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TIS THE SEASON FOR ADVENTURE

Holiday cruises.

Fill the December holidays with tropical, action-packed days and unforgettable memories. Start a new tradition with the biggest holiday cruise celebration at sea.

This year, spend the holidays in a warm winter wonderland with your favorite holiday traditions — plus some epic new ones — onboard the world’s boldest ships. Bring everyone together for Thanksgiving memory-making that the whole family will be grateful for. Sailings in December keep magical Christmas celebrations dancing through your head. And it all culminates in the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea. So get onboard and deck the holidays with us.

EXPLORE AVAILABLE HOLIDAY CRUISES

Enjoy the ultimate holiday celebration with loved ones this festive season.

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MAXED OUT IN NEW TRADITIONS

A holiday at sea is filled with epic new traditions in the making. Onboard, have a blast hanging ten on the FlowRider®* or gasping in awe at a high-diving AquaTheater spectacular. And on shore, you’ll be glad you ditched the cold for extra bold experiences from ATV jungle treks to underwater snorkel discoveries and more.

tropical holiday fun

You don’t need snow for plenty of whoa this December. Choose an island-hopping getaway for winter fun under the sun. All of the best holiday cruises for families spend one glorious day at CocoCay.

DASH THROUGH THE WHOA

It’s the most thrilling time of the year — with exclusive adrenaline-pumping experiences you won’t find on any other cruise line. Try skydiving right on deck, take on The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides and more!

REVELRY AND RIVALRY

Holiday time is family time. Discover incredible ways to take togetherness — and competitive spirit— to new heights. Cheer each other on while scaling the signature Rock Climbing Wall, or see who’s brave enough to plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠.

PUTTING THE SEA in seasonal favorites

Holidays onboard are decked out with everything you love most about the season. Gather 'round for a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner — without lifting a finger. Wander through a winter wonderland as the Royal Promenade comes alive with Christmas cheer. Ring in the New Year with a massive balloon drop plus sensational beats. And that’s just a taste of the celebrations in store. 

HOME STYLE HOLIDAYS

Pack your appetite — all your favorite flavors of the holiday season are onboard. Savor mouthwatering Thanksgiving staples like oven-roasted turkey and old-fashioned pecan pie. And  Christmas dinner classics, like honey baked ham and homemade sides.

LIGHTING UP THE SEA

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah, you’ll find your most treasured holiday traditions at sea — with festive tree and menorah lighting ceremonies on every sailing in December.

NEW WAYs TO NEW YEAR

Ring in the new year with an enchanting countdown to the massive balloon drop. Plus, score an invitation to the hottest New Year’s Eve party at sea, where jam-worthy live music starts the year on just the right note.

STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY BLISS

Need a no-pressure family getaway? A romantic beach adventure for two? Whatever style you're looking to celebrate in, you'll cruise through this year's holiday season stress-free.

FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE

Make sure you stop at  Perfect Day at CocoCay  for an action-packed adventure that everyone will love. Kiddies can splash to their heart's content at Splashaway Bay or head to the swashbuckling Captain Jill's Cannon for the ultimate pirate experience. See who's brave enough to conquer all 13 waterslides at  Thrill Waterpark , or relax along the  Oasis Lagoon . Get the whole family together on a hot air balloon ride and make holiday memories to last a lifetime.

BABY, IT'S NOT COLD OUTSIDE!

All you want for Christmas is a tropical vacation? Get away from holiday pressure and expectations with a romantic December cruise to the Caribbean! Explore local traditions together, swim in secret waterfalls and unwind on powdery Caribbean sands. Romantic beach picnics are just the beginning of your holiday escape.

SPEND THE HOLIDAYS ON THE BOLDEST CRUISE SHIPS AT SEA

Incredible is on the itinerary when you set sail on one of our Oasis Class cruise ships. Get your adrenaline fix with two onboard water slides, a wave park and the only boomerang slide at sea. Dash through the seas and launch into the holiday spirit with themed parties and daily shows. 'Tis the season to indulge! Enjoy one of our specialty restaurants where you'll find traditional favorites and new holiday-themed dishes and delights.

EXPLORE OUR LARGEST CRUISE SHIPS

GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

The ship's crew is there to make sure you have the best holiday cruise. At the start of your voyage, take part in the time-honored tradition of lighting the massive ship's tree. Join Santa's hardest working elves for the ultimate Christmas celebration and a surprise Christmas giveaway. Get up on deck for a festive walk in support of World Wildlife Fund's Arctic programs, presented by Coca-Cola. Decorate your own gingerbread cookies and unleash your creativity with DIY ornament classes.

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The Best Holiday Cruises Are With Princess!

Holiday celebrations at sea.

A variety of holiday activities on board offer fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to pack your festive outfits and take part in the holiday cheer! Enjoy games & activities including:

• Stanley breakfast event – wear your family pajamas
• Holiday Wishes Variety Show
• Menorah Lighting
• Ugly Holiday Sweater Competition 
• Lighting of the Lights Ceremony
• Family Gingerbread House Making Competition, judged by the Executive Chef, Pastry Chef, Captain and Entertainment Director*
• Holiday Family Movie Nights, featuring favorites like “Elf,” “A Christmas Story” and “The Grinch” 
• Holiday Caroling in the Piazza
• Santa’s Arrival and Gift Giving
• ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas reading, where kids are encouraged to wear their PJs and enjoy hot chocolate
• Interdenominational Church Services, led by guest volunteers or onboard teammates

*Subject to availability

Christmas Cruises

Take a Christmas cruise with Princess

• White Christmas
• Baby It's Cold Outside...
• The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Regardless of where you're sailing, it actually snows in the Atrium of your decked‐out Princess ship. And of course, Santa visits each of our ships for gift giving — we offer cookies for him, and carrots for his reindeer. Experience the Christmas tree lighting and mingle with Kris Kringle as Yuletide Carolers sing joyful classics onboard your ship. And our very own Stanley the bear joins in on the fun for holiday storytime and breakfast event. Don't forget to pack and wear your family holiday matching pajamas!

But it’s warm and toasty onboard a Princess ship! Enjoy Christmas on a cruise ship as you sip eggnog, compete in a magical gingerbread house‐making contest, snowman building competition or design a special keepsake ornament. Revel in the Ugly Sweater party (don't forget to pack it!), Holiday Family Fun Fair, and countless joyful activities await you on your holiday cruise.

The most wonderful time of the year should be wonderful for everyone. That’s why Princess, voted the best cruise line for multigenerational families (Portholes) offers the best Christmas cruises for families and guests of all ages. Kids can go play in our youth and teen centers, where they’ll enjoy fun holiday parties (and you’ll enjoy evening kid-sitting for a nominal fee so parents can celebrate a festive night out too!). Then the whole family can reunite for a stress-free Christmas dinner, feasting on a delicious banquet while cherishing each other’s company.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and New Year's Cruises

• The Best Thanksgiving Cruises
• Thanksgiving Dinner
• Thanksgiving under the Stars
• Hanukkah Cruises
• Hanukkah Traditions
• New Year's Cruises

Enjoy lovely autumn décor, take part in a Turkey Calling Contest, and add a special message to our annual Tree of Thanks in the ship's Atrium.

Leave the cooking to Princess, and join us for an elaborate traditional holiday feast in the dining room, complete with all the trimmings.

What would Thanksgiving be without football? Watch the games on our Movies Under the Stars® outdoor big screen.

The Festival of Lights burns brightly with a menorah‐lighting ceremony, themed crafts, festive décor and special events, like a reading of Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah on the first night of Hanukkah.

Enjoy traditional Hanukkah delicacies specially prepared by our professional chefs, such as potato latkes and gefilte fish. You can even pre-order kosher meals!

Take a New Year's cruise. Count down and count your blessings on the biggest night of the year with a special New Year’s Eve dinner followed by a midnight celebratory Champagne toast.

The Best Holiday Cruises — All Year Round

• Chinese New Year
• Valentine's Day
• Easter & Passover
• Mother's Day
• Father's Day

Mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, with time–honored traditions for an immersive experience. Our Chinese New Year celebrations include symbolic red decorations that adorn the Piazza, mythological Lion Dancers thrill spectators, and much more.

Love, life’s sweetest reward, is celebrated with hearts and flowers and special touches throughout the ship. Onboard, you can make a card for your sweetheart, send a singing telegram, renew your vows, watch themed Movies Under the Stars, and so much more.

Celebrations of hope and springtime abound during this holy period. Onboard, you can participate in a Seder service, sit down with family for a traditional Easter dinner, and enjoy special visits from the Easter Bunny, and a candy egg hunt.

What’s the #1 travel gift moms want? A Mother's day cruise. Celebrate and pamper mom onboard with a relaxing spa treatment, a specially-themed balcony breakfast, complimentary sparkling wine and a rose at dinner, and much more.

