Because I have so enjoyed the holidays I have spent at sea, I always like to pass along updates and information from the lines themselves about what they are doing to celebrate the season. I do think this is a wonderful time of year to spend on a cruise with friends and family.
I recently heard from Princess Cruises, and if you like the idea of a holiday spent at sea, this line is worth considering- they go all out for the holidays, featuring things like a “daily snowfall” (a snow making process where falling flakes immediately disappear upon contact), Christmas trees on the masts, and strolling carolers.
They also host a series of holiday activities; gingerbread house building, ornament making, and even turkey carving demonstrations. There is a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”, and a holiday variety show that livens up the atmosphere even further.
For those of you who like to attend religious services associated with the seas, Princess offers a midnight mass or an inter-denominational church service. Beginning December 8, a special area of the ship is reserved for those of you who participate in Hanukkah, with menorahs, fresh flowers and crafts related to the holiday.
And this information is straight from the line; what to expect for holiday dining, children’s activities, and New Year’s festivities:
Holiday Feasts – Each Princess ship’s culinary team will delight the senses with spectacular holiday displays and will serve up several delicious feasts. A sumptuous Christmas breakfast includes complimentary eggnog. On Christmas Day, passengers will sit down to a dinner of traditional holiday fare including roast turkey and all the trimmings. Freshly prepared stollen and Christmas cookies (even some for Santa) round out the seasonal treats.
Christmas For Children – Junior cruisers can count down to the big day with special holiday activities. Santa Claus makes an appearance with a gift for each child, and a fun-filled holiday fair in the atrium offers youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at Christmas cookie decorating, balloon making, face painting, games and other competitions. The youth centers will host holiday parties for each age group, and kids can make decorations to display on the center’s Christmas tree. Youngsters can get creative with other holiday-themed arts and crafts projects throughout the cruise, and they will have an opportunity to sing Christmas carols for passengers. For parents who want to stay up later to celebrate the holidays, free late-night group kid sitting sessions will be available on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year – Passengers can ring in 2013 with fun-filled New Year’s Eve parties, complete with all the festivities: music, confetti, noise-makers and a balloon drop to count down to the new year. Earlier in the evening, the dinner menu will feature special treats just for New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, football fans will be pleased to know they won’t miss the holiday’s traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts will be shown (as available by satellite) on the giant Movies Under the Stars screens or in shipboard lounges.