This holiday season, globe-trotters and their families have two ultra-luxe, warm weather opportunities to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s with stylish Crystal Cruises. With expanded options for the holidays, the award-winning line will offer a brand new exotic holiday option through Australia and New Zealand aboard the newly redesigned Crystal Symphony, complete with a complimentary over-the-top New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration in Sydney’s famed harbour. Travelers seeking a tropical Christmas/New Year’s getaway round-trip from Miami can enjoy the holidays aboard Crystal Serenity as she sails to eight ports in Tortola, St. Lucia and other coveted Caribbean locales.

The award-winning ships will be lavishly outfitted with holiday trimmings and décor, from fantastical forest-themed atriums with pines covered in snow and shimmering lights, to Santa’s Bakery inside Bistro Cafés. Elaborate, hand-painted accoutrements and ornaments will adorn areas throughout the ships, creating a romantic, nostalgic winter wonderland. Santa Claus will be on hand for any last minute wishes from junior cruisers, along with other specially planned activities and parties. Christmas days at sea offer traditional culinary delights, including Christmas goose, roast turkey, and chestnut stuffing, plus religious services; New Year’s Eve dinner and champagne countdown celebrations are followed by Bloody Mary parties and mimosa brunch on New Year’s Day.

Jack Anderson, senior vice president of sales and marketing, elaborates on the special voyages: “With activities and excursions for every interest and age, our holiday cruises offer unparalleled choices and a unique, festive setting for discerning families and friends to share the spirit of the season together in a truly memorable way.”

December 20 (16 days) – From Auckland (overnight), Crystal Symphony calls at Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin, New Zealand, spends two nights in Sydney and cruises the awe-inspiring Millford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds before arriving for an overnight stay in Melbourne.

December 21 (14 days) – Crystal Serenity sails from Miami and explores the picturesque islands of Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Lucia, Barbados, and Guadeloupe, West Indies; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Ponce, Puerto Rico (a maiden call); and Key West, Florida.

Until August 31, all inclusive “Book Now” fares for 2012 Holiday voyages aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity begin at $8,505 and $7,060, respectively, with additional perks and savings for family and friend groups of six or more via the Crystal Family Memories Program.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.