Watch the big game on our giant Movies Under the Stars screen, complete with grilled burgers and craft beers on deck. Treat your special dad to a hand–cut steak cooked to order at the Crown Grill. Celebrate the day with a whiskey tasting at the Wheelhouse Bar. It will be a Father’s Day he never forgets!

Halloween on a Princess cruise ship promises more treats than tricks. Delight in spooky décor while carving pumpkins in the Princess Piazza. Ghostly grown-ups can attend our Halloween Fright Night Party, while little pumpkins can enjoy a costume parade, scavenger hunt, and, of course, lots of candy!

Gifting for someone special?   It's easier than ever! Buy gifts online for anyone sailing with Princess.

Already booked with Princess?   Login to Cruise Personalizer to buy a gift for yourself or others on your booking .

To speak to a member of our Celebrations support team,  call 1-855-500-7690

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View photos from our guests that capture their onboard celebrations.

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What to Expect on a New Year’s Cruise with Carnival

By Carnival Cruise Line

New Year’s Eve Party

New Year’s Eve Bash

New Year’s Eve After Party

Drink Specials

Photo Opportunities

Sea breezes? Check. Great weather? Check. Fresh new start to the year? You can check that one off, too. On a special New Year’s Eve cruise with Carnival , you can expect all the great food, drinks, relaxation and recreation you’d get from a regular Carnival cruise.

But there’s more – to celebrate the New Year, you can expect parties, parties, and more parties. We’ve got everything you need for the big night. All you’ve got to do is show up.

Start your new year off a little different this year. On this family cruise , there’s no stress, no planning, and no cooking. There’s just fun! To make sure New Year’s Eve is a night to remember, we’ve got three huge celebrations planned for you. Choose one or choose them all.

The Atrium is the heart of the ship and the life of the party! So, of course it’s the perfect spot for our grand New Year’s Eve party. The multi-level, 360-degree event hall promises a fantastic atmosphere and one amazing view. Gear up for 2019 with the company of your friends and family.

Make a wish – but be careful, it just may come true! Before the big party, complete your own “New Year Wish” slip and drop it in a balloon. Our crew will collect and hang them in time for the big balloon drop at 11pm. Then, cross your fingers, because some lucky cruisers will have their wishes granted.

Keep your eye out for members of our Carnival fun squad. They will be going around granting wishes and giving out awesome prizes.

After the New Year’s Eve Party, it’s time for the Bash! Ring in the New Year in a big way from atop our sparkling open-air Lido Deck . Dance under the stars as the clock strikes twelve, at our fabulous New Year’s Eve Bash.

We’ll commemorate the night with music, refreshments, party favors and giveaways. And as for that special moment – we’ll have an official countdown at midnight, of course! With all the makings for a memorable new year, this poolside mega party is where it’s at.

Hey party people, the fun doesn’t have to stop after midnight. The beat goes on and on at our Carnival New Year’s Eve After Party. Join us in the Nightclub and get ready to dance the night away. Your party-pumping DJ will be on-hand all night long with awesome music.

Whether you’re dominating the dance floor or just enjoying the beats, the Nightclub will keep everyone in good spirits. It’s the place to be until the sun comes up. Or at least until last call. See you there!

Other Onboard Activities

Every Carnival cruise is a special event. But for New Year’s Eve, we’re going overboard in the best way possible. These onboard activities will keep things worry-free and help you bring the season to life.

Do you love concerts? So do we! Insanely talented musicians will be playing sweet music all across the ship. So make sure you explore every corner, because you never know what you’re going to discover.

To keep the beverages flowing without having to worry about the bill, may we suggest our Cheers! prepaid bar package. A convenient daily rate per person that lets you concentrate on your friends, family, and the beautiful surroundings – not the cost.

If you don’t have a few memorable photos from your cruise vacation, did it even really happen!? Of course it did – and thanks to our onboard photo opportunities, you’ll have the pictures to prove it. Our fun photo stations are complete with wacky props and stunning backdrops, so you’ll have no problem getting a few images worth sharing.

When it comes to the kids, we’ve got plenty of excitement for all ages. There’s even a special kids camp celebration for the New Year. Come and see why kids’ camps are making a big splash!

Camp Ocean ™ is one of our most popular activities for the younger crowd. It’s all the best of summer camp, even in December. Groups are supervised and age-based for maximum enjoyment. Club O2 ® is the onboard spot where teens aged 15-17 can meetup and hang out together.

Listening to current music, watching movies, singing karaoke, and making new friends are all in store at Club O2 ® ! Meanwhile, the 12-14 year olds are chilling at Circle “C.” ® Think dance parties, games, outdoor movies and more.

This holiday season, tell your friends and family you’ll be sailing into the New Year. Then tell them they can come along, too! A holiday cruise is the antidote to cold winters, and a recipe for fun.

Could a family cruise be the perfect answer to that eternal question – where will you be for New Year’s? With December cruises setting sail for sunny destinations like the Caribbean , Mexico , and The Bahamas , there’s only one way to find out.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by  ship  and destination.

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What to expect.

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Holiday Cruises

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Bring your family and friends closer together for an unforgettable celebration with holiday offers. With festive holiday sailings, you'll find a journey that gives you everything you love about the holidays with none of the hassle.  

The sights, the sounds, the foods, and the traditions can all be enjoyed on board. Take part in a special holiday dinner, a holiday show in the Main Theatre, hear a choir singing Christmas carols, and, of course, get a visit from Santa with gifts for children and teens.

New Year’s Eve

A New Year’s Eve party and countdown is made fun and festive with holiday favors and a complimentary champagne toast. The next day, you’ll catch all your favorite College Bowl championship football games showing in many areas of the ship.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a beautiful menorah lighting ceremony, Hanukkah services, fun crafts for the kids, and traditional foods such as latkes and toppings prepared by our chefs.  

Go on an Easter egg hunt with the Easter Bunny and indulge in an Easter Brunch in the Oceanview Café. Festive spring decorations abound, and Easter services are offered on board.

Thanksgiving

What’s Thanksgiving without a traditional turkey dinner among family and friends? We’ve got it covered. Afterwards, settle in and watch a few football games that are broadcast in many areas of the ship.

Valentine’s Day

Sweethearts have a special place in our hearts. We celebrate all things love with a complimentary rose for all women, a Love & Marriage Game Show, and a special Valentine’s cocktail. Spa treatments and specialty dining are available for purchase on board.

Spooky decorations and carved pumpkins set the tone for trick or treating for families, a Halloween party for adults, pumpkin-flavored beers and Halloween cocktails. Yes, be sure to pack your Halloween costumes for a fun-filled contest.

Enjoy a traditional Seder service and a variety of Passover foods during our onboard celebration to commemorate the story of the Exodus.

St. Patrick’s Day

Everybody’s Irish for St. Patty’s Day! Celebrate the luck of the Irish with a big St. Patrick’s Day party complete with plenty of green beer, live Irish music and a sea of green decorations everywhere.

Mother's Day

Moms get special treatment including complimentary roses. The kids and dad can record a short “Message to Mom” to be aired during a special celebration. All her favorite gifts are available for purchase, from handbags to the spa indulgences she loves.

Father's Day

Treat Dad like a king on a Father’s Day Sailing. Get him dinner in a specialty restaurant, a whiskey tasting, or a single malt cocktail special. The kids and mom can record a short “Message to Dad” to be aired at a joyful celebration of dads on board.

5 Reasons to Celebrate the Holidays With Celebrity

Celebrate the Holidays on a luxury vacation.

• Everything's ready: Enjoy traditional holiday meals and decorating with no prep or clean up to worry about.
• Entertainment: Festive holiday shows and carolers will get everyone in the spirit.
• Togetherness: Everyone gets to enjoy downtime during the holidays to spend with those who matter most.
• Traditions: Santa brings gifts to all the kids and the halls will be decked to perfection. Corks pop on New Year's Eve.
• Award-winning dining: Sumptuous, complete holiday meals created by a Michelin-starred chef.

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Holiday Cruises

Reconnect with loved ones on a holiday cruise. Leave the prep and party planning to us as you enjoy world-class cuisine inspired by our culinary masters. Take in views and explore legendary lands as you navigate the world’s waterways in the comfort of our perfectly sized ships. Rejuvenate with hydrotherapy at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon®. Start new traditions this holiday season.

2024-2025 Holiday Cruises To Celebrate

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Holidays Are Better On Board

A New Year’s Cruise To Remember

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New Year’s Eve

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• Royal Caribbean christmas cruises

Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year

Christmas cruises 2024, 2025 new year's eve.

All Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year cruise offers listed here are just itineraries and not cruise deals for sale. Vessels are ordered alphabetically. Comparing all the ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet is a most convenient way to select the best for you Holiday voyages as departures (homeports, dates), destinations (regions, visited countries), itineraries (ports of call, arrival dates, port times) and also to compare cruise prices.

CruiseMapper shows cruise prices per person. These are only indicative fares on the ship's lowest category staterooms. All rates are based on double occupancy (twin share) and don't include cruise line or travel agency promotions, group booking rates or any other special offers and discounts.

Royal Caribbean Christmas and New Year cruise deals are a "mega ship" travel choice for inexpensive December Holiday vacations. RCI's best features are the world's biggest cruise ships ever, top sea travel destinations and signature uniqueness.

The list of exotic RCI Xmas destinations includes Asia (from Singapore and China), Australia (Sydney to NZ and the South Pacific Islands), South America (from Brazil) and Europe (Mediterranean itineraries with UK departures).

Just like with the rest of the "big ship" companies, most RCI voyages for Christmas are roundtrips to the Caribbean, with departures from Florida (Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral).

Royal Caribbean's Caribbean ships also depart from New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Galveston, New Orleans, plus the special roundtrips from Puerto Rico (San Juan) and Panama (Colon).

Royal Caribbean Holiday specials feature unique onboard activities and signature activities offered by no other line. The special cuisine and one-time-in-the-year-only entertainment menu on the ship is another reason to spend the year's merriest time at sea. As to the prices on RCCL cruise package deals, their ticket prices are not cheap, and often perfectly match the size of their ships. Following the most common pattern for big lines Holiday itineraries, the majority of Royal Caribbean voyages for New Years are round-trips departing from Florida ports (Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral). Another set of highly popular deals includes the round-trips to the Caribbean leaving from New York (NYC and Bayonne NJ), Baltimore, Galveston, and New Orleans, along with the line's deals from Puerto Rico and Panama. The list of the Royal Caribbean New Year destinations also includes Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and South America (Brazil departures).

Next tables show all Royal Caribbean Christmas New Year cruise itineraries as ships, departure ports, call ports (dates and arrival/departure times) and regions.

'When you're on a ship, everything is so easy': What it's like to spend New Year's on a cruise

• New Year's cruises offer an alternative to celebrating on land.
• Cruise lines host a range of festivities for the holiday.
• Some passengers said the sailings offer convenience and a communal celebration.

Kouri Marshall goes big on New Year's Eve. The 40-year-old nonprofit director usually spends the holiday celebrating with family and friends, hosting dinner at his house with wine, or going to an event in Chicago, where he lives.

"I embrace the challenges of the year that has passed and look forward to the joy that will be in the next year," he told USA TODAY.

But a couple of years ago, he decided to go bigger by taking a cruise. Marshall rang in 2020 on a Caribbean sailing with Royal Caribbean International, where passengers celebrated with champagne and were dressed in tuxedos and gowns. "I felt like I was channeling the energy of the Titanic," he said.

He and a group of friends spent the night eating in the main dining room, listening to live bands and dancing in a conga line. "And then at 2 a.m., I was eating a pizza because it's New Year's after all," he said.

New Year's cruises offer an alternative to celebrations on land, with onboard festivities to mark the passing of midnight and give travelers a unique way to start their year.

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Cruises offer communal celebration

Nicole Gianfrancesco took a New Year's cruise with family in 2019 to celebrate her dad's birthday, who was born on New Year's Day.

The frequent cruiser had always wanted to spend the holiday sailing, so she celebrated at a party on the lido deck during their Bahamas cruise with Carnival Cruise Line. The 33-year-old, who works in patient care for an orthopedic practice, said that by being on the ship for a week, she felt more camaraderie with her fellow passengers than she might at a restaurant or party elsewhere.

When the clock struck midnight, she said, "Everyone was just really getting along. Everyone (was) just excited. People who didn't know each other (were) hugging each other... So, it was a great time."

The trip was supposed to kick off a year of travel for Gianfrancesco, who is based in Sicklerville, New Jersey. She had three other cruises booked, including a "bucket list" transatlantic sailing from Italy, all of which were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions .

In hindsight, she appreciates the experience even more. "Looking back, I was like, 'Oh, we got so lucky that we were even able to do it,' " she said.

New Year's sailings can be more convenient than land celebrations

For other travelers, the convenience of a cruise ship is a catalyst for celebrating the holiday in a way they might not otherwise.

When Nick Vitani is at home, he doesn't go out for New Year's. "If I'm home, in my old age, I barely watch the midnight countdown anymore," said the 60-year-old, laughing. "I'm lucky if I make it to that."

Vitani, who works in information technology and as a travel agent, also has concerns about the safety of driving during the holiday. There is often an increase in drunk-driving fatalities around Christmas and New Year's, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with 837 people killed in drunk-driving crashes in December 2019. Vitani feels safer on a cruise ship.

"You can get dressed in your room and you can walk right to the place where you're going to eat," he said. "To go to the parties, you don't have to drive, you don't have to park." He and his wife, Barbara, have spent between five and seven New Year's holidays on cruises over the past decade, including last year.

They spent part of New Year's Eve playing games in the casino and drinking in the ship's lounge with friends. On the ship's promenade at midnight, they were showered with balloons.

At home, he said, they "would watch TV and go to bed at 11:30. ...But when you're on a ship, everything is so easy for you to just go do whatever you want."

Vitani, who is based in Windermere, Florida, said in his experience New Year's cruises tend to be more expensive than other some other sailings, though he noted the further out travelers book, the better deal they will find. Going out or throwing a party ashore can be expensive, too, he said, and on cruises, many items and amenities such as food are included in the fare .

What do cruise lines do for New Year's?

Cruise lines offer a number of ways to celebrate the holiday. This year, Royal Caribbean will host parties throughout its ships, with countdowns to midnight and balloon drops, a spokesperson told USA TODAY in an email.

The line's Adventure Ocean kids program "will extend its Late Night Party Zone hours to 2 a.m. and (for-fee) nursery hours until 1 a.m. so parents can celebrate," the spokesperson added. "All Adventure Ocean rooms are decorated, and kids have their own balloon drop and dance party. Teens have their own dedicated party in the teen’s lounge or designated ship venue with their own countdown."

Spend the holidays sailing: Festive cruises in 2022

Planning a cruise?: Here are the documents and costs to keep in mind

The luxe Cunard Line hosts a New Year's gala night, and Celebrity Cruises will hold an outdoor New Year's party by the pool – weather permitting – with complimentary champagne at midnight, among other offerings.

Given that ships are on the move, midnight might be relative. But Celebrity, for example, usually changes the clocks at 2 a.m. when crossing time zones, after the celebrations, according to a spokesperson for the line.

Around 12 a.m. on Marshall's cruise, he stepped outside on the deck by himself and considered their remote position in the middle of the ocean. "For me, it was very symbolic that the future for me is limitless, and the opportunities are exponential," he said.

Do you travel for New Year's Eve? Why or why not?

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Celebrate with Celebrity on a New Year’s Cruise.

Bring in the new year with an unforgettable New Year’s cruise to the most breathtaking destinations in the world. Raise a glass and revel in the best party of the year—minus all the work. Spend quality time toasting and dining with family and friends and leave all the details to us. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight, party favors, and celebrate with friends and family for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve. You and your loved ones are invited to the big countdown bash, which includes a live band and noise makers. “Auld Lang Syne” never sounded better than gathered under the stars in the middle of the ocean with champagne in hand.

Don your holiday best and make your way to any of the distinctive restaurants on board that feature menus crafted by our Michelin-starred chef, plus an award-winning wine selection and sommeliers who ensure perfect pairings for the festive occasion.

Revel in New Year’s Eve cruise activities and entertainment that create a fantastic evening. Enjoy one of our stage productions in the Main Theatre or listen to live jazz at the Lawn Club. The New Year’s Eve cruise celebrations take place all throughout the ship, so you can party hop your way into the new year.

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Tips for planning the perfect new year’s eve cruise.

Make your holiday cruise vacation even more special with the luxurious indulgences available on board. Treat yourself to a therapeutic massage at the spa after the midnight celebration, or get a mani-pedi at the salon in preparation for the big night. With fun workout classes, a fitness center with ocean views, and healthy food options, you can kickstart your New Year’s resolution during your vacation. Taste the incredible culinary creations at our specialty restaurants, or book a stay at The Retreat, our luxury vacation experience, where you’ll stay in one of our luxurious suites and enjoy access to an exclusive restaurant, a private lounge, and more.

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Check back for details on our New Year’s Eve Cruise to ring in 2025!

New Year, Two Boats, and One Poppin’ Experience

2025 is coming and what better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than to party on the water! Back by popular demand is our 21+ NYE Late Night Cruise .This is perfect for those in the city looking to keep the party going, but on a boat. Depart from Pier 55 on the Seattle Waterfront to take in the magnificent city skyline before cruising over to see the anticipated fireworks over the Space Needle. All fun, no pain, well besides champagne !

