Festive cruises kers
It’s that time of year you
either love or
hate: yes, the countdown to the festive season has
begun. The TV is full of perfume ads, families are worrying over what size
turkey to order and shops are blasting Slade out to remind everyone – as if we could
forget – that it’s Christmas. It doesn’t have to be like that. Whether clients are signed-up members of the bah humbug brigade or Wizzard fans who really do wish it could be Christmas every
day, there is a cruise to suit. Pick the right itinerary and the former can escape the madness and simply enjoy a holiday afloat,
while the latter can go full-on festive, with familiar Christmas traditions from the likes of Marella Cruises and P&O Cruises. Either way, they can enjoy roast turkey, Christmas pudding, mince pies, carol singing and even a visit from Santa – but with no cooking, cleaning or washing-up to worry about, because the crew do it all. Festive cruises are most popular with couples and
those travelling alone; Riviera Travel even has new solo Christmas markets river cruises on the Danube and Rhine this year. But they also appeal to families, particularly those with grown-up offspring, who can all get time off together over the holiday.
MARKET FORCES For most people, Christmas cruises mean visits to the festive markets that open across the continent – most famously in Germany and Austria – in late November.
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
These are colourful affairs packed with wooden chalets and decorated with twinkly lights, which come alive as the light fades, selling everything from handmade Christmas decorations and scented candles to spiced gingerbread. There are also baked potatoes, roasted chestnuts, beer and plenty of glühwein to help keep the spirits up. A few markets remain open until the new year, but most
close on December 23, so if that’s the focus, clients need to choose a Christmas markets cruise – either a river or no-fly ocean cruise from the UK – rather than a sailing over the festive period.
CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY If a getaway over Christmas or New Year’s Eve – or both – is calling, the choice is huge. Clients can stick with Europe’s rivers, which have a festive flavour even if the markets are shut because most lines have decorated trees and festive flourishes on board, and the weather is chilly enough to feel like winter. These cruises almost all have a port call on Christmas
Day, with tours for those who want them, so passengers can spend time ashore. Shops are shut, but there are always one or two cafes or restaurants open, especially in the cities. Alternatively, opt for an ocean voyage, which can go in
search of sun – in the Caribbean, Asia or Canary Islands – or snow, with seasonal sailings in northern Europe. Saga Cruises has a 16-night Festive Traditions of Scandinavia cruise round-trip that overnights in Copenhagen on New Year’s Eve so passengers can join the local celebrations welcoming in 2027. The cruise departs from Portsmouth on Spirit of Adventure on December 22, 2026, from £6,722. For a guaranteed white Christmas, this is also the season
for Antarctic expeditions. Scenic has a 16-day voyage to Antarctica in December 2027 from £19,262 with flights. “Our guests tend to be 50-plus, are ‘over’ the same type of Christmas celebrations every year and want something different,” says Scenic’s head of sales, Jonathan Davies.
October 2025 33
¬
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56
