Best cruises for holiday celebrations

By Fran Golden, USAToday

In far-flung destinations and closer to home too, ships host traditional holiday celebrations.

On many ships there are visits by Santa, special holiday meals and parties, religious services, carolers, lighted trees and extravagant decorations.

Each cruise line has its own special spin. On Princess ships there are "snowfalls" in the atriums; chefs at Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises create amazing gingerbread houses, and Disney Cruise Line ships host "Very Merrytime" deck parties with Disney characters.

Caribbean

All the major lines serve up fun-in-the-sun style holiday cheer in the Caribbean and Bahamas. With Hanukkah and Thanksgiving aligning this year, celebrations later this month combine turkey, latkes and nightly menorah lighting on ships including the MSC Divina out of Miami and Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, embarking from Bayonne, N.J.

Continue reading for other destinations:  http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/article/best-cruises-for-holiday-celebrations/3541433/