Christmas on Celebrity vs Princess

[BosoxI]

We spent Christmas on the Eclipse this year and on the Pacific Princess in 2009 and 2010. Naturally, we cannot say if these ships are representative of all the ships in the two fleets, but the differences are tremendous. Eclipse really had the Christmas spirit, as "Merry Christmas" was heard from passengers and crew alike. Christmas carols were played in the common areas and passageways. A passenger choir was organized to sing carols. A minister and a priest were on board and conducted services, the priest on every day. Contrast this with Princess, where "Happy Holidays" was the CD's cry, even on Christmas day. The songs sung were sterile, Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, and the all time Christmas favorite "A Few of my Favorite Things." It was a pleasure being onboard the Eclipse for any number of reasons, the Christmas spirit being one of them. Thanks, Celebrity.

[junglejane]

We just got off the Sapphire Princess Christmas cruise on Saturday. The Victorian carolers in the atrium at embarkation set the theme for a very festive holiday atmosphere throughout the week long cruise. The atrium area was beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, garlands, wreaths and even the occasional falling snow. There were lots of Christmas-y decorations and activities, such as a Gingerbread House building competition, carol singing, interdenominational services, a visit by Santa for kids in the Princess Theatre, and the Captain reading “The Night Before Christmas” in the atrium. The passengers joined in singing plenty of Christmas songs, both Christian and secular.

 

On Christmas Day we had a formal night in the MDR with a special Christmas menu, including pumpkin soup, beef tenderloin, turkey with all the trimmings, baked ham, English pudding, Gingerbread souffle, and much more. I was worried that it wouldn’t seem like Christmas being on the ship, but the Sapphire crew did a first rate job.:)

 

Also, the Pacific Princess is not a good comparison to the Eclipse because it is a much smaller ship that caters to an older clientele on longer, more exotic itineraries. That may be why they had a more toned down Christmas celebration.

[BosoxI]

This is very nice to hear, Junglejane, but, of course, most of what you describe is a secular Christmas, as was the case on the Pacific Princess two years running. Looks like Celebrity will see us on board again this year. Great. After twenty eight years of cruising with Princess, Celebrity has weaned me away. Their food is now better and much tastier, their service is as good, their itineraries are at least equal, their ships are nicer, and with the exception of internet minutes, their Elite benefits are far better. Thanks, Celebrity.