Although Christmas & New Year cruising won’t be happening this year, special event cruises are a fantastic way of not only enjoying a cruise but getting to experience an event with like-minded people. Many cruise lines have exclusive ticket access to special events included in these speciality sailings, below are some great examples:
Melbourne Cup
How weird was it watching the Melbourne Cup with empty stands this year? Usually, the stands are full and a large group of these race-goers would actually be cruise passengers. When you a book a speciality cruise package like the Melbourne Cup it not only includes your cruise fare but general entry to the event as well as transfers to & from PLUS even exclusive upgrade offers as well as themed activities onboard the ship on cruise days. P&O and Carnival often run these Melbourne Cup cruises from either Brisbane or Sydney and generally have 2 overnight stays in Melbourne so you can not only attend the Melbourne Cup race but also explore Melbourne with 2 full days in port.
MY TOP PICK: https://www.ecruising.travel/product/96425/melbourne-cup-splendour
Themed Cruises
Themed cruises are always fun and there are quite a few options on different themes from Food & Wine, Comedy or Music themed sailings.
- Senior Cruise Consultant, Tiffany, focused on the Tribute to the King sailing in last week’s blog. This Elvis inspired sailing is always very popular with themed parties, Karaoke & Trivia as well as Movie & Concert Marathons throughout the sailing. If Elvis isn’t your thing, other music-themed sailings include Country Music that will have you line dancing in no time or 80’s themed sailings that will have those disco balls, big hair & Lycra out in no time at all!
- Comedy cruises are a very fun way to have a short break & enjoy some world-class comedians whilst onboard, especially with a group of close-minded friends that enjoy a laugh. These sailings have comedy workshops for you to test your comedic skills & cheeky adult only shows in the evening at the Sit Down Comedy club will have you laughing well into the night. I know I sure did when I went on a comedy cruise sailing a few years back and Kitty Flanagan was the lead comedian - I was in tears of laughter the whole sailing!
- I would have to say my favourite type of themed cruise has to be a Food & Wine focussed sailings. Usually only 3 or 4 nights, these are small getaways jam-packed full of amazing Wine Tastings, Masterclasses’ in Wine, coffee & martini making, live Culinary Demonstrations, degustation menus & so much more. Each sailing is different and may have a particular theme like a certain Cuisine or Culture focus but any Food & Wine sailing is sure to be enjoyed.
MY TOP PICK: https://www.ecruising.travel/product/100976/sapphire-coast-food-festival
Christmas & New Year
These ever-popular sailings incorporate Christmas &/or New Year’s onboard and the atmosphere is always incredible. The staff onboard are so invested in the Christmas cheer being away from their family that by the end of the cruise on these departures the whole ship feels like family. The cruises that incorporate New Years are truly spectacular as you are in Port for the night's celebration in some of the best cities in the world with waterfront ship access to the fireworks & heart of the city. In 2021 Azamara Journey will be spending New Years in Sydney, allowing guests front row seats to the spectacular Sydney Harbour fireworks.
MY TOP PICK: https://www.ecruising.travel/product/101822/azaamazing-christmas-and-new-year-journey
Big Events
As cruise lines have such large buying capacity they can often negotiate discounted entry to special events. Some good examples of events previously paired with cruises would be the Monaco Grand Prix, Edinburgh Tattoo and we can’t forget Carnival in Rio! Usually the cruise will overnight in the port city allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the event. It’s a great way to attend the event as well as enjoying a cruise to a few more places than you may have visited if doing only a land-based holiday.
MY TOP PICK: https://www.ecruising.travel/product/102735/grand-prix-weekend-voyage
Cruising is a great way to travel at any time but incorporating an event can make it even more special & the experience even more magical because you are travelling with a whole ship of people with the same interest & enthusiasm! So next time you are thinking about attending an event you may want to see if combining a cruise is a possibility!
