12 best Christmas cruises for 2024 and 2025

Table Of Content

• ESTONIA - Tallinn Christmas Market "Rotermann Square"
• CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY CRUISES
• CZECH REPUBLIC - Prague Christmas Market "Wenceslas Square"
• Viking Cruises

Then the whole family can reunite for a stress-free Christmas dinner, feasting on a delicious banquet while cherishing each other’s company. From festive onboard activities — like tree trimmings and dessert making — to the mulled wine and fresh gingerbread that will welcome you at each stop, these Christmas market cruises give travelers plenty to be merry about. Cruise ships can be festive settings brimming with decorations, themed events and special meals. Having extra days off for the holidays may also allow you to take vacation without dipping into as much paid time off or pulling your kids out of school.

ESTONIA - Tallinn Christmas Market "Rotermann Square"

Other seasonal events include a holiday-themed high tea service, holiday choir performances and Santa meet-and-greets. Trade the glow of a Christmas tree in your living room with the warmth of the sand and the sun on a holiday cruise. Skip the mulled wine on your stovetop for some of the world's best at a European Christmas market.

CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY CRUISES

Itineraries vary between cruise lines, but most call on top destinations like Vienna and Budapest. As with sailings at any other time of the year, a holiday cruise can be as rowdy or as mellow as you wish, but be warned that most cruise lines go all out for the end-of-year cruising crew. This means that even if each cruise line has its own dress code and vibe, as a rule of thumb, plan to join the festivities donning your smartest attire -- especially if you’re spending New Year’s Eve onboard. It's not uncommon to see Yuletide carolers strolling the decks singing favorite holiday tunes, or waiters wearing Santa hats on our Christmas cruises.

CZECH REPUBLIC - Prague Christmas Market "Wenceslas Square"

Enjoy lovely autumn décor, take part in a Turkey Calling Contest, and add a special message to our annual Tree of Thanks in the ship's Atrium. Debuting in February 2024, Sun Princess is the first of Princess Cruises' brand-new Sphere-class series of ships.

It features the largest ice rink in Europe, stunning views from Ferris Wheel over Edinburgh Castle, Santa's train and Grotto, several choirs and shows. Every year, in Princes Street Gardens, Christmas comes to live with interesting rides and German Christmas Markets. You can find all customary Christmas goodies in the wooden chalets, along with handmade decorations and gifts. The Silver Origin's Christmas sailing will include many festive enhancements, beginning with an extensive overlay of greenery and ornaments throughout the interiors of the ship. The ship's culinary team will prepare a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner menu, along with mulled wine, eggnog and hot chocolate.

Christmas Holidays cruise travel destinations

A resident tour director is on-hand to guide guests through a tour of Munich's old town and its Christmas market, the Christmas market in Austria's Domplatz, and a private linzer torte baking class in Linz. The best way to check the cost of a Christmas cruise is to start the reservation process online or call a travel agent—getting a quote is not a commitment to buy. Nearly all cruise lines quote a starting price but the rate will change based on the exact type of stateroom you prefer and number of passengers in your room. Mandatory taxes and fees can also increase your total cost but will be included in your final quote. However, it’s not uncommon for ships to be fully sold out and more expensive than normal. And in some cases, you may be limited on tours or activities in port if they fall on a holiday, so you’ll want to check options in advance.

Tom Cruise still sends Kristen Dunst a Christmas coconut cake - HOLA! USA

Tom Cruise still sends Kristen Dunst a Christmas coconut cake.

Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This is simply the most profitable time for all companies, and they want to get the most out of it. Booking early is essential to secure your Holiday vacation - both as itinerary/stateroom type and pricing. Early booking savings are generous, plus this is the time when the brands start promoting their holiday discounts. However, to be 100% sure, booking a year in advance is highly recommended. Glide up the Lower Mississippi River and soak in the charms of historic towns decked out in their holiday finest.

These Holiday Cruises Will Take You to Christmas Markets Around Europe

Spend close to two weeks exploring the farthest reaches of the earth on the Antarctic Explorer itinerary aboard Viking's Polaris. The route sails round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, before traversing the Drake Passage and cruising Antarctica for seven days. You'll have a cruise line-provided pre-cruise stay in Buenos Aires the night before you fly down to Ushuaia to meet your ship. This sailing is one of Disney Cruise Line's Very Merrytime Cruises, so expect plenty of holiday-themed surprises and special moments. Disney's December sailings feature snow flurries in the ship's atrium, pop-up meet-and-greets with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best and a Christmas wonderland on the beach at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.

Moweaqua invites visitors on a Christmas Cruise - Herald & Review

Moweaqua invites visitors on a Christmas Cruise.

