Sail the seas with Santa

'TIS the season to be cruising. Why not jump aboard and sail the seas with Santa this Christmas?

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'TIS the season to be cruising.

Whether you are part of an extended family who want a get-together where no one gets lumbered with the cooking, washing up and other stresses, a cosy couple after a Christmas with a difference, or a single keen to share the Yuletide spirit with plenty of new-found friends, Christmas at sea is a great way to celebrate the festive season.

Many cruise ships, such as P&O Cruises' Australian fleet, are already full for their Christmas voyages and others are filling fast but there are still some cabins available at home and abroad.

Cruise lines will share the spirit of the season with special Christmas dinners, decorations, carols and other fun.

Bring the kids Settle in on a classic liner when Athena sets sail on a 12-night Christmas cruise departing Fremantle on December 18 and visiting Christmas Island, then Bali for a two-day stay, before sailing through the Abrolhos Islands and returning to Fremantle on December 30.

There will be festive dinners, carols, kids' programs and a visit by Santa.

Children under 18 cruise for free on this trip, paying only taxes of $350.

Ocean-view cabins are available from $2795 a person, twin share.

A family of four, comprising two adults and two children under 18, in a quad-share cabin, can cruise from $5200.

The 550-passenger ship features the Olissipo Restaurant with a buffet in the Lotus Lounge, five lounges and bars, a nightclub, cinema, casino, shopping boutique and photo shop, library, internet cafe, card room, fitness and health centre with sauna and massage facilities and an outdoor swimming pool.

See travel agents or visit classicintcruises.com
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Luxurious Yule For a truly luxurious Christmas and New Year celebration, join Silversea's Silver Shadow on December 21 for a trip from Sydney to Auckland.

Relax for the 15-day cruise in an ocean-view suite, with butler service, complimentary champagne, wines and drinks throughout the ship, live entertainment, fine dining in a choice of restaurants, interesting ports of call and pampering in the spa.

The chefs will prepare the turkey and the goose for traditional Christmas meals, while the wine waiters will select and serve the complementary wines.

There will be Christmas carols if you want them or jazz if you prefer.

New Year's Eve will be celebrated with dinner, dancing and entertainment, sailing between Dunedin and Picton.

The Silver Shadow festive cruise sails from Sydney and visits Melbourne, Hobart, Milford Sound, Stewart Island, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Tauranga, arriving in Auckland on January 5.

Fares start at $9843 a person, double occupancy, in a vista suite, and $12,163 in a veranda suite, and include a $500 onboard credit.

Single fares cost from $14,502 a person.

Ph 1300 306 872 or see silversea.com
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Enormously inviting Move quick for the final cabins on the largest ship to call Australia home for a season, Radiance of the Seas.

The 292m-long, 2500-guest superliner with myriad facilities, ranging from spa and indoor pool to Broadway-style theatre and rock-climbing wall, has proved a huge drawcard and its 16-night cruise to New Zealand is just about sold out.

The Sydney round-trip voyage, which departs on December 18, will visit Milford Sound, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Volcanic White Island, Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands.

Christmas and New Year's festivities will be in full swing during the trip, with plenty of activities scheduled for around the pool, where a huge open-air screen will add to the action.

A two-bedroom suite for four people costs $5800 a person.

Ph 1300 766 537 or see cruiseexpress.com.au
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Magnificent Med It is not too late to plan a Christmas cruise of the Mediterranean.

Family-owned MSC Cruises still has cabins and suites available for its festive cruises aboard MSC Magnifica and as a bonus for families, children under 18 cruise free.

The ship will be decorated with wreaths and Christmas trees for its nine-night East Mediterranean cruise from Venice on December 18. There will be competitions and trivia on Christmas origins and traditions, as well as Christmas bingo, a visit from Santa Claus, and craft-making and an assortment of storytelling activities.

The ship will call on Bari, Rhodes, Haifi in Israel and Piraeus (for Athens) before returning to Venice. Balcony cabins cost from $1729 a person, twin share.

Ph 1300 028 502 or see msccruises.com.au
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Just for grown-ups While for many people Christmas is about children, not everyone wants to be surrounded by youngsters.

For a boutique cruise with style, look to Azamara Club Cruises, which caters predominantly to adult guests and does not have a children's club or specific kids' facilities.

The Azamara Quest is taking a 12-night cruise through Indonesia, departing Singapore on December 23 and taking in Krakatoa Island, Peucang Island, Semarang, Lombok, Komodo, Benoa (Bali) and back to Singapore.

Prices start at $4449 a person, twin share, including taxes, fees and gratuities.

See travel agents or visit azamaraclubcruises.com