Aussies opt for Christmas at sea

ALMOST 40,000 passengers will set sail in local waters this Christmas, trading in cooking and cleaning for a cruise.

P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line will host over 22,000 guests on Christmas Day across 11 ships, all of which will be well and truly decked out with decorations.

Festivities will include a Guest Christmas Choir on P&O Cruises, while on Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises vessels, snow will fall in the atrium.

Across the four Royal Caribbean International ships cruising locally and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice there will be 17,850 guests celebrating with an array of special events and activities.

Royal Caribbean Cruises md Australia and New Zealand Adam Armstrong said Christmas itineraries had become hugely popular with Australian cruisers.

“There’s nothing better than letting someone else take care of the Christmas cooking, cleaning and chores, so all our guests have to do is turn up for lunch,” Armstrong said.

“It’s no wonder these are some of the quickest itineraries to sell out - they’re a relaxing, fun and budget-friendly option for families large and small.”

Sandy Olsen, vp corporate affairs, Carnival Australia, said Christmas cruises were a soughtafter option which offered “something for everyone”.

“You can eat, drink and be merry with all the benefits and Christmas trimmings but none of the fuss,” she said.

The fun doesn’t stop with Christmas, with RCL hosting 26,550 guests and Carnival Australia carrying 22,548 passengers over the Christmas and New Year’s period.