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Get into the holiday spirit while sailing around Australia and New Zealand. Or spend Christmas Eve during a once-in-a-lifetime cruise around the Galapagos Islands. And in the spirit of Grinchmas — the only one at sea — you’re in for lots of extra fun! Taking a page from Dr. Seuss’ classic book, The Grinch himself will join you at sea during this most merry time. He’ll make surprise appearances throughout your vacation, so keep your eyes peeled. If you don’t catch him, catch his live holiday show and character breakfast.
Hotels
Embarking on a Christmas cruise is a unique experience, blending the magic of the seas with the festive spirit of the holiday. By ensuring you’ve packed these essential items, you’ll be setting the stage for a seamless, memorable, and festive voyage. While cruise ships have medical facilities, having a basic first-aid kit and essential meds can be handy. The popular Christmas market in Dresden transforms the city into winter wonderland on River Elbe. Traditionally known as 'Striezelmarkt', Dresden Christmas market is the oldest in Germany, as it dates back to 1434.
ITALY - Verona Christmas Market "Piazza Dante"
Pack your appetite — all your favorite flavors of the holiday season are onboard. Savor mouthwatering Thanksgiving staples like oven-roasted turkey and old-fashioned pecan pie. And Christmas dinner classics, like honey baked ham and homemade sides.
Crystal Cruises
When it comes to family vacations, it's all about options, and with Norwegian, you have plenty. Stretch out in accommodations that fit all families, including spacious suites and interconnecting staterooms. The journey begins with a five-day land tour of Costa Rica, taking guests to the Arenal volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Then it's on to ports in Isla Parida and Balboa (for Panama City) in Panama before sailing through the Panama Canal. It can't hurt to ask if any extra-fee restaurants are doing a Christmas or New Year's menu if you're looking for a more intimate holiday meal. Trade the glow of a Christmas tree in your living room with the warmth of the sand and the sun on a holiday cruise.
Top Christmas Cruise Itineraries
As visitors wander around the cave, they meet tables full of displays from local artisans. Every year they show a unique theme - the scenes are set up throughout market and tell stories related to the theme. Velvet, Wilhelmina and Municipal caves sound intriguing even on their own. Lille has great activities during holiday season - it's situated along the northern border of France and is capital of French Flanders. The whole town around Christmas market is covered with huge garlands' crown.
day Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise on Holland America
Don't forget to try the traditional Czech beverage grog and honey liquor. Every night the Christmas tree lights are switched on and provide a stunning sight. Dressed in traditional costumes carol singers all around from Czech Republic complete the enchanting market. Viking Cruises, a Switzerland-based luxury cruise line, is known for the distinct modern touches it brings to sailings. The river cruises sailing during the festive season typically immerse you in the traditions of each country on the itinerary with food, music and decorations. But if you want a Christmas cruise that hits all the highlights, you can’t go wrong with a Danube River cruise.
Hanukkah and Christmas Cruises: A Guide to Onboard Festivities (Photo: alex_gor/Shutterstock) - Cruise Critic
Hanukkah and Christmas Cruises: A Guide to Onboard Festivities (Photo: alex_gor/Shutterstock).
Posted: Wed, 22 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
I spent Christmas, NYE on cruise with some family; would not do again - Business Insider
I spent Christmas, NYE on cruise with some family; would not do again.
Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This trip departing from Long Beach, California is perfectly balanced with time to enjoy onboard amenities and Mexico’s Pacific Coast. All cruise prices were accurate when this article was written, but may change due to special promotions, personalized offers, changes in demand or if certain cabin categories sell out. Government taxes, port fees, gratuities and other expenses are not included.
Seasonal holiday events include Christmas caroling, an ugly sweater competition and a live holiday show with appearances by Santa and the Grinch. Catch a ride on the world's largest cruise ship during the 2025 holiday season. If you're feeling the holiday spirit, sign up to join a group of crew and passengers to go caroling around the ship. Cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Christmas games are part of the holiday fun. On New Year's Eve, gather for a special party with a complimentary midnight Champagne toast, party favors and live music. On a holiday cruise, you can leave the cooking, cleaning and decorating to the pros and simply enjoy time with your family.
I’m so happy you’re here!
There are many "international" ships deployed in Southeast Asia (homeported in Hong Kong and Singapore), but for foreigners that market is with fly-cruise deals (inclusive of flights from the USA, Australia, Europe). The list of larger company ships leaving roundtrip from Caribbean ports (Puerto Rico, Barbados, Dominicana, Guadeloupe) includes AIDA, TUI, Marella UK, Carnival, RCI, MSC, P&O UK. The list of most popular Xmas-NYE ship travel destinations starts always with the sunny Caribbean, followed by the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii (from California), Australia and New Zealand. Another interesting and relatively inexpensive destination is Europe's Mediterranean, where during winter you can enjoy guided tours in large port cities with much fewer tourists compared to the summer season. If your goal for Christmas or Hanukkah is to skip both the cold and the kitchen, a cruise in the Caribbean might be to your liking. The warm weather can be a welcoming change from winter at home, and you may find spending your winter holiday on a cruise ship a far more relaxing experience than a family reunion on land.
Christmas cruises add awe-inspiring decor, live performances, and a slew of onboard activities, like an ugly sweater contest and themed holiday trivia. Whether you want to sip eggnog by the pool or attend an onboard Christmas-carol singalong, Norwegian delivers plenty of reasons to set sail this season. You will also find the holiday spirit in abundance in the ports of call, making this one of the best winter cruises for those who enjoy the season.
Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free. All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay. For some, winter break means you finally have time for a longer vacation, thanks to slower responsibilities back at the office. Use that to your advantage with this two-week cruise starting in Thailand and ending in Singapore with visits to Vietnam and Indonesia in between. A few overnight port stays allow for a more immersive than typical cruise experience.
If you’re planning on going on a Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or a Carnival holiday cruise to the Caribbean, chances are you’ll be departing from the Sunshine State. Escape to the exotic Galapagos Islands for the holidays with a Silversea cruise. On the 14-night sailing round-trip from San Cristóbal, Silver Origin will alight at a remarkable 27 ports throughout the archipelago. The line understands its family-forward "fun" ships are built for cheery escapes, and its Christmas celebrations fit perfectly into that world.
Depending on shipping company and destination, Xmas-NYE itineraries vary from 4-5 days (short breaks) to 7-10 days and even up to a month, extending from early or mid-December through early January. At CruiseMapper's "Christmas New Year Cruise" hub you can compares all major cruise companies' December Holiday offers as itineraries and prices. Our Xmas cruise finder allows searching by departure ports, countries and company, also allowing you to choose vessel type (ocean ship or riverboat) and a preferable call port along the itinerary. The traditional lighting of the ship’s massive tree has become a mainstay of the celebrations, while many can’t get enough of the annual holiday-themed version of their famous Bottomless Galley Brunch. Have fun and know you’re doing good by participating in a special walk for polar bears on the ship’s deck in support of the World Wildlife Fund’s Arctic program.
