Christmas Island
It never snows in the Florida Keys, but as every Parrothead knows, Jimmy Buffett was born on Christmas Day 1946. His Caribbean folk tunes have always had a festive air to them, and his Coral Reefer Band tackle these holiday songs in their usual laidback style. Buffett turns out both traditional carols ("Jingle Bells" with a few tropical ad-libs) and his own myth-building originals ("A Sailor's Christmas," "Merry Christmas, Alabama"). This may not be the traditional Christmas fare of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, but for those who enjoy ocean breezes and "wasting away" to this most successful beach bum,Christmas Islandis exactly what the cruise director ordered.--Rob O'Connor