Christmas looked a little different for my family last year. Instead of snow and sweaters, we traded it all for swimsuits, sunshine, and the deep blue of the Caribbean—because we spent the holidays on a Christmas cruise aboard the Norwegian Viva. And honestly? It might have been our most magical Christmas yet.
Before we even stepped aboard, we gave ourselves a little extra time in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the ship departed. Wandering the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan felt like strolling through a tropical storybook. Colorful pastel buildings lined the streets, and historic forts stood watch over the harbor. It set the perfect tone for the adventure waiting ahead.
Our first stop was Virgin Gorda, where we explored The Baths—a place I’d heard about but never really understood until I was standing in the middle of it. Huge granite boulders tumbled into each other to create caves, hidden pools, and little passageways that seemed to lead wherever the water wanted to flow. Snorkeling through the crystal-clear shallows felt otherworldly, like swimming inside a natural wonder.
The next day was all about adrenaline in Antigua. We spent the morning zip-lining through lush green forest, feet dangling and wind rushing past, as we laughed our way across the canopy together. The thrill of sailing from platform to platform made us all feel like kids again.
And then came Christmas Day itself, which we spent in Barbados—my father’s homeland. That’s what made the holiday feel so personal, so special. Walking the same streets he knew from childhood, tasting the dishes he grew up with, and celebrating the season in his birthplace gave Christmas Day a depth and connection we could never have created anywhere else. It was less about presents and more about presence, and it was unforgettable.
In St. Lucia, we soaked up beauty everywhere we turned. A speedboat carried us up close to the iconic Pitons, towering peaks that rise dramatically from the sea. As if that view wasn’t enough, we took a trip to the island’s famous Sulfur Springs, where I slathered on a mud mask, rinsed off, and somehow managed to look ten years younger. At least that’s what I claimed—and I dared anyone to disagree!
Sint Maarten gave us one last chance at adventure before the trip wound down. We rode a chairlift up to the highest point on the island, and once at the top, we gazed at sweeping 360-degree views that stretched beyond the island itself to the nearby ones scattered across the horizon. It was breathtaking. Of course, we couldn’t leave without swinging by Maho Beach, where planes come in so low it almost feels like you can touch them. Standing under one as it roared overhead was pure joy and just the right touch of chaos for our finale.
By the time we sailed back to San Juan, our hearts were full, our faces sun-kissed, and our family stories expanded with adventures that will be told and retold for years. A Christmas on the Norwegian Viva wasn’t just a holiday—it was a gift in itself, the kind you hold onto long after the decorations have been packed away.