Questions about cruises during Christmas..

[RandyinDEN]

We are thinking of taking the 8 night Christmas cruise on the Westerdam that goes to Aruba and southern route. Anyone ever been during that season, what is the weather like? Are those cruises usually fully booked? Any past experience you wish to share? Thanks

 

Randy

[catl331]

Anyone ever been during that season, what is the weather like?

We've taken four Caribbean cruises (two southern) just before Christmas and the weather has always been beautiful - low to mid 80's typically. I only remember one rainy/cool day in four cruises. I think cruises that span Christmas and/or New Years are usually fully booked despite the higher prices.

[ginger and professor]

We took our family on the N. Amsterdam cruise to the southern caribean over last christmas. It worked out well. The ship was nicely decorated including wreaths on each door. The water at HMC naturally was cold but Aruba had great snorkeling as usual. They do boost the prices over the holidays but it is nice to have the family together and the cruise makes a nice present for college kids out of the snow.

[sansterre]

I love Christmas cruising! You can forgo some of the decorating at home :-) We have done two - one about 4 years ago and again in 2010 to Curacao and Bonaire. The ships are decorated beautifully for Christmas with trees and Gingerbread villages. Wreathes are on stateroom doors. The first night we arrived, they had Christmas Carols in the atrium at 7. Unfortunately, we ate early seating and just caught the end of it and it was snowing (paper)!

Aruba (sister island to Curacao and Bonaire) is far south so warm, yet pleasant. The Carribbean water is warm too. Where else are you going?

Christmas and New Year Cruises are more expensive and I agree with previous poster, they seem to be fully booked.

[SwissMyst]

One drawback with holiday cruises is the number of large family groups take over tables, elevators and hallways since a lot of them seem to all move as groups, instead of the more typical 1-2 person traveling passengers. Less passenger interaction as the family groups are more self-contained.

 

The ships are special during this time - an extra glow and sparkle. But they are family intensive more so than probably even during the summer because it seems to be more extended-family groups, rather than smaller immediate family groups. Nothing wrong with this, but it does make for a different on board experience.

[2tsquared]

Agree with what SwissMyst is saying -- especially with regard to more families, with children, cruising during the Christmas to New Year's period.

 

We cruised the Caribbean over Christmas in 2006. We had a great time with really nice weather. The ship (Volendam) was nicely decorated and the festive atmosphere was felt throughout the ship. As a couple, we requested (and received) a table for 2 so we could have "our time" together, just as the families on board were having theirs.

 

Would we cruise again at Christmas? Maybe -- but this year, it will be 11 nights on the Zuiderdam over Thanksgiving!