The holiday season is a time for relaxation, adventure, and a little magic. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season or just want to try something new, why not book a Christmas cruise? But, like any other type of holiday travel, preparation is vital to a carefree, enjoyable Christmas cruise.
Everything from what to pack to how to plan your onboard activities and pick shore excursions are covered in our Christmas cruise checklist for the essentials that you’ll need for your holiday cruise voyage.
Why Consider a Christmas Cruise?
The holiday season is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience a cruise vacation. Here are some benefits of a Christmas cruise.
Ready-Made Holiday Vacation
With a cruise vacation you don’t have to plan meals, activities, or entertainment because they are already included in the price. The focus is on relaxation, family time, and of course, the spectacular views.
Decked Out for the Holidays
Ships will be lavishly decorated for Christmas with trees, lights, holiday décor, and special onboard themed events like holiday musicals, visits with Santa, and Christmas caroling.
Entertainment for the Whole Family
Families will love cruises for Christmas because there will be plenty of activities and programs for the kids while Mom and Dad relax at the spa, enjoy the festive dining, or unwind at a casino.
Easy Multi-Destination Travel
A cruise is a great way to see multiple places without having to book flights and hotels at each port. If you are looking for a hassle-free, family-oriented holiday vacation, a Christmas cruise should be at the top of your list.
Preparing for a Christmas Cruise
Planning in advance for your Christmas cruise will help to ensure an enjoyable, stress-free holiday voyage. Consider these key areas when preparing.
Pick a Cruise Line and Ship
When booking your Christmas cruise consider these things:
Christmas-Themed Cruises: Search for holiday-themed cruises that offer themed events and menus, holiday décor, and other festive touches.
Family or Adult Cruise: Family ships will have activities and entertainment for younger passengers. Adult-only cruises will be more relaxing and adult-themed.
Choose a Holiday Destination: Do you want a tropical Christmas or a white Christmas? The Caribbean is a warm and sunny destination and ships that travel in the Northern Europe ports will provide snowy holiday landscapes.
Book in Advance
Holiday cruise season is one of the most popular times to book a cruise. Booking early will help you:
Secure your cabin and deck preference.
Get lower prices before cruise fares go up.
Lock in onboard activities, dining reservations, and special holiday events.
Budget for Your Cruise
Christmas cruise fares will vary from budget to luxury lines, so set a realistic budget that includes:
Base Cruise Cost: Price for your cabin, meals, and onboard entertainment.
Taxes and Fees: Cruises include additional fees for port taxes, gratuities, and other service charges.
Excursions: Shore excursions, as well as special holiday-themed tours.
Shopping: Gifts, clothing, and souvenir purchases.
Travel Insurance: Especially important during holiday travel for travel delays or unforeseen circumstances.
Christmas Cruise Essentials Packing List
Planning for your Christmas cruise packing list is essential. You want to be sure to bring everything you need, without over-packing. Check out our complete packing list essentials for Christmas cruises.
Clothing
Clothing should be comfortable, stylish, and festive. Be sure to pack:
Casual Day Clothes: Shorts, tops, jeans, leggings, and comfortable shoes for when you are on land or want to lounge by the pool.
Dinner Attire: Cruises generally have a dress code for formal dinners or holiday-themed evenings. Pack at least one formal outfit (dress or suit/cocktail attire).
Holiday Attire: Christmas sweaters, novelty T-shirts, Christmas pants, or holiday scarves for special onboard parties and photo opportunities.
Jackets and Outerwear: Depending on the weather at your destination, pack jackets, raincoats, sweaters for cool evenings or as needed.
Swimsuits and Cover-Ups: Swimsuits, bikinis, tankinis, cover-ups, and sandals for the pool or beach.
Active/Workout Clothes: Bring workout clothes and shoes for the ship’s gym or yoga classes.
Pajamas and Loungewear: Pack pajamas or loungewear to relax in your cabin.
Shoes: Comfortable shoes for walking, dress shoes for formal nights, sandals, and water shoes for snorkeling or swimming.
Toiletries and Personal Care Items
Bring your own personal hygiene and skincare items to cruise comfortably in your cabin:
Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
Hairbrush or comb, hair ties, hair styling products
Sunscreen, and after-sun lotion
Deodorant, personal hygiene products
Skincare, body lotion, and makeup
Medications, vitamins, and anti-motion sickness remedies or medications
Electronics and Gadgets
Bring along the following for added enjoyment and convenience on your cruise:
Smartphone and charger
Power bank for charging your phone
Camera
Tablet or e-reader
Travel power adapter if necessary for international cruises
Headphones
Travel Documents
Keep all your travel and cruise documents in one place:
Passport, driver’s license or other ID
Cruise tickets and booking confirmation
Travel insurance information
Credit cards and cash
Emergency contacts, medical information
Onboard Essentials
Useful things to bring with you on the ship include:
Reusable Water Bottle: Keep hydrated during your cruise and when exploring the ship or port destinations.
Day Bag or Backpack: Carry a small day pack for excursions.
Snacks: Bring small snacks for your cabin or shore excursions.
Binoculars: Bring along a pair of binoculars to spot wildlife and get great views of the ports you visit.
Travel Games or Cards: These are handy to pass the time with family or kids in your cabin.
Motion Sickness Remedies: Even if you are not prone to seasickness, holiday travel can be unpredictable.
