Christmas on HAL

[julieraymond]

How does HAL celebrate Christmas on board ?- we are on a Christmas Cruise this year.
Many thanks
Julie

[Richard in Panama]

http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/santa-arrives-on-the-foredeck.jpg

http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/santa-and-mrs-claus-canal-trip.jpg[/URL]

These were taken on ZUIDERDAM Christmas Day last year as we entered the Panama Canal. More pics on my blogs from the ZUIDERDAM last season http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/holiday-cruising-on-the-zuiderdam/ (http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/santa-and-mrs-claus-canal-trip.jpg)

[URL]http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/2008/12/25/merry-christmas/

Christmas cruises are fun! There's lots of activity ... lots of families, lots of kids . . . but there are lots of extra activities for the kids and extra staff is brought on for the kid's programs. We had something like 250 kids on ZUIDERDAM last Christmas. Lots of extended families . . .

Regards, Richard

[Rutland Gate]

We did a Christmas Cruise on the old Nieu Amsterdam some years ago. The ship was beautifully lit up like a ..., and we had a small tree in our cabin as well. Lots of families, and much fun.

[wander]

Two years ago the decorations were fantastic as was the whole Holiday atmosphere. Christmas Day Santa was on the stage of the theater and all kids on board were invited to visit Santa and they each received an age appropriate gift. It was great fun watching the individual kid's reaction to sitting on Santa's lap for a photo. We did not have any children with us and still enjoyed it. Lots of kids onboard but most of them contributed to our overall enjoyment of the cruise.

[scottjeanne]

They have a lovely festive Christmas dinner. Christmas Day was at sea, so there were no shore excursions. Everyone was on board. The ship is beautifully decorated with lights and trees. Santa is tracked by satellite and announcements are made as to his arrival. In the show theatre, they show Santa spotted in various locations throughout the ship before he arrvies with presents for all the children. It was a great day.

[PennyAgain]

We decorate our own room! Big Lots is a great place to buy stuff you don't want to haul home.

I have a nice small Nativity. One time the room steward brought fresh flowers for it and made a nice display.

I also bring some cards from family and friends that we save to open on board.

[Laurie S.]

My next cruise is over Christmas on the Maasdam. I am really looking forward to it!

[pipedreams62]

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp226/mookster62/nat%20nast/IMG_2868p.jpg?t=1252526187

[pattymac]

I have done 3 Christmas cruises and fully intended to never do another. The ship is great and the food is usually fantastic but I do not enjoy all the children, families and reunions. This year, however, I succumbed as the time, ship and itinerary were all great for me. I am hoping a 14 day which ends after school starts in January will limit the children somewhat. I am not a child disliker, I have children and grandchildren. I simply prefer not to be on cruises with large numbers of them-which is one reason I stick to HAL. Label me scrooge I guess!

[ciaobella]

Is the week between Christmas and New Year's equally fun? I hope so!!!

[Kayelache]

We did a Christmas and New Year's cruise, actually it was a 25 or so day cruise around South America and Antarctica in Dec '04 on the Amsterdam. It was the last year my husband was alive, so the pictures are now so special. It was a fun time. The ship was decorated with dozens of trees, everywhere. On Christmas morning, first the captain announced that "an unidentified flying object is requesting permission to land on the deck." A few minutes later, he said, "It's a sleigh, and I do believe it is being pulled by REINDEER!"
Everyone at this point is gathered in the lounge, singin Christmas songs. Then we hear a swooshing noise, and pretty soon, in comes Santa! Each of the kids got a gift and sat on Santa's lap. There were special events on all day. One of the best events was Christmas eve, when the different nationalities aboard sang carols in their own language. New Years Eve was fun, too. It was the first (and the last) time we were awake to see the New Year in. Holiday Season is great time to cruise. We brought a little 2 foot tree that we set in our windowsill. Christmas eve we were cruising in Antarctica, and I have pictures of it with iceburgs in the background.
Karen in Arizona, where it never seems like Christmas!

[simplelife]

Both a Catholic and a Protestant Christmas Eve mass were held.

[HamOp]

http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/santa-arrives-on-the-foredeck.jpg

http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/santa-and-mrs-claus-canal-trip.jpg

These were taken on ZUIDERDAM Christmas Day last year as we entered the Panama Canal. More pics on my blogs from the ZUIDERDAM last season http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/holiday-cruising-on-the-zuiderdam/

http://richarddetrich.wordpress.com/2008/12/25/merry-christmas/

Christmas cruises are fun! There's lots of activity ... lots of families, lots of kids . . . but there are lots of extra activities for the kids and extra staff is brought on for the kid's programs. We had something like 250 kids on ZUIDERDAM last Christmas. Lots of extended families . . .

Regards, Richard

Ahh, now I understand why Santa is so Jolly all the time!:p

[imsulin]

I was on the Zaandam over Christmas in 2002 (or 2003? Ah, senility!). It was a Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral. Lovely decorations, and Christmas dinner included plum pudding. I remember mistle toe hung in doorways (Alas, I was cruising solo). Wonderful concert by ship's staff, and was well-attended. There was a daily Mass, and a non-denominational Protestant service on Christmas Eve. Starting on Christmas Eve, Santa would make appearances here and there, and then "disappear". Lap-sitting and gifts were done on Christmas Day (while we cruised the coast of Jamaica). Surprisingly, there were very few kids onboard. I heard one of the ship's crew say there would be quite a number on the New Year's cruise. I think Christmas Day was on a Thursday that year, so it was mid-cruise. It was wonderful (great weather!) and I'd do it again!