lisatx04 Posted March 14, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 14, 2013 We have the opportunity to cruise on Navigator of the Seas either over the Christmas holiday or over the New Years holiday. It will be our family of 4. The 2 kids are 16 and 14. Having never cruised on this ship or over this time season, we really do not know what to expect. Can anybody who has sailed at this time let me know your thoughts? We have cruised on FOS and loved her! We really did not use the flow rider on FOS so that will not be a huge breaking point for sailing on Navigator. Thanks in advance for any and all help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted March 14, 2013 #2 Share Posted March 14, 2013 We did a New Year’s sailing on the Freedom, just this past December and thought it was one of the best Caribbean cruises we’ve taken. A lot of the emphasis was on the actual NYE celebration. There was a special NYE menu, dining room decorations ( hats, beads, noisemakers, etc.), RCCL put on a huge Times Square type party in the Promenade, and had lot going on well after midnight. College football bowl games were shown at various venues including the outdoor pool screen. While there were lots of families, they told us there were many more children on the cruise (Christmas cruise) just before ours. There have been a few posts about Christmas cruises and it seems those who take them seem to enjoy them very much. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ticktoneer Posted March 14, 2013 #3 Share Posted March 14, 2013 We have the opportunity to cruise on Navigator of the Seas either over the Christmas holiday or over the New Years holiday. It will be our family of 4. The 2 kids are 16 and 14. Having never cruised on this ship or over this time season, we really do not know what to expect. Can anybody who has sailed at this time let me know your thoughts? We have cruised on FOS and loved her! We really did not use the flow rider on FOS so that will not be a huge breaking point for sailing on Navigator. Thanks in advance for any and all help!! I would definitely do New Year with you having 2 older children. It's a great party atmosphere and fantastic fun ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabrielle R. Posted March 14, 2013 #4 Share Posted March 14, 2013 I've been on board for both celebrations. BOTH are great! I like the music at Christmas. They have special menus for BOTH holidays. Wow factor- I'd give it to NYE since the count down is pretty fun and the atrium is amazing since they have balloons that drop. I would look at where the ship is going for both weeks. If there is one you'd prefer do that week. I like both celebrations on board. It is just my DH & I no kids- we both work in schools so we only can travel during the holidays. Christmas has more kids... BUT both sailings will have kids. I'd probably look where the ship is going AND ask your teens which would they prefer if the schedules are different. HAVE FUN deciding! good problem to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsnd1900 Posted March 15, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Choosing between the two, I would go on the New Years sailing. For the price difference, I would go the week before Christmas, or the week after New Years, upgrade the room and have an amazing time spending the difference in cost. I just can not see spending twice as much to be there for a short moment of celebration. Either way, have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatcircle Posted March 15, 2013 #6 Share Posted March 15, 2013 We've cruised both holiday & would suggest that you consider your port calls on legal holidays. Sometimes there are early closings that are problematic if you have a later arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted March 15, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Choosing between the two, I would go on the New Years sailing. For the price difference, I would go the week before Christmas, or the week after New Years, upgrade the room and have an amazing time spending the difference in cost. I just can not see spending twice as much to be there for a short moment of celebration. Either way, have fun! Both of those would be out of the question for a family with two children in high school. That is the reason that they are cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisatx04 Posted March 15, 2013 Author #8 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Thank you all for the replies. Being that the kids will both be in high school and I work at a school, travel time is limited. That being said, we will look closely at the itinerary and hopefully make a choice. I think that the ship herself can be part of the destination as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted March 15, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Thank you all for the replies. Being that the kids will both be in high school and I work at a school, travel time is limited. That being said, we will look closely at the itinerary and hopefully make a choice. I think that the ship herself can be part of the destination as well! Lisa, part of your answer will depend on this: Does your family celebrate Christmas? Some people who do find it difficult to be away from the rest of the family at that time; others find it a blessed relief! ;) If you don't, then being on a ship can mean that you are away from "most" of the hoopla surrounding the holiday, although they do a pretty good job of being festive. Santa Claus visits and gives presents to the children, the ship is thoroughly decorated, there is a 'special holiday menu' for Christmas dinner, many activities (like caroling) revolve around the holiday. I have done a Christmas cruise once, and enjoyed it, and done New Year's Eve cruises MANY times, and LOVED them. I will tell you this: I am a teacher. My first cruise was when my two children were the age of your two. Taking teenagers of that age on a cruise over New Year's solves A LOT of problems. Where will they be? Who will be in their group? Will they be safe? With you on a ship, you know where they are, with whom they are, and what they are doing. A big "win" as far as I am concerned! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marci22 Posted March 15, 2013 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2013 I vote for NYE. We went to Disney this past NYE and it was crazy but fun. Next NYE is midweek so they shouldn't miss too much school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfig63 Posted March 16, 2013 #11 Share Posted March 16, 2013 NYE - as a celebration you will prolly remember it well. THe NYE celebrations are fun and most of the ship partakes. On the NYE cruise I was on there was a huge party on deck, no land in site, no moon and at the stroke of midnight the captain lets loose with the ships whistle (horn). Pretty surreal as you feel you are the only peeps on earth. At dinner they passed out hats and noise makers and MDR was a festive party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abhb Posted March 16, 2013 #12 Share Posted March 16, 2013 We just did the Explorer for New Years. It was magical and the ship is still decorated for Christmas. We also did a X-mas and enjoyed the NYE more for the festivities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexkrn46 Posted March 16, 2013 #13 Share Posted March 16, 2013 We did a New Year’s sailing on the Freedom, just this past December and thought it was one of the best Caribbean cruises we’ve taken. A lot of the emphasis was on the actual NYE celebration. There was a special NYE menu, dining room decorations ( hats, beads, noisemakers, etc.), RCCL put on a huge Times Square type party in the Promenade, and had lot going on well after midnight. College football bowl games were shown at various venues including the outdoor pool screen. While there were lots of families, they told us there were many more children on the cruise (Christmas cruise) just before ours. There have been a few posts about Christmas cruises and it seems those who take them seem to enjoy them very much. M I was on this cruise also and I agree the vibe was special. I have sailed Xmas cruises and families try to stay together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackietex Posted March 16, 2013 #14 Share Posted March 16, 2013 We spent the last 2 New Year's Eve on Mariner and had a fabulous time! Great enough that we have already booked the next one on Navigator. It's a bummer that dry dock is scheduled for January 20014, but still promises to be a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsgal Posted March 16, 2013 #15 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Did the NYear's cruise two years ago on Navigator and loved it.....lots of partying, special menus, great fun.....would do another NY cruise in a second if the price was right. Would rather be home at Christmas, but that's me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJHNorthyorks Posted March 16, 2013 #16 Share Posted March 16, 2013 We've just done both back to back and had a great time. I think if we had to select one we'd have Christmas at home and cruise for New Year. The part atmosphere was fantastic and we anchored off St Martin to watch the fireworks at midnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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