Reunite and set sail with loved ones for a magical experience on a family holiday cruise with these seasonal vacation ideas and expert tips
As the holidays draw closer, thoughts often turn toward planning a festive getaway with family members and friends. Set sail on a family holiday cruise for a unique and festive way to spend time with loved ones. According to the recent TransUnion Holiday Travel Report, more than half of families with children plan to travel during this holiday season. In fact, cruises during the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s holidays are a great way to celebrate the season.
What to Expect on A Holiday Cruise
On these festive cruises, family members can leave all the stresses involved with holiday gatherings at home and focus on the fun. No cooking and cleaning are required. Winter holiday cruises offer activities and events for all ages, elaborate parties and feasts, and special moments families will treasure for a lifetime. Holiday cruises are available in a wide variety of itineraries, from short sailings to multi-week voyages. It’s easy to find parking near all of the cruise terminals, and some nearby hotels also offer convenient park-and-cruise packages.
Massive cruise ships are beautifully decorated with evergreen wreaths, colorful poinsettias, elaborate gingerbread villages, oversized twinkling Christmas trees and plenty of mistletoe. Guests can enjoy caroling and sing-alongs, tree-lighting ceremonies, Christmas parades, High Teas, New Year’s Eve Holiday Balls and dance parties. In fact, some ships also feature Christmas-themed cooking classes and special holiday shows.
Families can celebrate with beloved Disney characters on Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime holiday sailings. Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Disney Holiday Cruise Vacation
Disney Cruise Line celebrates the holiday season with Disney’s signature mix of family-friendly holiday-themed entertainment and programs for all ages. Very Merrytime sailings are offered from several ports across the country. Additionally, ships are elaborately decorated and beloved Disney characters welcome guests in their glittering holiday attire.
Very Merrytime Cruises include holiday activities galore. Such events are Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, themed Very Merrytime events and a memorable tree lighting ceremony. Also marvel at the colorful fireworks at sea and enjoy meetings with Santa Claus. Shipboard shops are filled with exclusive merchandise and holiday items, and festive food and beverages are also served.
Celebrate on a Festive Carnival Cruise Ship
Carnival Cruise Line is a popular choice for families with kids of all ages, and the cruise line goes all-out during the holiday season. Family members can participate in festive caroling and enjoy live-on-stage holiday entertainment and shows. In addition, take part in Christmas or Hanukkah services and mail letters to Santa in the special mailbox onboard. Also, The Grinch makes surprise special appearances on holiday sailings, and families can also see him at his character breakfast and holiday show.
Family Holiday Cruise with Holland America Line
Holland America Line is another excellent option for festive multigenerational holiday sailings. Families can make memories together while sailing to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico from a variety of U.S. departure ports. Dining is a key part of holiday celebrations, and Holland America Line ships serve a wide variety of season-themed dishes and decadent desserts. They also offer an array of fun-filled activities for the entire family. Along with spectacular light displays, dazzling decorations and enchanting gingerbread villages, experience a surprise visit from Santa himself. Adults can look forward to exciting celebrations during Holland America Line’s holiday sailings, including the Christmas Eve Party and New Year’s Eve Ball.
Europe’s Christmas markets are filled with a wide variety of handmade crafts and sweet treats. Photo Credit: Nancy Schretter
Holiday River Cruises Abroad
Holiday cruise vacations aren’t confined to ocean-going vessels. In fact, European Christmas markets river cruises are another great way to get in the holiday spirit. These river cruises allow families to experience Christmas markets in Europe’s historic cities and towns and discover timeless holiday traditions. They can be a good option for families wishing to celebrate significant milestones, learn about cultural traditions and embrace the spirit of the season. A number of river cruise lines and tour operators offer family-friendly Christmas markets cruises. They include AmaWaterways and its tour partner Adventures by Disney, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, and Tauck Bridges.
European Christmas Markets
During the Christmas markets season, historic European cities and towns are transformed into enchanting winter wonderlands filled with festive decorations. Christmas markets are different in each destination, with unique offerings to explore. Stalls are filled with vendors selling handmade crafts, ornaments, candles, steaming hot drinks, delicious gingerbread and pastries, roasted chestnuts, savory sausages, handcrafted chocolates and other treats. Families will want to bring an extra bag to hold all of the unique gifts they’ll purchase on these vacations.
Tips for Planning a Holiday Cruise
Multigenerational family cruises offer tons of festive holiday fun, and they’re made even more enjoyable with some advance planning. If you’re thinking about a holiday cruise for your next reunion, here are six tips to help you and your family have the best time ever.
1. Book Your Holiday Cruise As Early As Possible
Holiday cruises are popular, so it’s wise to make your reservations well in advance for the best selection of cruise ships, itineraries and stateroom availability. This is key for those interested in specialty suites and family cabins, as well as groups desiring accommodations close together.
