Celebrate the festive season in Style: Sail to Christmas in New York with Cunard
A romantic Transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2 and six magical nights overlooking Central Park.
If you are dreaming of an anniversary that feels truly once‑in‑a‑lifetime, imagine this: instead of rushing through a busy airport a week before Christmas, you step aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in Southampton. Over seven unhurried days you cross the Atlantic in old‑world elegance, arriving in New York just as the city sparkles into full festive glow. Then you wake up each morning to winter views over Central Park from your king‑size bed at JW Marriott Essex House. This is Christmas in New York the Cunard way: slow, stylish and designed around just the two of you.
A calmer, more magical way to reach New York.
Your journey starts on 14 December 2027 as you sail from Southampton on Queen Mary 2. With no jet lag and no airport queues, you have time to actually unwind together. Elegant lounges, sweeping staircases and wraparound decks set the scene for a very special crossing. On this Yuletide sailing, the ship feels particularly enchanting. Indulge in an unforgettable festive experience as you count the Christmas trees placed all around the ship, each dressed to sparkling perfection. Everywhere you look there are much‑admired decorations, twinkling lights and thoughtful seasonal touches that make days at sea feel wonderfully atmospheric. You can dip into a full programme of festive activities, join carols or live music, or simply claim a quiet corner to watch the ocean roll by. Cunard’s white‑gloved afternoon tea becomes a daily ritual, and in the evenings you can enjoy gala nights, fine dining, shows and ballroom dancing in true elevated Cunard style.
Arriving in New York for Christmas
On 21 December the Manhattan skyline appears on the horizon. Wrapped up on deck with a hot drink in hand, you watch as the ship glides past the Statue of Liberty and into New York Harbour. It is a far more romantic way to arrive than stepping off a long‑haul flight. You then step ashore rested and ready to explore. Your base is JW Marriott Essex House on Central Park South, where you check into a king bedroom with Central Park view. From here you are moments from the park, Fifth Avenue and the Theatre District, with a stylish, comfortable retreat to return to whenever you need a break from the buzz.
Festive days and sparkling nights in New York
Over six nights you can tick off all those “movie moments” together:
- Skate beneath the famous tree at Rockefeller Center
- Wander along Fifth Avenue’s Christmas lights and window displays
- Take in the view from the Empire State Building
- See a Broadway show and the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes
- Stroll through Central Park in its winter coat, then warm up with hot chocolate nearby
- There is plenty of time for long breakfasts, lazy shopping and impromptu stops at cafés and cocktail bars along the way, so the trip never feels rushed.
When it is time to head home on 27 December, you swap the holiday rush for a business‑class flight and private transfers, ending your Christmas escape as smoothly as it began. This is just one way to pair a Cunard crossing with a New York city stay. If sailing into the city that never sleeps in time for Christmas sounds like your kind of getaway, contact me and I will tailor this journey around you.
