All Decked Out: Office Christmas Party Ideas Worth Trying This Year
Thursday, 17 September 2026
If your office Christmas party has followed the same comfortable format for the last few years – a restaurant meal followed by drinks in a local bar – it’s worth asking whether your team actually look forward to it, or if it’s gradually become an obligatory chore of the holiday season.
This year, plan differently. Here are some ways to spice up your office Christmas Party, all bundled into one standout event, making it easier than ever to organise.
SKIP THE SAME OLD VENUE
Your nearby restaurants and bars aren’t overly special, especially if your team are relatively local themselves and may have made their way through the menu of their own accord. An office Christmas party that’s truly memorable starts with a showstopper venue. Our flagship, Ambience, hosts our Christmas Parties, docked in Tilbury and dressed for the season, with full access to the ship’s public spaces. It feels like an occasion rather than just another table at the restaurant your team visited last December, while still being easily accessible.
LET THE ENTERTAINMENT SPEAK FOR ITSELF
Whether it’s a quiz, escape room or live band, entertainment is just another element to arrange and further for the budget to stretch. That’s why dinner and drinks remain such a common Christmas party format. Move your celebrations to the cruise ship and enjoy a full show in the onboard theatre as part of the experience. No additional bookings to manage and no need to painstakingly co-ordinate between your dining seating and the show start time. Let us handle the planning, so you can celebrate with confidence.
Read more: How to Book Your Corporate Christmas Party at Sea (2026 Edition)
Amazing 3 night break!
I have recently returned from a 3 night cruise with Ambassador cruises to Honfleur in france and back on their ship Ambience. The weather was good, the food was incredible and the drinks included with the drinks package were amazing! What a trip! I highly recommend Ambassador and want to go back!
– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot
MAKE A DAY OF IT OR DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
There’s an important choice to be made when it comes to the timing of your office Christmas celebrations, and the best option simply comes down to which suits your team. A lunch sitting makes use of daytime hours to ensure you get the full experience while still making it home by early evening – perfect for teams with families or other commitments that make it harder to spare a full evening away. A dinner sitting offers a fuller night out, with the option to spend the night in a cabin.
FORGET THE LAST TRAIN – SPEND THE NIGHT
How the event ends can leave a lasting impression on all who attend. Rather than ordering a taxi or rushing to catch the last train home, your team can spend the night in cabins on the ship, with breakfast included to start the morning after on the right foot. The ship stays docked in Tilbury all night, so there’s no sailing involved and no passports required. No one’s leaving early to coincide with public transport, making costly payments to taxi firms or enlisting family and friends to pick them up late into the night.
Read more: Packing for a Cruise Without Overthinking It
Christmas
We had a lovely time. All staff were amazing, friendly and welcoming. The cabin was clean and comfortable. The food was excellent and always served with a great atmosphere. Our MDR waiters were professional and went out of their way to make our experience as wonderful as possible. The show team were amazing and all worked really hard. The Ambience is our preferred choice but have had a brilliant time on the Ambition as well.
– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot
FOUR UNIQUE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEAS IN ONE EVENT
What seems like four separate ideas – a showstopper venue, five-course festive feast, West End-style entertainment and an overnight stay – can actually be one unified event. Forget trying to source a venue that can fit your entire team, booking a band that everyone will enjoy or ensuring everything runs smoothly between the meal and entertainment; it all comes in a single booking. If you’re in charge of this year’s office Christmas do, we couldn’t have made it easier for you to organise – and isn’t that the best gift of all?
Availability of our Christmas parties moves quickly each year, so check current dates and pricing and act fast!
WANT MORE CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEAS, TIPS AND OFFERS?
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WHY CRUISE WITH AMBASSADOR
Experience more with Ambassador. Sailing from UK ports with welcoming service, comfortable smaller ships and a wide range of destinations, there's plenty to discover beyond the Christmas party too, from full-board dining to entertainment and sailings all year round.
For more destination guides, travel tips and must-see locations, be sure to read the articles on our blog.