This experience is 21+ and a valid ID is required to board. Your experience includes:

• 2.5-hour cruise from 10:00pm-12:30am
• Views of the Space Needle fireworks*
• Live DJ for all music and dancing needs
• Full-service bar for the purchase of specialty cocktails, local beer & wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks

Both boats depart from Pier 55 and offer the same experience. If you are going with another group, please ensure your tickets are booked on the same boat. 

Cancellation Policy: Guests who cancel 72 hours or more in advance of their departure date and time will be offered a 50% refund on the total amount paid for their booking (inclusive of taxes/fees). Cancellations less than 72 hours in advance will not be refunded. Future open credits will not be offered for any cancellations.

*Fireworks visibility weather-dependent

Our crew is trained to help guests navigate both our docks and our vessels and are prepared to assist. Certain vessels in the fleet have more mobility limitations, so recommend calling ahead for specific concerns at 206.623.1445.

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Outside food and beverage is not allowed onboard our boats. We will have an onboard bar where you can purchase beer, wine, cocktails, and snacks/pre-wrapped food. During checkout, pre-order your favorite warm sandwich, platter, or salad. Day of event, limited quantities will be availble so we encourage you to pre-order!

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New Year Cruises

If you'd like to celebrate Christmas at home and then head off on your cruise to be away for New Year's Eve, you can choose departure days from Boxing Day to 30th December. Alternatively, some people prefer to get away from it all and spend both Christmas and New Year aboard a ship. If this is you, check out our selection of Christmas and New Year cruises.

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Prices are subject to change and availability. Prices may vary depending on airport selected. Promotions are only applicable to select cabins grades, please call for details

There's no better place to see in the New Year than on-board a cruise ship. Toast good health with a glass of bubbly on the top deck, put on your dancing shoes and see in the New Year in one of the largest ballrooms at sea or join in the celebrations with live music in a choice of on-board bars. However you'd live to celebrate New Year, you'll find so much going on on-board the world's cruise ships. What's more, you can wake up each day to a new destination, and tick some must-see places off your bucket list as the year begins,

New Year cruise destinations

If you're looking for a cruise in the sunshine, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to winter sun destinations at New Year. Options include the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, Central America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. If you'd prefer to stay closer to home and explore the delights of Europe, you'll find a range of destinations across the Mediterranean and Western Europe with cruises from just five nights.

Booking your New Year cruise

This page shows all the deals on New Year cruises departing in December 2020. If you'd like to book ahead for December 2021 & 2022 then you can use our search facility or give our Cruise Concierge team a call to see what's available.

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These Incredible Cruise Voyages Are the Perfect Way to Celebrate a Return to the Seas

After an extraordinary shutdown, cruise lines are ready to go — and so are millions of passengers. Only question is, which of these innovative itineraries is the best way to celebrate the comeback?

All those canceled vacations — and the extra money in many people's pocketbooks — suggest this summer will be a season of pent-up demand for cruises late this year, into 2022, and beyond. "We are finding everyone wants to go longer, bigger, and better," says Rob Clabbers, president of Q Cruise & Travel in Chicago and a member of Travel + Leisures's Travel Advisory Board. "The idea is, 'I deserve to go on a nice vacation.'"

Related : What to Know About Cruising During the Pandemic, According to Experts

Many of the top suites are already spoken for this year, thanks to a combination of rebookings and new inquiries, Clabbers says. Factor in the continued uncertainty of pandemic-related border closures over the coming months, and next year looks to be the sweet spot for a sail.

Still, you'll want to start planning right now: upscale lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Viking Cruises report they're already selling out for 2022 — and even into 2023. Here's a closer look at some of the most intriguing trips to book.

A Go-go Party Scene

Virgin Voyages (from $1,015 per person for four nights) aims to launch two adults-only ships by 2022. Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, twin 2,770-passenger vessels, are scheduled for wintertime jaunts to the Bahamas and the Caribbean , stopping at Virgin's Beach Club at Bimini, in the Bahamas, for pool parties and beach bonfires. Both ships will host drag brunches, and there's a tattoo studio aboard each, should you need a souvenir.

An Indian Ocean Adventure

The Seychelles banned cruise ships entirely until August as a pandemic safety measure. But Crystal Cruises (from $4,999 per person for seven nights) plans to be one of the first lines to return, in December, with the 62-passenger Crystal Esprit . The superyacht-inspired ship offers butler service with every suite, plus a submarine for exploring the archipelago's vibrant coral reefs.

A Big Swing Around Europe

A three-month, 22-country tour from Silversea (from $42,110 per person) aboard the 596-passenger Silver Moon is the ultimate way to make up for lost time. This epic trip departs Athens next March, and hits ports from Istanbul to Reykjavík. Those more at home on the continent's rivers should consider new Cruise & Rail journeys from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection (from $19,199 per person for 15 nights) . One intriguing itinerary starts on Italy's Po River, aboard the 126-passenger La Venezia (fresh off a 2020 refit), before continuing on the Golden Eagle Danube Express, which rolls from Venice to Istanbul.

A Return to Australia

Windstar Cruises (from $3,999 per person for 11 nights) is planning a Down Under debut in fall 2022, aboard the newly updated, 312-passenger Star Breeze . Regent's Seven Seas Mariner is scheduled to visit in February 2022, with a two-week, Auckland-to-Sydney itinerary that also takes in Milford Sound and Tasmania (from $19,399 per person for 14 nights) .

A Chance to Simply Unplug

For travelers seeking an indulgent, don't-lift-a-finger escape, transatlantic voyages are a compelling option. Seabourn (from $5,499 per person for 14 nights) has a Miami-to-Barcelona trip that also hits Madeira and Porto Santo Island, Portugal, set for April 2022 aboard the 450-passenger Seabourn Quest . Meanwhile the Oceania Marina will sail from Monaco to Miami , with stops in Spain and the Caribbean, in November 2022 (from $2,299 per person for 14 nights) .

A version of this story first appeared in the June 2021 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline It's Finally Time.

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New Year's Eve Cruises

Get ready for the ultimate new year’s eve experience, on a p&o cruise..

Planning New Year’s Eve celebrations can be hard. Deciding where to go, and how to get there, no one responding on the group chat. Instead, choose a New Year's cruise and you’re done.

On a cruise, you can countdown to midnight with friends old and new, enjoy a dinner or quiet night in with loved ones, or party the night away on the dance floor. However you like to celebrate there’s something to suit. Better yet, the fun doesn’t start or stop on New Year’s Eve. At the end of your holiday, you’ll return home feeling refreshed and ready to take on the year ahead.

Why you’ll love a New Year's cruise:

• Forget taxis, queuing for venues or next-day tidy-up
• Live it up on New Year’s Eve with entertainment, parties, and multiple venues onboard
• Extend your New Year celebrations – the good times start as soon as you step onboard
• Before and after New Year, spend quality time with friends and family, enjoying 12 sprawling decks of world-class entertainment, dining, and activities
• Explore stunning cruise destinations from the picture-perfect Pacific Island to scenic New Zealand
• A huge range of activities for the kids – they’ll run out of steam before they run out of fun

Find a New Year’s Eve cruise

P&O New Year’s Eve cruises depart from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane and sail for between 7 and 10 nights. As you make your way from one spectacular cruise destination to the next, you’ll make friends and memories to last a lifetime.

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Tom Cruise Pranked Glen Powell by Pretending Their Helicopter Was Going Down

Tom Cruise really is a Maverick.

Glen Powell is sharing in a new interview with British GQ , published on Tuesday, May 28, how his Top Gun: Maverick costar played the ultimate prank on him while making the 2022 blockbuster.

Cruise, 61, flew Powell back to London from reshoots at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, in his helicopter when he pretended the aircraft was going down.

“Tom goes, ‘Oh no, oh no,’ and he starts dropping the helicopter over London,” Powell, 35, said. “I was like, ‘Am I about to be the unnamed guy that dies with Tom in a smoking hole in the middle of London?’”

Related: Celebrity BFFs: Hollywood's Closest Pals

Powell said that he and Cruise bonded on set over their love of movies and Cruise even shared with him a private movie he made about filmmaking.

According to GQ, Cruise sent the Anyone But You star to an empty movie theater in L.A., where he watched Cruise speak directly to the camera for six hours about “everything he’s learned about filmmaking over the years.”

“He said, ‘This is just for my friends,’” Powell said of the film.

“[Cruise] is like: ‘Do we all agree that this is what a camera is? This is the difference between a film camera and a digital camera…’” Powell described the movie. “The funniest part is on flying. It was like he put together this entire flight school. So he would literally go ‘OK, this is what a plane is. Here’s how things fly. Here’s how air pressure works.’”

