Holiday cruise questions

[Jemima]

We've booked a cruise that includes both Christmas and New Years. We've done lots of cruises, but never a holiday one. The always higher priced holiday cruises are a little lower this year, so we decided this is the year to do one. We usually sail when there will be few kids. We know there will be more kids on this cruise and asked the numbers when we booked and we know that will make things a little more crowded on the ship.
Questions:
- Which holiday dinners are usually formal?
- We plan to do the holiday dinners in the MDR, but would prefer to eat dinner in the lido on non-holiday days. That's provided lido is pleasant and non-chaotic. What is the lido dinner atmosphere like on holiday cruises? Should we plan to eat in the MDR instead?
- Is there a Christmas midnight mass and, if so, what time? (midnight mass often isn't at midnight)
- We don't do dressy Christmases and like to wear casual very Christmasy things. Will that be out of place for other than the formal dinner?
- Do the adults get to see Santa's arrival? (We almost missed the Easter Bunny on an Easter cruise and don't want to miss Santa on this one.)
- Do people decorate doors or cabins?

[richnorto]

Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are always formal. The other days just depend on the Itin. and captain.
Lido is usually very quite when we have eaten dinner there, but we do not eat early. There may be families trying to feed young children before going to dinner themselves if you do eat early.
Christmas Mass seems like it was at midnight but there is also a non-denominational/traditional service Christmas morning.
Casual Christmas attire is fine and you will definitely want to see Santa! It is an event for all ages although the gifts are for the kids.;)
Do decorate your cabin door! Many/possibly a majority do!
Hope this helps!!! We do a holiday cruise every year and just love it!

[adrift@sea]

Actually, formal evenings vary. We have had either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day formal--not both. And while New Year's Eve is usually formal, I have read some discussion regarding the Eurodam this year which sails on Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve---will it be formal? I have never cruised HAL where the first night was formal, so.....? It will also depend on the itinerary, day you board, day you disembark,etc.

I don't recall if there was a Midnight Mass, I know there was a service on Christmas Morning/New Year's Morning.

There is usually a special program on Christmas Eve---The International Choir (Holiday songs from around the world performed by the entertainers, crew, staff, etc.) Depending on when you board, they also sing Christmas Carols and a have a tree lighting ceremony in the atrium while serving cookies, etc.

Christmas Casual is fine...Check your Daily Program for Santa's arrival, and there will probably be announcements regarding this as well.

Decorate away---many people do!

[artnak]

We sailed the Westerdam last Dec 31 to Jan 7.
Our first night (New Years Eve) was a formal night. It was VERY busy and the dining room staff worked much later than usual in the dining room to accomodate everyone. The second formal night later in the week was much better. So yes, they do sometimes have a formal night the first night on board.

[Modern_Viking]

Actually, formal evenings vary. We have had either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day formal--not both. ...New Year's Eve is usually formal,...

There is usually a special program on Christmas Eve---The International Choir (Holiday songs from around the world performed by the entertainers, crew, staff, etc.) Depending on when you board, they also sing Christmas Carols and a have a tree lighting ceremony in the atrium while serving cookies, etc.

Christmas Casual is fine...Check your Daily Program for Santa's arrival, and there will probably be announcements regarding this as well.

Decorate away---many people do!


My HAL holiday experiences have been much the same as described by adrift@sea. In my experience, the Christmas Eve music usually starts in the main lounge around 11pm and ends about 11:50. Midnight mass is held starting at about midnight, also in the main lounge while a midnight protestant service is held in a second location (such as the Wang theater).

Santa's pending arrival is announced several times over the PA system, and then he generally magically appears in the main lounge (again, location to be announced) early in the morning if a sea day or perhaps in the mid to late afternoon if a port day. Gifts are given to the children on board. Once their time is up, Santa and his helpers (or female dancers from the cast shows) may have time to pose for photos with adults. I have not seen Santa do any dramatic arrivals (via tender, para-sailing, whatever). The CD may claim that he flew in on his sleigh and then slid down the chimney, err funnel/smokestack, but I haven't ever managed to actually see that myself.

Sometimes Christmas eve dinner is formal or sometimes Christmas dinner is formal. Other nights, cruise casual reigns and fun items are sometimes worn.

On longer cruises (14 or more nights), New Years eve often includes a "Black and White Ball" or "Black and White Officer's Ball" is may be the most formal night of the cruise. Lots of black and white balloons, party favors, and decorations adorn the dining room and main lounge for a party running from about 11:15 pm until maybe 12:30 am (and then the vacuuming begins -- HAL talks about being the spotless fleet, after all).

I have sometimes seen one half of the Lido reserved either Christmas eve or Christmas night for the officer and staff holiday dinner. But since half the Lido is generally converted into the officer and staff mess each night anyway, it isn't all that much different than a normal night.

[hpf]

I agree with what everyone else has stated above. Also the champagne flows freely New Years Eve. We had a great Holliday cruise and look forward to taking another in the future.
We were at Grand Turk Christmas Day and Santa swam with the children (and adults), fully dressed up, in the ocean. Everyone thought it was great.
Have a great cruise and a toast to all of us who can't be there.
Helen