P&O gives Christmas an Australian twist

For those who have tired of pulling Christmas crackers around the tree, cruise company P&O is giving Brits the chance to celebrate the festive season in a different way this year.

The firm's Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun cruises will allow passengers to play beach cricket barefoot on an "idyllic South Pacific island", according to e-Travel Blackboard.

Instead of singing carols around the fireplace, on Christmas Eve passengers will dock at either the Isle of Pines or Mystery Island where they will take part in "holiday feasting".

Then on Christmas Day itself there will be a formal gala, which will feature a cocktail party, ice carvings and a five-course dinner.

Jenny Lourey, senior vice-president of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises in Australia, described the cruise as the ideal way to de-stress at Christmas time.

She told the website: "Our fantastic staff will look after all the cooking and the cleaning, leaving our passengers free to kick up their heels and put the money they saved on their great value cruise towards gifts and exciting new holiday experiences."

Californian news provider Northern Life is also recommending cruises at Christmas this year.

It says that when it has reached the point where children would prefer to take a trip to the dentist rather than have a family holiday, it may be time to consider vamping up what kinds of breaks abroad mums and dads are organising.

Cruises at Christmas time, it suggests, are the perfect ideas as most ferry firms lay on children's entertainment for a range of age ranges.

Furthermore, the festive season is when such entertainment provision is at its peak, with some boats boasting on-board ice skating, surfing and rock-climbing facilities.

The newspaper says: "Children's programming on cruise ships is designed with two purposes in mind.

"The first is to give children a unique vacation experience, complete with learning opportunities about the various ports of call visited and the ship itself. The second, and equally important purpose is to provide parents with time to enjoy the amenities of the ship and, in some cases, adult-oriented shore excursions."

However, the publication noted that it is not just the children that get to have all the fun on a cruise ship at Christmas; adults can also benefit from over-18s-only pools, bars and top-class restaurants.

Babysitters are also provided so that those parents with young children can enjoy a few peaceful nights on their own while wanting for Santa to deliver the presents.