Happy Saturday!! I’m planning our holiday outdoor decor and cookie-baking season this weekend. I can’t wait! But before I head off for the weekend, I’m working on reviewing a Christmas cruise itinerary with a client to plan a fantastic surprise for their family. What’s on your to-do list before you can start yours?
Giving the gift of travel has become more popular in our house and many other families too. I love to help clients plan a holiday getaway, and this year the cruise lines are making a case for you to provide your family with a trip for the holidays. Keep reading to find the best cruise ships for your family.
Disney Cruise Lines & Adventures by Disney
There is nothing better than seeing kids' eyes light up when he meets Captain Minnie Mouse, Elsa and Anna, or Donald and Daisy. The kids' clubs onboard have an impressive offering of fun with a wide variety of activities. The most remarkable aspect, however, is that these vessels are well suited for children as well as adults without children. Grown-ups have separate hangout areas including adult-only nightspots, relaxing and rejuvenating spa areas, and specialty dining experiences.
Embark on a magical family adventure filled with Disney Character encounters, entertaining onboard activities, immersive entertainment, and imaginative dining venues. Set sail from Galveston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana, or enjoy themed cruises on select sailings from Miami, Florida, and Port Canaveral, Florida.
Marvel Day at Sea Take a stand with some of Marvel's mightiest for a heroic day filled with one-of-a-kind entertainment, unforgettable Super Hero sightings, and special offerings—available on select 5-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.
All-New Pixar Day at Sea Sail away on a brand-new Pixar adventure! Sing, dance, play, and swim the day away with your favorite toys, supers, and monsters during an incredible day of rootin’ tootin’, one-of-a-kind surprises—available on select 7-night Caribbean sailings out of Port Canaveral.
And the Disney+ subscriber sail and save is still ongoing. Third and fourth Guests of Disney+ subscribers sail free with 2 full-fare Guests during select cruises on Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy cruises through April 2023.
Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney is offering Disney Visa Cardmembers the chance to save $500 per person on select summer 2023 Danube River Cruise departures! On a Danube River Cruise, passengers will sail through the heart of Europe and enjoy 8 unforgettable destinations in 4 countries, from fairytale castles to vibrant historic cities.
Royal Caribbean International
With the announcement of the expansion of their line with Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is more intriguing than ever. You have a wide range of destinations with ships sailing to Alaska, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia, and Canada. Royal boasts destination experts at each port that offer a wide range of experiences in each locale.
For the Kids
Royal Caribbean's offering for younger passengers is tailored to specific age groups. Visit Adventure Ocean for a unique family offering, with a massive selection of activities for children and teenagers. There is a huge range of activities offered, from science and art to music, sports, and much more. Adventure Ocean is a complimentary award-winning program onboard every Royal Caribbean ship.
Innovative activities
A Royal Caribbean vacation is unique, bringing guests so many experiences that are only available onboard. One-of-a-kind activities onboard include the FlowRider surf simulator, bumper cars at sea, and the RipCord by iFly sky-diving simulator. They astonish guests with incredible new technology – like the world’s first robotic bar, Bionic Bar, and stunning Roboscreens in Two70. They also boast the fastest internet at sea, VOOM, so you can stay connected while onboard.
Access Special Savings Now
Set sail on an adventure full of unforgettable sights and undeniable savings! Bask in the majesty of nature on a glacier hike through the Last Frontier. Fill up on a foodie tour of the finest restaurants on the Mexican Riviera. And find thrills and sun-soaked ways to chill at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Right now you can save big, including up to $550 off and 30% off for your whole travel crew. Plus, for a limited time — kids sail free!
Celebrity Cruises
Excitement and anticipation hung in the air as Celebrity Cruises’ G.O.A.T., and newest and most luxurious ship, Celebrity BeyondSM, set sail from Fort Lauderdale Monday, November 7th, kicking off its inaugural Caribbean season. Headlining the sailing’s highly-anticipated festivities was the ship’s official naming ceremony, led by her lauded Godmother and inspirational female powerhouse, Simone Biles – a G.O.A.T. in her own right – a 19-time World Champion, seven-time Olympic Medalist, and most decorated American gymnast in history.
Helmed by the barrier-breaking Captain Kate McCue, the first and still only woman to be named captain of a "Mega" cruise ship, Celebrity Beyond’s much-anticipated arrival to the U.S. ushers in a new era of cruising for the industry; coming on the heels of Celebrity’s new brand campaign that defines what a relaxed luxury resort at sea is. As it kicks off its inaugural season with rotating Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries visiting the sun-drenched beaches of Grand Cayman and picturesque vistas of Puerta Plata, you will recharge as you're treated to luxury hotel-style accommodations, Michelin-level dining, and world-class wellness amenities.
