High Seas for the Holidays
A:
Maybe we can leave out the “Jingle Bell Rock” when it comes to cruise ships, but the thought of spending the holidays at sea really rocks for me. A Christmas cruise is certainly not what you would call “Home for the Holidays,” but mark my words, it can be so much more! From the moment you walk up the gangway, you’ll leave the pressures of the holiday hustle and bustle behind you.
Your vessel will be decked out in festive finery from bow to stern. Christmas trees will adorn the atrium. Garlands and twinkling lights will hang from the staircases and interior balconies.
You can expect a grand Christmas pageant to be performed in the main theater. You’ll be treated to Christmas carols, dancers twirling in their holiday costumes, and the joy of the season radiating from the stage. The spectacle varies ship to ship, but all are bound to please.
If part of your family tradition includes attending church, Christmas services will be conducted on board. They may be Catholic, Protestant, interdenominational, or perhaps all of the above.
As for the holiday meal, you don’t have to cook a thing! Every delicious entrée — from ham to turkey with all the trimmings — will be served in your dining room. No table to set, no dishes to wash; just sit back and enjoy your family and the fabulous food.
And yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and he will surely be on board to greet cruisers of all ages. Cruise ships and their staff really go all out to make holiday sailings a very special experience for their passengers.
If you decide to celebrate Christmas at sea, there are a lot of things you can do to make your voyage merrier.
Q:
My extended family has been considering a Caribbean cruise for the holidays this year, but we are afraid that it won’t feel like Christmas to our kids. Is Christmas at sea a real celebration or just a great vacation? — Virginia H., Bangor, ME
Decorate your cabin door and balcony if you have one. Christmas wrapping paper and some stick-on bows can turn your door into a pretty present. Or maybe you could make it look like a giant holiday card — and complete it with an attached pen so passing passengers can sign your card. A plastic garland or a string of batteryoperated lights can give your balcony railing that festive look.
Bring a small artificial tree and decorate it with mini-ornaments. You could buy little gifts on the voyage and place them under the tree for Christmas morning. Just remember that anything you buy has to fit in your luggage for your trip back home. Or you might consider taking a few photos of some of your children’s presents waiting for them at home after the trip. Wrap the photos like gifts and put them under the tree as well.
Before you leave home, hit your local dollar store and pick up a box or two of candy canes and some holiday cards. You and your kids can hand them out to crewmembers on your ship. On Christmas Day, you can give your cabin stewards, waiters, and bartenders a card with a little extra tip tucked inside. I guarantee this will provide a great deal of Christmas cheer to those hardworking folks who are so far from their own homes and families.
These are just a couple of spirit-filled ideas. Get creative and you can find lots of little ways to bring your own holiday traditions with you on your amazing cruise … or better yet, make new ones.
Some holiday cruisers chose to sail for New Year’s. Just like Christmas, cruise ships can make your New Year’s Eve one that you will never forget. Feel free to dress to the nines in a dazzling gown or fancy tuxedo, or go with the flow in more casual attire. Anything goes for the big blowout. Some ships will feature a ball drop in the atrium with Champagne flowing freely at midnight. Others will start the New Year off with a bang (literally) as they set off a fireworks display that lights up the night sky. Still others may present an outdoor laser light show that’s sure to delight. Dance music will fill the lounges and balloons may drop from the ceiling … all in an effort to give you that unforgettable experience of New Year’s Eve.