Crusing next Christmas.....can anyone give me details?

[belle&beastcrazy]

My family and I took the DCL/Wonder in the summer of 2002. I now have booked the Christmas 2003 on the Magic/western. I would like to hear from anyone who took the Christmas cruise this year. Any details would be great like Christman Eve and Christmas Dinner, did you dress in more winter outfits or do you still wear tropical summer dresses. What was the menu like I hear they have changed. Christmas activities for families and teens. (dd-13, dd-19) Any info would be great.

 

[printmagic]

We just returned from the Magic Christmas cruise. Everything gets jumbled during this time period (which I did not expect). The formal nights are changed to Tuesday and semi formal is Thursday. Tuesday was Christmas Eve which was the explanation we got. However, with early seating for dinner and Tuesday being our Grand Cayman day with tenders to/from the Magic, it made it very hectic. The menu's also changed for Christmas Day (turkey, ham, etc). The servers were not as familiar with the menu as it only happens once a year.

As for dressing in Christmas/Holiday attire--there were very few people who did. It was normal formal attire on Christmas Eve and casual dinner attire for Christmas Day. Christmas Day was in Cozumel so we were very busy with tours.

However, Disney did have gifts for all of the children to pick up on Christmas morning from Santa and all of the characters were there for the little ones. It was a great thing to see.

The weather was good but not great...it could have been much worse. Our first day at sea was perfect. The second was unbelieveably windy and as a result, chilly. BUT the Castaway Cay day was absolutely gorgeous! We had a great time.

 

[magiroux]

Just came back from the Xmas Magic. Since I am from New England it just does't feel the same without snow or at least bone chilling cold. As "printmagic" says the change in formal nights caught me off gaurd since we planned Palo's for a formal night but I have to say the dinner was the best I had on the ship (prime rib).

I brought an extra old suitcase filled with presents and a small tree (2ft) pre lit alng with a string of lights and some garland which I decorated with candy canes and special ornaments for my room to make it a little festive. I ended up just leaving the tree.

They had extra activities like children's caroling, staff caroling, gingerbread house making, special visits to the kid's club from Goofy Santa and lots of other activities throughout the week.

 

[MickeyCanada]

Just curious, what did the kids receive as gifts?

 

[magiroux]

The Children received one of several gifts. It seemed to be chosen by age group.

Infants and toddlers rec'd a small stuffed baby Simba (very cute).

Ages 5-10 rec'd a Pooh Bath Scrubber with two Mickey Soaps.

The older children got some kind of hand held electronic toy. Not sure what it was but I saw the kids all over the ship playing with them all day so they must of been pretty cool.

 

[sassytpotts]

The older children got a little radio with a headset. It actually works pretty good. (10-14 year olds)

Yes the formal nights did get all mixed up and I had planned Palo's on Christmas Eve. (Palo's was great!)

My kids had a blast and the weather was a little windy but no rain. Castaway Key was perfect, but too short. We had an awesome time.

There are lots of decorations and tons of picture opportunities in front of the tree, with characters, etc. The holidays are what you make of it, it was different, but lots of fun. Next cruise won't be over the holidays.

I saw my children maybe 25% of the cruise, they spent so much time doing their own thing.