What to Expect from a Christmas Holiday Cruise

Santa enjoying a festive cruise. Image: AI-Generated by Canva

OK, let’s talk about the reindeer in the room! When it comes to the festive season, you either love it or hate it. So, are you in the ‘bah-humbug’ camp or do you go all out?

If you are a bit of a Grinch, you probably stopped reading this when you saw the title, but for those of you that stream your Christmas playlist as soon as the trick-or-treaters have moved on, and start wearing your Christmas Jumpers on 1st November, here’s a little light festive reading that I hope YULE enjoy.

Disclaimer: I make no apologies for the puns you will find throughout this article – just be thankful it’s not cracker jokes.

Yule Tide on the High Tide

Christmas holiday-themed cruises offer a unique and special way to celebrate the festive season, and there are many reasons why you may choose to Ho-Ho-Ho-liday at sea. Maybe you’d like to get the whole clan together without having to resort to the “emergency chairs” and camping tables. Alternatively, you might actually prefer to escape your extended family and just do you. Perhaps you find yourself going solo for the first time but want some company to share the Christmas Joy with (worth remembering there is Noe-L in a-Lone on a cruise ship at Christmas). Whatever the reason, ‘Tis the season to set sail’.

Nautical & Nice List – What You Can Expect from a Christmas Cruise

From Decking the hulls with boughs of holly to sailin' and sleigh-in on the high seas, check out this Nautical and Nice list for some of the highlights:

Quality Family Time

Christmas cruises provide an ideal setting for families to spend quality time together without anyone having to give up their bedroom or listen to grandads snoring (or worse) during the Kings Speech. With festive activities for children, teens, and adults, families can bond and create fabulous lasting memories.

Magical Decorations

Enjoy Festive Decorations including beautiful Christmas trees. Image: AI-Generated by Canva

Forget rummaging up in the loft for the last decade’s baubles, the stress of deciding on this year’s “theme” or competing with neighbours’ outdoor light installations. Instead, you can see your cruise ship as never before, transformed into a winter wonderland with elaborate and dazzling holiday decorations, without ever having to lift a finger. From towering Christmas trees to sparkling lights, wreaths, and ornaments, the ambiance onboard creates a magical atmosphere that will instantly put you in a festive mood.

Traditional Christmas Dinner (or not)

Cruise lines serve up traditional Christmas feasts with all the trimmings. You can enjoy sumptuous Christmas dinners, New Year's Eve galas, and specialty dishes like roasted turkey, ham, and gingerbread desserts. There are also plenty of festive plant-based alternatives, dishes from around the globe and children’s favourites. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the sweet treats of course – Candy Cane anyone?

Festive Entertainment

Cruise lines go all out with Christmas-themed entertainment. From live music and carolling around the Christmas tree, to Broadway-style shows with a holiday twist, you will be able to enjoy special performances that capture the spirit of the season. If you are sailing on a British Ship, you may even be able to experience a traditional pantomime.

Seasonally Themed Activities

Cruises offer a wide range of themed activities, from gingerbread house decorating and ornament-making workshops to Christmas trivia games and themed dance parties. There are activities for all ages to participate in and enjoy.

Unique Christmas Shopping Opportunities

Perfect if your cruise is prior to the BIG day – you will find the onboard shops offering Christmas-themed gifts and decorations alongside their usual merchandise, allowing you to purchase unique gifts and souvenirs to surprise and impress your friends and family, and to remember your own festive cruise.

Unique Cultural Experiences

Depending on the itinerary, you may have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local Christmas traditions and cultural celebrations, enriching your understanding of how different cultures celebrate the season. For those who wish to observe the day in a more traditional way there will also be religious and non-denominational services onboard ship.

Special Guests

Santa often makes an appearance on festive cruises. Image: AI-Generated by Canva

Father Christmas (Santa Claus) is reassuringly a frequent visitor on festive cruises. Children and adults alike can meet Santa, share their wish lists, and even take part in fun activities like a "sail-away" party with Santa on board. Depending on the cruise line, other visitors may also make an appearance.

