If you’ve never considered spending the festive season afloat, you’ll find that cruise ships have long experience in catering to the holiday trade, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year. Usually there will be special religious services of various denominations, so that those who observe the holiday can feel they are fulfilling their religious duties, and if there is traditional food to accompany the holiday, that is always on offer too, from specialist chefs.
All cruise lines decorate with gusto – with lights and trees, menorah, wreaths and other forms of religious and secular display. There will tend to be a Father Christmas on board, carols from the crew and other traditional events on Christmas sailings. New Year’s Eve, usually revolves around a ship-wide celebration with champagne at midnight. And, of course, there is an unlimited amount of traditional holiday food.