“The most popular holiday cruise is on New Year’s Eve,” says Rebecca Brooks, who co-founded Alter Agents, a research firm that represents cruise lines. “Which makes sense, given that you have a big, fun party right outside your door and you won’t have to worry about having to drive after a night of drinking.” Though New Year’s Eve cruises tend to be on the pricier side, Brooks says the revelries are typically included in your rate, so you won’t face sticker shock at the end of the night.
John Drabkowski, the CEO of Red Hot Cruises, recommends Viking River Cruises’ 13-day New Year’s in the Mediterranean itinerary, which lets passengers ring in the new year at sea, then explore Rome, Florence, Monte Carlo, Malta, Tunis, and Barcelona.
There’s also Celebrity Cruises’ newest “signature event sailing,” called New Year’s Fireworks in Dubai. It’s a 14-night voyage across the Arabian Sea and to India. The itinerary promises you’ll “ring in the new year aboard the coolest party afloat, mesmerized by the record-setting fireworks that light up downtown Dubai from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.”
Or you could go for North Star Cruises’ Sydney Rocks: New Year Spectacular to be among the first in the world to welcome 2017, and to check “see the iconic fireworks over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House” off your bucket list.
Most other lines do fun New Year’s stuff too: Azamara hosts a White Party on deck, while Carnival hosts what it calls the “largest party at sea” with free champagne and noisemakers, plus a balloon drop in the atrium. Crystal lets you make your own party hats and noisemakers and offers fancy New Year’s Eve midnight snacks, a kids’ New Year’s Eve party, and a separate celebration for teens.
To see the full list of How to Celebrate Holidays Abroad a Cruise, see SmarterTravel.com.