In addition, carefully evaluate cruise ships’ itineraries before booking. Nearly everything in ports of call may be closed on Christmas Day, and some destinations may also celebrate Boxing Day on December 26. Consider what your group would like to be doing on those dates and plan accordingly.
While early holiday cruise bookings are beneficial, don’t give up if you’re making last-minute plans. Holiday season cruise space may still be available a few weeks before departure, but choices may be more limited. A good travel agent can help you find the best options for your family’s needs and budget.
2. Consider Holiday Cruises From Nearby Homeports
Cruise lines have positioned their ships within easy driving distance of major U.S. cities, making festive holiday cruise vacations less expensive and hassle-free. Holiday season cruises are available from more than a dozen convenient U.S. ports, which can eliminate the high cost of international flights for those seeking a tropical beach vacation during the holiday season. Driving to a close-to-home port may also make last-minute family holiday getaways more affordable, too.
Make sure to check airline ticket prices before completing your cruise booking if flights are required for your holiday sailing. However, if airfare is too expensive, consider alternative dates or airports for your flights. Some travelers tend to purchase their flights through their cruise line as part of an air-inclusive vacation package. If you plan to do so, shop around and compare prices before finalizing your reservations. In addition, make sure to understand any restrictions and cancellation fees associated with flights sold through the cruise line. Winter weather can be a factor during the busy holiday season, so it’s wise to purchase travel insurance for your trip.
Holiday cruises feature festive shows and entertainment. Photo Credit: Holland America Line
3. Check On Kids Programs And Holiday Activities
Cruise lines’ holiday offerings vary substantially. Some cruise lines go all-out with decorations, shows, and holiday-themed activities, while others are more understated. Religious services are generally offered during the holidays, but those may differ as well. Check to see what’s available on each cruise line’s sailings to find those that will match your family’s expectations. In addition, make sure to understand the age ranges, activities, and policies for kids’ and teens’ programs before booking.
Many cruise lines have apps that allow guests to view activity, dining, and entertainment schedules. Download your cruise’s app in advance to see how it works, and check your ship’s daily program to take part in all the holiday-themed experiences. Some ships also provide their guests with a paper version of their daily program.
4. Plan Ahead For Crowds
Airports and roadways are packed during the holiday season. That’s true for ships and ports of call as well. Most cruise ships will be at full capacity during the holiday weeks, and port destinations can be crowded with vacationers and cruise guests.
It’s wise to arrive at least one day before sailing to allow for potential flight delays, cancellations and traffic snafus. If you have to fly to your cruise, plan to take the first flight of the day if possible. Typically, those flights are most likely to have an on-time departure unless inclement weather gets in the way.
Since ships will be sailing at full occupancy, it’s important to adopt a flexible mindset and plan ahead. Make reservations for shore excursions, specialty restaurants and spa treatments as soon as possible. These tend to book quickly for cruises during holiday periods. The same also applies to other onboard activities requiring reservations, such as select shipboard shows and nursery programs for infants and toddlers.
Families have fun exchanging presents on holiday cruises. Photo Courtesy of Pexels
5. Think About Gifts
If your holiday sailing takes place during Christmas or Hanukkah, it’s likely you’ll want to exchange presents with family members. This can be easiest for families driving to their cruise homeports. It’s important to think about space considerations and check your ship’s policies regarding what can be brought onboard, such as alcoholic beverages and other items. If you’re flying to your embarkation port, bring unwrapped packages to avoid having to open them when going through airport security. Pack gift bags and tissue paper to use later.
Some family members may value experiences more than things. Another alternative could be to give memorable holiday cruise vacation experiences, such as shore excursions and spa treatments. Shipboard stores and boutiques in ports of call will be filled with unique gift options as well.
6. Pack For Festive Holiday Fun
Get in the holiday spirit when packing for your Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s cruise. Holiday cruises feature elaborate parties and special events. Family groups may wish to bring coordinated clothes for photos and festive holiday celebrations. After all, family pictures can be the most treasured holiday gifts. Cute holiday accessories such as Santa hats, colorful headbands and themed shirts are also popular.
Families often bring along holiday decorations for their staterooms, such as packable artificial Christmas trees, stockings, small wreaths, or electric menorahs. Check your cruise line’s door decoration policies and rules for items guests can bring onboard. Certain cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, do not allow stateroom door decorations for fire hazard reasons. Candles and electrical extension cords are also prohibited.
If your family has certain holiday traditions, think about how they can be celebrated onboard. Ugly Christmas sweater parties and holiday movie showings are popular on some cruise lines, so your family might have plenty of company. You’ll love spending the holidays on a fun-filled family cruise.
For more family-friendly reunion ideas, subscribe to the current issue of Destination Reunions and start planning today.
By Nancy Schretter, Contributing Editor
Header Photo Courtesy of Holland America Line
