By: Brendan Rodenberg
Many people often find themselves unsure of how-or if- they want to celebrate New Year’s. This factor is true all over the states; even in Florida. Fortunately, Florida is a state known for having plenty of ways to celebrate…. Including cruises. The three major cruise ports of call are Port Miami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Together, over 12 million passengers go through one of these three ports. Why not become one of them while you celebrate the New Year?
Cruises, by themselves, have plenty to offer when it comes to rest and relaxation: every one I’ve been on in my life sports on-board spas, athletics courts, live shows, and pools to make sure there’s always something that catches your eye. Moreover, of course, there are plenty of fine food and drink- from all-day buffets to more refined dining- included in your ticket. In addition, that’s not even counting everything else that a ship may decide to do to celebrate the holidays.
While many cruises aren’t entirely dedicated to celebrating holidays or events, longer trips can often carry on over multiple days- one of which can just so happen to be a big day for many people. And just so you won’t miss out on festivities, cruise ships themselves are often more than happy to reflect those traditions, even in an unusual environment.
While you might be expecting a New Year’s celebration unlike any other, the fundamentals of most holiday events on the waves are very similar to those on the ground- like fine dining, champagne, and fireworks displays. The end of the year is a time for celebration, reflection, and hope for the future, no matter where you are, with themed parties, formal galas, drink specials, and their own set of explosives to set off at the big 12 o’clock.
For those interested in a nautical new year’s night, cruises are constantly departing from many of Florida’s major ports- including Miami, Canaveral, Everglades, and Tampa Pay. If you’re unsure there will be enough space for you, don’t worry: there are plenty of boats that are willing to carry you into the new year, including nine from Port Canaveral and a whopping 24 from Port Everglades in December, that will allow you to have the watery welcome to 2022 you’re looking for.
As someone who’s spent more than one new year off of dry land; I can say there’s something unique and special about being out on the open ocean and celebrating your new year with the gentle rock of the waves and the beautiful mixture of explosions lighting up an open starry sky that you can’t find anywhere else but on a cruise. I highly recommend going on a New Year’s voyage at least once in your life for an unforgettable experience.
During your time out at sea, you might want to consider looking at some of the possible destinations on cruise liners that may catch one’s eye. Key locations usually brought out for tourist visitation, especially during shorter cruises, range from places in the tropics (especially Jamaica and the Bahamas) to parts of Mexico like Cozumel and Costa Maya- all of which offer relaxed and lively places to eat, drink, shop, and explore. Some cruise lines even have their own private islands- like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Disney’s Castaway Cay- that are worth stopping at for their clear waters and abundance of activities ranging from parasailing to water slides.
A few personal suggestions: If your cruise happens to stop by Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, I would recommend making a short stop at the island of Yelapa- one only accessible by boat, but that features golden sand, crystal-clear water, beachside food/drink service, and an incredible environment that fits the idea of a relaxing vacation to a tee. If you visit the Tropics, try a can of Goombay Punch- if I could have it shipped to me, I’d drink it every day.