Back in November 2022, Powell revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that Cruise arranged for him to go skydiving for the first time — and it nearly turned fatal.

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“It was actually my second date with my girlfriend,” Powell said. “And when I got there, I found out that Tom’s only request is that Glen cannot go skydiving with another person. He has to go solo the first time. So I literally have to jump out of this plane by myself.”

Related: Tom Cruise Through the Years

He continued, “But the worst part is that I couldn’t find my tab when I was falling. It’s the nightmare that everybody talks about. But my first thought — which is not, like, a selfless thought — but my first thought was, ‘Oh, Tom just killed me. He’s going to feel so bad.'”

“I was like, ‘God, he pushed me to do this thing.’ I’m looking for the tab and I’m like, ‘You’re not Tom Cruise. You’ll never be Tom Cruise. Why did you do this?’” he added. “And then I finally pulled it. I was way below altitude, came in hot. Made it, went back up, did it again.”

In this article

Glen powell.

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The 12 Best Luxury Cruises For White-Glove Service At Sea

All products and services featured are independently selected by forbes vetted contributors and editors. when you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. learn more, annie davidson watson , contributor, forbes vetted.

L ong gone are the days where overcrowded ships with overstimulating amenities are your only cruising option. They certainly still exist, but now there’s a much stronger and more accessible market for luxury charters. Combining lavish amenities and refined comforts with the thrill of exploration, the best luxury cruises have taken white-glove service to the sea. In fact, luxury cruising has become so in demand that many esteemed hospitality brands—like the Ritz-Carlton , Four Seasons and Aman—have recently launched branded yacht collections of their own.

More than just a vacation, luxury cruises are designed to cater to the whims and desires of its discerning guests (caviar and Champagne on-demand, anyone?). From glimmering chandeliers and secluded suites adorned with plush furnishings to one-to-one crew and passenger ratios and carefully-curated expeditions, these cruises redefine the meaning of extravagant living—on land and sea. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, family, small group, or otherwise, we’ve selected the best luxury cruises of 2024.

Best Luxury Cruise Overall: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Evrima

Best luxury river cruise: viking river cruises, viking osiris, best luxury cruise for foodies: crystal, crystal serenity and crystal symphony, best small ship luxury cruise: seabourn, seabourn pursuit, best luxury cruise for couples: silversea cruises, silver ray, best luxury cruise for families: msc, msc world europa.

• Most Yacht-Like Luxury Cruise: Four Seasons, Four Seasons Explorer

Best Luxury Expedition Cruise: Aurora Expeditions, Sylvia Earle

Best luxury cruise for small groups: windstar cruises, star pride, best luxury cruise for solo travelers: ponant, le lyrial.

• Best Luxury Cruise For Book Lovers : Avalon Waterways, Avalon Artistry II
• Best Value Luxury Cruise : Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Voyager

The Terrace Suite on Evrima

Recommended Itinerary: 11-Night Athens to Venice

Departure: From June 19, 2024

All-Star Amenities: The tasting menu at the onboard restaurant S.E.A., crafted by the Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg in Germany’s Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld

The Ritz-Carlton has built a brand on its premier white-glove service on land, which now extends to sea following the recent launch of its Yacht Collection in the fall of 2022. Its 298-passenger ship, Evrima , marries a yacht-like experience with access to even more amenities (six restaurants, four pools, suite-style sea-facing cabins, salon, spa, fitness center and more). Aside from the ship itself, what makes Ritz-Carlton’s Evrima stand out from the rest is its sheer amount of itinerary options. You can explore the European Mediterranean and the enclaves of Canary Islands on one charter, then see the Caribbean’s greatest hits like San Juan and St. Barts on the next. Thanks to the Ritz-Carlton’s world-renowned reputation, Evrima is drawing younger crowds to the luxury cruising scene, creating a more diverse experience. Ultimately, the feel here is of a true luxury hotel at sea.

Guest room on Osiris

Viking Osiris

Recommended Itinerary: 12-Night Pharaohs & Pyramids

Departure: From August 21, 2024

All-Star Amenities: The sheer knowledge of and access to the crew

Time spent on Viking River Cruises’ Viking Osiris is not only a retreat, but an enlightening experience. Known for its educational programming, the ship features lectures and informative guides that highlight seemingly endless knowledge on everything Egyptian (ancient to modern). Paired with the Nile as a backdrop, you’ll find yourself absorbing more than you can have possibly imagined. Built for just 82 passengers, the intimate ship is a modern vessel built specifically for the Nile, with intentional Scandinavian design details. It has a light and bright feel, encouraging outdoor exploration of the riverbanks through plenty of outdoor decks. Guests must be 18 years or older, which makes this a great option for couples or older families who can truly appreciate the experience.

Umi Uma on the Crystal Symphony.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony

Recommended Itinerary: 10-Day Venice to Athens on the Crystal Symphony

Departure: From November 14, 2024

All-Star Amenities: The only Nobu restaurant at sea, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant and Sushi Bar

After a brief hiatus in 2022, Crystal Cruises made a comeback in 2023, setting sail as Crystal—Exceptional at Sea under guardianship of the Abercrombie & Kent travel group. Along with the new name, Crystal refreshed its two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony , and reintroduced them to the world of luxury with more spacious suites, a revamped spa and refreshed entertainment and events programming. The real star of the show, however, is Crystal’s exceptional dining, anchored by the only Nobu restaurant at sea, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which can be found on both ships. One meal at Umi Uma is included with your sail (per person, on sailings 11 days or shorter) with each additional visit available for a charge of just $50 per person—incredible value to experience fan favorites like the miso-marinated black cod. Aside from a night at the most luxurious specialty restaurant you can find on a cruise ship, the rest of Crystal’s dining offerings are equally superb, from seasonal dishes at Waterside to classic Italian fare at Osteria D’Ovidio.

With an elegant design that reads yacht-like, Pursuit includes fine dining options for a true luxury cruise experience.

Seabourn Pursuit

Recommended Itinerary: 21-Day Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland

Departure: From December 15, 2024

All-Star Amenities: Two custom-built submarines, 24-person expedition team

Setting sail in August, the 264-passenger, 132 seafront-suite-only Seabourn Pursuit is the newest ship to join the Seabourn fleet. With an elegant design that reads yacht-like, Pursuit includes several fine dining options and formal supper nights, as well as complimentary caviar and Champagne on-demand, for a true luxury cruise experience. The crowd is well-traveled and skews older; you won’t find many late-night revelers here, in part because the ship doesn’t offer any onboard youth programming (although children are still welcome). That said, the ship does include entertainment that’s worth experiencing—singers, pianists and more.

White-gloved butlers and complimentary caviar are just a few elements that make Silversea’s Silver Ray perfect for a stress-free getaway.

Recommended Itinerary: 8-Day Cartagena to Lima

Departure: From December 27, 2024

All-Star Amenities: The onboard dining scene, specifically S.A.L.T. Kitchen, La Dame and Kaiseki

The second in Silversea’s Nova class ships sets sail this summer when the 728-guest Silver Ray makes a splash in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to winter in warmer climates. Mirroring her sister ship, Silver Dawn , she boasts the same level of service you expect from Silversea. White-gloved butlers, suite-only accommodations, complimentary caviar and Roman baths are just a few of the elements that make Silversea’s Silver Ray perfect for a stress-free getaway for couples in need of pampering. Beyond the ship, Silver Ray’s itineraries immerse her guests in authentic experiences that showcase the beauty in the world. Passengers tend to be in the 55-and-over age range and you won’t find many children onboard, which for couples, might just be what the doctor ordered.

Owner's Suite on MSC World Europa

MSC World Europa

Recommended Itinerary: 7-Night Western Mediterranean

Departure: From July 1, 2024

All-Star Amenities: LEGO experience, Aurea spa featuring high-tech beauty treatments and thermal experiences

Larger than many other luxury ships, MSC World Europa manages to host nearly 7,000 passengers while still keeping everyone serviced and entertained with over 1,400 crew members. With plenty of pools and hot tubs, and more unique amenities like a casino, arcade, brewery, Formula 1 simulator, water park, roller rink and more, there’s truly something for everyone onboard. Plus, it boasts the tallest dry slide at sea in the world—a must-do for families. There’s also a Family Zone that caters to every age range, from infants to teenagers, with dedicated sections per group.

Best Yacht-Like Luxury Cruise: Four Seasons, Four Seasons Explorer

The exquisite 128-foot luxury catamaran set sail in Palau in late-2023 and provides her guests an experience that’s out of this world.

