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Enjoy the Holidays with a Winter Cruise
Imagine
the fun of Christmas, Chanukah or New
Year’s Eve without the scurrying
around and hard work. Imagine discovering
the great Christmas markets of Europe,
waltzing to Strauss in Vienna or toasting
with Champagne on an impossibly, elegant
beach in St. Barts. Picture parasailing
Santas and snow on tropical beaches. Think
about the satisfying, memorable pleasure
of having the entire family together in
a spirit of enjoyment and total relaxation.
Cruising during the holiday season can
offer all this and more.
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Cruise
lines will keep you busy. |
There
are as many reasons to take a winter holiday
cruise as there are holiday cruises to
choose from. An escape from all the holiday
preparations and the stress of entertaining,
can give you the chance to share quality
time with your family and friends. Let
someone else do all the work. A cruise
offers the opportunity to combine the
holidays with the chance to share new
places, experiences and great shopping
with loved ones. Winter cruises can not
only be relaxing, but just as memorable
as the holidays at home. From the Caribbean
to Antarctica, from the Mexican Riviera
to South America, Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) member cruise lines
are offering holiday excitement this year
with tips on selecting dazzling and festive
holiday voyages.
There are week-long roundtrip itineraries
in the Caribbean from Miami, Fort Lauderdale
or San Juan. Those wanting a longer sailing
experience can opt for a trip around Cape
Horn in South America.
There are cruises in Hawaii and the South
Pacific, and leisurely river cruises throughout
the heart of Europe where you can tour
the famous Christmas markets for your
holiday shopping needs. There are voyages
along the mighty Mississippi, the Columbia
and the Snake rivers. Most importantly
of all, there are holiday cruises that
emphasize the good cheer of the season
wherever you
may be.
What all these cruises do have in common,
however, are plenty of seasonal decorations,
religious services, music, holiday entertainment,
bountiful feasts and that important visit
from Santa Claus. In some cases, these
holiday cruises can also offer a great
bargain for young couples, families with
younger children or extended families
seeking a new holiday tradition.
Here are just some examples of cruises
and the special places you can go to celebrate
the holiday season with your loved ones.
AMERICAN
CRUISE LINES
Thanksgiving and New Year’s will
be celebrated on the “Great Rivers
of Florida” by passengers of the
American Glory. With departures from Jacksonville,
the holidays are marked by festive decorations
and traditional celebratory menus. The
ship will meander along the magnificent
St. Johns River through the Ocala National
Forest, calling on St. Augustine, Palatka,
Sanford, Green Cove Springs and Amelia
Island during its seven-night voyage.
CARNIVAL
CRUISE LINES
All 22 of Carnival’s ships will offer
holiday cruises this year, with each vessel
featuring an oversized Christmas tree,
wreaths and other traditional touches.
Special entertainment and programming
will also be created for the occasion.
Evoking a “home away from home”
atmosphere, elaborate holiday revues in
each ship’s main lounge will feature
cozy sets decorated with oversized fireplaces,
large comfortable chairs and Christmas
trees decorated by children aboard the
ship. In addition to caroling, holiday
menus, themed movies and a visit from
Santa will mark the holiday season. New
Year’s cruises are just as memorable,
with the traditional countdown highlighting
of one of the biggest celebrations at
sea.
CELEBRITY
CRUISES
This holiday season, guests sailing on
Celebrity Cruises' ships can choose from
a range of activities that offer not only
holiday merriment, but fun. From decorations,
to caroling, to holiday-themed meals and
movies, Celebrity will give guests the
chance to sail the high seas in the spirit
of the season. Kids and teens sailing
during the holidays will have the opportunity
to spend time with Santa Claus, as well
as receive special holiday gifts. Celebrity
also provides a holiday gift to all guests
in its suites. A priest, reverend and
rabbi will be on board to perform religious
services for passengers as well.
COSTA
CRUISES
In the Caribbean, Mediterranean and South
America, Costa celebrates the holidays
in festive Italian style. The Costa Mediterreanea
and Costa Fortuna in the Caribbean will
be decorated with lavish Christmas trees
filled with bright twinkling lights and
beautiful ornaments. On Christmas Eve
and Christmas Day, Santa Claus will make
a special visit, giving all children on
board a special keepsake. Special holiday
dinner and lunch menus, combined with
traditional holiday favorites and Italian
classics, will be served. The annual New
Year’s Eve Gala also gives guests
an opportunity to dress up for the holidays.
