I got my passport back a few days ago, only 4 1/2 weeks after applying! It had expired sometime within the past 5 years, so I didn't have to do a complete renewal. But 4 of my kids had passports that expired in 2002-2005, yet theirs are taking longer, probably because they're all under whatever that age is.
I don't know about the Christmas decorations. If we don't see that Tree, the kids are going to wonder, as we've cruised twice before, both during the first week of December. And the gingerbread house? I'd miss that smell! But that's OK, everyone here dreams at least weekly about the food!!