STEM at Sea
Children onboard are engaged with exclusive access to Miami's Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science for two new Camp at Sea programs. Power of Plankton investigates the world of the tiniest of marine organisms and highlights their importance to our own lives from oxygen to dinner. Mission Microplastics zooms into the plastic pollution problem for our oceans and encourages lifestyle choices that can help lead to positive solutions. Activities are geared to various ages for young kids to the young at heart - yes, parents too! These exciting programs are available on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Equinox.
Black Friday Savings
Celebrity Cruises announced their biggest Black Friday sale, when booking between now and December 1, 2022. On select sailing, passengers can save 75% off the 2nd Guest (Non-Refundable Deposit Rates) or 60% off the 2nd Guest (Refundable Deposit Rates). There are additional savings and onboard credits available depending on the length of the sailing.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival's newest ship, Carnival Celebration, will be arriving at her homeport in Miami on November 20th, and recently raised the ship's new Bahamian flag. A naming ceremony is set for the evening of the 20th which will include tributes to Carnival's past and more importantly a look to their future. The Celebration is the second Excel-class sister ship to Mardi Gras and accommodates more than 5,200 passengers with this new ship sailing in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Dining Venues to Delight
Awaken and delight the foodie in you with the offerings on a Carnival ship. From burgers to seafood and sushi, there are so many options for you and your crew when the mood strikes. Treat your taste buds to the experience of a lifetime, hosted by one of their master chefs in a multi-course, private dinner. Or treat your kids to the fantastical feast at the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends where you'll find "Moose Juice" and "Goose Juice", red and white pancake stacks, and the ever-popular "Green Eggs and Ham."
Fun for Your Whole Family
The Suess at Sea fun continues with the Suess-a-palooza parade, storytime, and Dr. Suess Bookville. Camp Ocean provides fun-filled activities for kids up to 11 years old, while Club C gives young teens ages 12 to 14 the opportunity to have outdoor movie marathons, scavenger hunts, and dance parties. And for guests 15 to 17, they feature a wide selection of movies, music, sports, and video games just for them.
Limited Time Savings
For a limited time, travelers can Pack and Go with great rates from $149 for sailings from 3 to 5 days, or from $429 for 6+ days. Additional price deals are expected to be announced very soon!
Princess Cruise Line
Why settle for seeing just one island on a Hawaii resort-based vacation when you can cruise in style and explore FOUR island jewels? Sail with Princess and you’ll visit the top-rated Hawaiian islands — Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island (Hilo and Kona) — without all the time-consuming hassle of island hopping by plane. From enriching Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions to the immersive "Aloha Spirit" program onboard, you'll discover each island's unique charm — and fall in love with Hawaii's enchanting beauty.
With convenient roundtrip cruise departures from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Vancouver, it’s easy to cruise to Hawaii in style and avoid the hassle of a long, boring plane flight to paradise. And if you’re on the West Coast, it’s even easier to sail — local residents can drive in and sail on the same day!
Onboard Activities
When you step on to a Princess Hawaiian cruise and you’ll be immersed in the color, culture, and flavors of Hawaii through the unique "Aloha Spirit" onboard program. Join in on the colorful King Kamehameha Festival, learn to play the ukulele, dance the Hula, weave a flower lei, see folkloric performances, indulge in tantalizing island fare and so much more. Make cruising to Hawaii as fun as visiting.
Savory Hawaiian Dining Venues
The Princess team of talented chefs will take you on a mouthwatering culinary journey with exclusive "Aloha Spirit" menus, featuring freshly prepared and carefully curated Hawaiian dishes. Delight in slow-roasted Luau pork, delectably marinated Kona shrimp, divine Hawaiian Macadamia-infused desserts, and, of course, refreshing Hawaiian-inspired cocktails. Friendly crew members also host open tastings and culinary demonstrations so you can truly immerse yourself in the wonderful flavors of Hawaii.
Family Fun for All
Princess enables everyone in the family to find their place among the stars. With top-deck stargazing, an indoor planetarium with real-time views of planets, stars and galaxies, Camp Discovery activities, expert insights through Encounters with Discovery at SEA, engaging stateroom content and more, there are many unique experiences for every family to enjoy. Many of the most fascinating inhabitants of the ports you'll visit aren't human at all. Introduce them to your family, as Animal Planet presents some of the wildest meet-and-greet gatherings at sea.
Sail for $1 - yes you read that right!
Princess Cruises Black Friday sale is offering 60 different sailings for under $60 a day, with a $1 deposit! Whether you are sailing to breathtaking beaches or legendary locales where history comes alive, there's something for every cruiser with this sale. In addition, there are 100s of sailings for under $100 a day per person. This sale starts soon and is for a very limited time, so act now!
Cruise Line Deals Exclusive Access
If your family has been thinking about your next vacation and considering a cruise, now is the time to act. The cruise ships are offering some excellent deals to entice you back to sailing, and these are offers that you can't pass up. Schedule your complimentary planning call with me today and we'll find the best cruise for you and your family!