CRYSTAL
CRUISES
Crystal Cruises celebrates the holidays
with all the holiday trimmings, including
a Christmas tree lighting, carols and
holiday tunes and the arrival of Santa
Claus. Holiday-themed films, gifts, gingerbread
houses and extravagant Christmas Day and
New Year’s Eve dinners will also
mark the season.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Holidays on the Disney Cruise Line comes
with an extra dose of pixie dust this
year, as snow flurries blow through tropical
islands. Offering the option of a seven-day
Caribbean cruise or a four-night Bahamian
itinerary, the voyages are highlighted
by Disney’s private Castaway Cay
island, which is transformed into a Magical
Wonderland complete with snow, Christmas
trees and a sleigh full of presents. Other
festive touches on board include a three-deck-tall
tree, caroling, gingerbread making and
traditional feasts. Ship-wide parties
will also help ring in New Year's this
year.
HOLLAND AMERICA
LINE
Holland America wraps up the holidays
with cruises ranging from seven to 21
days, and include the beaches and azure
waters of the Caribbean, the mystery and
beauty of the Mexican Riviera and the
Panama Canal. Guests on all the cruise
are sure to enjoy holiday decorations,
special movies, traditional dinner selections
and a visit from Santa. Additionally,
the cruises offer tree lighting, caroling,
late-night snacks and gala feasts worthy
of Christmas, Chanukah and New Year’s
Eve. Extended families are sure to appreciate
special group fares for the holidays.
NORWEGIAN
CRUISE LINE
From Thanksgiving through New Year's,
Norwegian Cruise Line makes the holidays
at sea an unforgettable Freestyle Cruising
experience. Among the Christmas festivities
are an interactive holiday show performed
by the crew, caroling, an appearance by
Santa and holiday-themed menus. On New
Year's Eve, each ship's captain leads
a special countdown from the bridge, ushering
in the New Year after a gala dinner featuring
caviar, foie gras and more. NCL's ships
can be found in the Caribbean, Mexico,
South America, the Bahamas and Hawaii
this holiday season.
PRINCESS
CRUISES
Princess passengers can try their hand
at a gingerbread house building competition,
or test their craft skills by making a
personalized photo ornament this holiday
season. Families can have fun decorating
Christmas cookies or listen to a reading
of “The Night Before Christmas”
by the ship's captain. Holiday menus and
culinary displays will offer traditional
goodies, while Santa makes a quick stop
to wish the children Happy Holidays. The
ships will even sport a Christmas tree
on their masts. Princess’ 16-ship
fleet will offer celebrations around the
world with sailings to the Caribbean,
Mexico, the Panama Canal, Australia, South
America, Hawaii and the South Pacific.
REGENT
SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Offering holiday sailings in the Caribbean,
South Pacific, South America and through
the Panama Canal, Regent Seven Seas ensures
that guests will enjoy the holidays with
Christmas trees, menorahs, gingerbread
houses and an abundance of children’s
activities, which includes a visit from
Santa Claus. Many of the holiday itineraries
will also feature the company’s complimentary
Club Mariner Youth Program.
ROYAL
CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
From “Twas The Night Before Christmas”
readings, to the Teen New Year’s
Eve party, the entire fleet of Royal Caribbean
rings in the holidays with flair and fun.
There are holiday shows, seasonal music,
Santa visits, a holiday parade talent
shows. There’s also gingerbread house
displays, holiday movies and Christmas
Adventure Family activities. For New Year’s
Eve, the cruise line offers themed parties
in all the ships’ lounges, including
special celebrations for kids and teens.
Special holiday menus and gala dinners
are also served.
SILVERSEA
CRUISES
Designed to offer an escape from the pressure
planning holiday parties and preparing
meals, Silversea holiday voyages will
feature all the food and fun you need
complete with holiday decorations, eggnog,
hot chocolate, mulled wine and a visit
from Santa. New Year’s celebrations
feature party hats, noisemakers and streamers
with complimentary champagne.
Source:
CLIA, Cruising.org |
