Why families cruise for Christmas

Between shopping, decorating, and cooking, Christmas can be a lot of work. But cruise lines offer travelers a way to make their vacation feel more like a vacation.

Some cruises sail during the Christmas and other winter holidays, allowing guests to celebrate the festivities while simplifying logistics.

“They’re extremely popular for the reasons you would expect,” Scott Campbell, AAA’s head of cruise relations, told USA TODAY. “It’s a hassle-free vacation for families, especially when it comes to big lines, you have multi-generational families with grandmothers, parents, kids and grandkids. And it’s an easy (way) to have a vacation where no one is doing all the work, where not everyone is going to someone’s house.”

Here’s what you need to know about cruises this Christmas and New Year.

What are Christmas cruises like?

“Almost everyone decorates their ship for Christmas,” Campbell said. “And it could be subtle, or it could be exaggerated.”

These usually include a large Christmas tree “somewhere amidships” and other smaller trees elsewhere – depending on the size of the ship. Lights, wreaths and garlands are also common.

These often go on cruises after Thanksgiving and stay up until New Year’s, he added. Carnival Cruise Line even recently gave its private Bahamas destination, Celebration Key, a festive makeover.

It’s not just a ship’s crew that decorates. Passengers are particularly interested in decorating their cabin doors during the holidays.

“Christmas explodes on your cabin door,” Campbell said. “And it’s for the big ships, you know, the Royals, the Princesses, the Carnivals, that’s where people really come out.”

Cruise lines also offer a variety of special activities, from ugly sweater contests to Santa appearances or poolside Christmas movie screenings. On a Viking cruise in Mississippi I took earlier this month, the ship featured gingerbread house decorating, a Christmas sing-along with the crew and more.

But guests’ fantasies of spending Christmas at the beach might not come true: Campbell said many ships spend the day at sea because there isn’t much open in the harbor.

However, Christmas isn’t the only cruise line brand of onboard holidays. Campbell said ships often have a menorah that is lit every night during Hanukkah.

Do cruises offer religious services?

Even though cruise ship chapels are no longer as common as they once were, passengers can still find other religious services in onboard lounges during vacations.

“They will often have services at midnight,” Campbell said. “Now this can be led by another guest. … Few ships actually have a religious (official) on board as part of their crew, but if there is a crew member who wants to lead an interfaith, non-denominational Christmas Eve service, they will.”

Carnival Cruise Line, for example, does not place clergy aboard its ships. However, clergy who “travel as guests aboard our ships are welcome to volunteer to lead services while sailing,” the cruise line said on its website. “They should leave their name, cabin number and services offered at the Guest Services desk, and they will be contacted by a member of the Cruise Director’s staff.”

They must also share a “Letter of Good Standing” from their religious organization with the ship’s crew.

Royal Caribbean International, meanwhile, reserves priests for some cruises, including Christmas ones, as well as rabbis or cantors for Hanukkah, according to its website. “Reservations are subject to availability and are not guaranteed,” the cruise line said.

What are New Year’s cruises like?

“It’s kind of what you expect on New Year’s Eve,” Campbell said. “Especially on big ships, you’re going to have countdowns, you’re going to have champagne toasts.”

Onboard restaurants also typically offer special “fancier” dinners, and children’s programming times may be extended so parents can celebrate. Some activities may be free while others require a fee, Campbell noted.

On New Year’s Day, cruise lines will likely broadcast bowl games such as the Rose Bowl on televisions located around the ship. “You won’t miss your bocce ball games if you’re there for New Year’s,” Campbell said.

“It’s all so simple”: What’s it like to spend New Year’s Eve on a cruise?

Are vacation cruises more expensive?

In general, yes. Travelers will pay more to vacation at sea.

However, these rates can vary depending on factors such as cruise line, destination and cabin type. For example, a four-day carnival to the Bahamas from Miami that will take place on Christmas 2026 currently starts at $616 per person based on double occupancy, according to its website.

“It’s like any trip during Easter week or other public holidays, there is a higher price,” he said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to Expect on Holiday Cruises, From Cookie Fun to Carols