Instead of spending your year-end at a lavish shindig clinking champagne glasses, why not change it up and ring in 2012 on a holiday cruise around the Caribbean?

Celebrity Cruises is offering a two-week Southern Caribbean cruise that departs on the afternoon of Dec. 31 from its port in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Could there be a better way to begin a new year than by cruising to eight exotic and warm isles?
• Orangestad, Aruba—Parasailing, Catamaran cruises and a half-day Jeep safari to a rock formation, a lighthouse and a gold mine top the list of two dozen side trip options.
• Willemstad, Curacao—Opt for a wildlife tour of Knip Beach (home of real pink flamingos), a tour and tasting at the Blue Curacao liqueur factory or snorkeling in the clear blue Caribbean water.

• St. George’s Grenada—Activities include everything from adventurous river tubing to a luxurious champagne lobster cruise.
• Bridgetown, Barbados—Cruise passengers have unique opportunities like island tours via Segway and trips by more traditional modes of transportation to a monkey reserve or Harrison’s Cave.
• Castries, St. Lucia—The menu of 36 excursions here includes a drive into a volcano, rainforest cycling and a waterfall hike.
• St. John’s, Antigua—promises memories will be made on a helicopter tour, a stingray swim or yacht racing.
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas—provides something for everyone with almost four dozen off-shore excursion options. Parasailing, kayaking or golf, anyone?