As the festive season draws near and the air is filled with holiday spirit, cruise lines are preparing for a flurry of onboard celebrations. If you’re considering a cruise this holiday season, you may be curious about how cruise lines mark the occasion. Whether it’s Halloween, New Year’s, or any of the holidays in between, cruise lines have an array of activities and experiences to make your voyage a truly memorable one. In this blog, I will highlight some of the top cruises to consider during the holiday season.
To learn more about holidays onboard, keep reading!
Carnival Cruise Line
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of holiday itineraries, covering Halloween to New Year’s and everything in between. With tailored activities for each holiday, you can customize the holiday season to suit your preference.
During the month of October, join Carnival Cruise Line for a spooktacular adventure on any cruise you choose. Onboard activities include costume contests, spooky themed trivia, trick or treating, the Halloween deck party, carving pumpkins for a carving competition and many more.
Some of the October itineraries are listed below:
Bahamas Cruise: This 4-day cruise onboard Carnival Sunrise is a roundtrip cruise, taking guests to Florida, Princess Cays, and the Bahamas. At these locations, guests will be able to scuba dive and snorkel, taste local cuisine, and enjoy beaches. The upcoming dates for this trip are October 24-28, 2024
Baja Mexico Cruise: This 3-day cruise onboard Carnival Radiance is a roundtrip taking guests to Los Angeles and Mexico At these locations, guests will be able to go swimming, view stunning coastlines , and enjoy local cuisine. The upcoming dates for this trip is October 4-7, 2024.
For more information about these and other October cruises please visit Carnival Cruise Line .
Photo by Carnival Cruise
Activities on Thanksgiving include live music performances, stage-show spectaculars, turkey dinners, a fun ‘duck hunt”, and many more.
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah? Carnival Cruise Line has a plethora of ways for you to enjoy your holiday. From singing carols and taking part in ugly sweater competitions to lighting menorahs and Christmas trees, the cruise line ensures that your holiday celebrations are festive forevermore.
Below is a list of some itineraries embarking this Christmas season:
Western Caribbean Cruise from Tampa, FL: This 5-day cruise onboard Carnival Paradise is a round trip that explores Florida, the Grand Cayman, and Mexico. At these locations, you will be able to scuba dive and snorkel, taste local cuisine, and enjoy beaches. The cheapest fare for this cruise departs December 11- 16, 2023.
Tangalooma – Moreton Island Cruise from Sydney, Australia: Looking for international travel, this holiday season? This 4 day cruise onboard Carnival Splendoris a round trip that explores Sydney and Moreton Island. At these locations, you will be able to swim among marine life, visit the Harbour Bridge and the Opera house, and take a desert safari. The upcoming dates for this cruise are December 14-18, 2023.
Please visit Carnival Cruise Line for more information about these and other Christmas cruises.
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
New Year’s Eve aboard Carnival Cruise Line features activities ranging from live music, New Years’ Eve trivia, and DJ’s to dancing under the stars. A festive way to end one year, while embarking on a new one.
Photo by Carnival Cruise Line
From Halloween pumpkins to dancing under the stars on New Year’s Eve, Carnival Cruise Line has a festive-filled season ready for you.
Disney Cruise Line
Photo by Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has many cruises and activities for you and for your family to enjoy.
While onboard, children can take pictures with Disney characters dressed in holiday attire, participate in an annual tree-lighting ceremony and arts and crafts activities, meet Santa Clause, and many more activities. Though these activities vary by ship and itinerary, Disney Cruise Line aims to make your holiday season memorable.
Photo by Disney Wish
Speaking of itineraries, Disney Cruise Line has several itineraries this holiday season with destinations ranging from Mexico to the British Virgin Islands, allowing guests to choose the route that best suits them. Cruises that are specifically categorized as holiday cruises range from 3-7 days, but there are other cruises also happening during the holiday season.
Below is a list of some of the cruises that are happening this holiday season:
Disney Castaway Cay: Photo by Disney Cruise Line
Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: This 3- night cruise onboard Disney Wishis a roundtrip cruise taking guests to Florida, Disney Castaway Cay, and the Bahamas before returning to Florida. At these locations you will be able to go swimming, tour the Kennedy Space Center, view coral reefs, and go on water slides among other activities. The cheapest fare for this cruise is the one departing on December 8, 2023.
Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego: This 14-day cruise onboard Disney Magic is a one-way cruise with excursions in California, Texas, Colombia, Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Panama. At these locations, you can visit historic sites, explore beautiful gardens, swim and sunbathe while enjoying local cuisine.The upcoming dates for this cruise is December 3-17, 2023.
For more information about these and other holiday cruises please visit Disney Cruise Line.
Grand Cayman: Photo by Disney Cruise Line
Whatever you desire for a holiday season, Disney Cruise Line has a plethora of cruises to make it magical for you and your loved ones.
MSC Cruises
Photo by MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offers many onboard activities to lift your spirits this holiday season. Activities include winter wonderlands, a Christmas parade, a movie with Santa Claus , a Christmas show, karaoke, and more.
Some of the itineraries offered this holiday season are listed below :
Saudi Arabia & Red Sea: This 7-night cruise onboard MSC Orchestra is a roundtrip that takes guests to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Details about the excursions during this trip can be found by logging into your MSC account. The upcoming dates for this cruise are 15- 22 December, 2023.