Four Seasons Explorer

Recommended Itinerary: 6-Day King George Island

Departure: From November 27, 2024

All-Star Amenities: Speedboat transfer, PADI 5-star dive center, international dining

Luxury hotelier Four Seasons is expected to debut its highly-anticipated Four Seasons Yachts in early 2026. Until then, guests are invited to embark upon a true yacht experience onboard Four Seasons Explorer . With just 10 staterooms and an expansive Explorer Suite, the exquisite 128-foot luxury catamaran set sail in Palau in late-2023 and provides her guests an experience that’s out of this world. In addition to the attentive service onboard, everyone can dive into the clear Micronesian waters to visit the undersea world that’s filled with manta rays, sharks, orcas and, of course myriad fish. Back onboard, relax in the lounge, library, or sundeck, and enjoy indoor and outdoor dining while enjoying all the special touches for which Four Seasons is known, including checking in and out on your schedule.

Sylvia Earle Suite on the Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle

Recommended Itinerary: 14-Day Antarctic Explorer featuring the Chilean Fjords

Departure: From March 1, 2025

All-Star Amenities: The availability of so many amenities—restaurants, bars, hot tubs—that aren’t as typical on expedition cruises

Sailing on Aurora Expedition’s Sylvia Earle is nothing short of an adventure. Founded about 30 years ago by climber Greg Mortimer and inspired by the female marine biologist after whom it’s named, the 132-passenger Sylvia Earle has exploration ingrained in its DNA. It’s no surprise, then, that the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and eager with an up-for-anything attitude (remote seas, some of the world’s highest peaks, you name it). Plus, the onboard amenities rival any luxury cruise—a rarity on expedition ships.

Owner's Suite Living Room on Star Pride

Recommended Itinerary: 10-Day Comprehensive Iceland Cruise Tour

Departure: From August 20, 2024

All-Star Amenities: Join the yacht’s culinary team to shop provisions for meal service at local markets

A 312-passenger, all-suite vessel, Star Pride feels large enough for small groups where they won’t feel too-close-for-comfort and can have their own privacy, but intimate enough where they can welcome outside connections. And thanks to its size, it’s able to access less-traveled routes and ports that make for an even more memorable experience to enjoy among a group. Plus, there are plenty of dining options (five restaurants including a top-notch Spanish tapas concept that’s a must-try) to enjoy as a group or split up on different evenings.

From sailing past icebergs and rugged mountains to spotting whales, there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the duration of the cruise.

Recommended Itinerary: 15-Day Wilderness from Greenland to the East Coast of Canada

Departure: From August 25, 2024

All-Star Amenities: Single supplement waived on more than 100 voyages; spa with hammam; fine dining

Solo travel is becoming more popular amongst travelers, so it’s nice when you find a luxury cruise line that welcomes independent cruisers by waiving the single supplement. French cruise line Ponant does just that on more than 100 of its voyages, including the brand new 15-day Wilderness from Greenland to the East Coast of Canada itinerary. From sailing past icebergs and rugged mountains to spotting whales, polar bears and muskox, and excursions along the way, there is plenty to keep you busy throughout the duration of the cruise.

Time aboard Le Lyrial is filled with guest lectures, fine dining in two onboard restaurants and exceptional, personalized service. With just 122 staterooms and suites and 244 guests, and plenty of space for everyone, the ship never feels overcrowded. After days of exploration, retreat to the spa for complimentary access to the hammam and a full menu of services in partnership with SOTHYS Paris, including massages and facials.

Best Luxury Cruise For Book Lovers: Avalon Waterways, Avalon Artistry II

Onboard, enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that convert Panoramic Suites’ living spaces into open-air balconies.

Avalon Artistry II

Recommended Itinerary: 8-Day Cheers to 50 Years! A Storyteller Cruise & Birthday Celebration with Jen Hatmaker

Departure: From August 3, 2024

All-Star Amenities: Well-stocked library; onboard adventure center; daily happy hour

Book lovers quietly rejoiced when Avalon Waterways debuted its Storyteller Series in 2021. Through the series, revered authors and musicians join guests onboard select itineraries for a week of conversation and collegiality while exploring stunning European river landscapes. During the 8-day Cheers to 50 Years! sailing, New York Times best-selling author Jen Hatmaker will celebrate her 50th birthday aboard the intimate Avalon Artistry II , with just 64 staterooms and suites, when it sails through Holland and Belgium.

In addition to spending time with Hatamaker, guests can choose their own onshore adventures through Avalon Waterways’ curated excursions that appeal to all types of travelers: Active, Classic and Discovery. Back onboard, enjoy daily happy hour; wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that convert Panoramic Suites’ living spaces into open-air balconies; and complimentary WiFi to share the trip with your book club back home.

Best Value Luxury Cruise: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seven Seas Voyager

All of the luxury line’s 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares include free roundtrip business class air on intercontinental flights and free air on domestic flights.

Seven Seas Voyager

Recommended Itinerary: 16-Day South Pacific Revelry

Departure: From February 11, 2025

All-Star Amenities: 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares; complimentary business class air; complimentary two- and three-night land programs; all-balcony suites; free unlimited shore excursions

The words value and luxury may not seem to go together, but they do when sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. All of the luxury line’s 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares include free roundtrip business class air on intercontinental flights and free air on domestic flights; free two- and three-night land programs to enjoy before or after the cruise; pre-paid gratuities; free valet laundry service and more.

Soak up the sun of the South Pacific on the 16-day South Pacific Revelry cruise. Departing from Auckland, the voyage calls upon Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa before arriving in French Polynesia, where you’ll enjoy three days of island bliss.

What Are The Top Luxury Cruise Lines?

In the seemingly ever-growing category of luxury cruise lines, you may wonder which are the crème de la crème. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection , Ponant and Aurora Expeditions certainly fit the bill, providing exceptional experiences with exquisite service to some of the world’s most exotic destinations, all aboard luxurious vessels.

What Is The Best Luxury Cruise Line For Couples?

Couples who want to set sail in the lap of luxury should make reservations with Silversea Cruises . The luxury cruise line attracts a more mature clientele and its worldwide destinations set the scene for couples who only have eyes for each other.

About Annie Davidson Watson, Your Luxury Cruise Guide

I'm a writer, editor and consultant who has covered luxury travel and cruising for the last ten years. Formerly, I was an editor at Departures, Travel + Leisure, Glamour and more, and I now contribute regularly to both Forbes and Forbes Vetted. I'm also the founder of @littleackbook , a Nantucket-based publication and concierge service. For more, follow me at @anniedavidsonwatson .

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Everyone you know is going on a cruise

­­­ Lots of people will be getting their sea legs this summer.

Ports have been packed with cruise ships over the last few years, as vacationers flock to ever larger vessels and operators race to accommodate a surge in post-pandemic bookings — many of them from first-time passengers. The industry expects even more this year.

Benjamin Xiang, a San Francisco-based flight attendant, went on his first cruise last August, setting aside his reservations about “cruise people” and a type of trip he’d imagined would be “not my travel style.”

Taking advantage of a Virgin Voyages promotion that let him use credit card points to cover the $2,500 bill, Xiang booked a weeklong, all-inclusive, adults-only cruise from Barcelona, with stops at Mallorca, Ibiza and along the French Riviera.“I invited my best friend, we prepaid a $600 bar tab, and we were like, ‘We’ll just hang by the pool, read a book or something,’” said Xiang, 35. “Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.”

He’s among the many cruise newbies who’ve helped power the industry’s recent growth. Some 27% of cruise passengers over the past two years have been first-timers, up 12% from the prior two-year period, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a trade group.

Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.

Benjamin Xiang, 35, San Francisco

“Will I go back? I think yes,” Xiang said. “Will I pay this time? Yes.”That’s exactly what cruise operators are hoping for, and so far they’re getting it: 82% of all cruisers say they’ll book again, CLIA’s latest report found.

After welcoming 31.7 million passengers last year, 7% more than in 2019, the industry expects volumes to swell to 34.7 million by the end of 2024. Experts say a combination of newcomers, repeat bookers and younger travelers are powering the uptick.

Like Xiang, many first-time cruisers are groups of friends traveling together, said Jennifer Klaussen, who owns Sundari Travel in Malibu, California.

“Once they get on a cruise and realize it’s not what they thought it would be, they’re usually interested in future cruises and diverse destinations,” she said, adding that newer operators have managed to “reduce the stigma associated with cruising — that it’s only for the elderly.”

Passengers under age 40, including kids, made up around 42% of cruisegoers last year, up from 35% in 2019, according to CLIA. While the average age of a cruise customer is 46 industrywide, millennials now make up nearly the same share — 22% — as baby boomers and Gen Xers, who each comprise 24%.“The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, “whether that’s a big, new ship with eye-catching attractions for families, or more bucket-list-worthy experiences like sailings in the Galapagos or Antarctica.”

The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic.

