Christmas Decorations

So John Heald posted that the Dream would be decorated on 11/19 for Christmas (which just so happens to be the day we board for our Thanksgiving cruise). I have read about all the Christmas fun you can have on Carnival such as a beautifully decorated atrium, letters to Santa, some caroling, the Grinch running around, and "snow" in the atrium. Can we expect all of that, or will it just be the decorations since it won't be "officially" Christmas time yet?

Decorations for your sailing.

We only cruise once during that time of year, but the Christmas festivities began when the Christmas decorations went up.

We've gone over Thanksgiving before I can remember the decor being up but I can't remember the activities if they were there or not... Curious as we are going over Thanksgiving again this year (on the Pride).

As per the Carnival FAQs pay attention to the disclaimer near the bottom, that I highlighted in purple print.

Christmas Holiday Season

Published 02/18/2016 04:45 PM | Updated 08/11/2017 01:47 PM

With a festive on-board atmosphere, elaborate decorations and an array of traditional cuisine, entertainment and activities, Carnival’s ‘Fun Ship’ holiday cruises are the ideal option for reconnecting with friends, families and loved ones. A festive mood is created as soon as you arrive on board, with the ship’s atrium and promenade areas lavishly decorated in the spirit of the season.

The Spirit of the Season Atrium Moments is made up of three magical evenings filled with holiday fun:

Spirit of the Season – Tree Lighting

Tis the season for traditions, loved ones and fun-filled celebrations. Gather your friends and family for our traditional holiday kick off, the lighting of the Christmas tree in the atrium lobby. This event takes place on the first evening of the cruise. Hosted by the Cruise Director, a magical moment where the grand Christmas tree will be lit with spectacular lights and synchronized with wonderful, heartwarming holiday music. This event will not be featured on the Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Sensation and Carnival Triumph.

What are you wishing for? A football? A pony? More fun vacations? Now's the time to let Santa know! Write out a special message for Santa and drop it in the North Pole mailbox located in the atrium lobby (on all ships) .. and some letters will be read on our live Morning Show.

Spirit of the Season – Let it Snow!

Celebrate the magic of the season with our very own Christmas Carol-infused winter wonderland. Sing-a-long to holiday classics and let it snow. Be on time, the snow melts fast!

Spirit of the Season – ‘Tis the Season

Put on your most festive ugly sweater, warm up those vocal chords and gather around to help us welcome the very jolly Santa Claus himself!

Hosted by the Cruise Director and together with the children from Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean, we celebrate the spirit of the holiday season as we combine holiday magic with a little Carnival fun! Guests of all ages are encouraged to bring their ugliest Christmas sweater for this fun competition. And then it’s time to shake your bells and make cheerful noise to welcome in Santa Claus as he makes his way down the glass atrium elevator.

On the Carnival Legend and Carnival Spirit, there will be a crazy, festive holiday hat competion instead of the ugly sweater contest.

Christmas Service

Join us for a special non-denominational Christmas service as we celebrate the season with warm stories, uplifting hymns and prayer. This service will take place on December 24th or December 25th (depending on your ship's itinerary; day, time and location will be listed in the daily Fun Times newsletter).

Holiday Show

A magical show that’s sure to make your heart grow three sizes, with singers, dancers, a special performance by the kids and a surprise guest from the North Pole!

A highlight of the cruise, this wonderful spectacular show in the main show lounge evokes a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere with its cozy set featuring a faux oversized fireplace, comfy cushions and throws, a Christmas tree with decorations created by the children from Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean, and of course, a visit from Santa. And be on the look-out for the iconic and beloved Dr. Seuss character, The Grinch!

A Special Christmas Guest

All of us here like Christmas a lot.

But there’s someone on board who surely does not!

He’s mean and he’s green, he’s quick and so slick.

Try to spot him playing one of his tricks!

The Grinch appeals to guests of all ages, those young and young at heart. His story is a heartwarming journey of how the vengeful Grinch learns the true meaning of the holiday season, thus triggering a powerful transformation of his character as he grows his heart 3 sizes. The Grinch will make surprise appearances throughout the cruise.

Holiday Movies

Popular holiday-themed movies are shown on stateroom televisions as well as seasonal holiday music. Additional holiday movies will be shown in Camp Carnival, Camp Ocean and ships that feature the Carnival Seaside Theater.

Holiday Arts and Crafts

Feeling a little crafty? Join us for a fun and festive arts and crafts session and create a beautiful Holiday souvenir to take home.

Christmas Dinner

The holiday menu features the traditional oven roasted turkey with all the trimmings and freshly baked pumpkin pie, among other selections.

Holiday Decorations | Spirit of the Season Atrium Moments | Holiday Show

Public areas throughout our fleet are adorned with oversized Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, mistletoe and other traditional touches including a red mailbox for children to send a letter to Santa.

For the 2017 holiday season, our Holiday Show and Spirit of the Season Atrium Moments will be featured on several cruise departures prior to Christmas (dates to be announced at a later time).

Religious Services

If a clergyman of any faith wishes to perform a religious service, it is on a ‘volunteer basis’ only. To learn more about our clergy policy, click here. For those ships docked in port on Christmas Day, the Guest Service Staff can provide you with a list of local churches that are conducting services.

We love Thanksgiving cruises aboard Carnival ships because it is so much fun watching the Christmas decorations expanding day by day. This year we are doing a four-day, five-day, back-to-back aboard Carnival Fantasy that starts on Thanksgiving Day. :cool:

So possibly. I was going to try to ask JH himself, but I can’t figure out how to ask him a question!

The ships are nicely done.

So possibly. I was going to try to ask JH himself, but I can’t figure out how to ask him a question!

The holiday events themselves like he party to light the tree each voyage prior to the one containing the holiday is a decision made by the CD and entertainment director. Some may choose to hold the event each embarkation night once the tree is installed while others may only do it the cruise or 2 prior to the holiday they are required to hold the event.

A for asking JH if he has any more in-depth knowledge of what a particular sailing is doing for your cruise first you must like his book face page. Then you will see at the top just under the pages navigation bar and above th photo section an area the states "Write something on this page". One of his staff will respond if the post is made during the day, late night posts tend to get lost in the shuffle.

We loved our Christmas 2016 cruise on the Dream. Very nicely decorated and we attended at least one Christmas activity each day.

We cruised after thanksgiving and they had Snow dropping in the atrium. No other decorations at that time.

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