Cruise over Christmas

[Lesverts]

What is the experience of cruising over the actual holiday. Is it just a typical Christmas themed cruise or do they do anything extra for Christmas Eve and Day.

Is it noticeable more on those cruises that the ship is near or at max occupancy?

 

[Clarkson U]

Cruises over holidays - like Christmas are almost always full - max full - and it shows and you feel it. I can't recall if they do a special meal or anything. We have sailed over Thanksgiving but the last time we went I can't recall if they did anything special for menu or just the standard rotational menu that was supposed to happen that day. It might depend on ship and length of sailing.

It should also be noted that cruises over Christmas are generally some of the most if not the most expensive DCL sailings in a given year.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When we cruised over Christmas the characters -- Fab 4 -- wore Victorian costumes and as they came down the grand staircase it snowed in the atrium. One of my favorite DCL memories.

Taking a flight with presents can be tricky as TSA doesn't allow wrapped gifts in your luggage. So you can pack your own wrapping paper and tape, and after you get to your room on the ship you'll need to find a quiet moment alone to do the honors. Obviously any large gifts will need to stay home, or just count the cruise as a fabulous gift.

 

[Lesverts]

I am looking at the Fantasy sailing over Christmas. It is pricy, but less than a deluxe with DDP or going to Disneyland and staying on property.

 

[soniam]

We cruised on the Wish 4 night over xmas in 2023. They had a special menu at dinner. I think it's on DCL blog, in the navigators. They had special activities and a special show in the atrium. They moved the port schedule around too, so that we wouldn't be in Nassau on xmas day. We were at sea. It was a lot of fun.

 

[heggy]

My family and I cruised on Christmas Day in 2017 on the Dream and would do it again.
Christmas Day fell on a sea day so it was very relaxing.
Disney offered a Christmas Eve service and a Christmas Day service in one of the theaters.
On Christmas Morning, the atrium had Mr. and Mrs. Claus and snow was falling. DCL provided an assortment of cookies and beverages (hot cocoa, apple cider, and such) to nosh on. Children under 18 were given a DCL Tervis style mug. All cabins received a piece of DCL Christmas theme wall art.
I enjoyed seeing families in matching pajamas\robes strolling in the atrium. Some of the matching pjs\robes had embroidery, stating the family position. Example is Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother, Daughter 1, Daughter 2, etc, etc.
Here is the Christmas Day menu from the Wonder in 2016 and it was the same for us on the Dream in 2017.
Hope this helps.

 

[Calantha]

It should also be noted that cruises over Christmas are generally some of the most if not the most expensive DCL sailings in a given year.

I'd love to cruise over Christmas, but alas, this deters us. Maybe we can catch the few days before, but I don't want to get stuck traveling home in the Christmas rush.

 

[Mags2002]

I have never been on as a Guest, but I love being onboard for Christmas. It is so magical and there is just a different energy. I highly recommend it