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic

Amenities don’t hurt either, said Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand officer at Virgin Voyages, which began sailing only in 2021, as the cruise industry rebounded from the pandemic. “Millennials and Gen Z love the fact that everything is included. Think meals foodies would love, tips covered, Wi-Fi to stay connected and a ton of fitness classes,” he said.Vessels are getting bigger to handle the growing demand.

In January, Royal Caribbean Group launched Icon of the Seas — currently the world’s largest cruise ship, with 20 decks, 40 restaurants and room for more than 7,000 passengers and 3,000 crew members.

The company, meanwhile, reported a 16% increase in new cruisegoers between this year and last across its various cruise lines. Nearly half of all Royal Caribbean guests are millennials or younger, CEO Jason Liberty said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Harry Sommer told CNBC earlier this month, “We appeal obviously to older customers, but millennial and Gen Z is the fastest-growing segment of our cruising right now.”

Cruises generally aren’t cheap, though, and Sommer noted that the company’s target customer is middle- or upper-income. As consumer spending cools down across much of the economy, Americans are adjusting their summer vacation plans to fit their budgets.The share of travelers put off by steep prices hit 32% in Deloitte’s annual summer travel survey , up sharply from 24% last year. But more affluent vacationers still seem eager to shell out on everything from first-class airfare to luxury train trips , as the industry continues to push premium offerings .

“More higher-income travelers are headed to cruises,” whereas “lower-income travelers are going camping,” the Deloitte report, released Tuesday, said. (“RV trips are up across the board,” it added.)

That doesn’t mean cruise passengers aren’t paying attention to price.

Jaclyn Groh will be going on her first cruise in March 2025, sailing around the Caribbean. The 34-year-old therapist and social work professor at Ohio State University in Columbus typically takes her family on boat trips on a lake, beach visits, “and of course the occasional Disney adventure for the kiddos,” said Groh.

While some of her friends have done family cruises, she’s never been interested in the largest cruise ships because they seem “overwhelming.” But in shopping around for a vacation next year for just her and her husband, Groh said her travel agent’s description of the packages available won her over.The smaller Explora II vessel she opted for has a “boutique feel that we love,” she said. And it’s priced about the same as the resort in Curaçao where the couple will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this fall. That week on land will run about $6,500, while the cruise comes to about $6,700.

“The price seems very reasonable for all of the inclusions, and yet with the cruise we will get to experience so many new locations and excursions,” said Groh, who’s looking forward to “a perfect combination of resting in luxury and adventuring.”

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

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Biden repeats 2022 naval academy appointment story at west point commencement.

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President Biden repeated a claim that he turned down an appointment to the Naval Academy, where he said he intended to play football, during his commencement speech at West Point on Saturday.

Biden, 81, told the graduates that he was “one of 10” appointed to the naval academy by Republican Delaware Sen. J. Caleb Boggs years before he’d go on to defeat him in the 1972 election to become a US Senator.

“I was appointed by the fella I ran against when I was 29 years old to the Naval Academy. I was one of 10. I wanted to play football,” Biden said in his remarks .

“And I’d found out two days earlier they had a quarterback named Roger Staubach and a halfback named Joe Bellino — I said, ‘I’m not going there.’ I went to Delaware. Not a joke,’ the president said.

Biden previously told the same story to graduating midshipmen in 2022, where he said he had been accepted to the military institution in 1965 but declined to attend.

He didn’t give a date in Saturday’s version of the tale.

Bellino and Staubach are the only two Navy football players to win the Heisman Trophy. Staubach, also an NFL Hall of Famer, played his first game for Navy in 1962 and graduated in 1964. Bellino played his last game in January 1961 — four years before he was thinking about attending the Naval Academy.

Biden was a standout high school football player at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, where he graduated in 1961. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1965. He reportedly played football his freshman year but did not finish the season.

RNC Research, an X account operated by the Republican National Committee’s rapid response team, called out Biden’s dubious story.

“He has repeated this lie many times before and there is still no record any of it ever happened,” the RNC posted.

Biden’s 2008 autobiography “ Promises to Keep ” notably does not mention the Naval Academy.

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12 Themed Cruises You Should Have On Your Radar In 2024

T aking a cruise is an experience unlike anything else. Days at sea on a ship full of entertainment and relaxation make for a fantastic vacation. But what if you want even more from your cruise? A theme might be what's missing. In addition to all the usual cruise experiences, themed cruises allow fans of a particular artist, lifestyle, hobby (or even animal), to celebrate their passion on the high seas with activities, events, surprises, and sometimes special guests.

There are dozens of themed cruises on offer each year, usually hosted by major cruise lines like Norwegian , Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. But don't let their numbers fool you. According to  Business Insider , themed cruises are rapidly climbing in popularity, and some trips are selling out in record time. That means it's important to find your dream-themed cruise and reserve your tickets as early as possible.

Fortunately, even if they're sold out, most themed cruises will let you join a waiting list, so there's still hope! Here are 12 themed cruises that will set sail in 2024 and are well worth boarding, either now or the next time they hit the high seas.

Read more: Under-The-Radar Beaches You Need To Visit In The Caribbean

The Emo's Not Dead Cruise

If you truly know it's not a phase, the Emo's Not Dead Cruise is perfect for you. Gather with fellow emo fans for four days (and nights) of concerts, activities, and even a private party at Great Stirrup Kay in the Bahamas. Over a dozen bands will perform, including Yellowcard, Senses Fail, and Armor for Sleep. Alongside themed activities like a masquerade ball, cruisegoers can also enjoy surprisingly cheerful activities like a bellyflop competition in the ship's pool.

The first Emo's Not Dead cruise was in 2022. Cruisegoer and emo fan TheReelChris shared highlights on  YouTube , calling it "EPIC." Fans in the comments section agree, with Schecterplayer92 adding, "This was one of the best experiences of my life." With a killer lineup and entertaining activities scheduled, it seems like Emo's Not Dead 2024 will also be a rad experience. The cruise will be hosted on the Norwegian Pearl, leaving from Miami on February 26 and returning on March 1, 2024. But what would an emo-related cruise be without a little sadness? Unfortunately, the cruise is already sold out. If you're interested, you can  sign up for the waiting list  and hope.

Meow Meow Cruise

Some of us know that no matter how great a vacation might be, cats would make it even better. Meow Meow Cruise has solved that problem. While guests unfortunately aren't allowed to bring their own furry friends aboard Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, the four-day cruise will give them their feline fix in plenty of other ways. 

Activities include cat-themed trivia and a scavenger hunt. But the best part may be communing with fellow cat people (many of whom stroll around the ship wearing cat ears). You'll also be able to mingle with real cats -- one of 2024's ports of call is Key West, where you'll find the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and its community of about 60 friendly polydactyl kitties, many of them descended from one of the author's own pets.

It's hard to find reviews for Meow Meow Cruise, but the fact that this themed cruise has been going on annually since 2015 speaks for itself. The 2024 Meow Meow Cruise sets sail from Miami on February 21, with a return date of February 25. Tickets are still available, but to be sure you don't miss out, consider booking right now.

In My Cruise Era

Sure, cruises are great — and cruising is a multi-billion dollar industry — but is anything more popular than Taylor Swift? For those who can't imagine anyone saying "no" to that question, there's no better cruise than In My Cruise Era. While not officially affiliated with Taylor Swift, this themed cruise is a passionate fan homage. Swifties will be able to dress up in their favorite Taylor-inspired looks, exchange friendship bracelets, perform their idol's songs during karaoke sessions, and more. We're also guessing there will be of lots impromptu song breaks throughout the ship from Taylor's extensive catalog.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas will host this cruise, which sets sail from Miami on October 21, 2024 -- which, as People Magazine points out, is one day after the Eras Tour will be in the city. Fans lucky enough to attend the concert can continue their Taylor euphoria for four more days on the high seas. Since this is a new themed cruise, there aren't any reviews, but based on the positive fan vibes from Eras Tour concerts and movie viewings, among other events, we're guessing it's going to be a great time for Swifties. Swifties must agree, since the cruise is already sold out. Cancellations do happen, though, so hopeful fans can join the waiting list.  Contact the cruise's organizers to sign up.

Disney's Halloween On The High Seas

Go on just about any cruise-related blog or website and you'll see that Disney Cruise Line's Halloween-themed cruise, officially called Halloween on the High Seas, is a popular favorite. As you probably expect from Disney, this themed cruise is perfect for a family vacation , so it's not too scary. The cruise is hosted on multiple Disney Cruise Line ships, and each one is decorated with the care and attention to detail you'll find in most Disney-related enterprises. The Pumpkin Tree is the highlight of the decor, with pumpkins that eventually appear on its branches and transform into lit and unlit jack o'lanterns.