A Break from the Usual Stress

One of the most significant (and not to be underestimated) charms of Christmas cruises is the chance to escape the usual holiday stress. You don't have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or hosting; instead, you can relax and enjoy the festivities while the cruise staff takes care of everything. Sounds like bliss!

Remember also that each cruise line has its own festive traditions. For example, Holland America Line hold a Traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony; Disney Cruise Line has Disney characters in holiday attire for meet and greets; whilst Royal Caribbean has a grand Santa arrival by helicopter or zipline, plus Ice-skating shows with a holiday twist. Check when booking to find out what festive treats await you.

Santa's Favourite Itineraries

European Christmas Markets

River Cruise itineraries that include stops in Christmas-card perfect locations are especially popular in the weeks leading up to the Big Day. Sail along the rivers of Europe, such as the Danube, Rhine, or Seine, and visit enchanting Christmas markets in cities like Vienna, Budapest, Strasbourg, and Cologne. You can shop for handcrafted gifts, savour traditional treats, and explore the beautifully decorated towns and cities. You may even see some snow-capped mountain scenery.

Christmas in the Caribbean

A Caribbean Christmas. AI-Generated Image

Escape the winter chill and head to the Caribbean for a warm and sunny Christmas cruise. Enjoy pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and festive celebrations on tropical islands like Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas. Maybe not one for traditionalists, but for Santa, it’s the perfect antidote to the cold of the North Pole.

Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle

Craving a White Christmas? Experience a winter wonderland in Norway with a voyage through the stunning Norwegian fjords. Enjoy the sight of snow-covered landscapes, the Northern Lights, reindeer and the chance to meet Santa Claus in the Arctic Circle. It will be dark pretty much all the time, and extremely cold – so I would pack those light-up Christmas Jumpers for this voyage.

Rudolph, Head South!

If you prefer a warm-weather holiday, consider a cruise to the southern hemisphere destinations like South Africa, Australia, or the South Pacific islands, where it's summer during the holiday season.

Of course, Christmas (or its equivalent) is celebrated in most countries, so check out those brochures to see where in the world you want to celebrate. You may just be in time to book a last minute yuletide cruise for 2024 (plus make the most of Black Friday deals), but if not, instead of watching those repetitive and predictable Christmas supermarket Ads, go online and start planning the Best Christmas Cruise Ever for 2025, and remember whichever cruise line you choose, you are bound to set course for a Merry Christmas voyage.

Selection of Festive Christmas & New Year Cruises 2024

Check out these cruises currently on offer - this is just a sample, there are plenty of options out there.

Pre-Christmas Canaries fly-cruise on Marella Discovery 2

Enjoy an all-inclusive cruise to the sun and be back before Santa! Departs 17 December for 7 nights arriving home on 24th December. A bargain with a pre-black Friday deal - Outside £671 per person/Balcony £864 (or push the boat out and book a suite for just £960 per person. (Source: Iglu Cruises)

No-fly Christmas Cruise with P&O

Depart from Southampton on 14 December on Iona for a 14 night cruise to the Canaries. From £1039 per person inside. Alternatively, what about 12 nights on Ventura to the Atlantic Isles departing 17 December from £963 per person. (Source: Iglu Cruises).

Christmas Markets River Cruise with Riviera

“Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise” 5 nights full board fly-cruise with Riviera Travel. From £999 per person.

Caribbean Christmas Fly-Cruise

Christmas Eastern Caribbean from Antigua, 14 December 2024 (14 nights) P&O Arvia Balcony £1619 per person including flights. (Source: Iglu Cruises).

So why not escape the mayhem and enjoy Christmas at sea this year (or maybe next,)

AND FINALLY… SOME FESTIVE FUN

Finally, I’m sorry but it wouldn’t be Christmas without a couple of cruise cracker jokes (yes, I know I said I wouldn’t, but Santa made me):

What do you call a lobster who loves Christmas? Santa Claws
Why did the Christmas Turkey refuse to go on a cruise? He was afraid he’d get stuffed at the buffet.
What do you call a group of whales singing Christmas carols? An Orca-stra!

Unwrapping Cruising at Christmas