Most people who have been on a cruise over Christmas have enjoyed their holiday so much that they want to repeat the experience. First timers however book their cruise with a few lingering doubts. The thought of spending Christmas without their extended family and friends often makes them feel guilty. A few however have had enough of crowded malls and last-minutes dashes to buy gifts. Once at sea, most doubts disappear and everybody gets down to having a good time.
The biggest advantage on a cruise however is that you can spend some real quality time with your loved ones because you won't have the hassle of cooking and cleaning all through the Christmas break. You will have time to chat and relax, play games, go for long walks and do many other activities together that you can't do when you are home over the holiday season.
Most cruise ships, especially the bigger ones, plan special activities for Christmas. From carol singing and a midnight mass, to Santa distributing gifts and live bands, the atmosphere onboard is extremely festive. Twinkling lights and colourful streamers also add greatly to the Christmas cheer and you will find everybody, passengers as well as the crew, in great spirits.
As you take a stroll on deck or dine at one of the ship's restaurants, you will meet people from different backgrounds and countries. Teenagers and younger children too find it quite easy to make new friends as they play team sports like volleyball and basketball. Virtual reality centres can also be found on some of the newer ships so there's very little chance of the kids getting bored or feeling cooped up. Babysitting services too are available but it's best to check beforehand.
There's no dearth of travel destinations to choose from for a cruise. Most people like a respite from the cold and snow at home and head to places where the weather is warm and pleasant. You can sail to the Caribbean, parts of the Mediterranean, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa and be assured of sunny days with hardly any rain. If you like snorkeling, diving and other water sports, make sure that apart from the weather, the water temperature too is warm.
There is a wide array of Christmas destinations to choose from and you can select a cruise with a short or long duration, depending on what fits your needs and your budget. One of the most important decisions is the choice of cruise liner. Make sure you check up on traveler reviews and passenger comments before you book your cruise. A cruise agent can also provide invaluable help and advice.
The last thing to remember is that loads of people book their Christmas cruises well in advance so booking early is always a good idea. Bon voyage!
Author Resource:
If you would like some ideas about cruise routes, read Tony Smith's suggestions for Great Christmas Cruises . He has also suggested some interesting destinations to spend your Christmas Holidays on the Beach as well as at ski resorts.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")