December dilemma: to sail or to snorkel?

Andy, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, leaps out of the crystalline waters of Nassau's Blue Lagoon and into my 9-year-old daughter's waiting arms. She squeals in delight, hugging the 260-pound mammal's smooth, steel-gray body to her own as it effortlessly treads water in front of her.

The wily dolphin lifts its head from Lyndsay's right shoulder and waits nose-to-nose for her to pucker up for the requisite kiss. Lyndsay takes one look at Andy's distinctive snout and howls: "He's got lipstick!"

It's Christmas Eve.

Most years on Dec. 24, this mother of three is knee-deep in wrapping paper and turkey trimmings.

But today, I'm knee-deep in tropical waters with my daughter and a half-dozen other passengers from Carnival's Paradise cruise ship. We're all laughing so hard at the playful dolphin still bearing traces of my lipstick that we nearly topple off the Dolphin Encounters' steel platform.

It's Day 2 of a week-long Caribbean Christmas cruise to the white-sand shores of Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas/St. John.

We departed on this holiday cruise in the nick of time – Dec. 23 – to avoid the domestic tsunami of cooking, cleaning, and entertaining that strikes our home each Christmas.

Home may be where the heart is, but I don't always want to be there for the holidays.

I'm not a Scrooge. It's just that there's something about the holiday crush – er, season – that brings out the less angelic side of moms. For every moment of festive fun, there are hours of shopping, wrapping, cooking, and housework.

Because we have two sons and a daughter, my husband, Christopher, and I chose Carnival's 2,600-passenger Paradise – the world's only nonsmoking ship – for its family-friendly activities:

It offers a stellar 2,500-square-foot children's area, and its Camp Carnival children's program is one of the largest afloat.

The fact that the Paradise has a 114-foot-long water slide, three swimming pools, six whirlpools, two formal dining rooms, and a 24-hour pizzeria didn't hurt, either.

During the holiday season, the ship is gloriously decked out with Christmas trees, wreaths, and mistletoe. And on Dec. 25, a cruise-line employee dressed as Santa Claus makes an appearance.

So, were our kids excited that we had signed up for a Christmas cruise?

They were appalled. Celebrating Christmas away from home – what were we thinking?

It took some serious cajoling – and the promise of presents to be opened early – to lure the kids onto the plane.

All those concerns, however, melted away the minute we set foot on the festively decorated ship in Miami two days before Christmas.

A half-dozen sheer banners featuring Christmas trees topped with big red bows hung from the six-story glass-domed atrium. Tier after tier of sun-soaked decks and interior banisters were festooned with garlands trimmed in gold and silver tinsel and chunky red baubles, letting you know this was no ordinary cruise. And the familiar melodies of "Silent Night" and "The Nutcracker" filled the air, giving the huge liner a warm, cozy holiday feel. I was feeling less Grinch-like already.

And the kids? The two older ones had already grabbed their swimsuits and headed for the water slide.

My husband and I settled into our stateroom with Payne, our 2-year-old, who found plenty to love about his cozy crib. Then, with the help of Carnival staffers sporting red Santa hats and cheery holiday smiles, we firmed up plans for the days ahead.

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