Who said vacations are only for summer? Starting the New Year sailing along the Douro or Mekong rivers, exploring the Caribbean and its crystal-clear waters, or watching unforgettable sunsets on the dunes of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Omanis now possible thanks to the variety of destinations and services offered by the cruise industry for an unforgettable winter vacation.
Therefore, with the colder months getting closer, shipping companies are offering a wide range of options for all those passengers who want to experience a different kind of winter vacation or wish to end 2015 and welcome 2016 aboard a cruise ship surrounded by the most unusual and spectacular landscapes.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which expects to reach 23 million passengers in 2015 and whose member companies offer approximately 1,000 ports of call, invites travelers to enjoy their holidays through a variety of options. AsAlfredo Serrano, director of CLIA Spain, explains, “Winter cruises are increasingly popular because they allow travelers to visit destinations less frequented than at other times of the year and also because itineraries with milder temperatures can be chosen.”
CroisiEurope: New Year's Eve on the Douro, the Danube or the Mekong
Continuing its commitment to the Spanish and Latin American market, this year CroisiEurope is launching its first New Year's cruise on the Douro River.
For those who prefer to leave Spain, it also offers the opportunity to discover the main Christmas marketsaboard a riverboat on the Rhine, the Danube or the Seine, visiting the Black Forest, Strasbourg, Vienna, Paris or the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy, aboard the boat “La Belle de l´Adriatique”.
The company also offers the possibility of welcoming 2016 in Vietnam and Cambodia , sailing along the Mekong. A unique trip in the
- Enjoying warm temperatures in the cold months, discovering Europe's top Christmas markets , or welcoming the New Yearfrom an exotic landscape is now possible aboard a cruise ship.
- The cruise industry is diversifying its offerings by proposing destinations, routes and deals to enjoy a different kind of winter vacation, a trend that the Spanish market is joining.
It is possible to discover what life is really like in small towns whose inhabitants trade, live and carry out all their activities around the Mekong, in floating houses on the banks of a river that gives life to two countries.
For more information:
http://fr.calameo.com/read/004390797f36dd9a97fa3
Royal Caribbean: a destination in itself
The Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas belong to Royal Caribbean's Oasis class and share the title of "the largest and most innovative in the world." On these ships, you can enjoy itineraries during the winter months through the Eastern and Western Caribbean, or to the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico, among other destinations.
Both ships boast dining and entertainment offerings that they are true destinations in themselves. From acrobatic dives in the Aquatheater (the deepest pool at sea) to a zip line, a carousel, surf simulators, a spa, ice skating, and rock climbing, all alongside restaurants where you can savor the finest cuisine. The ship is divided into seven themed neighborhoods or zones for entertainment and leisure, allowing each traveler to choose: Central Park (a park with over 12,000 natural plants), Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Area, Spa and Fitness Center, Youth Zone, and Entertainment Place, where you can enjoy the best Broadway musicals.
For more information: http://www.royalcaribbean.es/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=AL
Pullmantur: the endless summer
Pullmantur Cruises wants to bring summer to travelers during the cold winter months and therefore proposes two unique itineraries to end the year or start the next in a paradise of natural beauty such as the Caribbean Sea: 'Antilles and Southern Caribbean' and 'Tropical Caribbean'.
Both routes, surrounded by sunshine and pleasant temperatures, allow you to explore exotic landscapes, wild beaches and cultural richness, captivating you with the joy, kindness and hospitality of its people as well as the magical corners and unforgettable places.
The Monarch cruise ship is responsible for exploring the Antilles and the Southern Caribbean, immersing passengers in the exotic beauty of crystal-clear beaches and miles of white sand, exploring Aruba and Curaçao , and delving into the colonial heritage of Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) and Panama City . New this year, this 8-day/7-night route includes direct round-trip flights from Madrid to Colón (Panama) from December 4th to March 18th.
The Horizonwill tour the Caribbean, visiting islands such as the Dominican Republic, Martinique, St. Maarten (Fort-de-France), and Margarita Island. The itinerary (8 days/7 nights) includes round-trip flights from Madrid to Santo Domingo and will be available from December 5th to March 19th.
For more information : https://www.pullmantur.es/cruceros.html
Disney Cruise Line: The most magical winter
The four ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet—Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream , and Disney Fantasy— will sail the Caribbean and the Bahamas from November 9 to December 24 on 4, 5, 6, and 7-night itineraries filled with surprises. Passengers will have the opportunity to experience Christmas on a ship where every detail has been carefully considered , while visiting the most spectacular beaches in the Bahamas.
In addition, this option features unforgettable shows: “Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic” – held in the main atrium, where Disney Characters gather to light the grand, three-deck-high Christmas tree – and “Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball,” where passengers welcome very special guests: Santa and Mrs. Claus. All of this is accompanied by a selection of the most popular Christmas carols and the presence of Disney Characters, who provide the perfect grand finale to this show, ideal for children. On select itineraries, one of the stops will be Disney’s fabulous private island: Castaway Cay.
For more information :www.disneycruiseline.com
NCL: A Winter of Spectacle
Entertainment with Norwegian Cruise Line is guaranteed, whatever the route or destination.
On a Mediterranean, the Norwegian Epic departs from Barcelona on 6, 10, and 11-night itineraries, from November 29th to January 13th. This is an opportunity to explore different cities while enjoying onboard entertainment such as the Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, as well as a spa and fitness center, and innovative facilities for younger guests at the Splash Academy Entourage. In addition, the extensive culinary offerings include the SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar, the first ice bar at sea.
The Norwegian Escape, NCL's new ship launching in October, will offer 7-night cruises from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. The recently launched Norwegian Getaway sail from Miami on 7-night cruises to the Western Caribbean.
For more information :www.es.ncl.eu
MSC Cruises: the most dream destinations
So that winter doesn't catch you by surprise, MSC Cruises offers trips to the most amazing destinations on the planet during the winter months.
The newly refurbished MSC Opera offers a new itinerary through Cuba and the Caribbean, providing a unique opportunity to visit Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico, as well as spend two nights and two and a half days in Havana exploring its stunning Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discovering its history, culture, and architecture. MSC Cruises also invites you to enjoy a cruise through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Oman, where you can be amazed by futuristic urban oases and sunsets over the dunes.
For those more rooted in the culture and history offered by the cities bathed by the Mediterranean, the MSC Preziosa, which sets sail from Barcelona, offers a journey between ancient Rome and Valletta, passing through the wonderful island of Sicily.
