Big Holidays are among the top times for folks to cruise. Our family has sailed on 2 New Years Eve Cruises and a Christmas Cruise. Both were a lot of fun and we will likely take that same kind of cruise again.
Over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holiday time frame you will see a ship transform from a cruise ship to a Winter Wonderland. It can be pretty exciting to go outside in the Tropical heat and walk back in to see displays that are distinctly Christmas, with Gingerbread houses, Christmas trees and the like around the ship. There are usually various seasonal activities for the entire family.
The first Holiday Cruise we took was a New Year’s Eve cruise several years ago on the Grandeur of the Seas. It was an incredible experience. We brought our daughter along on this cruise after having gone on two without her previously. She really liked Royal Caribbean, especially the kid programs and the balloon drop on New Year’s Eve at midnight. I believe that we pulled out of Cozumel several hours before the count-down and big celebration.
The following year we were aboard Voyager of the Seas for New Year’s Eve and had our first full suite. Wow, it was a really incredible experience. A larger ship with more space for a balloon drop and a bigger party made it an even more enjoyable experience. Royal Caribbean hit a home run with the Royal Promenade on Voyager Class and large ships.
There are kids parties and adults only parties in various parts of the ship. At midnight free flowing champagne was available for the guests. I saw many grab several glasses so they could really get in the party mood. It is one opportunity though to pick up some free booze on the ship. Of course if you have access to the Concierge Lounge as is a suites privilege on Royal Caribbean free bubbly is not that exciting.
More recently we cruised over Christmas on the Voyager. (I’ve sailed Voyager four times myself.) This was a really enjoyable cruise. We were fortunately to snag a couple of Junior Suites at the relatively last minute and my parents joined us. On this cruise we met lots of multi-generation families who were also like us celebrating Christmas aboard. Of course like us many families make the big gift for the year the trip itself. Yes, many folks do choose to make a vacation the primary Christmas gift, it is one way to give without stacking more ties on the rack in the closet.
With Christmas Caroling, special food, a nice Christmas meal the cruise ship crew work hard to make the holiday sailing special. Santa usually visits to ensure all kids aboard get a nice gift while they are at sea away from their homes. The Christmas dinner is usually quite nice with a Christmas theme. Of course you still get all the normal ports of call, maybe in a different order to ensure you will be at sea on Christmas.
The weather is reasonably good at this time of year, seldom have Hurricanes popped up this far outside of the season. In the Caribbean it is really quite nice, not too hot during the day but much warmer than home is for many of those aboard the ship. The seas are generally not too bad this time of year either. Of course as cold fronts cross the Gulf of Mexico, the front can kick up wind creating a gentle roll on the ship, but nothing that is usually too bad.
With a special Holiday Season environment created aboard the ship, it’s definitely a great time to sail the seas on a cruise ship.
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