Sunday, March 31, 2024

How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

The second in line of Holland America’s Pinnacle Class vessels, Nieuw Statendam offers an array of world-class dining and entertainment options. Additionally, Christmas-themed activities and shows are also lined up for guests to enjoy and celebrate the yuletide season. It's never too early to plan your holiday getaway, especially as these cruises are among the quickest to sell out.

night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise on AmaWaterways

Use that to your advantage with this two-week cruise starting in Thailand and ending in Singapore with visits to Vietnam and Indonesia in between. A few overnight port stays allow for a more immersive than typical cruise experience. This trip departing from Long Beach, California is perfectly balanced with time to enjoy onboard amenities and Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

Is Christmas a Good Time To Go on a Cruise?

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

The crew will decorate public areas on board, but passengers often go all-out decorating their doors and cabins for the holidays. The best prices will be for early bookings; you likely won't find any last-minute discounts. If you do, they might be on windowless inside cabins or guarantee cabins, where the cruise line picks your room location. Seize sensational, spending the Holidays in balmy destinations where uncharted adventure awaits.

Best cruises from Melbourne with savings of up to $1000

On the latter, guests can sit back and relax as someone else prepares an unforgettable turkey dinner. Within the duration of the cruise, guests can explore historic European destinations and stunning coastal towns. The cruise itinerary provides the perfect blend of Christmas vibe and Mediterranean sights. With its world-class hospitality and service, MSC Fantasia allows cruisers to celebrate the yuletide season against the classic backdrop of the Western Mediterranean.

Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year cruise deals are a "mega ship" travel choice for inexpensive December Holiday vacations. RCI's best features are the world's biggest cruise ships ever, top sea travel destinations and signature uniqueness. Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free. Holidays onboard are decked out with everything you love most about the season.

Vacation Deals

With a blend of stunning destinations like Sydney and  Hobart and the breathtaking attractions found in New Zealand, this cruise is one for the books. On the other hand, the starting price for this cruise is $10,050 per person or $717 per day per person. In celebrating Christmas at sea, cruise lines offer an array of options to satisfy every type of traveller. As the year wraps up, travellers and cruise enthusiasts looking for a more memorable and once-in-a-lifetime yuletide getaway can do no better than celebrate the holidays on the high seas aboard a Christmas-themed cruise. A Christmas cruise offers a unique and festive way to celebrate the holiday season – without the clean-up. Despite the holidays, ports of call remain open during the holiday season because this is their busiest time of the year.

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

Memory making starts here — with a full lineup of 2024, 2025 and 2026 future cruises ready to book. It’s over 270+ destinations from Alaska to Australia and everywhere in between. Check out our 2024, 2025 cruises and 2026 cruises to start planning your adventure. Generally speaking, cruises are more expensive when traveling over Christmas compared to identical sailings on alternate dates. If you are specifically trying to travel over the holiday, make sure you’re gathering costs for your exact dates since they do tend to rise for Christmas or New Year’s.

The best way to check the cost of a Christmas cruise is to start the reservation process online or call a travel agent—getting a quote is not a commitment to buy. Nearly all cruise lines quote a starting price but the rate will change based on the exact type of stateroom you prefer and number of passengers in your room. Mandatory taxes and fees can also increase your total cost but will be included in your final quote. While this itinerary is only three nights long, it makes an excellent long weekend with stops in Key West and Ocean Key, a private island in the Bahamas. Silversea is offering a 14-night Sydney to Auckland cruise via Silver Muse departing on December 21.

8 Things to Know for Singles Cruising During the Holidays - Cruise Critic

8 Things to Know for Singles Cruising During the Holidays.

Posted: Thu, 19 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

SUMMER OF FIRSTS: ROYAL CARIBBEAN ALL IN ON 2023 SEASONAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES

On Carnival cruise ships the atrium and promenade areas are lavishly decorated for Christmas. Santa Claus arrives to bring joy to the kids on board and the Grinch makes appearances throughout the cruise. Travelers who appreciate the finer things in life should consider this sailing on Seabourn Cruise Line. A smaller ship, personalized service and upgraded food and beverage will make this holiday voyage feel extra special. This trip sails over both Christmas and New Year’s, for twice the excuse to celebrate—assuming you can peel yourself away from the incredible history, culture, food and beaches along the way. If the holidays are more about adventure than traditions, this is the cruise for you.

The ship sails round-trip from San Diego with stops in Honolulu; Kahului, Maui; and Hilo and Kona, Hawaii. You'll spend five days traversing the Pacific Ocean on your way to Hawaii and five days at sea returning to the west coast for one more stop in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to San Diego. Access Disney Cruise Line's newest private island when you sail Disney Fantasy this Christmas. This four-night Very Merrytime Bahamian cruise sails from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando) to Disney's Castaway Cay, followed by a day at the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The new island destination will highlight island culture with work by local artists and Bahamian music throughout the colorful beachside resort. Your best bet for traditional holiday dinner options (think roast turkey, smoked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy) will come from the main, included dining options on board.

