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- Ring in the New Year while cruising on the ocean.Daniel Stein/Photodisc/Getty Images
When people think of New Year's celebrations, images of New York City's Times Square gathering and humming "Auld Lang Syne" come to mind. A possible alternative for a Jan. 1 outing, though, is experiencing a cruise vacation. Several American cruise lines offer cruises during this time of the year for reasonable prices. Cruise destinations include the Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean Sea, and these cruises have night clubs and lounges where you can ring in the New Year. - The Sapphire Princess cruise ship offers a seven-day cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera region for $999, as of fall 2010. The embarkation date is Dec. 29, and the cruise returns on Jan. 5. The cruise makes stops at Mexican destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallerta. Possible shore excursions include a scenic drive to San Sebastian, an old 17th century silver mining colony, from Puerto Vallerta, and horseback riding on the beaches of Cabo San Lucas. This 952-foot long boat offers fine dining at Sabitini's Italian restaurant and the Sterling Steakhouse, while casual eateries include Trident Grill and Prego Pizzeria. New Year's celebrations can be had at the cruise's lounges, which include Club Fusion and Crooners Bar. The ship has two on-deck swimming pools, boutique stores and the Lotus Spa, which offers massages and body treatments. Most of the state rooms have private balconies that offer views of the Pacific Ocean.
- A three-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas is available on the Carnival Imagination at $389, as of fall 2010. The cruise date is Dec. 31 through Jan. 2. This cruise ship features recreational facilities such as a nine-hole miniature golf course and an outdoor swimming pool, while gaming opportunities abound at the El Dorado Casino. Possible celebration spots for New Year's Eve include the Dynasty Main Show Lounge, which also provides live entertainment, and the Mirage Piano Bar. Upscale dining is offered at Horizon Bar and Grill, and room service is available to all the state rooms. The cruise makes stops at Miami, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas. In the Bahamas, shore excursions include a day at the Bahamas' Atlantis Beach, the Children's Museum in Miami and diving opportunities in the Caribbean Sea.
- As of fall 2010, the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas cruise offers a 12-day trip from Baltimore, Maryland, to the Eastern Caribbean islands for $699. The cruise embarks on Dec. 27 and returns to Baltimore on Jan. 8. Eastern Caribbean destinations include Haiti, the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. Cruise guests can take advantage of shore excursions, such as guided tours of historic sites in Labadee, Haiti, a day at Cayo Levantado beaches in the Dominican Republic and shopping opportunities in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. On the cruise, New Year's festivities occur at the Casino Royale and Bolero's, a Latin-themed bar. Other facilities on the boat include a fitness center, day spa, indoor/outdoor swimming pool and restaurants, including the elegant Chops Grille.
Sapphire Princess
Carnival Imagination
Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas
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