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Instead of celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s in the frigid north this year, why not trade in your snow boots and mittens for a warm weather cruise?

Holiday cruises to the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera offer many of the seasonal trappings of home combined with a tropical island twist. For example, just picture the whole family sipping eggnog by the pool, singing carols on a coral-fringed beach, greeting Santa Claus with Palm fronds, and welcoming in a New Year from the foredeck of a luxury liner while overlooking the turquoise-hued waters of the Caribbean.

If you’re beginning to think that holiday cruises sound idyllic, just wait: this magical atmosphere extends into the interior of the ship where public rooms are decked out with festive décor and restaurants offer holiday menus with seasonal favorites like roast turkey with all the trimmings. Many guests also decorate their own cabin doors and interiors with wreaths, menorahs, holiday cards and locally-made decorations picked up in each port of call. And most put up stockings and leave wrapped gifts in a section of their cabin to open on Christmas Day.

Holiday cruises also travel with ministers, priests and rabbis so that passengers can attend religious services for Christmas and Hanukkah. And there are usually plenty of opportunities to observe familiar rituals such as tree and menorah lighting ceremonies, Christmas caroling, and holiday meals and drinks.

When it comes to the holiday spirit, the ship won’t be the only place you’ll find it. Most of the ports will be bursting with holiday decorations, music and festivals, all with a Caribbean or Mexican twist. In fact, some ports like St. Kitts will be in the middle of island-wide celebrations, while others will be focused on local traditions and folklore.

As for New Year’s Eve, you won’t need to book a table and fork out lots of cash for a celebratory evening. Dinner, entertainment, dancing and a bang-up party are all included in your cruise fare. And you don’t have to appoint a designated driver – your cabin is just a few steps away from the party!

While Christmas and New Year’s cruises are generally more expensive than the rest of the year, the current economic downturn has impacted demand and generated lower than normal cruise fares for the 2009/10 holiday cruise season.  In fact, you may be surprised to find just how affordable a holiday cruise is this year.

However, if you want to lock in your favorite ship, cabin and itinerary for the holiday season, now is the time to book. Once the cold weather arrives, these holiday sailings will sell out quickly. And, as time passes, getting the best air connections will become increasingly difficult.

If you do decide to cruise in the holidays, here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your trip:

* Fly into your port of embarkation a day early. Winter weather up north can be very unreliable, and you don’t want to start the first day of your holidays stressed out because your flight has been delayed.

* If possible, choose a cruise itinerary where Christmas and New Year’s Eve are not on your first or last day on the ship.

* If you can afford it, splurge for a balcony cabin. And if you have more than two kids, consider adjoining cabins.

* Select a large ship from a mainstream cruise line (Disney, NCL, RCI, Carnival, and Princess) with lots of kid-friendly facilities if you’re travelling with children. Conversely, if you’re without kids and don’t want to share your cruise with 1,000 adolescents, try a smaller ship, a line that caters to adults like Holland America, or an upscale line like Regent, Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn. Also, since most families take 7-day cruises, you can also avoid the little folks by booking aboard a longer cruise of 10 to 14 days.

* Bring some decorations for your cabin – a piece of cord or wire for stringing cards, a string of lights, and a favorite decoration or two. And buy some locally made Xmas decorations in each port of call to add to your collection.

* Pack some festive outfits including colorful ties and hats, as well as tuxedos or suits and dresses for the formal and party nights.

So if the thought of trading in your snow boots and mittens for a cruise in the Caribbean is beginning to sound appealing, why not put a holiday cruise under the Christmas or Hanukkah tree this year. It’s a gift that will deliver loads of family fun as well as many years of wonderful memories.