Oceania Cruises invites guests to celebrate the festive season with an unforgettable adventure

They say it’s a season of cheer… and it certainly is for anyone sailing over the festive season with Oceania Cruises.

Whether you’re tempted by a white-sand Christmas in the Caribbean, an opulent Chanukah in East Asia, or a colourful New Year’s Eve in South America, there’s an Oceania Cruises festive adventure to suit.

A cruise is special anytime of year (and don’t we know it), but there’s something a little extra about sailing around Christmas and New Year. There’s a certain pizazz in the air, from the joyful sound of carolling as you step onboard, to a decadent New Year’s Day brunch to bring in the new year in style.

Festive shows have that extra sense of occasion with the glitz and sparkle of the season, and the ships are tastefully decorated to make every moment picture-perfect.

There’s a wide range of cruises, both in terms of destinations and voyage length, to suit your schedule. If you’re looking to maximise your final few days of annual leave at the end of the year, then a seven-day New Year’s sailing could be the perfect choice. More time on your hands? Go to town and take a full-month to revel in the season as we toast to another year of adventures yet to come.

And, as always with Oceania Cruises, the line’s simply MORE value promise ensures that virtually everything is included in the cruise fare, from complimentary vintage Champagnes, wine and beer at lunch and dinner, to shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom, speciality dining and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Something special for a special time of year

How about a summery Christmas, and a (literally) bright new year? Riviera’s 32-day ‘Colonial Crowns’ voyage explorers the hidden corners of Africa and Asia, charting the southwest coast of Africa from Cape Town, and sailing across the Indian subcontinent towards the east Asian gem of Singapore.

Immerse yourself in new Christmas Eve customs in Madagascar and celebrate New Year’s Eve on a beach in the Maldives. This spectacular voyage is what dreams are made of.

Other highlights on this month-long adventure include the opportunity to head out on safari in South Africa or Mozambique, or perhaps take a day-cruise to Seal Island in Mossel Bay, which is home to a colony of over 2,500 cape fur seals. The Seychelles and Maldives are both well-known for their divine beaches and picturesque parks, as is Phuket, in Thailand.

This immersive itinerary draws a range of fascinating cultures together into one voyage of discovery, with two days in Sri Lanka, a wonderful day in Phuket and four ports in Malaysia before an overnight stay in Singapore to round out the cruise.

There’s so much enthralling social and cultural history to discover in the region, which has a rich a storied history, from ancient temples to remnants of the colonial era and into the modern cosmopolitan hubs that many of Asia’s mega-cities have transformed into today.

Alternative holiday highlights

For a dash of winter sun in the Caribbean next year, step onboard Allura for her first ever holiday voyage. You’ll set sail from Miami on a 14-day adventure on December 21, 2025 and head to the southern Caribbean where steel drum carols ring happily throughout the A-B-C islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao). You’ll enjoy Christmas Day in Curacao, New Year’s Eve in Antigua and New Year’s Day in St. Maarten.

Or end 2024 on the America’s East Coast and start 2025 on the West Coast, with Nautica’s 16-day ‘Beyond the Panama Canal’ voyage from Miami. You’ll enjoy a full daylight transit through the Panama Canal – a masterpiece in 19^th Century engineering – and then start the new year in Guatemala, as you gently work your way up the coastline towards Los Angeles where the bright lights of Hollywood await.

For the ultimate island vibe Christmas, Vista has a 10-day voyage to the eastern isles of the Caribbean, departing Miami on December 17, 2024. With a terrific spread of idyllic nature for hiking, exploring and relaxing, as well as phenomenal shopping opportunities, it’s hard to think of a better way to round out the year.