Holidays On The High Seas

Provide The Fun & Festivities

Of Home And So Much More!

There is only one thingtravelers sailing on holiday cruises won't find: hassles. They can leave such time-intensive tasks as meal preparation and party planning behind - leaving those details in the capable hands of shipboard staff. Cruise vacations aboard the ships of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) member lines enable guests to focus on what the holidays are really all about, which is spending quality time with loved ones.

Vacationers, whether traveling independently, with their spouse or as part of a large, multi-generational group, will find innovative facilities, amenities and services aboard today's cruise ships. Such passenger-pleasing features include elegant public rooms, balcony cabins, gourmet and casual dining options, live nightly entertainment, state-of-the-art spas and fitness centers, casinos, video arcades and more. There's plenty to do, from exercise classes to golf instruction, art auctions to cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures to computer learning workshops.

The holiday spirit is also bountiful aboard CLIA-member line ships, which are sometimes wrapped like exquisite holiday gifts. Vessels are adorned with twinkling lights, menorahs, mistletoe, wreaths, holly and other decorations. Santa Claus often makes a guest appearance, and regardless of whether passengers celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza, they'll be sure to savor a wide range of holiday shows, films and gala dinners.

On December 25, most every CLIA-member line will offer an ecumenical Christmas worship service, with a Roman Catholic Mass also celebrated on some ships.

"Holiday cruises provide travelers with a chance to thoroughly revel in the holidays, leaving the hassles of everyday life behind," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief marketing organization for 20 leading cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies. "Best of all, there's a joyful energy on board that will captivate everyone - from grandparents to toddlers."

Following Is A Sampling Of What CLIA Member Lines Offer Travelers During The Holidays

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES

The three vessels in the American Cruise Lines fleet celebrate the holidays with itineraries to the Antebellum South, visiting its glittering bays, elegant mansions, moss-draped oaks and abundant wildlife. Another itinerary explores the rivers of Florida, including the St. Johns River, taking in the beauty of its remote islands, history, architecture, beaches, seaports and cities.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

Carnival Cruise Lines decorates its ships with Christmas trees, wreaths and mistletoe. The line features production shows where children participate and their handmade decorations from Camp Carnival, the onboard kids' program, are displayed. Santa Claus comes aboard, toting a bag of gifts that are distributed to youngsters. Also, a range of holiday-themed movies are aired.

CELEBRITY CRUISES

At Celebrity Cruises, holiday itineraries include the Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and South America. Ships are decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah. Festivities include eggnog parties, caroling, and special holiday meals. New Year's Eve parties come complete with party favors, live reports and countdowns with ship captains. On Christmas Day, guests will find gifts in their staterooms.

COSTA CRUISES

The holidays come with festive, Italian touches at Costa Cruises aboard Costa Magica and Costa Mediterranea, which ply the Caribbean. The ships will be decorated with lavish Christmas trees appointed with twinkling lights and opulent ornaments. Dinner menus offer guests a mix of the line's renowned Italian cuisine as well as a healthy sampling of holiday favorites.

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Sumptuous dinners, gala parties and lavish decorations are par for the course aboard Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony during the holidays. To make the holiday season even merrier, on December 22 Crystal Symphony embarks on a 12-day Mexican Riviera sailing out of San Diego - marking Crystal's only roundtrip voyage from the city in 2006.

CUNARD LINE

From December 23 until January 9, Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is proud to offer two unique shows by London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: "A Christmas Carol" and "Happy Hanukkah, Mr. Scrooge," a piece specially commissioned for the line. Queen Elizabeth 2 sails on a 16-night "Festive Atlantic Islands & Africa" voyage, departing December 17.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Disney Cruise Line's 1,000-acre Bahamian island, Castaway Cay, is transformed into a "snowy" holiday hideaway with carolers, sleighs full of presents and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The atrium lobbies onboard Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will host tree-lighting ceremonies, complete with "snow" flurries and a three-deck-tall Christmas tree festooned with decorations as their centerpiece.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Holland America Line invites travelers to celebrate the season on one of 19 holiday escapes, which include Christmas itineraries to popular Caribbean and Mexico ports, a thrilling expedition to Antarctica and Patagonia, and a New Year's cruise down under. Departures range from seven to 20 days, accommodating the schedules of professionals, school kids and grandparents alike.

MSC CRUISES

MSC Cruises' fleet is thoroughly decked out in holiday finery. Ships feature special holiday menus as well as seasonal entertainment. MSC Lirica departs Fort Lauderdale on December 18 for an 11-night sailing to Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Grand Cayman. MSC Opera sails on a 17-night transatlantic cruise from Genoa to Fort Lauderdale on December 16.

NORWEGIAN COASTAL VOYAGE

On Norwegian Coastal Voyage, passengers take in a winter wonderland onboard and outside. The snow-clad landscape between Bergen and Kirkenes is aglow with twinkling lights from villages and lighthouses. And, if the atmospheric conditions are right they'll see the Northern Lights flash across the sky. Onboard, ships are decked out with all the holiday trimmings.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Guests sailing aboard NCL and NCL America ships will find a festive holiday ambiance, interactive shows, caroling, themed menus and Christmas Eve worship services. Menorahs are located throughout public areas to remind passengers of this special time of year. On New Year's Eve, partygoers can ring in the New Year with party hats and streamers.

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises' fleet offers a wide range of Christmas and New Year's cruises that span the globe, including itineraries in the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand, South America, Hawaii and the South Pacific. Activities are available for each and every family member and ships are decorated from stem to stern in tasteful holiday décor.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers holiday cruises in the Mexican Riviera, Caribbean and French Polynesia. On December 11, the all-suite Navigator of the Seas embarks on a seven-day "Spotlight on Sweets" cruise featuring Christophe Michalak, head pastry chef at the Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris, who will conduct cooking demonstrations and offer samplings of his award-winning sweets.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Royal Caribbean International's fleet of 20 ships transforms into winter wonderlands with caroling, eggnog parties, gingerbread displays and Christmas trees, on holiday sailings to the Caribbean, Mexico and Panama Canal. The Adventure Ocean program, which offers supervised activities for children of all ages, features holiday-related activities, including cookie decorating, holiday shows, kids caroling, and pictures with Santa.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

Seabourn Cruise Line's Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Legend sail 14-day roundtrips from Fort Lauderdale to a bevy of inviting Caribbean islands for the holidays, offering revelers their choice of a traditional two-week Caribbean holiday cruise that includes both Christmas and New Year's or separate seven-day Christmas or New Year's cruises that begin or end at Caribbean ports.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

Silversea Cruises' fleet is resplendent with opulent decorations that echo the spirit of the season with many of the artful displays created by the line's master chefs. Whimsical gingerbread cottages and seasonal cookies adorn lounges, adding a touch of old-fashioned holiday charm. Christian clergy lead ecumenical worship services for Christmas and menorahs are lit daily during Hanukkah.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Windstar Cruises ships will feature holiday itineraries to Costa Rica and the Southern Caribbean, setting the stage for memorable celebrations. From Costa Rica's Puerto Caldera, Wind Star sets sail on an eco-adventure that explores the Pacific Coast. Wind Surf and Wind Spirit guests can soak up the Caribbean sun on sailings departing from Barbados or St. Thomas.