There is no doubt that this year everyone is looking forward to enjoying the holidays. Christmas, along with New Year’s Day and other seasonal holiday celebrations are meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. Of course, with social distancing guidelines still in place, getting a large group together safely can be challenging. Even so, you still plan a grand holiday celebration aboard your yacht, whether you choose to stay in port, head out to sea, or travel to safe ports and celebrate with the locals.
Celebrating in Port
Whether you are celebrating the holidays with family and friends in your local marina or traveling to a safe port to join in local traditions, you’ll want to decorate your yacht for the holidays. Choose a nautical theme, a traditional theme, or the theme of the tropical port in which are berthed. You can plan your own family feast and dine on board or enjoy local establishments and holiday traditions. If you head to the Caribbean, you can enjoy swimming and sunning while you safely join in local celebrations with traditional island music, customs, and celebrations.
If you stay berthed in your home port to celebrate the holidays you and your family can enjoy the amenities offered on site. For example, at Lighthouse Point Yacht Club, families and friends celebrating while berthed in the marina, can expect world class service from the marina’s professional staff. In addition, Lighthouse Point Yacht Club offers fine dining options from breakfast to brunch, lunch to dinner, featuring delectable, innovative dishes filled with organic vegetables, hormone-free meats, home-grown herbs, and the freshest seafood. Plus, family and friends celebrating with you on your yacht can even enjoy tennis on the Har-Tru clay courts and swimming in the heated junior Olympic-sized pool. And don’t forget, Lighthouse Point Yacht Club also has a Fitness Center and Yoga/Spin Studio on site for those who want to stay in shape over the holidays.
Celebrating at Sea
If you chose to celebrate at sea, you not only get added flair, but also create unforgettable memories for those celebrating Christmas and New Year’s on board with you! Celebrating at sea is a completely unique experience. Of course, having a Christmas tree on board is part of the fun, whether you chose a classic tree (live or artificial) or use a tropical palm as your tree of choice. Whatever you and your fellow revelers select, decorate with lights, shells, nautical items, or even hand-crafted ornaments (especially fun if children are on board). You can even put lights all around the yacht to add to the merriment. If kids or young-at-heart adults are aboard, have Santa stop by, coming by launch or even helicopter, likely to be welcomed by squeals of delight.
On Christmas Eve, light candles and gather round the tree on deck for a good ole carol sing. If you are at anchor, invite other yachts nearby to come alongside and join in the singing. Be sure to hang the stockings or swim fins with care, and then fill them for your guests with fun nautical themed items, water toys, swimsuits, and maybe a little premium rum for the adults on board.
On Christmas morning, your guests will enjoy seeing what “Santa” left in their stockings, as well as opening gifts together. Follow the mornings fun with a decadent, ocean worthy holiday meal, complete with traditional fare or your favorite catch of the day, whichever you and your guest prefer.
If your guests are to remain with you though the advent of the New Year, considering weighing anchor near a port offering a fireworks extravaganza. You’ll want to have noisemakers, music for dancing, as well as champagne and sparkling cider to ring in the New Year.
Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas at sea, at anchor, or in port, enjoy your time with family and friends!