rotterdam christmas cruise 2015

[teddytumtum]

We are booked on this cruise but am wondering how festive it will be. Has anyone been on a Christmas cruise your experiences would be appreciated. Is it very festive or low key. Looking forward to our cruise only hope the Bay of Biscay behaves itself!!

[Alphen]

We are booked on this cruise but am wondering how festive it will be. Has anyone been on a Christmas cruise your experiences would be appreciated. Is it very festive or low key. Looking forward to our cruise only hope the Bay of Biscay behaves itself!!

 

We have done this exact cruise in 2013/2014. As for the festive part, the ship is nicely decorated, but not over decorated. There will probably be a tree lighting ceremony on the first or second night, with the Christmas tree in the Atrium area being lighted with festive caroling.

 

 

Throughout the rundown to Christmas, there will be singing with all nationalities in the theatre with all kind of small touches, nothing big.

 

 

Arrival of Santa on board is a nice feature, for all the children on board in the theatre.

 

 

No big events, but nice touches to celebrate the holidays, including new year’s eve with events throughout the ship, with the main one in the theatre.

 

 

The weather is a real different thing. If you approach this the “glass half full way”, you are good and you will have a great holiday cruise like we did, otherwise you might reconsider this cruise!

 

Taking a cruise through the bay of Biscay in the wintertime is always a risk and unpredictable. Rest assured that the captain and crew will always make sure that the most safe and comfortable ride is provided, given the circumstances. In our case, we found ourselves sheltering in Le Havre the first and second night of our cruise, missing out on two port visits later in the cruise and finding ourselves back in Rotterdam one day earlier than planned all because of two major storms in the bay of Biscay, on our way down south and also returning north.

 

My personal opinion is, that complaining about these diversions and missing port time in the Canary islands as lots of people on our cruise did, was absolutely ridiculous, this is nothing that HAL nor the crew could do anything about, if you choose to cruise down this area in the winter!

 

 

Small tip, the lower in the ship you are cabin wise, the better you are!

[teddytumtum]

We have done this exact cruise in 2013/2014. As for the festive part, the ship is nicely decorated, but not over decorated. There will probably be a tree lighting ceremony on the first or second night, with the Christmas tree in the Atrium area being lighted with festive caroling.

 

 

Throughout the rundown to Christmas, there will be singing with all nationalities in the theatre with all kind of small touches, nothing big.

 

 

Arrival of Santa on board is a nice feature, for all the children on board in the theatre.

 

 

No big events, but nice touches to celebrate the holidays, including new year’s eve with events throughout the ship, with the main one in the theatre.

 

 

The weather is a real different thing. If you approach this the “glass half full way”, you are good and you will have a great holiday cruise like we did, otherwise you might reconsider this cruise!

 

Taking a cruise through the bay of Biscay in the wintertime is always a risk and unpredictable. Rest assured that the captain and crew will always make sure that the most safe and comfortable ride is provided, given the circumstances. In our case, we found ourselves sheltering in Le Havre the first and second night of our cruise, missing out on two port visits later in the cruise and finding ourselves back in Rotterdam one day earlier than planned all because of two major storms in the bay of Biscay, on our way down south and also returning north.

 

My personal opinion is, that complaining about these diversions and missing port time in the Canary islands as lots of people on our cruise did, was absolutely ridiculous, this is nothing that HAL nor the crew could do anything about, if you choose to cruise down this area in the winter!

 

 

Small tip, the lower in the ship you are cabin wise, the better you are!

 

Thank you so much for all your information and lovely pictures. It really looks good. It was very kind of you to take the time to reply so well.

[jagger16]

Teddy, My husband and I have been on five holiday cruises on HAL (our sixth is coming up this year). We've also been on the Rotterdam (But not for a holiday cruise.) We took our first holiday cruise over New Year's 2010 on Nieuw Amsterdam. We weren't sure how we would like being away from home from our family and friends. Well after about being on the ship for about five minutes we thought this was the greatest idea ever! We learned quickly that the ship is decorated, festive and full of holiday cheer. It only got better as we thought about how we didn't have to cook, clean up or drive anywhere. We have since brought family with us and now we all celebrate together. We have been on for Christmas and New Year's and they are both a joy. Best of all, sharing the holidays with the always warm and friendly crew. They seem to enjoy the holidays with the passengers as much as we enjoy being with them. We took part in any activity that was offered and always had fun: tree lighting, Christmas carol concert, Santa arriving in the theater, pub crawls, New Year's parties. It was all terrific. And even though we did not sail where you are headed (We were in the Caribbean.), I agree to just go with the flow with the weather. It can be dicey that time of year and our expectation is . . . at least it's not snow. You will have a great time. Happy sailing and enjoy!

[teddytumtum]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post the lovely photos and your comments, they are much appreciated. I hope you have a good Christmas.