Laundry Supplies: Small travel detergent or a travel clothesline.
Christmas Cruise Activities
Expect holiday decorations, menus, and activities on a Christmas cruise such as:
Holiday Decorations: Ships are full of Christmas trees, twinkling lights, wreaths, garlands, ornaments, and red-and-green decorations for festive dining rooms and decks.
Holiday-Themed Meals: Christmas dinners and holiday brunches, as well as New Year’s Eve special gala meals.
Onboard Entertainment and Shows: Christmas carols, talent shows, musicals, themed parties, and meet and greets with Santa Claus.
Craft Workshops: Cookie decorating, gingerbread house building, ornament-making, and other hands-on workshops.
Deck Parties and Cruise Activities: Holiday-themed dance parties, deck games, trivia nights, or other themed events.
Gift Exchanges: On some cruises you can join a Secret Santa gift exchange or other holiday-themed gift giving activities.
Christmas Cruise Shore Excursions and Destination Essentials
Christmas cruises generally offer a number of shore excursions at ports of call, so plan ahead by:
Checking the Weather at the Port: Be sure to pack the right clothing and shoes for the climate and temperatures at your destination.
Researching Attractions: Holiday markets, scenic lookout points, or historical and cultural attractions at your port destination.
Booking in Advance: Shore excursions fill up fast during the holidays, so book these ahead.
Packing Light: Pack a small daypack to carry water, snacks, sunscreen, and other day essentials.
Travel Safety: Carry travel documents and cash separately and do not leave them unattended at your destination.
Christmas Cruise Dining Essentials
Food is an important part of any cruise, and for the holidays you can expect:
Buffets and Dining Rooms: Most cruise ships offer a wide variety of dining options and traditional holiday-themed meals in their dining rooms.
Specialty Restaurants: Consider booking specialty restaurants for a romantic dinner or unique holiday themed dining experience.
Holiday Treats: Cookies, eggnog, mulled wine, and other holiday desserts and snacks.
Dietary Restrictions: Be sure to communicate any special dietary requirements you or your family have when booking your cruise.
Preserving the Holiday Memories
Christmas cruises are the perfect setting for creating magical memories that last a lifetime. Be sure to preserve those memories with:
Photography: Capture the scenery, your family and ship crew, and your onboard activities with photographs. You can bring a digital camera or use your smartphone for pictures.
Journaling: Make notes in a journal about the day’s events, meals, and activities to help you remember your cruise later.
Videos: Take short video clips of special moments, activities, or the scenery you see.
Scrapbooking: Save brochures, tickets, and maps to create a holiday keepsake scrapbook.
Sharing with Friends: Post to social media about your cruise holiday adventures while you are onboard, but make sure to unplug and enjoy the moment.
Tips for a Great Christmas Cruise
Follow these tips to make the most out of your cruise and ensure that you and your family or friends have a great time:
Pack Smart: Overpacking will make it harder for you to move around and relax onboard your ship. Bring only the essentials that you know you will need.
Plan Ahead: Book all reservations for dining, shore excursions, and any special events you want to attend well in advance.
Dress Appropriately: Be sure to bring clothes for formal or themed dinners as well as daywear for casual activities.
Stay Hydrated and Rested: A cruise is a fun-filled vacation, but it’s important to rest and drink plenty of water to keep you energized and relaxed.
Speak to the Crew: The ship’s crew is there to help you and can offer useful information and advice.
Enjoy the Holiday Festivities: A cruise is not complete without enjoying the onboard parties, holiday shows, and themed nights.
Safety and Health for Christmas Cruises
Staying safe and healthy while traveling for the holidays is of utmost importance:
Vaccinations and Health Checks: Make sure that you are up-to-date with all travel health requirements and checks before boarding your ship.
Hand Sanitizer and Personal Hygiene: Keep antibacterial gel or wipes with you for your own personal hygiene, especially in public areas.
Motion Sickness Remedies: Pack or bring anti-motion sickness medications or remedies just in case you get seasick during your voyage.
Emergency Plan: Be aware of the ship’s safety procedures and plans, lifeboat locations, safety equipment, and medical facilities in the event of an emergency.
Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for Christmas Cruises
Want to enjoy a greener Christmas while at sea? Here are some ways to travel more sustainably on a Christmas cruise:
Bring Reusable Bottles: Carry a refillable water bottle and travel mug and use these instead of single-use water bottles or coffee cups on the ship.
Skip Single-Use Plastics: As much as possible, avoid the use of single-use plastics while onboard.
Buy Eco-Friendly Gifts: Purchase gifts and other decorations that are made of sustainable products.
Plan Eco-Friendly Shore Excursions: Respect the environment and wildlife when on shore excursions.
Conclusion
A Christmas cruise is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. From festive decorations and Christmas-themed meals and activities to the beautiful destinations, a cruise offers a vacation that is relaxing, adventurous, and full of Christmas cheer. By preparing in advance, packing the right essentials, and taking part in the onboard festivities, you can be sure to have a stress-free Christmas cruise full of magical memories.
From packing the right clothing, toiletries, and electronics to making shore excursions, booking dining reservations, and keeping the memories, this guide has everything you need to know for a great Christmas cruise. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or as a romantic getaway, your holiday cruise will be one you will never forget.
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