Christmas on board?

[Live4cruises]

What is it like to be on a Christmas cruise - not talking about kids here, but rather talking about decorations, ambiance, special food?

 

We are struggling with a decision about whether it is worth the additional $ to take a Christmas cruise.

 

Thanks!

[travelgenie]

We went on a Christmas week cruise several years ago on a NCL ship as our gift to ourselves and our 2 teenage sons at the time. We loved it, the ship was decorated beautifully, upon arriving at the terminal (Miami) the ship's singers were singing Christmas Carols and throughout the cruise, strolled through the ship singing, very festive. They had trees everywhere and a large one in the atrium. On Christmas eve, they had a special show,egg nog and right before midnight, somehow they made it snow (fake) in the atrium, very cool. Christmas morning, Santa appeared and gave out small gifts to children who showed up, they really made the day feel special, even though we were in the Caribbean. I know it is more expensive to go then, but would not hesitate to do it again.

[hpf]

My DH and I along with a cpl. of very good friends took a Christmas Cruise out of NY to the Southern Carribean 3 years ago. It was also over New Years. Every thing was beautifully decorated. Lots of champagne, parties etc. and we wern't even in a suite.

We all enjoyed it even if our children and grandchildren were at home complaining about not being able to come home to Mommie and Daddies for the Holidays. We didn't feel one bit guility,

In fact just a couple of weeks ago Priscilla said to me " you know it's about time we start thinking about another Christmas cruise". So now after we get over paying for an European cruise for next summer (to celebrate our 50th Anniversary ) we will likely book one for 2012.

Hope you run away for christmas and have a wonderful time if you go. Oh yes we were on the Noordam.

Helen

[bzv143]

Dear Live4Cruises: Check out the new Christmas pricing on HAL! Wow, I nearly passed out, and then I immediately called my travel agent to book. Must be competitive with all the megaships now--the Noordam and Westerdam are offering "dam" good deals for Christmas--better than even 3 weeks ago. :eek:

[Bill B]

I was on the Amsterdam for Christmas/New Years, '04/'05, Rio - Santiago (with Antarctica). The ship was decorated all over; there were special dinners with party favors on Christmas & New Years; an 'Ice Ball' on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) night in the Crows Nest; and of course, a big New Years Eve celebration.

 

In the MDR, the usual, Captain's Table was replaced by a two-deck-tall Christmas tree. The captain 'took a shine' to one of two, young, attractive sisters who were my table mates. Because I was cruising 'solo' there was an empty seat at our table for eight... when he found this out (3rd day), our table became the 'Captains Table' for the remainder of the cruise (my wine expenses were almost $0.00 over the 21 days). The 'routine' became - after dinner, he and I would escort 'the girls' to the Explorer's Lounge for an after-dinner drink (and a smoke), then do a 'PR' walk-through of all the public areas/lounges/bars to eventually end up in the Crows Nest for a 'nightcap' (I couldn't buy a drink). It was fantastic... everyone was jealous (you should have heard my trivia team the next morning... LOL) and we were the 'gossip' of the ship!

[casavaha]

We cruise at Christmas every year and have been for the last 6 years. We love it.

 

We do not have children so it is great to take off for 14 days or more. This year we

 

are on the Statendam for 28 days, SAN-SAN, thru the canal twice.

 

Like every other thing with cruising it is a personal liking. There are some great prices

 

on HAL this Christmas.

 

Greg

[SwissMyst]

The decorations and extras during the holidays make these cruises special. The only drawback for this time when more families travel together, and it was relatively minor problem, is that people travel in larger groups so they fill up Lido tables, hallways and elevators more than when people travel instead as couples. There is probably less mingling among fellow passengers as these larger family groups are more self-contained.

 

Certainly there were way more children at this time, but the ship like the Oosterdam which we were on. is big and their energy was contained and happy. The HAL staff dealing with the various children's activities appeared to be doing a great job with them.

[Live4cruises]

Thank you all for your happy and festive responses. We booked it ~ Christmas Eve -> New Year's Eve on the Westerdam, AND in a suite! This will be a Christmas to remember.

[kalliekae]

We've often thought of going on a Christmas cruise. Now that ds is married, we may seriously consider it since we have a very small family. I know I would love to see all the ship decorations. Please come back and post your experience.

[Linda&Vern]

Thank you all for your happy and festive responses. We booked it ~ Christmas Eve -> New Year's Eve on the Westerdam, AND in a suite! This will be a Christmas to remember.

You will LOVE it - the best "no stress" Holiday you can imagine!

