by Want to avoid the stress of Christmas or New Year at home?
A cruise offers the opportunity to enjoy fun, food and celebrations without having to go near the kitchen. We’ve found some great deals on cruises this year and next.
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This is Christmas
He spends Celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Israel on Celestyal Cruises sailing from Athens, with an overnight stay in Haifa.
Departing from Athens on December 16, the 11-night sailing on board Celestyal Journey will also include the opportunity to visit the Pyramids in Cairo with another night in Alexandria.
The private trip also includes visits to Thessaloniki, Izmir, Agios Nikolaos, Antalya and Limassol.
Prices start from £769 per person and include all meals and selected beverages with meals, entertainment, on-board activities, gratuities and £65 off a pre-booked cruise. For reservations, see celestyal.com.
Christmas You’re guaranteed to soak up the sun aboard the Diamond Princess in Thailand and Vietnam sailing for ten nights.
Departing and returning to Singapore, the cruise will allow you to explore Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam as well as Bangkok in Thailand.
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You’ll be spending Christmas Day at sea to allow plenty of time for a wonderful festive feast.
The cruise costs £649 including all main meals, kids’ clubs, stage shows, soft drinks and tea and coffee from the buffet. Departs on December 16th. To book, go to Princess.com.
Enjoy Sparkle a New Year by sailing the romantic Rhine River on Riviera Travel’s MS Oscar Wilde.
Departing from Cologne, Germany on December 28, the five-night cruise will see you sailing in style along the Rhine Gorge with visits to Rüdesheim, Frankfurt and Koblenz.
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You’ll ring in the New Year by sailing from Koblenz before a gala dinner to celebrate the start of 2024.
Prices start from £1,959, including return or Eurostar flights to Cologne, full board, visits and guided tours, WiFi and an expert cruise director. To book, go to rivieratravel.co.uk.
Explores Amsterdam’s quaint Christmas markets during a Netherlands cruise from Southampton on P&O Cruises’ Aurora.
The four-night cruise starts at just £399 for an ensuite cabin, departing on 27 November.
Your trip includes an overnight stay in Amsterdam to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Dutch capital during the holiday season, plus full board meals and all the entertainment.
To book, go to pocruises.com.
Next Christmas
The classic trans-Atlantic crossing on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will see you arrive in New York just days before Christmas, allowing you to do your Christmas shopping in the Big Apple.
On board, there is a Christmas experience with a Christmas tree in the grand lounge, decorations and of course festive banquets.
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The seven-night sailing departs Southampton on December 15 and prices start from £999 for a Britannia Balcony stateroom including full board and up to $600 (£491) to spend on board.
To book, go to cunar.com.
if You are looking for an amazing experience, enjoying Christmas on the Rhine, serenely sailing through fairy tales, frozen castles, charming villages and lively Christmas markets.
This seven-day non-flying festive cruise on board the A-Rosa Aqua departs Cologne on 21 December 2024 and visits Rüdesheim and Germersheim on Christmas Eve, Strasbourg on Christmas Day and Mainz on Boxing Day before returning to Cologne.
The itinerary includes making your own way to a hotel for one night in Kent before catching a bus to cross the canal.
Prices start from £1,349 per person, including overnight B&B, return ferry and cruise on an all-inclusive basis including premium drinks.
To book, go to justgoholidays.com.
Leave Beyond the cold, travel to the Caribbean to enjoy Christmas in tropical temperatures.
Royal Caribbean is embarking on a spectacular seven-night cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas sailing from Tampa, Florida on December 21.
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Calls in Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; Belize and Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico before returning to Tampa.
The ship features plenty of things to keep kids entertained as well as an adults-only solarium, an indoor-outdoor retreat with a jacuzzi.
Prices for the full cruise, departing on 21 December 2024, start from £743. To book, simply go to royalcaribbean.com.
celebrate Ring in the Emirates with a seven-night cruise on board MSC Cruises’ newest ship, Euribia.
Departing Doha, Qatar on December 29, 2024, you will discover Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as well as New Year celebrations at sea.
Prices start from £1,109 for the cruise only, including full board, kids’ clubs and West End-style theater shows.
To book see msccruises.co.uk.
