Christmas and New Years Eve are two of the most magical times of year – and for some, so is the winter season. But there are a good number of people that love the holidays, but would prefer to skip the snow. There are some of us who would just as soon wake up on a sandy beach than shovel our cars out of the snow on Christmas morning. So this year, instead of spending Christmas and New Years Eve at home with the family or that special someone – why not take them on a holiday cruise?
Cruise holidays are popular for several reasons: they are a great way to escape the cold winter season — for a few days or a few weeks, they are relaxing, they eliminate the pressure of having to host a holiday party, and they are a great way for families and couples to bond during the holiday season.
Cruise holiday’s come in all shapes and sizes from riverboat and small ship holiday cruises to winter cruises aboard some of the world’s largest and most popular ships. The destinations are just as varied. A holiday cruise can take you as close as the Atlantic on a Caribbean cruise or as far away as the Indian Ocean on a South African cruise. If you have several days to spare during the holidays, try a Caribbean holiday cruise! If you have 14 days or more to spare (and money to burn) why not try an Indian Ocean cruise holiday for a winter vacation that you won’t soon forget?
While many ships offer holiday cruise itineraries such as Christmas cruise itineraries, as well as winter and New Years Eve itineraries, the cruise lines listed below have the most offerings.
Disney Cruise Line has a holiday itinerary featuring 10 days in the Caribbean departing Port Canaveral, Florida.
Holland America Cruise Line offers the popular Antarctica holiday cruise. Holland also features holiday Christmas cruise itineraries to Australia, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), features a whopping 13 Christmas and winter cruises to exciting places such as South America, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and, of course, the Caribbean. NCL Christmas and winter cruises depart from a wide variety of ports, so no matter where you live, you will find a port that’s convenient for you. Departure ports include: Charleston, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, and New York. NCL cruises are great for families as they highlight Christmas crafts for kids, caroling, and Santa Claus comes along for the ride.
Princess Cruise Line features Christmas cruises that travel to Australia, the Caribbean, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Popular with couples and families alike, Princess Cruise Line will be decked out in decorations for the Christmas, you’ll find a Rabbi on board for Hanukkah services, and there is also a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring countdowns, and even televised college football bowl games for sports fans.
Silversea Cruises offers Christmas cruises to some of the most exotic locales in the world. This is an excellent way for couples to celebrate the Christmas holiday in the most romantic way. Destinations may include places such as Africa, the Pacific Coast, Mexico, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean Coast, Northern Europe, the Amazon basin, South America, Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean. They even offer voyages to the exotic locations of Seychelles, Comoros and Madagascar, St. Lawrence Seaway in Quebec, Hong Kong, and Singapore!
To book a holiday cruise, visit your favorite cruise line to book online or contact your local cruise travel agent.