Winter may not be the season when most people think of sailing, especially in Boston Harbor!

Thanks to the creative crew at Classic Harbor Line, however, the holidays are a great time to set sail.

In addition to private charters and other special excursions, Classic Harbor Line offers seasonal sailings in their safe and ship-shape ships that make the Harbor a great place to take friends, family, or colleagues for a special occasion or to offer them a deal that they can’t refuse lest they be forced to walk the plank.

I recently enjoyed a chilly afternoon on Classic Harbor Line’s Cocoa and Carols Holiday Cruise aboard the warm and inviting ship Northern Lights which was festooned with holiday decorations and featured a hot cocoa bar and live music.

Speaking of a bar, the ship’s galley is always open and offers creative cocktails and hearty snacks and meals, including chicken wings, quesadillas, and a grilled cheese sandwich that can be dipped in a crock of basil-flecked tomato soup.

After taking the souvenir blanket to the upper deck to take in some sea air and the breathtaking view of Boston, my friends and I returned to the cozy confines of the indoor area to join in the carousing and enjoy a bottle of Touro wine from Cape Cod, along with some delicious holiday cookies.

If Boston Harbor is not your box of tea, Classic Harbor Line also sails out of Newport, New York, and even Key West, so cold water is no excuse to enjoy their seaworthy offerings.

As I departed the ship and made my way back into the teeming throngs of shoppers, one question hung in my mind-

Who needs a one-horse open sleigh when you can have a climate-controlled boat?