WANT to dodge the stress of Christmas or New Year at home?
A cruise offers the chance to enjoy fun, food and festivities without having to go near a kitchen. We found some great deals on cruises this year and next.
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THIS CHRISTMAS
SPEND Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrating in Israel on Celestyal Cruises’ sailing from Athens, with an overnight stay in the city of Haifa.
Departing Athens on December 16, 11-nights sailing onboard the Celestyal Journey will also include the chance to visit the pyramids at Cairo with another overnight in Alexandria.
The special trip also includes visits to Thessaloniki, Izmir, Agios Nikolaos, Antalya and Limassol.
Prices start from £769pp and includes all meals, select drinks with meals, onboard entertainment and activities, tips and £65 towards a pre-booked excursion. To book, see celestyal.com.
CHRISTMAS in the sunshine is guaranteed onboard the Diamond Princess’ Thailand and Vietnam ten-night sailing.
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 spend Christmas Day at sea to allow plenty of time for a fantastic festive feast.
The cruise costs from £649pp including all main meals, kids’ clubs, theatre shows, soft drinks, teas and coffees from the buffet. Departs December 16. To book, go to princess.com.
ENJOY a sparkling New Year sailing the romantic Rhine onboard Riviera Travel’s MS Oscar Wilde.
Departing from Cologne in Germany on December 28, the five-night cruise will see you sail in style along the Rhine Gorge with visits to Rüdesheim, Frankfurt and Koblenz.
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You’ll bring in the New Year sailing from Koblenz before a gala dinner to celebrate the start of 2024.
Prices are from £1,959pp including return flights or Eurostar to Cologne, full-board, guided visits and tours, wifi and an expert cruise director. To book, go to rivieratravel.co.uk.
EXPLORE the captivating Christmas markets of Amsterdam on a cruise to the Netherlands from Southampton onboard P&O Cruises’ Aurora.
The four-night cruise starts from just £399pp for an inside cabin, departing November 27.
Your journey includes an overnight stay in Amsterdam for you to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Dutch capital over the festive season as well as full-board meals and all entertainment.
To book, go to pocruises.com.
NEXT CHRISTMAS
A CLASSIC transatlantic crossing onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will see you arriving in New York just days before Christmas, allowing you to fit in Christmas shopping in the Big Apple.
Onboard, there’s a yuletide experience with a Christmas tree in the Grand Lobby, decorations and of course, festive feasting.
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The seven-night sailing departs Southampton on 15 December and prices are from £999pp for a Britannia Balcony stateroom including full-board and up to $600 (£491) onboard spending.
To book, go to cunard.com.
IF you are looking for a spellbinding experience, enjoy Christmas on the Rhine, sailing serenely past fairytale, frosted castles, charming villages and vibrant yuletide markets.
This no-fly festive seven-day cruise onboard the A-Rosa Aqua departs Cologne on December 21, 2024 and visits Rudesheim, Germersheim on Christmas Eve, Strasbourg on Christmas Day and Mainz on Boxing Day before returning to Cologne.
The itinerary involves making your own way to an overnight hotel in Kent before boarding a coach to cross the channel.
Prices from £1,349pp including one night B&B, return ferry and the cruise on an all-inclusive basis including premium drinks.
To book, go to justgoholidays.com.
LEAVE behind the cold and travel to the Caribbean to enjoy Christmas in tropical temperatures.
Royal Caribbean has a fabulous seven-night cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas sailing from Tampa in Florida on December 21.
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It calls at Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize and Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico before returning to Tampa.
The ship features lots to keep the kids amused as well as the adults-only solarium, an indoor and outdoor retreat with whirlpools.
Prices for the full-board cruise, departing December 21, 2024 start from £743pp. To book, just go to royalcaribbean.com.
CELEBRATE New Year in the Emirates with a seven-night cruise onboard MSC Cruises’ latest ship, Euribia.
Departing Doha in Qatar on December 29, 2024, you’ll get to discover Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as well as New Year celebrations at sea.
Prices are from £1,109pp cruise only, including full-board, kids’ clubs and West End-style theatre shows.
To book see msccruises.co.uk.