Maybe you’re tired of hosting yet another Christmas extravaganza for your extended family. Perhaps there have been changes in your family (empty-nesters can relate) and it’s time to kick off a new holiday tradition. Or maybe it’s just too darn cold where you live and you’re ready to trade in all that sentimental white Christmas stuff for a tropical cruise, where the sun shines brightly and the umbrella-festooned drinks are readily on hand. If taking a Caribbean cruise this Christmas or New Year’s is your holiday wish, there is still time to make it happen!
Yes, many ships are completely sold out, but if you’re flexible, you’re bound to find the right cruise line and itinerary for your holiday celebrations. First, decide if you want to spend Christmas, New Year’s, or both holidays at sea. If you want to celebrate both events while cruising, look for longer itineraries or consider back-to-back voyages, which often net additional cruise fare savings. Then, decide what embarkation port is most convenient and cost-effective for you. Many Caribbean itineraries depart from Floridian ports in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Port Canaveral. On the other hand, Barbados and Saint Maarten are popular embarkation points for smaller ships like Windstar Cruises‘ Wind Star and Paul Gauguin Cruises’ Tere Moana, respectively. There are also a handful of departures out of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Galveston, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Here’s a quick look at a handful of cruises that still have space for departures over Christmas and the New Year. The least expensive options are listed first. Plenty of other ships also have available cabins. Talk with your travel agent or call your favorite cruise line today. Also, don’t forget about Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials. Lots of deals can be had over the next week, but act quickly: the best-priced Caribbean cruises will go fast.
7 Nights on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas
Rates: from $449/person
Date: embarks December 21, 2013
Departure Port: San Juan, Puerto Rico (round-trip)
Ports of Call: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas; St. Croix; Antigua; St. Lucia; St. Kitts
6 Nights on Carnival Freedom
Rates: from $489/person
Date: embarks December 22, 2013
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Fort Lauderdale; Key West; Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica
7 Nights on Holland America’s Zuiderdam
Rates: from $599/person
Date: December 20, 2013
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Fort Lauderdale; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Saint Maarten; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
7 Nights on the Brand New MSC Divina
Rates: from $649/person
Date: December 21, 2013
Departure Port: Miami (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Miami; Saint Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
7 Nights on Princess’ Crown Princess
Rates: from $655/person
Date: December 21, 2013
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Fort Lauderdale; Princess Cays, Bahamas; Curaçao; Aruba
7 Nights on Celebrity Reflection
Rates: from $899/person
Date: December 21, 2013
Departure Port: Miami (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Miami; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas; Saint Maarten
7 Nights on Norwegian Epic
Rates: from $899/person
Date: December 21, 2013
Departure Port: Miami (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Miami; Saint Maarten; St. Thomas; Nassau, Bahamas
5 Nights on Disney Magic
Rates: from $1,435/person
Date: December 22, 2013
Departure Port: Miami (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Miami; Cozumel; Castaway Cay, Bahamas
12 Nights on Oceania Riviera
Rates: from $5,299/person
Date: December 22, 2013
Departure Port: Miami (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Miami; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; St. Lucia; Barbados; Antigua; St. Barts; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; La Romana, Dominican Republic
7 Nights on Paul Gauguin Cruises’ Tere Moana
Rates: from $3,795/person
Date: December 21, 2013
Departure Port: St. Maarten (round-trip)
Ports of Call: Saint Maarten; Tortola, BVI; Jost Van Dyke, BVI; Virgin Gorda, BVI; St. Kitts; Iles Des Saintes, Guadeloupe; St. Barts
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise LIne