Cruise companies go over and above as they roll out the holly for holiday celebrations, as if endless shrimp and stunning coastlines weren’t alluring enough. Seasonal activities, festive decorations, and even more mouthwatering goodies than normal are included on these specialized sailings, which liven up the open seas. This is the season to indulge, after all, there are options for every vacation style and price range, whether you want to zip around the Caribbean Sea with Mickey Mouse on a Disney Christmas cruise or experience luxury and intimacy onboard an European river cruise. The Top 7 best Cruise Lines For Holiday Cruises in 2023 are listed below.
Disney Cruise Line
The disney cruise line is our first cruise line on the 7 Best Cruise Lines For Holiday Cruises 2023. During their holiday sailings, Disney Cruise Line elevates magic to a completely new level. A flurry of fun enriches trips to places like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, and other destinations when leaving from ports in Florida and Texas. Also, the ship have a magnificent 24-foot Christmas tree as its focal point, along with garlands, poinsettias, and holiday-themed entertainment and activities. What’s best? All of this is in addition to the line’s extensive year-round selection.
Ships light up the sky with a unique midnight spectacle sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit as the only cruise line presenting fireworks at sea and several beloved Disney characters dress up for the season, and Kris Kringle himself might make an appearance.
Disney’s own island Castaway Cay is adorned with a Christmas tree and snowflakes on ships that stop there, so the fun continues.
Cunard Cruise Line
The affluent British cruise line approaches the holidays with a sense of refinement. Here, afternoon tea is festively laced with stollen and other traditional European Christmas sweets, and champagne is presented in exquisite crystal. Admire the beauty of the gingerbread village or indulge in an eggnog while you enjoy holiday customs like mince pies, Christmas carolers, and Santa visits. You can peruse the sumptuous onboard shops after seeing the spectacular Christmas tree in the Grand Lobby and delight your loved ones back home. Itineraries can include trips on the Queen Mary 2 across the Atlantic or a visit of the Western European shores of Portugal and Spain.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line invites customers to simplify the holidays this year with cruises to Europe, Mexico, and South America. They also offer Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and Hanukkah sailings aside cruises. On the latter, visitors can unwind while someone else creates a scrumptious turkey supper. It in itself is cause for gratitude. Christmas cruises feature breathtaking decorations, live performances, and a variety of on-board activities, including quizzes with a jolly, holly theme and an ugly sweater contest. They convey the meaning of the season, whether you want to simply relax by the pool and sip eggnog or want to attend a Christmas liturgy on board.
Viking River Cruises
Luxury cruise line Viking River Cruises, established in Switzerland, is well renowned for bringing distinct modern elements to river sailings. The tiny ships contain approximately 100 rooms, and the excellence is in the attention to detail and service. The ships are absolute delight during the holidays. Holiday nostalgia is celebrated on European Christmas market cruises when you make port in storied towns like Vienna and Budapest.
Live performances, regional delicacies, tree-trimming, and freshly made holiday cookies and cakes are all available on board. While you cruise along the Seine or take in the vibrant Berlin along the Elbe, experience the City of Lights, Paris, in a completely new way. In the U.S. the Mississippi River trip offers privileged access to Graceland, which is decorated for the holidays and unrivalled views of the magnificent Christmas light displays adorning Baton Rouge’s historic mansions.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises guarantees a forecast that includes daily snowfall, whether you’re going to sunny Sydney, Australia, or the Mexican Riviera. Don’t worry— these flakes aren’t real, but they have become a feature of their holiday celebration. Once you’ve warmed up with your personal virtual yule log, you can meet Santa Claus or listen to the Yuletide Carolers enchant you with Christmas favorites. While the youth and teen centers conduct their own Christmas celebrations, visitors can take pleasure in creating unique souvenir ornaments or engaging in a gingerbread house-making competition.
When they sail during Hanukkah, there are additional festivities like menorah lightings, holiday decorations, themed crafts, and a reading of Sammy Spider’s First Hanukkah. Around Thanksgiving, visitors can watch the major football games on their outdoor theater screen. There is autumnal decor everywhere, and yearly events include a turkey calling competition and personalizing their Tree of Gratitude.
Adventures by Disney River Cruises
Because to the universal appeal of visiting several locations in one trip, river cruises are no longer exclusive to a certain demographic. When you cruise along the Danube, making stops in Germany, Austria, and Hungary, all the hassles of a European vacation vanish. Ships navigating the Rhine River can enjoy stops in Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Here is a chance to experience the wonder of these old marketplaces or view the canals of Amsterdam, complete with dazzling lights. Onboard activities include mulled wine tasting and decorating gingerbread cookies in addition to all meals being provided.
Royal Caribbean
As soon as you board the ship, Royal Caribbean puts the holidays into high gear and spreads plenty of joy. The cruise company, which travels to over 300 locations from the South Pacific to the Caribbean, engages the whole family in a variety of events like gingerbread decorating lessons and ugly sweater parties. Christmas-themed dishes, a cookies-and-milk area, and holiday favorites are all broadcast on the screen by the pool. In addition to the yearly holiday-themed rendition of their renowned Bottomless Galley Brunch, lighting the ship’s enormous tree has become a staple of the festivities.