Posted: Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

In addition to Christmas cruises, Norwegian offers New Year, Hanukkah, and even Thanksgiving sailings. On the latter, guests can sit back and relax as someone else prepares an unforgettable turkey dinner. If you love the holiday season and want to make the most of this time, opt for a cruise that encompasses both Christmas and New Year's celebrations. There are 10-day cruises that catch both December 25 and January 1 in almost every region of the globe, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia. The German-style Piazza dei Signori Christmas market in Verona sells german specialty foodstuffs and handmade items. Sip vin brule on a cold night, or eat specialty bread and wurst while the kids visit babbo natale and whisper christmas wishes.

All larger-sized European riverboats dock in big cities and visit some of the most popular ports in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Czechia. Unlike most Christmas-related retail stores in the U.S. that stay open through the holiday season, many of Europe's Christmas markets close up shop by Dec. 22, so you'll need to take your vacation before Christmas itself. AmaWaterways' seven-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise takes place aboard AmaBella. You'll be immersed in the holiday spirit with port stops in Passau, Germany; Linz, Vienna and Weissenkirchen, Austria; and Budapest.

Adding to the cheer, guests and the ship's crew can participate in caroling, and despite no chimney in sight, a special visitor from the North Pole is scheduled to make an appearance. Onboard services won't stop, so if all your top lunch spots in port are closed, you're always guaranteed a hot meal on the ship. Funtastic Christmas cruises also include all the fun of a typical Carnival cruise. Now through July 19 you can sign up for the pre-sale, where you can register to receive a booking appointment for the chance to reserve your cabin.

How Much it Costs to Retire on a Cruise Ship Real Life Example

Table Of Content

• Villa Vie Residences
• Tips for Living on a Cruise Ship Year-Round
• Retiring on a residential ship
• Too Expensive? Here's How to Lower the Cost
• Ryan Gutridge budgeted and lived on a cruise ship for 300 days while working remotely

Decide how much you’re willing to spend and remember that while the cabin is important, you’ll also want to budget for on-board activities, excursions, beverages, and other expenses. Inside cabins on the 'P&O Arvia' cruise ship are a good value accommodation option. Some ships offer cabins with direct access to the promenade deck, while the largest ships, including MSC World Europa, offer balconies overlooking an internal courtyard or promenade. In a time of high inflation and stretched budgets, cruises reign supreme.

Villa Vie Residences

"If I need a doctor, there is one in my cabin in five minutes. When I need more specialized care, I visit specialists when in port." Living on a cruise ship has both, and we need to highlight a few of them before you sell your land home, say emotional goodbyes to the family, and put the pets up for adoption. If you’re on chronic medication, you will need to get the prescriptions filled by your doctor before you board the ship.

Tips for Living on a Cruise Ship Year-Round

These ships are among the largest on the planet with a wide range of restaurants, bars, things to do, and even Central Park if you’re craving some greenery while at sea. While you can't pinpoint exactly what you'll spend, you can get a good estimate. As a public company, Carnival Corporation (the parent of Carnival Cruise Line) publishes detailed numbers about their business. For instance, in 2022 the company took in $7 billion in ticket revenue and $5.1 billion in onboard spending. These fees vary, but in general, expect about $100-$200 per person for a seven-day cruise.

Retiring on a residential ship

I dug in with some good old-fashioned research to see where that led me. Here's what I learned about how to retire on a cruise ship – and whether it's a good idea. Taking these steps can help give you peace of mind and ensure that you are prepared for any healthcare situations that may arise during your cruise ship lifestyle.

Expert breaks down exactly how much you'd save by living on a cruise ship instead of a house or apartment - UNILAD

Expert breaks down exactly how much you'd save by living on a cruise ship instead of a house or apartment.

Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you spend a year on a cruise ship, you can expect to pay an additional $5,000 to cover port fees. You’ll be able to see the cost of port fees in your total cost before you’re asked to pay your deposit. “Super Mario,” for example, has spent over 20 years living on Royal Caribbean ships in interior cabins, mostly on itineraries in the Caribbean. Through the line’s loyalty program, he only pays 150 percent of the cruise fare for a single traveler. Often a solo guest has to pay 200% of the fare to account for the lack of a second passenger.

Is Living on a Cruise Ship Really Cheaper Than a Retirement Home? - The Motley Fool

Is Living on a Cruise Ship Really Cheaper Than a Retirement Home?.

Posted: Sat, 14 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Retiring on a cruise is an intriguing possibility, whether you book a year's worth of back-to-back cruises on a traditional cruise ship or purchase a floating apartment on a residential ship. Either way, retirement at sea comes with both advantages and disadvantages. While you will have the opportunity to explore the world and meet lots of new people, you may find yourself missing the people you left behind. For some, the best part of retirement is spending time with family — especially the grandkids. Cruise retirement doesn't rule that out, but it does make it a bit more complicated. It's hard to be the type of granny who can frequently babysit when you live on a cruise ship, potentially thousands of miles away from where the grands live.

Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. If you’re wondering how much it costs to sail on The World cruise, fares start at $66,000 for 2024.

Booking Cruises as a Retiree

For the Carnival price, I have used a typical 4-day cruise and included the cost of the Cheers drinks package and the premium WiFi packages. The ship will sail a leisurely itinerary, cruising the world slowly to allow guests more time to explore in port (and to be more environmentally friendly, burning less fuel at slower speeds). There aren’t too many of these in existence, but there are some ships that are planned with full-time living in mind, removing all of the worry about making sure you stay booked onto the ship. If you wanted the same cabin on every cruise, it’s wise to make sure that you’re first in line when bookings open. That’s the only way to make sure you can secure the same room for the long term.

Before any taxes, fees, or other add-ons, he pays around $150 a day to live onboard. To put that cost in perspective, the average 65+ household spends $49,542 annually or around $135 per day, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When you compare the numbers, cruise ship living obviously looks more expensive. That’s assuming, however, that seniors are indeed paying $212 or more per day to live aboard a cruise ship full-time.

There’s a ‘worldschooling’ program with onboard teachers offering hands-on learning through field trips, tutoring, classes and clubs. Utopia is a planned luxury residential ocean liner project costing $1.1 billion that was originally ordered all the way back in 2009 by Utopia Residences. You should bear in mind how much work would be involved in constantly booking your next cruise, plus the added stress of worrying about whether you’d miss your chance and end up without a cabin. Cruises are available to book around 18 to 24 months in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Think of retiring, and you’re likely picturing a life of relaxing, traveling, eating good food, and with plenty of time to do whatever you want. It's doubtful you can get by without spending at least some money, but our estimate comes out to about $700 per person, per week.

In this article, we’ll outline how much it actually costs to live on a cruise ship. An alternative to booking back-to-back cruises or buying a condo is booking long-term cruises. Oceania offers 180-day cruises around the world with fares starting as low as $35,899. That fare includes meals, beverages, and other amenities onboard, as well as airfare to the ship’s port.

If you truly plan to retire at sea, you'll need to rehome your animal friends. If you can't live without a furry companion, a permanent residence at sea might not be for you. Frequent cruisers receive other perks, such as free Wi-Fi or laundry, complimentary specialty dining and onboard credit to use toward higher priced expenditures on the ship.

Typically a cruise ship that is offering a world cruise will go back to offering more regular sailings for the rest of the year, so you would need to keep booking new cruises every time. Technically you could live on any cruise ship, but it might not be possible. Cruises don’t always sell out, but the most popular staterooms and cabins book up far in advance. You would have to constantly look at booking cruises to make sure you have somewhere to stay.

If your finances allow it, another option is to buy property on a residential ship or an available cabin on a cruise ship. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the world in safety and style, taking advantage of all types of amenities that you wouldn’t be able to experience in an on-shore residence. It’s no secret that cruises are a foodie’s paradise, offering a number of unique dining options that leave cruisers’ mouths watering. However, all that fine dining and rich cuisine will quickly go to your waistline if you’re not careful. Speaking with a financial planner ahead of time will help you maintain your living expenses on land without going overboard at sea. Both of these strategies will make it easier for you to switch to living on the cruise line full time.

Living on a cruise ship is generally expensive, so knowing where you’ll spend the most money before embarking on this adventure is a good idea. Here are the top things you can expect to spend money on if you choose to live on a cruise ship. Lee Wachtstetter was an American author who began living on cruise ships back in 2005, choosing Holland America Line’s MS Prinsendam as her ship of choice. She moved in 2008 to Crystal Serenity, and I love the reason why – it’s because Holland America stopped providing dancing partners. When you’re booking a Carnival cruise, the cheapest fare you can get will be one where you only pay for the cruise itself and the necessary extras – the port fees, taxes and gratuities. And even with the monthly fees, it’s one of the best-value options for living on a cruise ship full time.

Stops will allow travelers to explore iconic spots such as Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China. Amenities onboard the ship include a state-of-the-art wellness center, a swimming pool and on-call medical care. For remote workers, the company is developing a first-of-its-kind business center with multiple meeting rooms, 14 offices, a lounge and a library. A number of other things are included in the rate, such as high-speed WiFi, laundry, port fees and housekeeping. Along the way, there will also be volunteer opportunities and enrichment classes. Cruise lines offer many jobs that allow workers to travel the world and essentially live rent-free.