Carnival-owned Princess Cruises is known for celebrating the holidays in style. During the holiday season, all of its ships embrace the magic of the season with holiday décor, festive activities, special menus, themed drinks and more.
With its new Sun Princess ship, which recently made its U.S. debut to begin sailing a season of Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Princess Cruises is rolling out plans to celebrate the holidays in even grander fashion this year.
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Designed to take the Princess cruise vacation experience to a new level, Sun Princess features new shows and activities in transformational entertainment venues. This holiday season, Sun Princess will also take the Princess holiday cruise experience to a new level as it transforms into a festive paradise and debuts new seasonal entertainment and exclusive holiday activities in its innovative spaces.
Offered on Sun Princess cruises from Nov. 30 through Jan. 3, the new Holidays at Sea program will include new shows, holiday parties, and reimagined holiday traditions. Each holiday cruise will kick off with a tree-lighting celebration in the ship’s central Piazza, where passengers are wrapped in ocean views in an outward and suspended Sphere Atrium.
Princess is bringing some extra holiday magic this year.
Image source: Princess Cruises
New Holidays at Sea program will bring extra holiday magic to Sun Princess
The tree lighting celebration will set the mood for the holiday journey with a light show that brings holiday wishes to life, featuring singers and dancers, and a special appearance by Princess mascot Stanley the Bear. One passenger will be selected to light the ship’s grand Christmas tree – the largest ever featured on a Princess ship.
Families will also be able to meet the ship’s enchanting “Polar Pals” animal puppets. Inspired by the Northern Lights, these playful reindeer, penguin and polar bear characters will roam the Piazza, engaging guests in memorable moments that bring a touch of winter magic to the tropics.
A Santa tracker will also let passengers follow Old Saint Nick as he heads toward Sun Princess and makes his way on board with stories, music and photo opportunities throughout the voyage.
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Other holiday entertainment highlights aboard Sun Princess will include special performances like Princess World Orchestra – A Jazz Era Holiday Tribute, a holiday jolly sweater party, and holiday activities for passengers of all ages like Stanley, the New Elf’s Daily Hide and Seek adventure.
Sun Princess holiday cruises will also include holiday movie marathons on the Movies Under the Stars screen, holiday-themed game shows, and activities like a Dreidel Spin-Off in the Piazza.
The ship will offer seasonal religious services including a Hanukkah candle lighting and services, Christmas Eve Protestant and Catholic services, and interdenominational Christmas and church services.
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Holiday menus and themed cocktails will add to the cheer
Festive holiday food and drinks will also add holiday cheer to Sun Princess’s Holidays at Sea and celebrations on board all Princess ships. The Princess culinary team will take care of all the details for passengers, serving a variety of holiday meals from Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings to Hanukkah latkes and Christmas prime rib.
Passengers will also be able to toast the season with holiday-themed cocktails and mocktails like “The Jingle,” a cranberry vodka infusion and “Charm,” a pecan-spiced delight.
On New Year’s Eve, Sun Princess passengers can toast to 2025 during a celebration featuring music, décor and dancing. The party will culminate with a spectacular countdown complete with noise makers, the Sun Princess Band and a Champagne toast to ring in the new year.
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In addition to the holiday celebrations, Sun Princess passengers can also enjoy a reimagined “ArtBeat a Happy Heart by Britto,” show that now features the iconic art of Romero Britto, who also has his namesake Love by Britto restaurant on board the ship.
A collaboration with Cirque Eloize, the show celebrates the vibrant art of Romero Britto, whose bold colors and playful patterns bring joy and energy to every scene. The story follows Sketch, a passionate artist who finds inspiration in a colorful cast of characters, creating a masterpiece that embodies the spirit of love and creativity.
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