Holiday Caribbean Cruise
Promises Festivities And Fun!

With Family & Friends on Recent July 4th Caribbean Cruise

It is time to plan your family or group holiday Caribbean cruise! 

Whether you would like to sail to the Caribbean during a festive holiday such as Independence, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s or some other one-day holiday, there are some things that you should know.

Watching Performance During Thanksgiving Cruise On Crown Princess

Helpful Information About Holiday Caribbean Cruise

Yes, holiday Caribbean cruises are great for several reasons, two of which are:

1. The children are out school (and parents can get some time off) so everyone can take that special family cruise vacation;

2. There is fun and festivity in the air making for a more memorable family getaway.

However, a great holiday cruise can quickly become a nightmare, if you do not plan well.

Forgetting the “nightmare” insertion above, let us look at some things to know about a holiday cruise before you pack your bags.

When To Book Holiday Caribbean Cruises

It is a known fact that holiday cruises are more expensive than cruises during the off season.

For those traveling especially at Christmas and New Year’s, plan to shell out more than usual for your Eastern Caribbean cruise or Western Caribbean cruise.

The simple fact is that there are many people traveling around the holidays and increased demand drives up prices.

Consequently, book your holiday Caribbean cruise 8 – 12 months in advance to snatch up the best prices. You may get lucky and find a last minute cruise deal, but this is somewhat risky.

If you are the risk-taker, then go for it.

Something to note about booking last minute for holiday cruises is that you may not get the cabin you want and sometimes your family will end up on separate floors as opposed to being in adjoining cabins.

Book early!

We are happy to help you find a reasonably priced holiday Caribbean cruise.

Please complete the form below, or Click Here to search for one.

Partying on July 4th Caribbean Cruise

Flying To Your Holiday Cruise Departure Port

Having to fly to your cruise departure port (or anywhere) during the holidays – especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s – can be tricky and sometimes downright horrendous!

After identifying your cruise terminal’s nearest airport, plan to fly in at least a day before. This is so, because the weather as well as overbooking and delays are frequent during the holidays.

You want to get to the cruise port on time, or you will miss your cruise ship.

One other thing to consider if you have to fly to the cruise port is that airfares are higher during the holidays. Ensure that you can afford the fare for 3, 4 or 5 members of your family, before booking that all important holiday cruise.

If possible, you should consider sailing out of a cruise port within driving distance.

What To Pack For Holiday Cruises

This only applies if you are traveling during the Christmas or New Year's celebration season.

Generally, when heading to the Caribbean you bring yourself and casual wear with you. Some cruise lines do have a formal night or two (depending on length of cruise), so you may choose to bring one dress suit, as well as evening wear – ladies.

For a Christmas Caribbean cruise, however, you want bring your special holiday attachments – Santa hats, antlers, decorations for your cabin, etc.

What To Expect On Holiday Caribbean Cruise

While some holidays – President’s Day, Memorial Day, etc. – do not attract much fanfare, others do.

Caribbean cruises during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s come replete with just about everything necessary to put you in a holiday-at-home frame of mind. Consequently, you can expect certain things onboard your cruise ship.

Of course the festivities vary from ship to ship, but each Caribbean cruise line makes a sterling effort you keep you feted and entertained. 

July 4th – Independence Day - An Independence party is led by the Cruise Director and others on some cruise lines, and there will be American music and food – burgers, fries, chicken tenders and hot dogs to commemorate the day. 

Thanksgiving - Expect fall decorations and a lavish dinner with turkey and stuffing. 

Christmas - Expect decorations ship-wide; caroling on some cruise lines; services led by a priest, minister or rabbi on some ships; special meals – in some cases 5 courses; eggnog; special shows; the showing of classic Christmas movies on a huge movie screen (where available) and on in-room televisions; a busy Santa delivering gifts; and much more.

Hanukkah - Expect to see the lighting of the menorah each of the 7 evenings and services led by a rabbi on some ships. 

New Year’s - There will be parties and revelry. On some cruise lines, complimentary drinks are served and there will be a “ball or balloon” drop at midnight led ship-wide on some ships, and from the atrium on others. Expect a midnight buffet celebration on some cruise lines.

Does it all sound like fun? It certainly does. A holiday cruise can be very delightful and unforgettable. Well, most inclusive Caribbean cruises are anyway.

Plan carefully. Choose your itinerary wisely.

Some Caribbean ports of call are closed on certain holidays such as Christmas and Boxing Day (December 26). Expect to find crowded cruise ships heading to the Caribbean during any holiday period.

Crowded Pool Area on July 4th Caribbean Cruise 

If, however, you can get past the high cruise fare, high airfare and possible flight delays, your family will have a blast on your chosen holiday Caribbean cruise.

Tell us about it when you get back. See our Caribbean Cruise Story Page.

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