Iglaia Perez is a travel agent with Jacaranda Travel in Plantation, Florida. She is also president and CEO of CheapCruises.com. She took a Christmas cruise and just loved the experience. She said there are some incredible deals for people who want to cruise during Thanksgiving and Christmas. "We were on Carnival Destiny. We had a holiday dinner on board and there were Christmas shows. There were a lot of families on board and there are many activities for kids. Carnival offers the most activities for kids They cater to everyone and it's all very nice. Holidays at sea are wonderful. If you want a more upscale cruise go with the Celebrity or Princess lines. Oasis of the Seas is also very nice."
Skip Fortier, director of MacNair Travel and Cruises of Alexandria, Virginia, has taken more than 20 cruises and especially enjoys cruising during the holidays. He recommends you consider onboard activities for everyone. Most cruise lines decorate their ships for the holidays, especially during Christmas and stage special events. You can bring all holiday gifts, according to Fortier.
As the industry keeps growing, so do the number of empty berths. In mid-September Thanksgiving and Christmas sailings on Princess Cruises and Royal Carribean still often have empty cabins. These cruises are available for $500. Says Perez, "Spend your holidays on the high seas. Carnival Cruise offers less expensive cruises for New Year's. There are Carribbean cruises starting at $480 on Princess Cruises. I have experienced the magic and spirit of a holiday cruise. By blending the warmth of the holiday season with a welcoming atmosphere, magnificent ships and the charming syngergy of a cruise vacation, it is the most engaging way to escape to paradise."
The best part of cruising is that everything you need is available. All cruise ships have nice restaurants on board and a huge variety of entertainment options. You don't have to negotiate hotels and restaurants and drive from place to place. Many cruise ships travel from port to port at night so you are either sleeping or partying while the ship is moving. When you wake up, a new port is ready for you to explore. In late 2010, upcoming holiday cruises included the Princess Pre-Christmas Cruise with seven nights in the Carribean on the newly built Ruby Princesss for $480. The Royal Carribean Oasis of the Seas' Pre-Christmas Cruise starts at $849 and the New Year's Cruise on the Majesty of the Seas starts at $473, according to Perez.
