Iona, P and O December 2021, christmas decorations and portraits

Cruise life Christmas New Year

Gift yourself an unforgettable Christmas

Imagine all the magic, sparkle and cheer of Christmas combined with exciting destinations and plenty of time to relax. Whether you want to treat yourself, spoil someone special or whisk away the whole family, a Christmas cruise holiday is the ultimate way to enjoy the festive season

3 min 03 Oct 2023

Editorial Team

Author

What can I expect from a Christmas cruise holiday?

Think of all the things you love about the festive period – the Christmas food, the tree, decorations, games, music and, best of all, spending quality time with loved ones. Now, imagine someone else taking care of all the tedious bits (making beds, cooking, washing dishes etc.) so you can concentrate on relaxing and having fun. You’ll have plenty of time to explore exciting destinations and enjoy all the activities and entertainment on board, from the spa, pools and gym to the restaurants, parties and stage shows.

All you need to do is decide on the kind of holiday you’d like. So, do you want to sunbathe in the Caribbean or explore stunning destinations in Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands? Maybe you’re keen to discover snow-capped mountains and gleaming glaciers in Norway, or wander around atmospheric Christmas markets in Northern Europe? There are so many possibilities.

Christmas traditions on your ship

Needless to say, there’ll be a huge Christmas tree the atrium, and in other areas around your ship you’ll find lots of decorations including an intricate gingerbread village (but it’s just for show – please don’t eat it!). When it comes to Christmas food, you’ll be in heaven. On December 25 you can tuck into a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings followed by a choice of traditional puddings. Also on the big day, you can join in a carol service if you like, and every cabin receives a gift from us. On family-friendly ships, Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura, a visit from Father Christmas will really get the children excited and, if your holiday spans New Year’s Eve, you can dance the night away and celebrate the big moment at a special party on board.

Family-friendly Christmases

Don’t feel guilty about taking the kids away over Christmas – they’ll love it on board our family-friendly ships. There are multiple cabin options to suit your needs, and special family-oriented dining options such as early children’s teas which give you the chance to feed the little ones before dropping them off at the night nursery (for children up to 4 years old) and heading off to enjoy a meal with the grown-ups. Each ship offers a unique range of amazing things to do. From aqua zones and interactive workshops to pools and open-air cinemas, there’s something for everyone, and The Reef children’s club offers a programme of entertainment with zones for different age groups. You can also meet Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep at various events such as parties, story time, movie screenings, modelling workshops and more. Of course, one of the highlights of your holiday will surely be a visit from Father Christmas himself!

Children will enjoy a visit from Father Christmas himself

What if I don’t feel Christmassy?

We understand that some people like to get away at Christmas to get away from Christmas. That’s why there are always plenty of quiet places on board where you can go to avoid the decorations and festivities if you like. And if you don’t fancy a traditional Christmas dinner, there will be a variety of different and delicious dining options available.

You can enjoy a non-traditional dinner on-board, maybe a New York strip in 6th Street Diner on Arvia

Where can I go on a Christmas cruise holiday?

Fancy somewhere warm and sunny for a break from the cold at home, or a cooler region with twinkling Christmas markets? From the sun-kissed Caribbean or Canary Islands to the winter wonderlands of Northern Europe and Scandinavia or Norway and Iceland, we have you covered.

Find more Christmas destination inspiration here.