Christmas decorations-when?

[ASM]

I've never cruised in December. Will the Westerdam be decorated when we sail on Dec 12? I hope so!

[h2so4]

When we did our Panama Canal Cruise in early December 2002 the ship was all decked out for the holidays. I am hoping this holds true for our Maasdam cruise sailing Dec 11.

[elmorejj]

The decorations go up in part around the 2nd w/end in Dec. Trees will be up but door decorations don`t usually go up until the Christmas cruise and stay up until after the new years cruise....jean :cool:

[Roz]

Jean, so are you saying the Zaandam will be decorated for our Dec. 11 cruise? I was wondering about that.

I can still recall a Carnival cruise I took in Dec., 2002 on the Sensation. The ship's decor is neon Vegas style, and they had the atrium decorated with garlands and big plaid bows. How garish is that???

I'm sure HAL will be tasteful.

Roz

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

A couple of years ago we got off the Zaandam on Dec 10 - nothing was decorated and didn't look like they were going to decorate for a while yet.

:)

[peaches from georgia]

Last year on the Oosterdam they did not decorate until the weekend of Dec. 14 and during that week. So that was the week before the Christmas cruise.

[serendipity1499]

Oh I'm so glad that others feel as I do..My friends think I'm nuts, but Christmas is my favorite time & our decorations stay up for a month! I even put our tree up (albeit a small one) before we left Nov. 28, last year so we would not return to a bare home... I was so disappointed when we boarded the "Amsterdam" on Dec. 1, and did not see any Christmas decorations..They finally put the trees up just a few days before disembarkation on Dec. 21..

Wouldn't it be nicer if the crews put up some trees earler in Dec, for other cruise passengers to enjoy? They could save the cabin decorations for the Christmas Cruise..Maybe HAL will read this thread, and take that into consideration..Thanks for starting it..

[localady]

Serendipity-
I agree!!
I had hoped the Christmas decorations would be up when we got on board the Amsterdam!! Seems to me we didn't see any decorations until more than 1/2 way thru the cruise!!!

The one thing I do recall though, is the fake tree in the Van Gogh lounge and how it wasn't fastened down well so that it rocked back and forth on the heavier sea days! I am sure it caused my first ever bout of seasickness!!:eek:

[serendipity1499]

Localady you are right.. They had that tree up with no decorations for a long time & we expected it to topple over...When they finally decorated it, & didn't tie it down , we had a good laugh..It just kept on rocking & rolling....

Isn't it fun to remember! Oh How I would like to do that cruise again, but make it the longer one into the Antartic as Bill S. did on his Christmas cruise..Marilyn's DH & my DH, were so disappointed that it was so smooth going around Cape Horn..They were looking forward to the thrill of rough seas & weather! But alas it was not to be.. LOL..Maybe they will get their thrills on the Westerdam,Trans-Atlantic in Nov...Regards to your DH & have a great trip..Betty

[jasl]

WOW, Betty & Locafriend you are putting my memory to shame, just cannot remember anything about that "rocking" tree. We have done about six Christmas and New Years' cruises and always have enjoyed the beautiful decorations (not to mention the Dutch Christmas goodies). While we still hold a reservation for the November 28th SA cruise, have also put a deposit on the Christmas cruise and think we'll go with that one. Wish you guys could join us!!!! Don't forget Betty there is still a cabin for you, Marilyn and
DH's on the Veendam for November 2005, what a nice reunion that would be.
Is the avatar a picture of your pooch, Betty???

[Himself]

Christmas decorations will not be out for quite a while. It is August 10th!!
Seriously I was on the ROTTERDAM in 1999 and we got off on Dec 21 and the decorations were to come out before the next cruise. As we were getting ready to leave the ship things were beginning to come out.

Himself

[serendipity1499]

have also put a deposit on the Christmas cruise and think we'll go with that one. Wish you guys could join us!!!! Don't forget Betty there is still a cabin for you, Marilyn and DH's on the Veendam for November 2005, what a nice reunion that would be.
Is the avatar a picture of your pooch, Betty???
Hi Joyce...Boy do I wish we were going with you, but have a toast for us..
Yes, That's our pooch "Brandy"..she's a wire-haired dachshund & is a Therapy Dog at our local Hospital..Marilyn also has a beautiful Sheltie named "Lola" who is also a therapy dog..Our pups have so much fun together..
Will talk together & to our DH's about the Veendam in Nov. 2005...that would be a fun reunion! Regards to Bob & have a wonderful trip..Betty

[elmorejj]

Roz, hopefully they will be out, on our BtoBs last year on the Maasdam starting on Dec 8th, the ship was beautifully decorated. The different lounges each have a tree done in different themes and colors. The big tree in the DR is awesome.......jean :cool:

[CruisFran]

Cruising on the NCL Dawn on Dec. 9th to 19th. Hoping it is all decked out for Christmas...we have not sailed close to Christmas before, so it would be special!

Ooops!! :) Didn't realize I was posting in the HAL area!!
We do hope to sail on HAL soon...always hear wonderful things!!

Fran

[jazzsea]

The decorations will be put up the day that you board the ship. Be sure to experience the Explorer's Lounge in the evening at least one night....

[localady]

Jasl-
You will have to take lots of pictures of the decorations on the Christmas cruise!!! We surely do wish we could go with you guys, what a wonderful cruise that was!!! How exciting to cruise the Antartic, especially on the Amsterdam!:)

Serendipity-
Sure hope you can convince the DH's to take the 2005 Veendammer trip!! Sounds like it is gonna be a very fun group going! We want to hear all about your transatlantic cruise this year and how you liked the Westerdam!! What a wonderful thing to have trained your pups to be therapy dogs! Hope you all fared okay with Charley!!:cool:

Our best to all of you!!!!