’Tis the season to book your Christmas cruise, whether jetting off to
the European markets or taking the family on a local getaway – including
getting away from the cooking and cleaning.
During the festive season, ships are decorated, choirs sing carols, Santa
hands out presents, and special shows and entertainment are staged.
Of course, there is always an outstanding Christmas Day dinner with
turkey and all the trimmings, served by the waiting staff in style, as well
as lunches, brunches, high teas and theme parties.
Most Christmas cruises also hold religious services at sea.
If the voyage extends to New Year, expect a big party with live music
and a champagne countdown.
Often overlooked are the shopping benefits of cruises at this time of
year.
If sailing in international waters, the ship’s duty-free stores are stocked
with jewellery, perfume, aftershave, bottles of spirits and other great
gift ideas.
Items twin shared in US dollars are even better value for Australians.
On river cruises, the central activity is shopping at the outdoor
Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, Hungary, France and
Switzerland.
“Only in Europe can you get those centuries-old charming Christmas
markets complete with all the trinkets, trimmings and regale,” says
Avalon Waterways’ Christian Schweitzer.
“I’ve encountered a number of Australians that have taken these cruises
in early December, having stocked up on gifts and goodies from the
Christmas markets, and returned home in time for Christmas.”
River vessels also turn on the celebrations, from free Christmas
concerts, to serving hot Glühwein to passengers at the end of a winter’s
day.
But time is running out for these popular experiences, with most
sailings sold out.
Following are a few festive options, with limited availability.
Voyager of the Seas
Sydney-New Zealand-Sydney
Departs: 22 December – 14 nights
Twin share: from $1,475pp
Call: 1800 754 500
Carnival Spirit
Sydney-South Pacific-Sydney
Departs: 16 December – 11 nights
Twin share: from $1,178 per person
Call: 1300 385 625
Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess
Sydney-New Zealand-Sydney
Departs: 16 December – 14 nights
Twin share: from $1,699 per person
Call: 13 24 88
European rivers
APT – Amaverde
Danube: Amsterdam to Budapest
Departs: 7 December – 14 nights
Twin share: from $6,545pp
Call: 1800 290 8687
Viking River Cruises
Paris to Normandy; Budapest to Nuremberg; Passau to Budapest; or
Amsterdam to Basel
Twin share: from $3,024pp
Call: 1800 829 138
P&O’s Pacific Pearl
Sydney roundtrip to Pacific Islands
Departs: 17 December – 10 nights
Twin share: $1,291pp
Call: 1300 159 454
HAL’s Oosterdam
Sydney-New Zealand-Sydney
Departs: 19 December – 14 nights
Twin share: from $2,199pp
Call: 1300 804 522
Seabourn Odyssey
Bali to Sydney
Departs: 11 December – 16 nights
Twin share: from US$7,330pp
Call: 13 24 02
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Rhine: Basel to Cologne
Departs: 2 December – 7 nights
Twin share: from $2,895pp
Call: 1300 780 231
