Anything special for Tahitian Princess at Christmas?

[Lynnees]

Does anyone know if they do anything special such as decorate the ship on the Tahitian Princess at Christmas?

 

I'm debating on whether or not to bring a couple of Christmas decorations with us this year.

 

Also, does anyone know if they will change the menu around so that the tradition turkey dinner is actually served for Christmas instead of the second or last night?

 

We've been away for Christmas before, but not on a ship.

[Lynnees]

for information on Christmas cruises.

 

I would think what they do on one ship they do on all.

 

Has anyone sailed the Christmas season???

[sunprincess]

Lynne,

 

I have never actually cruised for Christmas, but, did go early December.

They decorate the ships after Thanksgiving.

I too would bring some items for the cabin to decorate.

 

Was in Moorea for Easter Sunday & it was awesome.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Cruisin' Chick]

this is from the Princess website (if you search on the word "holiday")

 

Cruising Through the Holidays

Princess' Shipboard Celebrations Make it Easy to have a Happy Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year

 

As each year draws to a close, Princess passengers look forward to enjoying the sights and sounds of the holiday season, those age-old traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's ... as they visit exotic locales, soak up the sun and participate in the many other activities a cruise has to offer. The ease with which Princess enables passengers to enjoy these special days has made the holidays one of the most popular times to take a seagoing vacation, as Princess ships make the season particularly festive.

 

Princess' fleet offers a wide range of Christmas and New Year's cruises across the globe each year, typically sailing to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Australia/ New Zealand, South America and the South Pacific during this holiday period. In 2003, passengers will even be able to celebrate the season in the waters of the Caribbean, Hawaii, New Zealand, Tahiti, and even Antarctica where Royal Princess will be on New Year's Day. In 2004, the list of seasonal destinations includes Mexico, Australia, Antarctica, Hawaii, Tahiti, and the Caribbean, where choices will include two special 10-day cruises to Panama from Galveston aboard Grand Princess during the holidays.

A Merry Christmas at Sea

It's not hard to get into the Christmas spirit right from the start, as ships are trimmed from stem to stern in festive holiday decor, complete with wreaths, holly, mistletoe and, of course, Christmas trees, which often even decorate the ship's mast. It's not uncommon to see Yuletide carolers strolling the decks singing favorite holiday tunes, or waiters wearing Santa hats. Seasonal entertainment abounds, as passengers may enjoy themed production shows, live music and films during the voyage. Passengers can also attend midnight mass and inter-denominational church service.

A special Christmas dinner features traditional favorites such as roast turkey or goose, and passengers will enjoy a range of seasonal sweet treats such as gingerbread mousse, mincemeat pie, chocolate Yule logs and special Christmas cookies.

With kids out of school, holiday cruises have become a popular getaway for families. And to keep younger passengers busy, youth counselors provide a wide array of activities including parties, sing-a-longs and arts and crafts classes, where they can create ornaments to decorate the ship's Christmas tree. Junior cruisers can also participate in an endearing holiday play, which they perform for passengers. On Christmas day, Santa Claus makes a surprise appearance, bringing joy (and gifts) to each child on board.

Hanukkah Celebrations

For passengers who celebrate Hanukkah, special prayer and song services are planned by a rabbi, who sails with the ship for the holiday period. A special area of the ship is reserved for those participating in the services, and ships display menorahs and fresh flower arrangements decorated in the Hanukkah colors of blue, silver and white. Kosher meals are available throughout the sailing when requested in advance, and dining rooms feature specialty items such as potato latkes, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish and matzo during the holiday.

Ringing in the New Year

Princess ships welcome each new year in style with a fun-filled New Year's Eve party complete with music, confetti, noise-makers and, of course, champagne to join the ship staff in a toast to the arrival of January 1. These always-popular festivities can range from casual to black-tie affairs, depending on the ship and itinerary.

And once the new year arrives, football fans will be pleased to know they won't miss the day's traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts will be shown (if available) in a shipboard lounge, complete with a full buffet of "munchies" such as popcorn, chips, mini hot dogs or burgers and other assorted goodies.

In all, Princess' holiday cruises are the perfect way to enjoy a joyful and stress free "what you want, when you want" holiday away from the usual hustle and bustle of the season.

 

Holidays throughout the Year

Princess also offers some unique events for holidays year-round, including:

Thanksgiving

Princess' award-winning culinary team can take over the cooking for a tasty Thanksgiving at sea. In recent years Princess dining rooms have served up a unique, "all pumpkin" menu that uses a Thanksgiving favorite in an entirely new way. Each dish features the traditional pumpkin -- but the style of presentation and preparation varies with each menu item. Beginning with pumpkin gnocchi gratin and finishing with traditional pumpkin pie or pumpkin crhme brulee, Princess passengers delight in a truly unique way to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Main courses have included traditional slow roasted Vermont turkey, served with pumpkin polenta; broiled filet of orange roughy with pumpkin risotto; center cut pork loin chop with pumpkin spaetzle; and grilled medallions of aged beef tenderloin with sauteed pumpkin rosti. Valentine's Day

Always a special day for the line that became famous for "The Love Boat," each Princess ship marks Valentine's Day with romantic events at sea including a renewal of vows ceremony on February 14. Thousands of couples renew their commitment to each other each year in a ceremony performed by the captain or an onboard chaplain. The event has become an annual Princess tradition and many couples have returned to participate each year. Other shipboard festivities include a festive Valentine's dinner, a Valentine's poetry contest and reading, seagoing renditions of the "Newlywed" and "Not-So-Newlywed Game," a Love Boat scavenger hunt, romantic-themed films and plenty of other activities.