Seasonal holiday events include Christmas caroling, an ugly sweater competition and a live holiday show with appearances by Santa and the Grinch. This Holiday Season, say no to the cold and go for bold, taking your family on a sun-kissed Caribbean cruise. Make their spirits shine bright exploring the hottest tropical destinations, including the island paradise of Barbados and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private resort. These fan favorites have reframed what boatloads of adventure and next-level relaxation look like! Treat your family to a Christmas cruise or New Year’s cruise and create memories to light up a lifetime. Royal Caribbean will be offering a variety of holiday celebrations onboard its cruise ships in December 2015.

See who's brave enough to conquer all 13 waterslides at Thrill Waterpark, or relax along the Oasis Lagoon. Get the whole family together on a hot air balloon ride and make holiday memories to last a lifetime. Enjoy the ultimate holiday celebration with loved ones this festive season.

Discover incredible ways to take togetherness — and competitive spirit— to new heights. Cheer each other on while scaling the signature Rock Climbing Wall, or see who’s brave enough to plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠. The Christmas spirit even extends to its private islands, such as Labadee. It is round-trip from Baltimore to Norfolk (Virginia), Williamsburg (Virginia), Yorktown (Virginia), Washington (DC), Mount Vernon (Virginia), Cambridge (Maryland), St Michaels (Maryland) and Annapolis (Maryland). Carnival Cruise Line has a 7-night Christmas cruise to the Bahamas from Baltimore. It goes to Nassau (Bahamas), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas).

He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis. Royal Caribbean updated its deployment schedule and the Europe 2023 cruises have been delayed for the second time. Another good reason to book a 2022 cruise is if you are interested in a specific room. Certain room categories or locations get booked up quickly because of their popularity and limited options. You can always reprice the cruise later with the Best Price Guarantee program, which allows for repricing of cruises in case of a price drop. The 161,300-square-foot and LEED-certified terminal, built in partnership with Galveston Wharves, was built to be able to accommodate Royal Caribbean's largest ships, including Oasis and Icon Class ships.

Royal Caribbean offers an 8-night Bahamas & Florida Christmas cruise in 2023. Stops include Port Canaveral (Florida), Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas), Nassau (Bahamas) and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas). On Christmas Day the ship is scheduled to be at Nassau from 11AM to 7PM.

Royal Caribbean released new 5-night cruises and 7- to 8-night sailings Caribbean sailings for summer 2023 that are available to book immediately. The Jeweled Christmas in Natchez tour features a visit to The Towers, one of the state's most opulent privately owned antebellum homes. Guests will ooh and ahh over the festive decorations and displays that include over 100 Christmas trees. The journey begins with a five-day land tour of Costa Rica, taking guests to the Arenal volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Then it's on to ports in Isla Parida and Balboa (for Panama City) in Panama before sailing through the Panama Canal. The "door-to-door" rate for this sailing starts from $24,400 per person, including port fees and taxes.

Royal Caribbean Holiday Cruises, Christmas Cruises, Holidays at Sea

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

Cruises on Wonder of the Seas will include 7-night  Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Highlights include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Cozumel; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Give yourself a bucket list gift for Christmas and book a Panama Canal cruise for your winter vacation.

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She's been writing about credit cards and reward travel since 2011 with articles on Forbes Advisor, BoardingArea, The Points Guy and more. Her redemptions have helped her travel to more than 50 countries and all seven continents. Though any cruise in December could potentially be considered a Christmas cruise, some do it better than others. Regardless of what experience you’re looking for, there’s an option for you. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com.

PUTTING THE SEA in seasonal favorites

On these journeys, you'll glide along the Danube or Rhine rivers, making stops in countries like Germany, Austria, and France. Choose a Rhine voyage to see the canals of Amsterdam lit up for the holidays or a Danube trip featuring a shore excursion to a festive outdoor ice-skating rink in the heart of Vienna. No matter which itinerary you select, all meals are included, and you can partake in onboard activities such as gingerbread cookie decorating and a mulled wine tasting. Royal Caribbean Holiday specials feature unique onboard activities and signature activities offered by no other line. The special cuisine and one-time-in-the-year-only entertainment menu on the ship is another reason to spend the year's merriest time at sea.

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

night New Zealand holiday cruise on Celebrity Cruises

There are four issues per year, with each issue is packed full of must-read features, including cruise news, reviews, destination guides and the most enticing itineraries. Carnival Cruises has an 8-day South Pacific Christmas sailing scheduled on December 18 via Carnival Splendor. The ship departs from Sydney and will visit Noumea and Lifou in New Caledonia. The cruise line will distribute hats, decorations and even noisemakers. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean.

Disney Fantasy to the Eastern Caribbean

Part of the cruise’s itinerary is a visit to the Mystery Island in Vanuatu where guests marvel at the crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and breath-taking beaches. In addition, the charming town of Noumea in New Caledonia has picturesque beaches perfect for snorkeling and sun-bathing. Royal’s South Pacific holiday is best for cruisers who want to experience the yuletide season under the summer heat. The best holiday cruises in December are full of fun in the sun and holiday cheer. Make meaningful memories with loved ones and rest assured that you and your family festivities are sorted.