Halloween on the High Seas also features Halloween activities (including a trick-or-treating night) and exclusive Halloween-themed desserts. Disney cruises in general are known for their opportunities to meet the studio's beloved characters, and during the Halloween on the High Seas cruises, some of those characters are in costume. Notably, Disney Cruise Line's official site tells us, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow will be dressed as the Sanderson Sisters -- who wouldn't want to see that? 

This magical mixture of whimsy, fun, and exclusive opportunities is the perfect way to cast a spell on Disney fans of all ages. Luckily, Halloween on the High Seas is held during a number of different times in September and October, so you and your family should be able to find a place on board!

The Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise

Sure, Hallmark Channel Christmas movies might be a little on the cheesy side, but let's be honest: lots of us dream of being in one in real life. You can get a little of the real-life Hallmark movie experience by visiting some of the movies' filming locations , but now there's a way to have an even more immersive experience: The Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise.

Passengers will get to meet Hallmark Channel movie stars, attend panels and photo ops, and get to see a new Hallmark Christmas movie before its world premiere. Maybe best of all, passengers can take part in lots of Hallmark Christmas movie-inspired activities, including tree lighting and cookie decorating -- all while wearing their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters.

2024 is the first year of the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise. It was originally intended to be just one cruise, but a second one was added after the first one sold out. As of now, two Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruises are scheduled for 2024. Both go from Miami to the Bahamas and back and last four days in November. ... And both are sold out. But Christmas is a time of miracles, so if a Hallmark Channel Christmas experience on the high seas sounds like your dream come true, sign up for the waiting list as soon as you can!

Hurtigruten Northern Lights Cruises

Themed cruises are often about fandoms and hobbies. But Norway-based cruise line Hurtigruten offers a themed cruise that's about something even bigger: the Northern Lights . There are several Northern Lights-themed cruises out there, including some luxurious options by Cunard. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights aren't always visible, but Hurtigruten stands out by offering a Northern Lights Promise for cruises scheduled between September 26 and March 31 and lasting longer than 11 days. If the Northern Lights aren't visible during your cruise, they'll give you another one. So if you're serious about seeing the Aurora Borealis, this is the company to choose.

The Northern Lights are the focus of Hurtigruten's eponymous cruises, but there are also other things to do on board, including scientific lectures and photography lessons. There are excursions, too -- notably a dog sledding option. Passengers who've taken one of Hurtigruten's cruises unanimously praise the stunning fjords and landscapes you can admire from the ship and during excursions, not to mention their experiences of seeing the Northern Lights. Some warn that the ships aren't as luxurious or modern as many other cruise ships, primarily because Hurtigruten's ships are also functional vessels intended to transport and deliver mail to various points on the Norwegian coast. Still,  Cruise Critic reviewers like cmolaison praise the friendly crew, the surprising level of comfort, and the "stunning vistas" you'll see, saying he and his family "highly recommend" taking a Hurtigruten cruise.

Cruise & Crop Crafting Cruises

If the perfect vacation for you is a combination of R&R and crafting, you're in luck! There are several crafting-themed cruises. One of the most popular is organized by Cruise & Crop, with ships around the world hosting different crafting- and arts-themed trips. This makes them the most accessible themed cruises on our list, with different price ranges, departure points, itineraries, and ports of call. One thing all crafting cruises have in common, though, is groups of like-minded people exploring their creativity amid the other joys of cruising.

For instance, one of Crop & Cruise's 2024 offerings is a Mexican Riviera cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, featuring scrapbooking and other papercraft classes taught by artist Barb Warne. The ship departs from Los Angeles on April 19, returning April 26. Many Cruise & Crop cruises sell out quickly, so if this idea has sparked both your wanderlust and your creativity, be sure to check their list of 2024 cruises and reserve as soon as you can.

Star Trek: The Cruise

For seven days and nights every year, thousands of Star Trek fans gather to be a part of a fandom extravaganza at sea. Star Trek: The Cruise is an experience that features celebrities aboard (2024's guests include LeVar Burton and Wil Wheaton, among many others), costume and cosplay events, and lots of fun activities. 

But what makes Star Trek: The Cruise truly unique is that audience participation is very much encouraged. Passengers and celebrity guests are all considered the crew of one great, big, intergalactic vessel. Passengers get to interact with the guest stars in events like karaoke battles, and stars share parts of their earthly lives with Q&A sessions and even glimpses at other projects they may be involved in.

The first Star Trek: The Cruise was held in 2017 and since then it's been a fan favorite. Star Wars and cruising aficionado Aaron Bossig writes on  Trek Movie.com that many fans go on the cruise every year, and proudly wear t-shirts from the previous ones. He calls Star Trek: The Cruise "an extra special convention experience." 2024's edition will be held on the Mariner of the Seas, departing from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 22 and returning on February 29.

Literature Festival At Sea

Once a year, aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2, passengers can mingle with writers, poets, journalists, and critics in a full-blown literary festival in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Literature Festival at Sea invites writers in all genres to host round table discussions, participate in Q&As revolving around their work and areas of expertise, host workshops, and converse with passengers.

Whether passengers want to participate as much as possible or just attend a few events, the Festival seems to be an excellent addition to a typical Queen Mary 2 voyage. On TripAdvisor , passenger Artemis C writes of her experience at a previous Literature Festival at Sea that "the whole week was a joy". 

2024's lineup features crime novelists, journalists, historians, and more, for what's sure to be a fascinating week of discussion and discovery. If you'd like to combine an elegant transatlantic cruise and a literary experience, 2024's Literature Festival at Sea will take place from November 13-20, departing from Southampton, U.K., and arriving in New York. Cunard has also launched an Australian Literature Festival at Sea, scheduled from December 11-16, 2024, on the Queen Elizabeth, which departs from and returns to Sydney. 

Chefs Making Waves

Many cruise lines are proud of their food offerings. Some cruises feature dishes created by world-famous chefs, and others even host food and wine festivals. But no culinary cruise event seems quite as, well, fun, as Chefs Making Waves. This culinary-themed cruise will set sail for the first time in 2024. Onboard will be a number of beloved celebrity chefs, including Anne Burrell and the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro. Cooking demos and, of course, food tastings of all kinds (including sit-down meals, desserts, and street food) are on the menu. Best of all, Chefs Making Waves is an all-inclusive cruise, so everyone can eat and drink without having to pay extra!

There will be all of the usual cruise-related fun, from swimming to excursions, to help you work up an appetite. There will also be unique games, with some of the chefs participating in events like bingo and a celebrity chef sing-off. If this sounds like an awesome cruise, you're not the only one who feels that way. Chefs Making Waves will take place from March 25-29, departing from Miami with excursions in Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas ... and it's already sold out. But you can still  sign up for the waiting list . With a little luck, you'll be able to enjoy this delicious, themed cruise experience.

Soul Train Cruise

Imagine a festival with a lineup featuring some of the best soul and R&B acts of all time. Now imagine it's on a relaxing cruise ship. This dream is actually reality -- it's called the Soul Train Cruise. The popular themed cruise will be celebrating its 11th year in 2024 and the lineup is on fire. Dozens of groups and artists will perform, including The Temptations, Boyz II Men, and En Vogue. Passengers can also learn how to dance like people did back in the old school days of Soul Train's TV show, with lessons from some of the show's actual dancers. There will also be wine tastings, Q&A's, comedy shows, and a lot more.

With all of this on offer, it's no surprise that the Soul Train Cruise is sold out. But sign up on the waiting list and keep your calendar free from January 27-February 3, and you may get lucky. If you do, the cruise leaves from Fort Lauderdale, with ports of call in Tortola (British Virgin Islands) and St. Maarten.

The Gothic Cruise

The Gothic Cruise is an annual event held on an ordinary cruise ship. Goths mingle with "norms" but have their own private events on board, mostly DJ sets and concerts. There's also a masquerade ball, with Goths decked out in their finest Victorian-style garb ... as long as it meets ship safety requirements, that is. The cruise's website specifies that simulated weapons aren't allowed and notes that hoop skirts are fine for the ball but not in the ship's dining areas, "due to the close proximity of the tables". And yet, the Goth community thrives on these cruises -- and even gains norm fans along the way. 

In a Porthole Magazine article about the Gothic Cruise, longtime attendee Spike Pittman says that many mainstream passengers are wary of the Goths at first, "But by the end they're begging to get into our private events." Some even book their future cruises to coincide with the Gothic Cruise, even if they don't plan on attending every event. 

The Gothic Cruise has been held since 1989. Cruising doesn't seem very Goth, but in the end, the article points out, it comes down to what all themed cruises offer: a sense of community (in this case, one that often stays up all night and sleeps during the day). If this moves your little black heart, the 2024 Gothic Cruise will be held on the Norwegian Escape (but book through the Gothic Cruise's website for private event access), departing from Orlando on March 2, and returning March 9.

Read the original article on Explore .