Christmas and New Year Cruises

Unlike other times of the year, Christmas and New Year cruises tend to get booked up pretty early and thus very unlikely to be available for a cheap rate. This however may not always be the case and there could be last minute availability on some cruises providing that air travel is available.

Christmas is a wonderful time if you have children and enjoy the hustle and bustle of supermarket shopping where people are buying food to last a month. On the TV re-runs of those classic films of yesteryear. Dark nights, cold days and often miserable damp weather to enjoy too. So if the Christmas and New Year period is a time of promise that is never truly fulfilled then perhaps you like me you want to enjoy the season then perhaps a cruise maybe the answer.

Thomson Celebration are in the Red Sea this winter and although the itineray of the voyage is only a week, two week deals are available. Your Christmas would begin by travelling to Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, on the Eve of Christmas. Spend the time wisely getting to know the ship before the deck party in the evening as you watch Sharm shrink behind you.

Aqaba is the next port of call and excurions have in the past included a trip to the ancient city of Petra, high in the mountains. Be warned that you could need winter clothing to visit since it can be cold and only a few years back it actually snowed. The Dead Sea is another popular excursion due to the high salt level it is an easy place to swim. The salts of the dead sea are used by many for skin conditions. A traditional Christmas Dinner will normallty be served with al the usual trimmings.

After two days in Aqaba you set sail to Port Sokhna which is the stopping point for excursions to Cairo.

Two days are spent in Safaga. Excursions are again required to take you to Luxor or Hurghada.

Finally you are back in Sharm El Sheikh and you might have time to go on the submarine in the next bay before departing home if only on for 7 days.

 Overall this is not a cheap cruise since mosts of the ports are what can be described as industrial with little to do unless you take an excursion or do not mind the day time ship activities. Excursions are generally 2-3 hours coach rides distance and can become very expensive.