While everyone else is frantically cooking and cleaning for the holidays, savvy vacationers are packing their bags and looking forward to a relaxing holiday cruise.
Holiday cruises are an increasingly popular way to spend the winter season. They are a favorite of many travelers who want to celebrate the classic winter holidays—Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year—without all the worry that ordinarily comes with long car trips, hosting family, or entertaining guests. Spending a holiday on a cruise gives vacationers a chance to focus on being with their loved ones and observing the holiday in a relaxed, exotic locale with beautiful weather. At the same time, holiday cruise passengers are sure to come away with countless memories that will last a lifetime.
Some novice cruisers may worry that taking a holiday cruise will somehow detract from their celebration. After all, how “Christmasy” can Christmas be on a warm, sunny beach surrounded by azure Caribbean waters? The reality is quite the opposite. In fact, cruise lines that set sail during the holidays go above and beyond to help passengers celebrate the season. Every line offers elaborate dinner plans for the holidays, as well as an array of activities and parties to keep passengers happy during this special time of year. Of course, fellow cruisers, too, often deck the halls with their own wreaths, menorahs, and other festive decor. All this means that a cruise ship is full of holiday spirit from stem to stern.
Before heading off to reserve a last-minute holiday cruise, there are a few things to keep in mind. Holiday cruises are quite popular with families. Passengers bringing kids will likely prefer larger ships, which tend to attract lots of other families with children. These bigger ships also typically offer many programs and facilities especially for those younger travelers. For these reasons, big ship holiday cruises have plenty of activities for adults and youngsters alike, and are a good choice for families.
For those seeking a quieter holiday vacation, smaller ships generally provide a more intimate setting with fewer children on board. These smaller vessels sometimes also have the advantage of stopping in ports that larger ships can’t visit. Another alternative for a more laid-back trip is to take a longer one: cruises of a week or less are more popular with families, while longer cruises are favored by a more mature crowd.
No matter the reason for taking a holiday cruise, there are several options available. The experts at any major cruise line or travel agency are always happy to help you arrange the perfect vacation at sea.