Many of us find planning and hosting the Christmas holiday season one of the most stressful times of the year. So why not eliminate all the stress and leave it quayside this year?

You could be singing carols and drinking cocktails poolside, indulging in delicious meals prepared by award-winning chefs – and ringing in the New Year from a luxury ship at sea. That's right. You could be celebrating (and congratulating yourself!) on a magical and memorable cruise.

Christmas and New Year cruises are rapidly growing in popularity, as families find new ways to come together and celebrate the holiday season. In addition, cruises make a great gift for your spouse or the entire clan. Many ships go ‘all out’ with decorations and the festive atmosphere really adds to the holiday spirit. In addition, there will be special activities planned throughout holiday cruises including religious observances. Who knows, a Christmas cruise could become your new family tradition.

There are several factors to consider in deciding on the right cruise:

• Be sure to check that that there are on-board and on-shore activities that everyone will enjoy. For example, if you’re not traveling with children, you may want to consider a luxury cruise on a smaller scale or to an exotic destination.
• Decide where you want to celebrate Christmas or New Year. Do you want to spend Christmas Day on the cruise ship or in port, participating in local or cultural activities? Your Quay Cruise expert will help plan an itinerary to suit, to find the perfect cruise for you. And of course, we’ll coordinate flights and travel to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the fun.
• Our best tip – plan ahead! Remember, most cruises sell out months before their sail date – so our advice is to make your holiday reservations now.

We recommend you sign up for our newsletter, so you’ll always be first to know about our incredible specials. When it comes to holiday cruising, be prepared to spend a little more. Cabins at this time are in high demand because schools are on break, and most businesses are closed for the festive season.

The days of waiting for last minute cruise deals, especially during peak holiday times, are gone. With this in mind, we’ve put together some fantastic Christmas and New Year cruise offers below; so if these have whet your appetite for holiday cruising, get in touch with your friendly experts at Quay Cruise.

Quay Cruise, your local cruise experts. Phone 09 477 0212 or come visit us at 2/49 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay. Parking available. Expert advice and great coffee!