Anyone sailed at Xmas? HARD Decision...

[thesoldtrain]

Wondered if any of you had sailed around/on Xmas on Disney, and if so, how was it? We currently are booked for 8/20/05 repo cruise, but are contemplating changing to the 10-night this Xmas due to a possible work snaffu next summer. Currently have a 14-night repo Cat. 4 for the same price as what a 10-night Cat. 11 would be.....from that standpoint, I would think the 14 night would be a no-brainer, but I wonder if sailing at Xmas is worth the change? Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[lbgraves]

You would have a blast!!! Definantly check out the thread for that cruise on the meets board. There is a great bunch of people going. Only wish that we could join them. We were on the ship when it was decorated last year & that was beautiful!!! We booked for 12/4 this year just so that we could see the holiday decorations again & enjoy Castaway Cay with snow.

 

[4nana]

We did a family reunion Dec 14, 2002 Magic cruise. It is a most wonderful time to go!! The ship is beautifully decorated, characters in xmas costumes, a tree lighting with caroling, snow falling, etc. I understand now Castaway Cay is decorated for Xmas and Shutters has Xmas card portraits. Have fun and enjoy!

~ Sandie

 

[tvguy]

We did the 12-27-03 Eastern. the decorations were great, the New Years eve party was a blast. And all over the ship they played Disney christmas tunes performed on steel drums.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

With a great group from these boards -- we all enjoyed each other so much, we rebooked onboard for 12/05, and are vacationing this summer at the beach together! We were on the 12/20-27/03 Western.

Christmas was on Thursday, an "at sea" day, and a semi-formal night - perfect!!

Most of us brought decorations (we had a tree with small ornaments and lights, red/white minilights around our porthole - looked great from outside), wreath and card holders on our doors. It was wonderful! The weather was cool enough (and the air conditioning in the restaurants) that I could wear my Radko Chenille sweaters to dinner during the week with either black slacks or a skirt. The DD's got tropical Christmas T's in Key West that were perfect for two teens and they wore them on Christmas Eve.

My only complaint was that I felt like Christmas kind of got lost (at least to me). There are so many traditions that we uphold every year - 12/23 making cinnamon rolls to freeze for Christmas morning, Christmas Eve candlelight service at church, etc. It was kind of nagging, but only for a few minutes! There were so many great holiday activities, beautiful decorations, and beautiful pictures! Castaway Cay day was the day after Christmas - what a great way to spend it (not at the mall!!)

But, it was probably the most memorable vacation our family has had - and as I said, we rebooked for 2005 - departure is 12/24, and disembark is 12/31 - spending NYE in the parks!


I would give just about anything to be able to do the ten day this year, but, without our fabulous group of Dis'ers, it just wouldn't be the same!!

Whatever you decide to do, a Disney cruise will be an unforgettable experience!!

Bonnie

 

[GoofyDisney]

Okay, to those who have sailed over Christmas...our friends who are CMs told us that Christmas week is the hardest because the guests are NOTICEABLEY (sp?) crankier than normal. Did you find this to be true when you sailed?

 

[Greysword]

Christmas cruise would be teriffic, but they will be there in 2005 as well. It is only speculated that the Repo cruise may return. If you haven't been through the canal, I would weigh in on the repo cruise. Maybe the last time you will be able to do that on DCL.

...probably not, but whay take chances?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We did a 7-day Eastern in 2001 as our first cruise ever and it just happened to fall during Christmas. We spent Christmas day in St. Maarten and it was absolutely wonderful!

We would sail during Christmas again in a heartbeat, but the thing keeping us from doing this again is that now we have two lovely dogs. Our hearts would break to be apart from them during a holiday.

We've also cruised the second week in December. That was a great time too because all of the Christmas decorations were up around the ship and on Castaway Cay. That was fun.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

This is an ongoing issue between DH and me.

I'm a 'Christmas Nut.' I start planning in September, put up decorations the day after Thanksgiving, and bake EVERY SINGLE DAY from December 1-23. (I bake breads, cookies, candy, etc for gifts, DD's school and our church.) My entire family (DH's too, only his dad is still living) lives in the area, and we usually have at least one holiday meal at our house. I have the complete sets and 8 place settings of Spode Christmas tree dishes, as well as the same for Lenox Holiday dishes, (I told you I'm a Christmas nut) for which I use some pieces every day in December. I cherish the lovely Christmas Eve church services.

Take this away from me? That sounds as if it's a selfish statement. DH and DD mean more to me than all of the above, and yes, I'll do it, if they ever really want to, but I'm afraid I'll feel an emptiness. My parents are 79, my mother's a severely handicapped stroke victim, and I don't know when it'll be her (or my father's) last Christmas.

On the other hand, I see my family often as they all live close. I have to admit I do like the thought of a DCL Christmas cruise. I just wonder how depressing it is to get off that cruise ship and go back to winter weather, especially since winter is just beginning, and the Christmas decorations still have to come down. I know, all the Christmas take-down still has to be done even if we stay at home. But each Christmas, once the letdown hits, I still have the summer DCL for which I can look forward! LOL!

Any other Christmas 'nuts' out there?

 

[paulcrsb]

I too found it hard to make a decision between the 10 day Christmas or the 8/20 repo cruise. We are now booked on both of them. Whichever you choose please come and join the thread. There are a great group of people on both threads!

Paul

 

[Franco56]

First time cruisers we are!!! DW and my two step sons (14-11) and myself. Lots of questions for you pros. We will be on Deck 6. It is a long wait, but we will be ready!

 

[thesoldtrain]

We took the plunge and went ahead with the 12/18 10-nighter....hoping we made the right decision! Cat.9 guarantee (now, how about an upgrade PLEASE?!??!?!!?) and we are all very excited. Where do I go to join the 12/18 thread?

Jeanette

 

[jilljill]

Originally posted by thesoldtrain
We took the plunge and went ahead with the 12/18 10-nighter....hoping we made the right decision! Cat.9 guarantee (now, how about an upgrade PLEASE?!??!?!!?) and we are all very excited. Where do I go to join the 12/18 thread?

Jeanette

Here's the link to join the 10 day thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=5616539#post5616539

Hop on over and join in on all the fun and craziness .