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During the holiday season, cruise ships deck the decks in over-the-top glamour and even welcome Santa on board. 字串1

Take a cruise at Christmas time, and not only will someone else be doing all the elaborate meal preparation and entertaining, you'll see a level of celebration meant to wow the Grinch and make Ebenezer Scrooge into a new man.

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Instead of shovelling snow and navigating icy roads, you can cruise in warm weather with sunny blue skies and visit ports of call almost anywhere in the world.

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Here's a sample of what cruise lines are concocting:

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Carnival ships are decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe and more. Seasonal music is available in the cabins and as live entertainment in the lounges, lobbies and bars.

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An elaborate production show ?with snow machines ?involves the children, who can make decorations in Camp Carnival programs.

Participate in carolling or watch favourite holiday movies such as Polar Express and Miracle on 34th Street in theatres or in your cabin. And on Dec. 25, most ships offer an ecumenical Christmas worship service or Roman Catholic Mass. 字串7

Santa Claus always makes an appearance during the cruise, toting sacks of gifts. 字串5

Culinary highlights typically include holiday meals of traditional oven-roasted turkey on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Plus guests can sip eggnog on Christmas morning and champagne on New Year's Eve.

Call 1-888-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com 字串1

Princess makes it easy to have a happy Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year. Passengers enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season and the age-old traditions.

The ships are trimmed from stem to stern in festive holiday decor, complete with wreaths, holly, mistletoe and Christmas trees, which often decorate the ship's mast. Yuletide carollers stroll the decks singing holiday tunes and waiters wear Santa hats. Seasonal entertainment is featured in the lounges and in shows. 字串1

Passengers can attend midnight mass and an inter-denominational church services. 字串8

A special Christmas dinner features traditional favourites such as roast turkey or goose. There are also a range of seasonal sweet treats such as gingerbread mousse, mincemeat pie, chocolate Yule logs and Christmas cookies. 字串4

To keep kids busy, youth counsellors provide parties, sing-along and arts and crafts, where kids can create ornaments to decorate the ship's Christmas trees.

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Junior cruisers can also participate in a holiday play, which they perform for passengers. On Christmas Day, Santa Claus makes a surprise appearance, bringing gifts to each child.

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For passengers who celebrate Hanukkah, a rabbi conducts special prayer and song services. Menorahs and fresh flower arrangements are decorated in the Hanukkah colours of blue, silver and white.

Kosher meals are available when requested in advance, and dining rooms feature specialty items such as potato latkes, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish and matzo. 字串9

Welcome the New Year in style with a New Year's Eve party with music, confetti, noisemakers and champagne. These popular festivities can range from casual attire parties to black-tie galas, depending on the ship and itinerary. 字串7

And once the New Year arrives, football fans won't miss the day's traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts are shown in a shipboard lounge on a giant TV screen, complete with a buffet of munchies.

Call 1-800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com

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Queen Mary 2 celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas with a variety of activities, decorations and special holiday menus. 字串6

These activities start upon embarkation where guests are greeted by carollers in the grand lobby. A Christmas tree is in the lobby, with wreaths, poinsettias and smaller Christmas trees displayed throughout the ship.

Holiday music is played in public rooms and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) performs two shows ?A Christmas Carol and a piece commissioned for Cunard called Happy Hanukkah Mr. Scrooge. In addition, RADA holds a special workshop designed for the children to perform a play. 字串4

Santa Claus is on board to meet the children and have photos taken. Christmas services are performed by a Catholic priest and an inter-denominational pastor. 字串6

Christmas dinner includes American and British tastes, with turkey, roasted potatoes, Christmas pudding, and mincemeat pie as part of the offerings. Christmas crackers are given to passengers during dinner and children receive gifts.

Coinciding with Hanukkah, menorahs are set up, kosher meals are made available and religious services are held by a rabbi or cantor. Yarmulkes are available upon request.

Similar activities are available on the QE2, with even more focus on New Year's Eve with a black-tie ball.

Call 1-800-7CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com

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