Christmas in New York: Sail into the Festive Magic with Cunard

A Festive Atlantic Crossing

Your holiday begins the moment you step onto Queen Mary 2 in Southampton. As the ship glides out to sea, you can feel everyday life slipping away behind you. Over the next six days you have time to slow down, settle into your spacious Balcony cabin and savour the little rituals that make a Cunard voyage feel so special.

Mornings can be as leisurely or as active as you like: take a stroll on deck with a coffee, join a talk or a wine tasting, or curl up in the library with a good book. Afternoons are for white‑gloved afternoon tea, spa time or a film in the on‑board cinema. Evenings bring dressing for dinner, live music and ballroom dancing beneath sparkling chandeliers.

By the time you sail into New York on 21 December, you arrive rested, refreshed and ready to immerse yourself in one of the world’s great Christmas cities.

Checking into the Heart of Manhattan

After disembarking in Brooklyn, you transfer into Manhattan and check into the 4‑star Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square. Perfectly positioned between Times Square and Rockefeller Center, it puts you right at the centre of the action: step outside and you are moments from Broadway theatres, Fifth Avenue, the Top of the Rock and Radio City Music Hall.

With breakfast included, you can start each day with a relaxed bite before heading out into the city, knowing that at the end of the day you will return to a warm, contemporary room, a cosy bar and friendly service.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Ice Skating

One of the most magical moments of any New York Christmas is seeing the Rockefeller Center tree lit up against the night sky. From your hotel it is just a short stroll to the plaza, where the famous golden statue of Prometheus and the glittering tree form the backdrop to one of the world’s most iconic ice rinks.

You might choose to:

• Pre‑book a skating session and glide beneath the lights, hand in hand.
• Simply stand at the edge with a hot chocolate, watching the scene unfold like a real‑life festive film set.
• Continue up to the Top of the Rock observation deck (included with your CityPASS) for sparkling views over the lights of Manhattan, Central Park and the Empire State Building.

Fifth Avenue Lights & Festive Window Displays

From Rockefeller Center, wander along Fifth Avenue where the grand department stores and luxury boutiques compete to create the most imaginative Christmas windows. Expect moving displays, theatrical lighting and intricate storytelling scenes that feel more like art installations than shop fronts.

Take your time:

• Pause to admire the choreographed light shows that dance across building facades.
• Step inside if you fancy a little Christmas shopping, from designer gifts to keepsake ornaments.
• Break for a coffee and pastry in a cosy café, warming up before heading back out into the sparkle.

A Christmas Show, Concert or Seasonal Performance

No festive trip to New York is complete without a show. From your base near Broadway and Radio City Music Hall, you are perfectly placed to add an unforgettable evening of entertainment to your stay.

Depending on availability and your tastes, you could:

• See a classic Broadway musical and soak up the buzz of the theatre district.
• Book a seat at a seasonal spectacular such as a Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.
• Choose a concert or choral performance in one of the city’s historic churches or concert halls for a more traditional touch.

Whatever you choose, make an evening of it: pre‑dinner cocktails, a leisurely meal, then wandering back through the neon glow of Times Square as the city hums around you.

Central Park, Holiday Markets & Festive Food

Christmas in New York is not only about the skyscrapers. On a crisp winter’s day, Central Park feels like the city’s own festive playground.

Ideas for your time here include:

• A gentle stroll past frozen ponds and snow‑dusted trees, pausing at familiar film locations.
• A visit to a holiday market, where you can browse stalls selling handmade gifts, decorations and seasonal treats.
• Sampling festive favourites such as hot apple cider, roasted chestnuts and classic New York bagels, or sitting down for brunch overlooking the park.

With your CityPASS you also have access to world‑class museums sitting just off the park, such as the American Museum of Natural History or the Guggenheim, perfect for a cosy cultural afternoon if the weather turns chilly.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights & Neighbourhood Magic

One of the highlights of this itinerary is your included Dyker Heights Christmas Tour. This evening excursion takes you from Midtown to Brooklyn’s most famous festive neighbourhoods, Dyker Heights and Bay Ridge.

Here, decorating is taken to another level: houses are draped in millions of lights, front gardens are filled with life‑size Santas and reindeer, and whole streets glow with colour. With your guide sharing stories and local traditions, it feels like stepping straight into a Christmas film.

You will:

• Travel by coach from a central Manhattan meeting point to Brooklyn.
• Walk through the decorated streets with your guide, taking your time to admire and photograph the displays.
• Return to Manhattan with a final view of the skyline illuminated against the night sky.

It is a wonderfully atmospheric way to experience a different side of New York and to see how local communities celebrate the season.

Using Your New York CityPASS

Your New York CityPASS is your key to many of the city’s headline attractions, with entry to five top sights over nine days.

During your stay you might like to use it for:

• The Empire State Building, including an AM/PM experience so you can enjoy daytime views and a bonus same‑day evening visit.
• A harbour cruise for Statue of Liberty and skyline views, ideal for daytime sightseeing or a romantic evening sailing past the illuminated city.
• The 9/11 Memorial & Museum for a moving and thoughtfully curated insight into recent history.
• A second observation deck such as Edge or Top of the Rock, giving you different perspectives on the city from above.

Because the pass is flexible, you are free to follow the weather and your mood, choosing what feels right each day rather than sticking to a rigid schedule.

Shopping, Museums, Skyline Views & Iconic Sights

With five nights in Manhattan, you have time to balance festive fun with some of New York’s classic highlights.

You could:

• Explore different neighbourhoods, from the cobbled streets of SoHo to the galleries of Chelsea or the historic charm of Greenwich Village.
• Spend a morning in a museum such as the Museum of Modern Art or the Whitney, then head to a rooftop bar for sunset cocktails over the skyline.
• Dedicate a day to shopping in areas like Fifth Avenue, Herald Square or the boutiques of the Meatpacking District, picking up last‑minute gifts or something special just for you.

Thanks to your central hotel, it is easy to break up your days: pop back for a rest, change for the evening, then step out again into the bright lights.

A Special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Dining Experience

Food is at the heart of any Christmas celebration and New York offers endless possibilities, whether you prefer classic comfort or contemporary fine dining.

For a truly memorable festive meal, you might consider:

• A traditional Christmas Eve dinner in a cosy Midtown bistro, followed by a stroll to see the lights and perhaps a late‑night service at a nearby church.
• A Christmas Day lunch with skyline views, perhaps in a hotel rooftop restaurant or a renowned steakhouse.
• Something a little different, such as a festive brunch with live jazz or a tasting menu in a modern New York restaurant.

Reservations are essential for these peak dates, and I can help you choose and secure the perfect spot that suits your tastes, whether you want romantic, relaxed or truly show‑stopping.

Homeward Bound

On 26 December it is time to say goodbye, with an evening British Airways flight from JFK back to London. With a full day still to enjoy in the city, you might squeeze in a final brunch, a last wander through Central Park or one more look at the Rockefeller tree before heading to the airport with a heart full of memories.