How is New Years Eve on a Cruise Ship?

New Year’s Eve on a cruise ship can be a festive and memorable way to ring in the new year. Many cruise lines go all out to celebrate the occasion, with a variety of special events and activities planned for passengers to enjoy.

One of the main attractions on New Year’s Eve is the countdown to midnight. Many cruise ships will have a large outdoor or indoor space designated for the countdown, with a live DJ or band providing music and entertainment. As the clock strikes midnight, the ship’s horn will sound and confetti will be released, as passengers cheer and toast to the new year.

Other popular activities on New Year’s Eve include formal dinners, theme parties, and performances by live bands or DJs. Some cruise ships may also offer special packages or deals for couples or groups who want to celebrate in style, with options such as champagne toasts, private dinners, or exclusive access to certain areas of the ship.

For those who want to relax and unwind, many cruise ships will also offer a variety of spa services and wellness activities, such as yoga or meditation classes. Some ships may also have a movie theater or other quiet spaces where passengers can watch a film or simply sit and enjoy the view.

The Cruise Informer team spent the 2022 New Year’s Eve on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Overall it was an experience we will never forget.  While we were on the ship excitement was in the air and on every deck from the moment we boarded the ship. For the big countdown party, bags of ballons were installed across the promenade for their ballon drop, VIP tables were being sold that ranged from $800 to $2,400 which came with champagne, lite snacks, and of course your own private table, and New Years party favors were being handed out earlier in the night to were for the big party. There was plenty of standing room on the promenade, altough it was a shoulder to shoulder crowd, so hopefully you don’t have a large personal bubble. The Captain and adjoining officers from across the ship also attended which added a bit of an exclusive affair.  Also, the casino was probably th ebusiest we have ever seen in our experience crusing which made jackpots seem to be constanly ringing left and right. 

The dining staff in the main dining room delivered their special holiday menu special menu that is reserved for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.  From decadent almond crusted brie to a full turkey dinner, the menu did not disappoint. The classic items like a new york strip steak, escargot, and also the shrimp cocktail were still available to order. Almost all guests were dressed up in cocktail and formal attire for dinner and the remainder of the evening.  A variety of great backdrops were available to capture this special evening forever from the photo team onboard. After dinner live bands and parties in almost every venue on the ship took place. Each one seemed to fit a specific age grouping so there was plenty of fun for everyone to enjoy. One con for the New Years event is that due to special entertainment for New Years for this sailing some cruise classics like The Quest and Totally Awesome 80’s street party were not held, so keep that in mind when deciding to book a cruise for New Years Eve.

New Year’s Eve on a cruise ship can be a fun and memorable way to celebrate the new year, with a variety of activities and events to choose from. Whether you want to party the night away or relax and unwind, there is something for everyone on a cruise ship on New Year’s Eve.