Christmas vs New Year Cruise

We are looking at the Southern Caribbean itinerary out of San Juan on the Valor in December this year. I'm looking for opinions on whether it would be better to go over the week of Christmas or New Years?

We haven't taken a cruise near the holidays so I'm not sure if they do anything different - better meal, celebrations, etc. - or if it's just a normal day.

Both are mostly a normal cruise. The ship will be decorated for Christmas, primarily in the lobby and atrium. Many cruisers like to decorate their cabin door for the occasion. Santa will make the rounds. On our last Christmas cruise on Carnival Magic, they played traditional Christmas songs in the atrium while people danced in the lobby and others watched from the railings above. Snow was falling from the top of the atrium. In addition, the kids clubs put on a stage show Christmas afternoon in the main lounge and Santa was part of that presentation. Also, it snowed in the main lounge as the show was nearing its end. On our family Christmas cruise, we had small gifts of cash and gift cards for family members and had everyone gather in our cabin for the gift exchange. Here are some pics...

[URL=http://s872.photobucket.com/user/bforward/media/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSC00957.jpg.html][IMG]http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/bforward/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSC00957.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s872.photobucket.com/user/bforward/media/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSCN1174.jpg.html][IMG]http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/bforward/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSCN1174.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s872.photobucket.com/user/bforward/media/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSC00990.jpg.html][IMG]http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab287/bforward/Magic%2012-18-2011/DSC00990.jpg[/IMG][/URL]



New Years Eve cruises are really great. There's complementary champagne all evening. You get hats and noise makers in your cabin. All the venues have some kind of NYE celebration and countdown. There's a really big party on Lido all evening with a countdown to midnight. They blow the ship's horn at midnight. It is definitely a party atmosphere all NYE (no fireworks, of course).



We've been on and loved both kinds of cruises. Here's hoping you have a great Christmas or New Years cruise. Bon Voyage!

Thank you! Christmas sounds fun but New Years sounds awesome!


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I have Christmas booked on the Magic this yr! I CAN NOT WAIT!!

[quote name='Doctorsbaby']We are looking at the Southern Caribbean itinerary out of San Juan on the Valor in December this year. I'm looking for opinions on whether it would be better to go over the week of Christmas or New Years?

We haven't taken a cruise near the holidays so I'm not sure if they do anything different - better meal, celebrations, etc. - or if it's just a normal day.[/QUOTE]
As much as I would like to cruise over the Christmas / New Year's week(s), I think think the cruise prices are inflated on all cruise lines.

Living north of the US and Canadian boarder - It would be my "Luck" that there would be snow storm after snow storm up and down the east coast affecting both Canadian and American airports - delay after delay, and miss the ship.

We have been on many Christmas week cruises, and a few that have "run over" into NYE. Very festive and family oriented. In addition to what others have posted, if you are on Valor, they will show the countdown and ball dropping from Times Square on the movie screen on Lido. Party is lots of fun, and the champagne flows freely, along with eggnog. Yes, the price is more for those two holiday weeks, but we have no choice, as that is the time we have school vacations and can cruise! Edited April 22, 2014 by pe4all

We will be going on our 3rd NYE cruise this year. For us, it has become the best vacation time and is a ton of fun. There is a party attitude all week long and there is nothing like being in the middle of the sea at midnight in the pitch black with 3000 of your friends having a great time. Plus I like that a lot of the crew are at the party with the passengers if they are not working. They even close the casino for a half hour to let those folks join in. Just a great time.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it :)


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[COLOR="Black"]We have taken four cruises over Christmas. Last year we did the Southern Caribbean round trip from San Juan. We have another Christmas cruise booked for a partial transit of the Panama Canal. Christmas cruises are a lot of fun! However, air fare and cruise prices are very high!

Happy cruising wherever you go![/COLOR] Edited April 23, 2014 by JimAOk1945

We are doing our first new years cruise this year on the Freedom. I'm really looking forward to it! The price is atrocious though and air fare is even worse (air alone is $1200 per person). I knew the cruise would be more, but the airfare really threw me for a loop. We paid less for our 15 day Hawaii cruise than the current price on our 8 day southern. We didn't really have a choice though because my daughter is in University and my son will be in Grade 12 and they will have different spring breaks. This is the only time we can go without taking either of them out of school.

I've always wanted to do a NYE cruise, but I don't know if I'd do it again (I say before even sailing). It's just WAY more expensive all around. I might change my mind after experiencing it though. :D

We will be in Aruba until 12:30 island time (11:30 ship time) and I have read that they have incredible fireworks. I'm assuming that is why we are staying til then; so we can see them. I hope so!

Yeah, it is way more expensive than other times but, if we go, that week works the best for us. It sound so fun from what everyone has posted though!


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[quote name='Doctorsbaby']It sound so fun from what everyone has posted though!


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[COLOR="Black"]It is! Go!!![/COLOR] :D

I have only had 2 whole family of origin fly vacations...IE with our folks, nieces and nephews all siblings and in-laws...all my siblings had more with their kids. If you can at all swing it the Holidays once or twice they are the best..our two times were then for 2 50th's my mom's folks and then theirs over the holidays....I remember my folks 50th flights were outrageous, all over 1000 per person and that was 2009..Montana - Hawaii roundtrip...they were by far outrageous as was the Luau and the snorkel cruise but it was wonderful worth it forever....very helpful memories since mom passed too soon a few years later.

Try it a couple important times for the memories and where all the kids are avbx..the Holidays, IMHO, and then get two trips for the price of one when your schedules can because the holiday costs are often outrageous...Sarah Edited April 24, 2014 by sjn911