Christmas is a magical time of year. From the sounds of carols to the aroma of homemade cookies, the Christmas season offers a lot to love. But much stress goes on behind the scenes. Prepping for guests, putting up decorations, and shopping for gifts in crowded malls are enough to send anyone over the edge. Let someone else do the cooking and trim the tree this year by trading the holiday chaos for a stress-free cruise vacation.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers an array of itineraries to suit all types of travelers and their styles. The only Christmas preparation you need to do is to decide your pleasure. If shopping is your game, head to Europe to delight in the many Christmas markets across the continent. If you prefer to get your tan by lounging in the sun, you can experience the beach in The Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, or Thailand. If you're looking for an exciting escape this holiday season, check out the following five amazing ports you have to see during your Christmas cruise vacation in 2019.

The Caribbean

Are you tired of shoveling snow and bundling up in layers? Replace your scarf with a swimsuit on a Norwegian cruise to The Caribbean. Embark on a seven-day Caribbean cruise from either Miami, Orlando, New York or New Orleans, and enjoy stops in sun-filled ports such as Roatán, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; or George Town, Grand Cayman.

The 14-day Southern Caribbean cruise from New York is a great holiday option. Go for a scenic drive through St. Lucia's pristine rainforest. Swim in the turquoise waters of the Hoyo Azul Lagoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, or sunbathe on one of the beautiful beaches in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Europe

Christmas at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

On Norwegian's 15-Day Holiday Celebration cruise, you'll take a whirlwind tour of some of Europe's most incredible holiday destinations, including Barcelona, Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Your cruise starts and ends in Rome, Italy, where the city's thousand-year-old streets come alive during the festive season. Head to Piazza Navona to check out the many kiosks at the Christmas bazaar. You'll find everything from handmade gifts and mulled wine to roasted chestnuts. If you think that the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is impressive, the one at the Colosseum in Rome will blow your mind.

Spend Christmas Eve strolling through the streets of Venice, shopping in the many squares and Christmas markets, or stepping inside churches to hear choirs singing. On Christmas Day, listen to the bells of St. Mark's Campanile toll and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate from one of the cafes in St. Mark's Square. Cap off your visit with a romantic moonlit gondola ride.

Southeast Asia

If you're looking for something a little more exotic during your Christmas vacation, set sail on Norwegian's 15-day cruise to Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from Singapore. Take a tour of the impressive palaces and golden temples in Bangkok, Thailand. Ride a rickshaw through the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and enjoy breathtaking views from the Kuala Lumpur Tower in Malaysia's capital city.

In addition to delving into the rich history and culture of some of Southeast Asia's best-known cities, you'll have plenty of time to kick back. For example, in Cambodia, you can look for dolphins, dugongs, and monkeys as you relax on Serendipity Beach. Enjoy the beautiful views as you lounge in the sand in Penang, Malaysia, which is known as the Pearl of the Orient for its sandy beaches surrounded by rainforest and mountains.

Hawaii

Spend Christmas paddle boarding in Maui

Spend a merry Christmas — or, as they say in Hawaii, Mele Kalikimaka — exploring the natural beauty of Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island of Hawaii on Norwegian's seven-day Hawaii cruise. Get in the festive spirit with a trip to the Honolulu City Lights display that runs throughout the month of December in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii's largest city. Head to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a special holiday event featuring live entertainment and photos with Santa Claus. Spend Christmas day in Kona learning how to surf, snorkeling amid an array of tropical marine life, or deep-sea fishing.

Mexico

How would you like to spend the Christmas holidays sipping margaritas and sampling the salsa at an authentic Mexican restaurant? Perhaps you'd rather swim with dolphins or go whale watching on a Zodiac. The 7-Day Jewels of the Mexican Riviera cruise gives you the chance to experience all this activity and more. Board your ship in Los Angeles, California, before heading south to some of the most sought-after ports in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

The fun never stops in Mexico. Some of the exciting activities to try include off-road adventures, horseback riding on the beach, salsa lessons, zip-lining into the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range, and world-class sport fishing.

Are you looking for a reason to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season this year? Norwegian Cruise Line offers exciting itineraries all over the world. Whether you want to shake off the winter blues in a sunny destination or head across the pond to explore Europe and beyond, you'll want to consider the amazing ports we just described above. Be sure to sign up for the Norwegian Cruise Line newsletter to get the latest news on Christmas cruise itineraries and exciting cruise deals.