[Infi]

Thanks to all those who have replied. I am considering a HAL Christmas cruise next year. We have done Princess Christmas cruises twice (this year will be the third), and feel so spoiled by those that we worry another line wouldn't measure up on the holiday cheer. On Princess we are used to Santa visiting the ship, gingerbread house building contest, Christmas crackers at dinner, etc. Can anyone speak to special holiday activities or meals onboard HAL?

[Australian family]

Does HAL have gingerbread houses on display for Christmas day?

 

Also how much effort do they go to for children?

 

Out of curiousity, does anyone have a Christmas day menu?

 

I would love to do a Christmas cruise, we looked at one last December, but for an extra 3 days it was going to cost an extra $3000 AUD.

[hrhdhd]

Also how much effort do they go to for children?

 

We did one Christmas cruise years ago before we figured out that the ship is just as festive (minus the Santa visit I'm about to describe) the week before for almost 1/2 the price. :rolleyes: We're going again on the Westerdam this year, leaving the 17th and coming back the 24th.

 

When we cruised over Christmas, we were at HMC on Christmas day. Santa parasailed onto the ship and then went to the theater and handed out little gifts to the children. He was also on HMC for part of the day, riding a little cart up and down the beach. It was a hoot. Of course, HMC is HAL's island, so this experience may not occur on a ship that's somewhere else on Christmas, but they seemed to make a good effort to make that day special. YMMV.

[hal lover]

Does HAL have gingerbread houses on display for Christmas day?

Yes they do. In the main dining room there is always a very lovely display.

 

Also how much effort do they go to for children?

 

The VERY BEST Christmas onboard for us, (we don't have kid's) was on the Noordam last year. Christmas morning the little one's, age's 2-12, were in the middle of the Atruim. The adult's were sat on the backside. The decoration's and singing carol's were great. Then Santa appears! The "fake" snow is falling. It was exciting for the children and for us, a very lovely Christmas morning! They take the kid's up the Atrium stairs and to another room and give out kiddie gift's.

 

Out of curiousity, does anyone have a Christmas day menu?

Sorry, no menu's do I have.

 

I would love to do a Christmas cruise, we looked at one last December, but for an extra 3 days it was going to cost an extra $3000 AUD.

 

That's too bad that the price's are higher for you. The price's this year in the US have been the best that I can recall. Keep checking!

Hope that you have a wonderful holiday, no matter what you chose to do!

[world~citizen]

We heartily recommend sailing at Christmas if there are no family obligations.

 

Its a wonderful experience.

 

Smooth sailing...

[Micmac]

We have been doing Christmas cruises for 7 years. We skipped last year and realized how much we missed it! So - we made sure we were booked again this year.

 

As far as menu - usually either Christmas eve or Christmas day the menu has both filet and lobster (usually corresponds with whichever one is a formal night). Additionally, they usually have turkey and dressing on Christmas day.

 

On Christmas eve, the staff always does a show where they will sing holiday songs from their countries always ending in a candlelit song with the staff on stage and including everyone in the audience.

 

As mentioned previously, we have been on HMC on Christmas and seeing a parasailing Claus is quite fun! In other years, he has come aboard on a tender - great picture opportunities. There is always eggnog available on Christmas morning.

 

Hrhdhd - you should join our roll call group!

 

Michelle

[Australian family]

Oh that sounds so good. We will have to try a christmas cruise one year, sooner rather than later.

[travellingprof]

After reading all the above comments I'm glad my partner and I booked the Dec. 24 departure on the Westerdam. Neither of us have been on HAL before (in fact, Peter's first cruise was the Celebrity one we did in the Baltics this spring....so it's going to be hard to top the Eclipse), but we are looking forward to the experience. Currently we're booked in a SZ guarantee (couldn't beat the price!) and looking forward to getting our cabin assignment.

 

Kim

[LHC]

I will be cruising again over Christmas and NYE. My DD and I have done three previous Holiday cruises and I am going solo this time. I am so looking forward to the trip. HAL makes these cruises very special with the decorations, meal planning, festivities, games while on board, and the special time just to close out a year and start a new one is a delight.

 

This is my first time on one of the larger ships, the Zuiderdam. The upside is this is also my first balcony cruise. So looking forward to the music, fun, food, fellowship and the glorious Caribbean in the dead of Winter.

 

It is special and magical for me.

 

LHC

[Scrapchick]

I'm so happy to see this thread and the replies. We went on the Golden Princess last Christmas and had a blast and are booked on the Rotterdam this year. In my heart I wanted to do the Golden again as we made many friends on that who will on board this Christmas too. I have read that HAL does all the festivities too and these posts really reassure me that this Christmas cruise will also be a wonderful holiday experience.

 

Can't wait!