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A cruise to remember
Seasonal celebrations are extra special out at sea – you can join in everything from a Burns Night dinner to egg hunts at Easter. Christmas kicks off at the start of December, when you’ll see plenty of decorations, festive menus and shows to get you into the spirit. Plus, World Ocean Day’s marked with a craft session using recyclable materials. You can check out all the details of special events in our itineraries. Just so you know, activities and inclusions vary by ship and may change.
'Tis the season
Festive sailings
You’ll get that cosy Christmas feeling on any December sailing. We’ve got lots of festivities up our sleeve, from a Christmas production show, live music and a passenger choir to Christmas-themed movies, quizzes, gameshows and craft activities. You can eat, drink and shop for trinkets at our onboard Christmas market, and tuck into a traditional turkey dinner on selected sailings. Even Santa will make an appearance. And there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities, plus a gingerbread village display and seasonal decor spreading cheer all around the ship.
Take a look at our top festive sailings.
Spend Christmas at sea
If you’re onboard for the big day, there’s even more to look forward to. On Christmas Eve, you can flex your vocal cords at a carol concert and count down to midnight at our Christmas deck party. And on our family-friendly ships, there’s festive storytelling for kids and plenty of child-friendly entertainment. Come the 25th, it’s all about Santa, good food, and family time – just like at home. Tuck in to a Christmas dinner with crackers and all the trimmings, and top up with a special, seasonal buffet or afternoon tea. There’ll be an event to mark Santa’s arrival, and on our family-friendly ships, kids can even visit his grotto and receive a gift. A special performance by the passenger choir and Christmas carols from our show cast round things off.
Take a look at our Christmas Day sailings.
Ring in the new year
On New Year’s Eve, at least one of our ships will be docked in Funchal, giving you the chance to watch the city’s dazzling firework display. But no matter which ship you’re on, there’s plenty to keep you busy, including a top-deck countdown to midnight, and a surprise performer when the clock strikes twelve. Dress up in blue, silver and lots of sparkle, and raise a glass to the year ahead – premium cocktails are on the menu, and sparkling wine’s passed around just before the big moment. Live music, themed entertainment and a gala dining experience are on the agenda earlier in the day, too. On New Year’s Day, you can tuck into a delicious brunch or a traditional roast beef dinner. Plus, there’ll be celebration cakes and festive displays.
Take a look at our new year sailings.
Discover the Canary Islands in December
There’s never a bad time for a Canary Islands cruise – the year-round good weather means you can work up a tan even in the lead-up to Christmas. And it’s not just the onboard festivities you’ll have to look forward to. Each island hosts its own celebrations, with the likes of twinkling markets and open-air concerts among the most popular. Our Island Explorer itinerary gives you the chance to tick off plenty of them. It calls in at Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera and Lanzarote, as well as Madeira, which looks even prettier under the glow of Christmas lights.
More dates for your diary
Easter on the ocean
Springtime at sea is a real treat, especially when you’re sailing over Easter weekend. Food-wise, you can tuck in to lamb roast dinners and sweet treats from the buffet. And on the entertainment front, there’s the likes of themed movie screenings, quizzes and gameshows. Plus, little ones can join in with Easter egg hunts, arts and crafts, funfair games and cookie decorating sessions on our family-friendly ships. There’s even an Easter Sunday interdenominational service onboard.
Browse our springtime sailings.
A spooky sailing
Dance the night away at our Halloween deck party (and pack your creepiest costume – there’s a best dressed competition to be won). Elsewhere on the entertainment roster, there’s everything from pumpkin carving demos, trivia and gameshows to themed arts and crafts, creepy movie screenings and special M Club activities. When it’s time for food and drinks, you’ll notice Halloween-themed cocktails, desserts and sweet treats on the menus. The ship will be kitted out in spooky decorations, too.
Browse our Halloween sailings.
Valentine’s Day
Love is in the air on our Valentine’s Day sailings. You can snuggle up for themed music and entertainment, or get competitive with a themed gameshow. And it wouldn’t be a special occasion without a sweet treat – you’ll be able to pick up Valentine’s-themed cakes and pastries to share with your other half onboard.
Browse our Valentine's Day sailings.
World Ocean Day
Sustainability and marine conservation are in the spotlight on World Ocean Day, on 8th June. If you’re sailing with us at the time, you’ll have the chance to get stuck into things like ocean-themed arts and crafts workshops, jewellery-making sessions and wooden ornament decorating. There’ll be a Q&A with our onboard Environmental Officer, too.
Browse our World Ocean Day sailings.
More onboard events
The fun doesn’t stop there – we’ve got onboard celebrations for Burns Night, Pancake Day, Day of the Seafarer and Remembrance Day, as well. These sailings feature everything from arts and crafts sessions to themed dinners, making these special dates that bit more memorable.
Browse cruise deals
Browse all cruise deals or check out our top picks below.
Seasonal sailings gallery
Discover seasonal sailings with one of Marella’s cruise experts
We asked Product Development Co-ordinator Chloe for her top tip.
“If you're considering a seasonal sailing, I'd recommend choosing one that falls over Christmas or New Year’s Eve. There's something really special about celebrating these occasions at sea, from festive entertainment and themed dining to unforgettable moments like the New Year's Eve countdown on deck. It turns a holiday into a memory you'll talk about for years.”
What our customers say
More about Marella Cruises
Where do we sail to?
We sail to over 100 destinations, so you can see everything from sugar-white sands in the Caribbean to historical cities like Athens and Rome.
Learn more about the destinations we sail to.
FAQs
What is Christmas like on a Marella cruise?
The whole of December’s a festive affair on our ships. If you’re onboard for the big day, you can expect Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, special themed cocktails, sweet treats left in your cabin and even a visit from Santa Claus himself.
What do I wear on a Christmas cruise?
Throughout the whole of the festive period, we encourage you to wear anything that helps get you into the spirit, from Christmas jumpers to sparkly dresses.
Are festive activities included on Marella Cruises?
Yes – all of our festive activities are part of the package.
What happens on New Year's Eve onboard Marella Cruises?
We like to ring in the new year in style. We have a countdown to midnight on the top deck, with a special themed act. You can expect live music, dancing, premium cocktails and a glass of fizz as the clock strikes 12. There are some special touches in the main dining room on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, too.
What should I wear for New Year’s Eve onboard?
Our All That Glitters celebration on New Year's Eve is your chance to dress up – think blue, silver and plenty of sparkle.
What happens on an Easter cruise with Marella Cruises?
There’s plenty going on onboard over the Easter weekend, from themed quizzes and movies to egg hunts and cookie decorating for kids. Plus, you can tuck into a traditional lamb roast dinner.
Does Marella Cruises celebrate Halloween?
Yes, we love getting spooky for Halloween. Our ships are dressed up with decorations and there’s a Halloween party on the evening of 31st October. You can watch our chef perform a pumpkin-carving demonstration and grab yourself a special pumpkin spiced cocktail from the bar.
Can guests dress up for Halloween?
Yes, fancy dress is encouraged on Halloween – there's even a fancy dress competition, so be sure to pack your best costumes.