HOLIDAY CRUISING
Holiday Cruises: Celebrate Christmas and New Year's on the Ocean
Together Under the Stars, Surrounded by Sea and Celebration.
A holiday cruise turns the ship into a floating gathering place where families and friends can celebrate without putting one person in charge of the cooking, cleaning, decorating and entertaining.
Christmas lights, festive meals, live entertainment, warm-weather ports and a New Year's countdown can all become part of one shared vacation.
Why Choose a Holiday Cruise?
Holiday cruises combine the celebration with the vacation. The ship handles much of the dining and entertainment, everyone can choose their own pace during the day and the group still has plenty of easy opportunities to celebrate together.
MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE
Meet Captain Chuck
Chuck Lund is the founder of America’s Best Cruises and a retired Captain with over 35 years of experience taking care of his guests. He brings the same attention to planning, communication and detail to your holiday group cruise.
His goal is simple: help families and friends spend the holidays together, choose wisely and enjoy the celebration without leaving one person responsible for all the planning, hosting and details.
“I treat every guest like family because that's what these trips are all about.”
WATCH
Why Take a Group Cruise for the Holidays?
Group cruises work especially well when the goal is simply getting everyone together without creating a complicated schedule. This video looks at why shared cruising can make group travel easier and more memorable.
The holiday feels different when nobody has to host the whole thing alone.
WHY IT WORKS
A Holiday Cruise Can Take Pressure Off the Celebration
Less Hosting Stress
No one household has to handle every meal, bedroom, decoration and activity for the entire group.
Built-In Entertainment
Holiday-themed events, shows, music and ship activities can give the group plenty to enjoy without inventing a schedule from scratch.
Celebration Plus Destination
The group gets the holiday gathering and a real vacation at the same time.
CHRISTMAS AT SEA
What Christmas on a Cruise Can Feel Like
Holiday programming varies by cruise line and ship, but many seasonal sailings add festive décor, themed dining and special entertainment.
Festive Spaces
Holiday trees, lights and seasonal displays can give the ship a very different atmosphere from a typical sailing.
Special Meals
Ships may offer holiday menus or seasonal touches that make dinner feel more like an event.
Holiday Shows & Music
Seasonal performances and themed activities can add to the celebration without requiring your group to organize them.
New Traditions
Morning coffee on deck or Christmas dinner at sea can become traditions your group remembers for years.
NEW YEAR'S AT SEA
Trade the Cleanup for a Countdown
New Year's sailings can bring live music, parties, dancing and a ship-wide countdown atmosphere.
The exact celebration varies by ship, but the appeal is simple: everyone is already together and nobody has to worry about hosting the party at home.
Why Groups Love It
- No driving home after midnight
- Built-in entertainment
- Easy group toasts
- Plenty of photo moments
- Something to do before and after midnight
- A vacation already underway the next morning
CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOLIDAY VIBE
Match the Itinerary to the Group
Warm-Weather Holiday
Caribbean and Bahamas sailings can replace winter weather with beaches, sunshine and casual port days.
Holiday Lights Ashore
Some itineraries appeal more to travelers who want sightseeing, seasonal atmosphere and destination-focused days.
Easier Commitment
A shorter cruise can be easier for relatives balancing work, school schedules or other holiday obligations.
Make the Holiday the Trip
A longer sailing can create more room for sea days, special meals and unhurried time together.
MAKE IT FEEL PERSONAL
Plan a Few Shared Holiday Moments
Welcome Meal
Start the cruise with one easy gathering that gets everyone into holiday mode.
One Group Excursion
Choose one port experience everyone can enjoy together while leaving other shore days flexible.
Holiday Photo
Pick one evening when the group knows to gather for a picture everyone will keep.
Special Dinner or Toast
One signature meal or New Year's toast can become the emotional center of the trip.
PACK WITH THE HOLIDAY IN MIND
Bring Just Enough Festive Spirit
You do not need to recreate home onboard. A few simple touches can make the trip feel special without filling the suitcase with decorations.
Easy Packing Ideas
- One festive outfit
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light layer for breezy evenings
- Small gift or exchange item if desired
- Phone or camera for group photos
- Anything needed for a family tradition
KEEP THE PACE FLEXIBLE
Some People Want the Party. Others Want the Quiet.
Shows, Music & Parties
Let the travelers who love the festive atmosphere enjoy every event they want.
Spa, Pool & Quiet Time
Others may enjoy the holiday more with a slower pace and fewer planned activities.
Port Days
Some relatives may want excursions while others prefer a casual beach or café day.
Shared Highlights
Bring everyone together for the moments that matter instead of making every activity mandatory.
BOOKING STRATEGY
Holiday Sailings Reward Early Planning
Holiday cruises can be popular, especially when school breaks and family schedules line up. Planning earlier can give the group more choices in cabin location, room type and dining arrangements.
It also gives everyone more time to budget, arrange travel and make a confident decision without feeling rushed.
WHY HOLIDAY CRUISES STICK WITH PEOPLE
The Celebration Becomes Part of the Journey
People remember who they were with, where they were standing at midnight and the little traditions that happened somewhere completely different from home.
A holiday cruise gives the group enough structure to celebrate and enough freedom to make the trip feel like a vacation.
The holiday is special because of the people. The ship simply gives everyone a beautiful place to be together.
THINKING ABOUT BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR’S AT SEA?
Tell Captain Chuck About Your Group
Tell us roughly who may travel, where people are coming from, the holiday dates that matter and the budget range that feels realistic. You do not need the ship or itinerary picked out yet. We’ll help compare the holiday sailings, cabin options, travel logistics and total cost so the celebration feels special without leaving one person responsible for organizing everyone else’s holiday vacation.
