Christmas Cruise Activities On board
With a super selection of cruises to choose from, both leading up to and over the festive period, we're sure you'll find one to suit you; from traditional European Christmas Markets, to going in search of the Northern Lights, enjoying the winter sun in the Canaries or an unforgettable journey around Africa and then Indian Ocean, starting in November. Of course, there are the stunning fireworks in Madeira or Alesund too, where your cruise ship will have the perfect vantage point to see them all as the clock ticks over to the new year.
What a special time of year to be on board one of Fred. Olsen's smaller-sized cruise ships! A Christmas and New Year cruise is the perfect way to celebrate - our elves have been busy hanging twinkling decorations and dressing Christmas Trees, the crew are in festive spirits, and there may even be an appearance from the main man in red!
Let us take care of Christmas for you - sit back and relax, enjoy a festive cocktail; treat yourself at the Atlantis Spa; watch our superb Show Company's festive performances; and of course indulge in a fabulous Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings. Be sure to check your My Cruises account for more information on formal and theme nights - in the past, we've had a hint of red or gold, adding a lovely festive touch to your time on board.
We can't wait to welcome you on board our festive cruises, where we promise you'll be in the very best of company.
Life on board our Christmas & New Year Cruises
Festive dining & drinks
We know that our on board cuisine is a huge part of a cruise, but our teams really do go the extra mile on our Christmas Cruises! Delicious starters will really whet your appetite, followed by traditional roast turkey, or a mouth-watering steak, and finished with Christmas Pudding and mince pies; accompanied by plenty of festive fizz. Sit out on deck with a steaming class of mulled wine to really give you that real Christmassy feeling, or sample some of our specially created festive cocktails. See in the New Year by addressing the haggis at its very own cocktail party, before enjoying a sumptuous feast, perhaps wearing a hint of sparkle, and completed with a stunning fireworks show.
Pressed Christmas Ham Hock RilletteGF
with baby leaves & braised shallot dressing
Confit of Salmon GF
served with potato, cress & soft-boiled egg
Twice Baked Cheese Soufflé V
with roasted sweet garlic cream
Green Pea, Asparagus & Tarragon Soup GF V Ve
with lemon cream
Double Duck Consommé GF
duck consommé with shredded duck leg
Watermelon & Red Beet Salad GF V Ve
tossed with toasted hazelnuts, blue cheese & a raspberry vinaigrette
Mulled Wine Sorbet GF V Ve
mulled wine churned into a refreshing festive sorbet
Traditional Roast Turkey Breast
with bread stuffing & all the trimmings
Grilled Sirloin Steak
with roast root vegetables, fondant potato & Bordelaise sauce
Herb Crusted Baked cod
cod in a tarragon & Parmesan crust, served with lemon spinach & tomato salsa, roast potatoes & green peas
Pumpkin & Pecorino Risotto V GF
Garden Baby Vegetable Cassoulet V Ve GF
with vegetable nage, parsley & lemon zest
Cognac soaked Christmas pudding with English-style vanilla custard
Traditional Christmas Log V
dark chocolate sponge with vanilla buttercream filling & peppermint meringue topping
Baked White Chocolate, Port Wine & Raspberry Cheesecake V
Maple Syrup Spiced Poached Fresh Fruits GF V Ve
with Christmas clementine sorbet
Platter of British & International Cheese V
served with fig chutney & red onion marmalade
Tea & Coffee, Gingerbread Cookies & Mince Pies
with pickled beets, baby cress & fig dressing
Smoked Salmon Parcel GF
chopped prawn & citrus cream cheese filling, served with salmon caviar
Gorgonzola Soufflé V
with warm asparagus salad & potato galette
Forest Mushroom Consommé V
with truffle profiteroles
Prawn Bisque GF
with brandy cream
Tossed Salad V Ve
rocket leaves, red radish, crispy shallots, asparagus tips & pistachio vinaigrette
Roasted Mango Sorbet V Ve
a refreshing sorbet with pink peppercorn powder
Butter Poached Lobster ‘Surf
served with baby vegetables & Béarnaise sauce
Pan Basted Pheasant Breast
with bacon & potato rosti, sautéed green beans & juniper chocolate jus
Seared Fillet of Sea Bass GF
with chive whipped potatoes, braised fennel, asparagus, spinach & truffle vinaigrette
Baked Beetroot & Broccoli Rabe Tartlet V
& sour cream dressing
Lemon & Smoked Paprika Artichoke Hearts V Ve GF
with parsley gremolata, toasted pine nuts & smoked aubergine puree
Warm Ginger Sponge V GF
served with cranberry ice cream & cardamom custard
Fresh Raspberry Tart V
with dark chocolate ganache & red berry sorbet
Honeycomb Parfait V
with Grand Marnier coulis, orange & rosemary
Selection of Ice Creams & Sorbets
ask your server for available flavours
Platter of British and International Cheese V
served with fig chutney & red onion marmalade
Tea & Coffee, New Year Pralines & Macaroons
Naughty Elf
Gin, Cointreau, Lemon Squash
Tipsy Santa
Brandy, Lanson
Mistletoe Martini
Chambord Liqueur, Sweet and Dry Martini
Absolut Celebration
Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Sparkling Wine, Lime, Cranberry
Holiday Cheers
Prosecco, Aperol
Rudolph Cocktail
Brandy, Triple Sec, Lemonade
Christmas Martini
Vodka, Apple Sour, Lime
White Christmas Mojito
White Rum, Coconut Liqueur, Lime, Coconut Milk
Candy Cane
Soda, Syrup, Lime Juice, Mint
Jingle Bell Juice
Cranberry Juice, Strawberry Syrup, Soda
Santa’s Fruit Punch
Orange & Cranberry, Elderflower
Sober Xmas
Orange & Pineapple Juice, Black Tea, Ginger Ale
Santa’s Driver
Tonic Water, Chamomile Tea, Lemon
Bucks Fizz
Lanson, Orange Juice
Kir Royale
Lanson, Crème De Cassis
Mimosa
Lanson, Grand Marnier, Orange Juice
Lanson Fraisye
Lanson, Strawberry Sirop
Lanson Elderflower Cordial
Lanson, Elderflower Cordial
Festive Entertainment
Take a look at your Daily Times each day to see what festive entertainment is on offer throught your Christmas Cruise. A huge selection of activities are available, including Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, Reindeer Racing, carol singing, festive themed quizzes, Christmas jumper Day - with a prize for the best one, kitchen creations in the Auditorium and amazing Gingerbread Houses, created by our talented on board chefs. All of your activities are listed on a handy detachable section of your Daily Times, so all you have to do is decide which to do!
Evening entertainment is sure to be fabulous as our Show Companies put on performances guaranteed to spread some festive cheer. Get ready to boo and cheer as you're transported to Pantoland, or sing along with well known Christmas songs as our attentive staff ensure everything is taken care of for you.
And lots more.....
Festive cruise Daily Times
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas on board our smaller-sized cruise ships!
Join in the fun with fellow guests at on board events, including Christmas Jumper Day, seeing Santa on Christmas morning and festive cooking demostrations.
Enjoy crafting felt angels, needled-felted Christmas fairies, Christmas cards and decorations and many more festive items with like-minded guests.
Our smaller-sized ships are decorated with care by our dedicated crew, who love setting the scene to make our guests feel extra special on their cruise.
Join our teams on board for a fabulous Christmas Panto!
Join our on board theatre companies, headline acts and resident bands for entertainment and fun with fabulous Christmas themes.
Please feel free to join us for a non-denominational Christmas Day Service, before embarking upon a day full of festive activities.