We all know the holidays can be crazy. Gift buying, entertaining, visiting relatives, cooking, the list goes on and on. If you’re like me, you’ve dreamt of escaping all the chaos and demands and just going on vacation — to be specific cruising over the holidays! But is it worth it? Do you miss out on the traditions? Do you feel less in the Holiday spirit? I’m here to tell you it’s amazing!
At this point in the year, plans for the Holidays are already being made. Relatives are inquiring about your travels. Families are trying to coordinate schedules and locations to spend time together. It can be stressful juggling everyone’s schedules and demands. You’re bound to overextend yourself or disappoint others. It can feel like a no-win situation. However, it’s also not too late to schedule a family vacation to reduce the annual stress.
Hesitations of cruising over the holidays
A few years ago, following the darkest parts of the pandemic when the cruise lines were shut down and vacationing in many locations was limited, we finally rescheduled a cruise that should’ve taken place on March 15, 2020. Due to our limited availability due to school and work schedules, we had to reschedule for Christmas break, with Christmas Day falling in the middle of our cruise. My daughter was 11 then and was hesitant that she wouldn’t receive her Christmas gifts. Another hesitation was the concern of being on a ship with 5000 other people who were in vacation mode. Would it feel more like partying at Spring Break than the holidays? We all know the food on a cruise is plentiful, but would it be unique to the Holidays? Despite these hesitations, we were willing to take the risk of going on our significantly delayed cruise vacation.
Décor and atmosphere
My worries were put at ease when we stepped on the boat. The beautiful decorations adorning the lobby of the ship and the adorable outfits worn by the staff set a whole Holiday spirit! We packed our festive apparel and accessories, including Christmas pajamas, formal attire for dinner, and every Christmas shirt and pair of leggings we owned! We were not alone in the Christmas spirit. Every day, we saw families in matching outfits and taking pajama pictures by the giant Christmas tree in the lobby.
Holiday-themed activities
In addition to the usual activities and amenities on board, this holiday cruise was jam-packed with exclusive Holiday events. We participated in Christmas Movie Trivia, Name that Holiday Tune, Christmas craft-making, Holiday movies on the big screen, and even a zip-lining Santa! We were on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, so on board was an ice skating rink. Although we don’t always participate in ice skating, it seemed fitting on this trip.
One of the cutest additions to this Holiday cruise was the gift distribution they offered every child on the ship. On Christmas Day, they turned the ice-skating rink into a gift distribution center with adorable decorations and wrapped gifts for every kid on board. The amazing staff dressed in festive Christmas attire and shared their Holiday joy.
Seasonal menus
One of the biggest draws of a cruise is the endless amount of food offered while on board. From main dining to specialty-themed restaurants to lunch and snack spots, you will never go hungry. However, do they provide a special holiday menu for Christmas? The answer is most definitely yes! On Christmas Eve, we offered a traditional turkey or ham dinner plus special Holiday desserts like Buche de Noel and Spice Cake. It was amazing, and honestly, it was nothing like what I would’ve had if we had celebrated at home. The best part was I didn’t have to prepare a single thing or clean a single dish. Thank you to the wonderful staff for doing all the hard work!
Make it your own
As I previously stated, we packed a ton of Christmas apparel and accessories. We love Christmas and enjoy wearing our festive gear. We also packed a few Christmas gifts to open while on board and several card games for fun family nights.
While on board, we saw other families participating in their own traditions. One evening in the game room, we saw an extended family play a gift-giving game. The laughter from their table was contagious. They were dressed from head to toe in Christmas apparel and having a blast celebrating with one another. We also saw other families decorate doors and windows with easily removable Christmas magnets, lights, and even Christmas trees. We will increase our holiday game on our next Christmas cruise.
It’s simple to take some of your Holiday traditions from home and celebrate at sea (or in another location). If you read a special book or watch a certain movie, take it with you! You can celebrate in your room or find a quiet place on board to continue this tradition with your family.
Make it a family cruise
If your last hesitation is that you’ll miss time with extended family, invite them along! With so many activities on board, there is something for everyone. From Kids’ Clubs to Adults-Only areas and events, families can do different activities every day but still come together for dinner and celebrations each night. How great would it be if the burden of hosting houseguests and giant family meals was placed on the cruise line?
Have I convinced you or at least piqued your interest in cruising over the holidays? There’s still time to snag a last-minute reservation. Put your Holiday stresses aside and pack your Christmas outfits and bathing suits to enjoy a carefree Holiday this season!
