LONDON, November 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

New Year is a time of celebration and jubilation so what better way to spend it than on a cruise? With the whole world celebrating on the same night,  a stylish party on a fantastic cruise holiday is a unique way to see in 2013. Festive cruises offer the opportunity to enjoy a great start to the year with spectacular views in a once-in-a-lifetime location.

Those thinking about taking a cruise for the New Year might want to consider what type of celebration will be going on at their destination of choice.

Caribbean

The Caribbean is a great place to spend Christmas and New Year, but cruisers must be prepared to party. The Caribbean islands provide the perfect paradise setting to really let your hair down and enjoy the New Year celebrations in style. What's more, on a luxury cruise travelers will have access to the finest cuisine, a glamorous setting and an incredible seascape background, ensuring a fabulous New Year to remember.

A great way to make the most of your holiday is by taking advantage of Cruise and Stay deals. This allows holidaymakers to stay for longer once they have cruised to their chosen destination. Alternatively, it's possible for them to fly to their destination of choice, stay for as long as they wish, and then hop aboard their chosen ship for the return leg.

European mini cruise

A mini cruise is ideal for those who don't want to have a lengthy holiday. Similarly, travelers who only want to head away for just a few days, such as for a New Year celebration, might wish to consider a mini cruise.

Holidaymakers could, for example, take a trip to Spain and enjoy the New Year tradition of eating 12 grapes and trying to consume all of them before the clocks stops chiming. *

A mini cruise to Denmark is a great place to go for some spectacular New Year traditions. For example, in Denmark it is tradition to leap off chairs at midnight in a bid to ban all bad spirits over the forthcoming year. Another unusual tradition seen in Denmark involves smashing plates and dishes on a friend's door.

P&O Cruises' sailings to the Mediterranean are hugely popular, offering the chance to experience traditional New Year's Day bread or Vasilopita, which is typical in and around Greece. The bread is often prepared with a coin inside and the one who receives it in their slice will have good luck for the next year ahead.**

Thomas Cook has a range of different cheap cruises on offer to enjoy into the New Year and beyond.

Notes to editors

* http://ryanseacrest.com/2010/12/28/9-strange-new-years-traditions-from-around-the-world/

** http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-vasilopita.htm

SOURCE Thomas Cook