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Christmas cruises - how does HAL celebrate?

Infi

By Infi,
in Holland America Line

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Infi

Infi

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We have sailed over Christmas for the past 4 years on Princess and enjoyed those cruises immensely. We are now considering a cruise on HAL for the holidays. I know that all cruise lines will have decorations, a special Christmas meal, etc. However, I have also read comments that the holiday spirit is not as present on HAL: i.e., Christmas is just another day, decorations are removed on the 26th, etc.

 

For those who have sailed HAL over the holidays, what exactly do they do to celebrate? (For example, I could list some unique things Princess does for the holidays: caroling and snowfall in the atrium, gingerbread house building contest, etc.) I'm looking for something similar re: HAL at the holidays. Thanks much in advance.

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0bnxshs

0bnxshs

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On our 2010 Holiday cruise to South America and Antarctica on the Veendam, the ship was decorated throughout, there was a tree lighting ceremony in the atrium on embarkation day (20 Dec), there were carolers in the public areas in the evenings and music at the various venues. Christmas Eve was a formal-optional night with traditional Christmas dinner if you wished. Christmas morning Santa landed on board and visited in the showroom with anyone who wished to go onstage and sit on his lap, giving gifts to the children who did and candy to the several adults who did too. The decorations stayed up until New Years Day when they all began to disappear, rather quickly. Our family enjoyed a very warm and happy Christmas that year. :)

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adrift@sea

adrift@sea

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We have sailed over Christmas for the past 4 years on Princess and enjoyed those cruises immensely. We are now considering a cruise on HAL for the holidays. I know that all cruise lines will have decorations, a special Christmas meal, etc. However, I have also read comments that the holiday spirit is not as present on HAL: i.e., Christmas is just another day, decorations are removed on the 26th, etc.

 

For those who have sailed HAL over the holidays, what exactly do they do to celebrate? (For example, I could list some unique things Princess does for the holidays: caroling and snowfall in the atrium, gingerbread house building contest, etc.) I'm looking for something similar re: HAL at the holidays. Thanks much in advance.

 

The Holiday spirit is more low keyed than it was 30 years ago but it is present. There are Christmas trees, decorations, poinsettias, gingerbread houses displayed throughout the ship. Decorations on ships remained up until New Year's and yes they do start disappearing rather quickly. There is a Christmas Tree Lighting with Caroling in the atrium and hot cider and cookies served. International Christmas Choir performs in the Main Show Lounge at 11 pm on Christmas Eve followed by Midnight Mass.

 

Christmas Morning there is a Christmas Caroling in the Main Show Lounge, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus. Presents for all of the children, candy for the adults and egg nog is served. Traditional Dinner is offered in the MDR. Not everyone celebrates the Christmas Holidays and I think HAL balances this well.

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Mary Ellen1

Mary Ellen1

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Your post made me go back & look at my Zuiderdam review from last Christmas. It was our first time cruising over Christmas and we absolutely loved it!!!

 

From my review:

 

Oooh! Christmas on a cruise ship! My first time experiencing this! The highlight was the Christmas concert performed by the ship’s crew. The final group (of 3), the Indonesian choir, was simply amazing. They performed some of their native songs and were accompanied by a simple guitar. Stunningly beautiful! Then the Captain read the Bible story about the birth of Jesus. To close the show, the entire company filed out of the theater, singing Silent Night and holding flameless candles. Then they waited at the exits of the theater to greet all the passengers and wish them Merry Christmas. Nice!

 

I must say I was surprised that the Captain did a Bible reading. I loved it, but you'd never get away with something like that in the politically-correct USA these days...

 

Enjoy your cruise!

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  • 3 months later...
SwissMyst

SwissMyst

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Beautiful decorations that make the ships glitter. And Santa gets spotted coming in on the ship's radar. And the children's program directors working overtime keeping the increased numbers but merry band of kiddies happy and under good control. We were dreading being on such a high number kiddie cruise, but it turned out just fine. We would eagerly do a Christmas cruise again. But it does have a different feeling -- more like shopping during the Christmas rush is different than shopping during the rest of the year. More large family groups moving about the ship and occupying the elevators and Lido tables. More people in funny reindeer sweaters and more sparkle during dinner. More harried moms taking the kids out for breaks during the dinner time in the MDR. But nothing cuter than seeing the kids all dressed up for formal night, and loving it. That was worth the price of admission alone.