When it comes to planning the ultimate getaway, there are so many reasons why cruise vacations rank among the most popular travel options. If you’re not a planner, or if the only things you’re looking to focus on during your getaway is savoring great food, relaxing, and soaking up the sights, cruise vacations are the way to go. A cruise vacation is also a great option if you’re traveling with the whole family, especially when you opt for a Royal Caribbean cruise. All of the ships in this cruise line’s fleet offer family-friendly experiences for guests of all ages. Even little ones will find plenty of ways to play with spaces and activities designed for tots to tweens.

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Credit cards for cruises can provide extra travel benefits as well as the option to earn or redeem rewards for your trip, making them an attractive way to pay. Most co-branded cruise cards won’t make sense for anyone but the most loyal cruisers but other travel rewards credit cards are still great choices. Enjoy fairytale-like Christmas markets in three countries with this river cruise operated by AmaWaterways. Here, the emphasis is less on the ship and more about the festive ambiance you’ll experience in cities along the journey—on top of standard history and sightseeing.

Having extra days off for the holidays may also allow you to take vacation without dipping into as much paid time off or pulling your kids out of school. Beloved Disney characters dress in holiday attire for meet-and-greets, and Santa Claus makes appearances on most sailings. Cruises visiting Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, offer even more festive fun, as the Bahamian paradise is decked out for the season with a Christmas tree and faux-snow flurries. This is all in addition to Disney Cruise Line's plentiful year-round perks.

Whether you're sailing to sunny Sydney or the Mexican Riviera, Princess Cruises promises a forecast that includes a daily snowfall. Don’t worry — these flurries aren't real, but they have become a staple of the line's holiday celebrations. MSC Cruises is offering a 7-night West Mediterranean sailing via MSC Fantasia, setting sail on December 22. The ship will depart Palma de Mallorca in Spain and will visit the picturesque ports of Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, La Spezia, and Naples. The best way to avoid paying higher prices is to try to book your holiday sailing as early as possible.

Royal Caribbean News Round-up December 17, 2023 - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean News Round-up December 17, 2023.

Posted: Sun, 17 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Shore excursions are available, and swimming at a beach is always a safe bet for something to do on a holiday. Due to the higher demand, you will see higher prices for a cruise that goes over Christmas Day or New Year's Eve, compared to the weeks before or after. In addition, Royal Caribbean usually reserves certain areas of the ship for purchase to guarantee a spot in the middle of the action. These are usually chairs and tables you can book that provide a reserved spot near the main party.

Stowaway Cat From Royal Caribbean Ship Adopted for Christmas - Cruise Hive

Stowaway Cat From Royal Caribbean Ship Adopted for Christmas.

Posted: Sun, 24 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay. Many people choose to celebrate the holidays on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and we have a look at some of the Christmas decorations onboard Anthem of the Seas. Quantum of the Seas is sailing a 4-night "cruise to nowhere" from Singapore, and the ship is celebrating Christmas at sea. Our friends at Singapore Cruise Society are onboard and shared photos of the goings on during the holiday. Royal Caribbean makes it easy to maximize your weekends with short getaways that go long on thrills. Take a break from the daily grind and slip into vacation mode with unbeatable deals on 2-3 night cruises that fit more fun into just a few days.

The ships decorate for the season and offer special activities and parties for passengers. This particular trip stops in five Norwegian cities and offers extended visits in two of them so you can take your time instead of rushing. Tromso is known as Norway’s Christmas town, decorated to the nines for the holiday for a fairyland look.

Flexible travelers may prefer to offset their Christmas cruise by a week or two to find cheaper options. Like many southern Caribbean cruises, this trip is port intensive with only two sea days, one of which falls on Christmas Day. There are a total of seven island visits to keep you busy—or not—including some lesser-visited stops such as St. Vincent and Guadeloupe. The traditional lighting of the ship’s massive tree has become a mainstay of the celebrations, while many can’t get enough of the annual holiday-themed version of their famous Bottomless Galley Brunch. Have fun and know you’re doing good by participating in a special walk for polar bears on the ship’s deck in support of the World Wildlife Fund’s Arctic program.

Prices tend to go up over time, and if you can book earlier, you can usually save money in the long run. In general, prices for holiday cruises do cost more because of the higher demand. Ringing in the new year is a giant party on Royal Caribbean's cruise ships, with ample space to celebrate the big day.

christmas cruise 2023 royal caribbean

Don't forget your holiday best, as Zaandam will host a Christmas Eve formal ball with dinner and dancing, as well as a midnight Mass. Other seasonal events include a holiday-themed high tea service, holiday choir performances and Santa meet-and-greets. This sailing is one of Disney Cruise Line's Very Merrytime Cruises, so expect plenty of holiday-themed surprises and special moments. Disney's December sailings feature snow flurries in the ship's atrium, pop-up meet-and-greets with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best and a Christmas wonderland on the beach at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. They can't be at home celebrating with their families because they're working hard to make your holiday special.

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