Caribbean & Antilles: This 14-night cruise onboard MSC Seascape is a roundtrip that explores the United States, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico. Details about the excursions during this trip can be found by logging into your MSC account. The upcoming dates for this trip are December 16-30, 2023.
For more information about these and other cruises offered this holiday season please visit MSC Cruises.
Photo by MSC Cruises
Wherever you decide to voyage this holiday season, MSC Cruises strives to make it an unforgettable experience for you and your family.
Princess Cruises
Photo by Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers a plethora of celebrations onboard for you and your family to enjoy. The main holidays celebrated by the cruise line during this season are Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year, but whether you celebrate or not the cruise line aims to make your holiday season as fun-filled as possible. Cruises often sail to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand, South America and the South Pacific, ensuring that there will be an itinerary for you to enjoy your holidays at sea.
During the Christmas season, the ships are decorated in holiday decor complete with holly, mistletoe, wreaths, and Christmas trees. Guests can participate in activities such as decorating Christmas trees and making ornaments, singing carols, attending Mass, visiting Santa Claus and more. The cruise line also offers a Christmas dinner featuring Turkey or Goose, mince pies, gingerbread mouses, and other popular Christmas foods.
Some of the Christmas itineraries are listed below:
Beehive Corner, Adelaide: Photo by Princess Cruise
3-Day Southern Australia Seacation: This 3-day excursion onboard Grand Princess is a trip exploring different cities in Australia including Adelaide, Phillip Islands, and Melbourne. The upcoming dates for this cruise are December 13-16, 2023.
4-Day West Coast Getaway w/Adam Savage from MythBusters & Tested: This 4-day trip onboard Discovery Princess is a roundtrip, taking guests to San Diego, Los Angeles, and Eseñada, Mexico. The upcoming dates for this cruise are November 25-29, 2023.
To read more about these and other Christmas cruises, please visit Princess Cruises.
Photo by Princess Cruise
As for Hanukkah, Princess Cruises offers a menorah‐lighting ceremony, themed decor, and special events such as Sammy Spider’s First on the first night of Hanukkah. Additionally, a special area of the ship is reserved for those who celebrate Hanukkah and is decorated in blue, silver, and white. Kosher meals are available, if requested in advance, as are other special items such as potato latkes, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish and matzo.
Some of the itineraries that feature Hanukkah celebrations are listed below:
St Peter’s Cathedral , Adelaide: Photo by Princess Cruise
7-Day Southern Australia Explorer: This 7-day trip onboard Grand Princess is a roundtrip exploring different places in Australia including Melbourne, Kangaroo Islands, Phillip Islands, Adelaide, and Port Lincoln. The upcoming dates for this cruise are December 13-20, 2023.
7-Day Eastern Caribbean with Puerto Rico: This 7-day trip onboard Caribbean Princess is a roundtrip, taking guests to Florida, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. The upcoming dates for this cruise are December 10-17, 2023.
Please visit Princess Cruise for more information about these and other cruises sailing during Hanukkah.
Photo by Princess Cruise
Thanksgiving brings fall decor, a Turkey Calling contest, and adding messages to the annual Tree of Thanks. Additionally, Princess Cruise offers a Thanksgiving dinner and movies under the stars.
Some cruises sailing during Thanksgiving are listed below:
Port Arthur , Tasmania, Australia: Photo by Princess Cruises
4 Day Tasmania Seacation: This 4-day cruise onboard Royal Princess explores different locations in Australia including Sydney, Eden, Great Oyster Bay, Port Arthur, and Hobart. The upcoming dates for this cruise are November 10-14, 2024.
15-Day Tropical Passage: This 15-day cruise onboard theSky Princess takes guests to England, Portugal, Antigua, St. Martin, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, and Florida. The upcoming dates for this cruise are November 10-25, 2023.
Please visit Princess Cruise for more information about these and other cruises sailing during Thanksgiving.
Photo by Princess Cruise
The year winds down with a special New Year’s Eve dinner, a celebratory toast at midnight, music, and noise makers for a festive end to one year and a launch into another.
Two New Year itineraries are listed below :
Rainbow Falls , Hawaii: Photo by Princess Cruise
14-Day New Zealand: This 14-day cruise onboard the Majestic Princess takes guests to different cities in Australia and New Zealand including Sydney, Wellington, and Auckland, among others. The upcoming dates for this cruise are November 22nd, 2023 – January 5, 2024.
16-Day Hawaiian Islands: This 16-day cruise onboard the Ruby Princess explores different cities in California, Hawaii, and Mexico. The upcoming dates for this cruise are December 18, 2023- January 3, 2024.
Please visit Princess Cruise for more information about these and other New Year cruises.
Photo by Princess Cruise
Other holidays celebrated by this cruise line include Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter & Passover, and Halloween.
For more information about these celebrations and cruises, please visit Princess Cruise.
Photo by Princess Cruise
Whatever you celebrate, rest assured that Princess Cruise will have fun filled activities waiting for you.
Photo by Disney
These are only a handful of the many cruise lines that celebrate the holidays. From lighting menorahs to Christmas carols, these cruise lines have it all. So whatever your hope is for your cruise this winter season, know that a fun-filled adventure is waiting for you. What are you waiting for? Grab your sweaters, costumes, and best tunes, and sail away on a holiday cruise.
by Kashaf Rashid