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whogo

whogo

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I must say I was surprised that the Captain did a Bible reading. I loved it, but you'd never get away with something like that in the politically-correct USA these days...

 

Nonsense! There is nothing to get away with. No law forbids US corporations or individuals from celebrating Christmas or reading the bible aloud. Personally, I wish a merry Christmas only to those I know that celebrate it. I would not want to offend anyone of a different faith or of no faith.

 

We enjoyed similar Christmas festivities on Holland America a few years back, all very well done, with an overjoyed little girl stealing the show when she received a present from Santa.

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PathfinderEss

PathfinderEss

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We have sailed over Christmas for the past 4 years on Princess and enjoyed those cruises immensely. We are now considering a cruise on HAL for the holidays. I know that all cruise lines will have decorations, a special Christmas meal, etc. However, I have also read comments that the holiday spirit is not as present on HAL: i.e., Christmas is just another day, decorations are removed on the 26th, etc.

 

For those who have sailed HAL over the holidays, what exactly do they do to celebrate? (For example, I could list some unique things Princess does for the holidays: caroling and snowfall in the atrium, gingerbread house building contest, etc.) I'm looking for something similar re: HAL at the holidays. Thanks much in advance.

 

No Hal does not remove the holiday decorations the day after Christmas, they stay up until after New Years.

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Mary Ellen1

Mary Ellen1

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Do all ships have a midnight Mass? We will be on the Eurodam and wondering if it will hold true. Local churches seem to have moved to 10:30PM for the Midnight Mass.

 

They didn't have a midnight Mass on the Zuiderdam last year. Mass was offered at other times, but not at midnight.

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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We have sailed HAL over the holidays and the decorations always remain in place until after New Year's.

 

We just left Westerdam December 2 and two nights before we left, they had started to decorate the ship. There were beautiful garlands wound down the atrium staircase and it looked so beautiful. If that is a hint of what they will be doing, the ship will be 'all dressed up' for the Holidays. :)

 

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SwissMyst

SwissMyst

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On a two week Holiday cruise does formal-optional on Christmas Eve count as one of the four formal nights? In practice how formal does formal optional turn out to be? Thanks for any help you can give us.

 

It is festive - people make an effort to do something sparkly and Christmasy. The kids are the cutest in their Sunday best: little boys in shirt and tie; girls as little fairy princesses in flounce and ruffle.

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Almost everyone makes an effort to 'doll themselves up' to fit the happy mood of the occassion. That is one night folks can 'try a little harder' IMO..... New Year's Eve would be another. ;) :D

 

It doesn't matter if everyone personally celebrates that Holiday but it doesn't hurt to contribute to the ambience and setting for all to enjoy.

 

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Cruisergal1208 Great Review Rare

Cruisergal1208

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Last year we were on the Noordam three weeks prior to Christmas and I think it was in curaçao the staff escorted about 200 school children on board for lunch and then to the theater for Santa Claus.. Each child came on stage for gifts and pictures. Then a special presentation was made to the school. All passengers were invited to attend. The staff and crew had been wrapping gifts for several weeks. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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What would be on the menu for Christmas Day? Our youngest daughter is asking if they will have leg ham, which is a tradition here in Australia.

 

 

I don't recall ever seeing ham on the Christmas menu........ certainly not specifically Australian leg ham. Perhaps with the ship sailing in Australia, they may make special effort to offer some sort of ham if that is what most 'down under' serve for Christmas Dinner?

 

Have a great cruise.

 

 

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Australian family

Australian family

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I don't recall ever seeing ham on the Christmas menu........ certainly not specifically Australian leg ham. Perhaps with the ship sailing in Australia, they may make special effort to offer some sort of ham if that is what most 'down under' serve for Christmas Dinner?

 

Have a great cruise.

 

 

 

In Australia Christmas lunch is normally a cold meal, ham and lots of yummy salads. Some Christmas we have a hot meal of turkey and roast vegetables.

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erewhon Holiday Sharing Rare

erewhon

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PS: on Christmas day they make the yummiest, richest, moistest German-style stollen (a holiday bread) for breakfast at the Lido. That was worth the Christmas cruise alone.

 

Thanks for this information, looking forward to that treat.

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