2014 is bound to have an endless amount of activities and events that are perfect to pique the interest of holidaymakers.
However, instead of checking into expensive hotels to see a favourite event and paying too much for dining, there are many holiday cruises available that may just hit upon the special event. The best part is your floating hotel has not only luxury accommodations and fine dining, but also allows one to see an event and travel to new destinations.
Here are some options available for the first half of 2014 available with the comfort of a cruise holiday.
Australian Open in Melbourne, January 13–26: One of the prized Grand Slam tennis events that everyone wants to go to (the others being the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open) is the Australian Open.
Join all the high profile celebrities who come to the ‘down under’ and watch the first leg of the tennis champions grasp their first win for 2014. Cruise line Silversea is offering fans a 3 night pre-cruise package deal to the 109th Australian Open in Melbourne.
The passengers will have the ability to see 3 singles matches on both January 18th and 19th before heading on the small but cosy ship, Silver Shadow for a 15 night voyage that goes everywhere from Melbourne to Bali.
Mardi Gras, February 15–March 4: The world famous New Orleans festival is one of the biggest events of the year on the other side of the pond. This once in a lifetime experience during the first quarter of the year is filled with floats, masks, beads and jazz. Louisiana specialties from spicy Cajun style blacken catfish, Creole gumbo and jambalaya will be flowing in full until ‘Fat Tuesday’ on the 4th of March.
With the festival being so popular, it’s no surprise that a large amount of cruise companies, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line are planning to go there.
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, February 28–March 4: Perhaps the biggest and most spectacular out of all the carnivals in the world, this carnival is certainly not one to miss. Held just before Lent, the carnival attracts over 2 million spectators for every day of the festival and has many interesting sights such as parades, street fairs and costume balls.
The cruise company Holland America is going to be sending their ship Maasdam to Rio for the carnival season for 3 days. This is in junction with their 26 day Amazon tour, a perfect opportunity to see the carnival. Other cruise lines making a visit include MSC Orchestra and Pullmantur’s Sovereign and Zenith.
70th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, June 6: Celebrity Cruise Line is known for their fine service and since 2010, Celebrity Eclipse has been dazzling its passengers. To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, the ship will dock in Le Havre, France as one port of call on its 14-night Scandinavia & Russia cruise.
Arrangements of shore excursions are available to booked passengers wishing to visit the shorelines along the coast of Normandy during this poignant day in history.
FIFA World Cup in Brazil, June 12–July 13: The World Cup is the biggest event of the year for most people around the world and it’s no surprise that the cruise lines are trying to get in on the action. Most notably, departing on 24 May 2014, the MSC Divina has an 18-night cruise from Miami to Rio.
This is the best option to take as it allows visitors to see other areas as well. Before getting into that football fever, experience some Caribbean flavour with other port of calls such as Barbados, Grenada and the Virgin Islands. Or do it the opposite way after the games on the 14th of July sailing and cruise north to Miami aboard the MSC Divina.
There are many more cruises that hit upon major events and festivals. Just pick the event and location and there is bound to be a ship stopping in port.
Written by Veronica Shine
