Travel Tips

Ring in 2015 With New Year’s Eve Deals

Locations in this article:  Denver, CO London, England Los Angeles, CA New York City, NY Orlando, FL

queen maryLooking for some last-minute ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We rounded up some of the best celebrations and New Year’s Eve deals from around the country. Keep reading to find out how you can celebrate—and save.

Auld Lang “Shine” – RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA

The Queen Mary, a historic Scottish liner harbored permanently in Long Beach, is hosting its yearly NYE party. The Scottish tradition is to celebrate from house to house, and for NYE, revelers can climb aboard the Queen Mary to celebrate from country to country. On its three-and-a-half-acre deck, the Queen Mary will be providing food, drink, music, culture, and entertainment representing the seven destinations from the Queen Mary’s Mediterranean Cruise of 1966: Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Morocco, Egypt, and the U.S. General admission “Cabin Class Boarding Pass” includes a complimentary party favor, access to five of the seven stops, seven themed bars, and a view of the midnight fireworks show for $99. The VIP 1st Class Boarding Pass includes three complimentary cocktails, a party favor, access to all seven stops, four additional bars, Hookah Lounge, and premier fireworks viewing for $199. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Zippin’ Lava Eve – KapohoKine Adventures

KapohoKine Adventures, a premier tour operator on the big island of Hawaii, is providing adrenaline-seekers an eight-line zipline adventure through two miles of tropical river gorges and a visit to the Volcano House in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The historic hotel is perched right on the rim of the Kilauea Volcano with a view of the Halemaumau crater. At night, guests will see the lava glow reflected in the steam at the bottom of the crater followed by dinner, dancing, and champagne back at the Volcano House. Package price starts at $2,999/person for up to four guests and includes round-trip transportation from hotel or residence, deluxe crater view accommodations, and meals.

The Bivouac – The US GRANT Hotel, San Diego, CA

San Diego’s original speakeasy is hosting its third annual New Year’s Eve Soiree with an upscale, intimate party. The hotel’s Grant Grill is offering NYE packages with two seating options. The first seating includes the Pre-Celebration four-course dinner with tickets to the Bivouac Club NYE soiree, and the second seating includes a six-course dinner with live entertaining and midnight countdown with champagne toast. Prices for dinner start at $60, and tickets for Bivouac start at $75 per person.

Denver, Colorado

According to Kayak, Denver is one of the least expensive destinations this NYE, with flights starting at $376. This family-friendly destination houses a kid-approved NYE celebration at the Butterfly Pavilion, complete with bubble wrap, confetti, and butterflies, 16th Street mall fireworks, and plenty of micro brews for the adults.

Grand Style NYE Celebration – Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Wisconsin

This award-winning resort spanning 1,300 acres in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is hosting a “Grand” style NYE celebration complete with a lakeside fireworks display at midnight. Packages include a two-night stay in a deluxe guest room, dinner for two in Ristorante Brissago or Geneva ChopHouse, and admission to the NYE Déjà Vu Party with drink tickets and champagne toast. The package starts at $675. The resort is also offering a package for those looking for a more active NYE. Starting at $675, a family of four can enjoy a two-night stay in a deluxe guest room, four lift tickets, dinner buffet at the Ski Chalet, and a fireworks display.

Orlando, Florida

Kayak also lists Orlando as one of the least expensive NYE destinations with flights starting at $463. To celebrate NYE, families can visit Walt Disney’s Magical Kingdom and Epcot Park, which will stay open late to hold holiday festivals for families. The over-21 crowd can head to Orlando’s Wall Street Plaza, which houses some of Orlando’s best nightlife, DJs, and light shows.

Times Square NYE – New York City

A classic and symbolic destination for New Year’s Eve, Times Square is hosting its 107th annual New Year’s Eve Ball lowering. To ring in the new year, one million visitors and locals will join voices together in a countdown to midnight while the Waterford Crystal-covered, LED illuminated, multi-colored ball drops, followed by a 60-second fireworks display. The NYE celebration also features star-studded performances, balloons, confetti, and a colorful pyrotechnic display. With flights starting at $409, NYC is listed on Kayak’s most popular and least expensive destinations list for 2015. 

NYE Bash – Sea Crest Beach Hotel, Cape Cod

Join other visitors and guests for a nightlong affair of dancing and great food at the oceanfront Sea Crest Beach Hotel on NYE this year. The NYE Package, starting at $369, includes overnight accommodations for two, dinner and dancing for two featuring live entertainment, dinner buffet by Executive Chef Daniel Kenny, party favors and Champagne toast, and New Year’s Day breakfast buffet for two in the hotel. Locals who would like to join the 21+ dinner and dancing can do so at $89 a person. For New Year’s Day, revelers can participate in the Old Silver Beach New Year’s Day Run ‘N Dunk, in which guests and local residents can partake in a 5.7 or three-mile run followed by a group plunge at the hotel’s private Old Silver Beach. Day of registration takes place in the hotel and pricing is as follows: Cape Code Level (includes long-sleeved shirt) $30, Clam Level (includes a plush towel) $80, and Starfish Level (includes a robe) $130. Part of the proceeds for all events will go to the West Falmouth Library and Cape Code Center for Women.

A Royal New Year – The Goring, London

The Goring, famous for being the only hotel in the world recognized by Queen Elizabeth II with a Royal Warrant for hospitality services, is hosting a royal New Year’s Eve dinner. Chef Shay Cooper, the youngest Michelin Star holder in London, has created an eight-course dinner that includes an award-winning Beef Wellington and Foie Gras topped off with a glass of The Goring’s famous champagne. Dinner is priced at $350/person. For more information about New Year’s Eve events this year, check out:

By Jessica May Tang for PeterGreenberg.com