Do You Believe In Santa Claus?

[Crowsie]

Hi All -
We're thinking of a Christmas cruise this year.

The DD's still believe.....does anyone know if there will be a
Santa Claus on board?

Do they decorate the ships for Christmas like they do the parks?

Are there any special Christmas activities?

Do people decorate their cabins?

Any advice on Christmas cruising is much appreciated!!!

And...I know..it's really expensive to go the week of Christmas,
but my mother-in-law insists!

Thanks -
Crowsie

 

[slindamood]

We cruised last Christmas on the Magic, and it was great!! The ship is fully decorated, complete with a large tree in the lobby and a life-size gingerbread house near Parrot Cay. There is carolling and other special events.

Christmas morning, Santa Goofy (Goofy completely decked out in Santa clothes) sat on a red velvet bench under the tree and gave each child a gift. The little ones got stuffed disney animals and the older ones got things for the beach - a bag with water bottles, etc. The photographer is there, or you can take your own photos.

One event not to miss is a family gingerbread house activity. Each participating family gets a gingerbread house and all decoration materials. The event is timed, and the family with the cleanest table at the end is declared the winner. You need tickets, but they were available at the door on our cruise. We saw some fabulous creations. They are generous with the candy for on the house.

There was a Candlelight christmas eve service and a Christmas sunrise mass on deck. We went to the sunrise service, and it was complete with music and all - in the fresh sea air.

We took along a small tree with lights and small ornaments for our cabin and placed it along side the gingerbread house. The room looked and smelled Christmasy.

There was a special Christmas eve dinner (it was formal night) with a special menu of Christmas specialties. Christmas day was St. Marrten for us, so we spent the day on the beach with the locals. Tropical Christmas grows on you very quickly.

We have booked a Christmas cruise again, but the Dec. 14 sailing. It will not be quite the same as Christmas day, but nobody captures the Christmas spirit like Disney.

Enjoy!!

 

[happydays]

Slindamood - You make it sound so Great!!! I am now sitting here wondering just exactly how long it will take my family to forgive us for skipping the traditional family holiday get-together!!

 

["Ginger"]

Slindamood I too now want to go on a Christmas cruise instead of Halloween. I took my DD to WDW for Christmas one year she was just 23 months old. It was the best Christmas I have ever had. Maybe next year when she's 83 months old.

 

[atigeg]

Sailing on the Wonder is a Thanksgiving tradition for us, and there are always lovely decorations and a festive atmosphere. I have photos of the terminal and shipboard decorations on my website at www.castawayclub.com
I particularly loved the giant gingerbread houses. They smelled SO delicious!!! My mouth watered every time I walked past them.
We took photos of the choclate Easter eggs on our last trip, too, but due to a recent remodeling disaster we are way behind in updating the website. We sail again next week, so there should be a mega update soon, but meanwhile, enjoy the Christmas photos! The link is on the photo page.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[goofydadeo]

We took the Eastern on 11/24/2001 and the ship was all decked out for the holidays including Santa Goofy! It was great and a lot less expensive than the Christmas week sailings. The lobby was very festive with lots of great decorations and holiday music including a tree lighting. We also watch them build a life size gingerbread house over the course of the week! I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[4nana]

Sounds so wonderful !! Nana, Pop Pop and extended family will be there with bells on Dec 14 to help Mickey celebrate. Can't wait !