configurations that can't be pushed together to form queens. Public rooms include a lounge for talks and briefings (also where the bar is), a sun deck and some outdoor seating.

Corinthian started out as Renaissance Four in 1991, came under the TDI banner in 1996 as Clelia II and spent a year as Orion II under Orion Expedition Cruises before TDI reacquired it in 2012. The 100-passenger ship gives well-heeled travelers all of the amenities they crave, while maintaining TDI's focus on enrichment and education. All of the cabins are suites, between 215 and 285 square feet, and bathrooms have marble appointments and a teak floor, as well as terrycloth robes and slippers. Fresh flowers and a fruit basket go to every passenger, and there's 24-hour room service.

The company's 30-passenger yacht, Callisto, has been taken out of service.

Fellow Passengers

Expect an older, well-educated and well-heeled crowd. Many passengers are affiliated with nonprofit organizations like museum groups, tour operators or university associations; few book directly through Travel Dynamics. Due to the educational focus of onboard activities and shore excursions, Travel Dynamics' cruises are suited to adults with a strong intellectual interest in the itineraries. The exception is the summer, when special family cruises to the Mediterranean and the Great Lakes are geared to younger travelers.