Thanksgiving Aboard Reflection

[the_dylaness]

We (myself, DH, and our two kids who will be 4 and 7 at sailing) have just booked a 10 night cruise on Reflection for next Thanksgiving.

 

We have never celebrated any holidays other than birthdays onboard.

I can only hope/assume there will be a Thanksgiving menu?

Does anyone have pictures of the Thanksgiving celebrations or menus they would be willing to share?

 

 

I'm also trying to talk my mom and her husband into coming, but I know that missing a traditional Thanksgiving at home is a hard sell for her.

[wallie5446]

We were on the Equinox for Thanksgiving in 2015. The dinner service was nothing over the top. But the buffet was all done up for lunch. Ice and fruit carvings, all the standard fare. Watching the chef carve a turkey was an education in how to be an artist with a knife.

 

That is where you will come close to the experience like we do at home. Then head to the casino where the Lions or Cowboy football games will be on the TV's.

 

Keep in mind this is an American holiday, not like Christmas or Easter that are celebrated by people all over the planet.

[Muushka]

We've spent a couple of Thanksgivings on X. Here is my take. We're traditional Thanksgiving food types. But the problem is that the food may or may not be prepared the way we are accustomed to. I suggest that you don't have your hopes up too high for wonderful tasting stuffing or gravy or even cranberry.:eek:

[zoncom]

Agree. Thanksgiving on X nothing exciting. Remember their clientele is International.

[the_dylaness]

I'm ok if it isn't just like home, but I hope it is nice!

 

 

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[SC_Floaters]

We (myself, DH, and our two kids who will be 4 and 7 at sailing) have just booked a 10 night cruise on Reflection for next Thanksgiving.

We have never celebrated any holidays other than birthdays onboard.

I can only hope/assume there will be a Thanksgiving menu?

Does anyone have pictures of the Thanksgiving celebrations or menus they would be willing to share?

I'm also trying to talk my mom and her husband into coming, but I know that missing a traditional Thanksgiving at home is a hard sell for her.

 

Sue & I are doing the 10 Night on Reflection this Thanksgiving (Nov 17, 2017)... Special Cruise for Us, my 70th Birthday, Thanksgiving and Overnight in St. Marteen...

[Northern Aurora]

We have been on Celebrity ships twice on the dates of US Thanksgiving. Both times what can be best described as elements of a traditional Thanksgiving meal were offered. For example, no cranberry sauce on the menu with any of the entrees but a spinach salad with dried cranberries and pecans was on the menu. As already stated there were more traditional offerings in the buffet during lunch than in the MDR.

[wallie5446]

I'm ok if it isn't just like home, but I hope it is nice!

 

 

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7 diff cruise lines since 1987, first Celebrity in 1994.

The Reflection is our favorite ship to date. It's very nice.

[the_dylaness]

Thanksgiving is an important meal to our family.

Just hope they could help us with making it feel extra special.

Would in room dining from Luminae be more likely to give us a special touch?

[Texed]

Thanksgiving is an important meal to our family.

Would in room dining from Luminae be more likely to give us a special touch?

 

You can have the in-room dining at dinner, but I do not believe you can be served off of the Luminae menu. :)

[Rob the Cruiser]

If any members of your family are more than a little bit nostalgic about Thanksgiving they will be disappointed. Yes, the family is spending time together. There will be turkey in the buffet...lots of turkey. Some decorations but not much. The rest is just short of a non-event. We dined in Blu and there were zero reminders of Thanksgiving. There was no "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Miracle of 34th Street, etc." playing on television.

 

You may want to consider sailing at another time.

Edited April 13, 2017 by Rob the Cruiser
typo

[ricka47]

It would appear that Thanksgiving and Christmas are quite different on cruises. Of course, one is uniquely American and one is not; perhaps that is the reason for difference. We've been on DCL, X, and RCI for Christmas and the ships were quite nicely decorated, Christmas songs were played all over the ship and there were a number of other activities going on as well.

[Rob the Cruiser]

It would appear that Thanksgiving and Christmas are quite different on cruises. Of course, one is uniquely American and one is not; perhaps that is the reason for difference. We've been on DCL, X, and RCI for Christmas and the ships were quite nicely decorated, Christmas songs were played all over the ship and there were a number of other activities going on as well.

 

Agreed. Altogether different experience. The Christmas decorations are stunning. Especially in-and-around the foyer and on the staircase.

Edited April 13, 2017 by Rob the Cruiser

[Muushka]

OP, I have to ask. What exactly is it that you expect a cruise line to do for your family on Thanksgiving to make it special? I thought you were looking at the dining aspect but I think it may be more than that.

 

We did a Disney cruise for Christmas one year. You pay top dollar for a Disney cruise, but they sure did deliver for making that holiday special. I don't remember what we ate that day, but I do remember everything else. Santa Goofy meeting Santa. Priceless.

 

If that is what you are looking for, magic, you aren't going to find it on a cruise, for Thanksgiving. It just isn't that type of holiday. They make an effort with the menu, but that's about it. I'm not sure what else they could do.

 

PS I didn't realize you were a suite guest. My comment about the Thanksgiving menu was for the MDR. I have no idea if the chefs in Luminae know how to make stuffing and gravy! If only they would just open up a can of cranberries, that would help!

[the_dylaness]

That's a great question.

I didn't have anything in mind particularly, but I am sure they do something for other more universally celebrated holidays (like Christmas) and I didn't know if whatever special things they do then would transfer over to Thanksgiving.

Special menu?

Live music in the restaurant?

Table decorations (tasteful not corrugated paper turkeys although my kids would love that!)

I don't know, I just wondered if it was different or special.

I realize not all X customers are American but just wondered if it was somehow different.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday to us. But it is really being with family that is the most important part.

[barbarapga]

That's a great question.

I didn't have anything in mind particularly, but I am sure they do something for other more universally celebrated holidays (like Christmas) and I didn't know if whatever special things they do then would transfer over to Thanksgiving.

Special menu?

Live music in the restaurant?

Table decorations (tasteful not corrugated paper turkeys although my kids would love that!)

I don't know, I just wondered if it was different or special.

I realize not all X customers are American but just wondered if it was somehow different.

Thanksgiving is a special holiday to us. But it is really being with family that is the most important part.

L

 

Have spent Thanksgiving on various ships. It's a meal on par w/ average

local Thanksgiving offerings. I was relieved to not cook. My husband stopped at grocery on drive home so that I could "make OUR Thanksgiving ". LOL

Your children are young enough to enjoy..so...stop at $ store or supermarket & get small decorations for their place settings. Have a good cruise.

[the_dylaness]

That's a great idea! I can sneak into the dining room a little early and make up the table they will be so surprised

 

 

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[Muushka]

OP, I think you have found a special way to celebrate Thanksgiving!

I hope that it is wonderful for you and your family. That's what it's all about.

[MissMapp]

We were on a TA at Thanksgiving a few years ago. We ate our Thanksgiving meal in the MDR. Roasted turkey was on the menu. No one is going to prepare the stuffing ("dressing" for us Southerners) exactly the way you like it. As I recall, the meal was very good and traditional. Bonus that I didn't spend all day in the kitchen, and the next day ("Black Friday"), I was still on a cruise and the elves had decorated the ship for Christmas.

 

 

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[Muushka]

Actually on one of our Thanksgiving cruises they had a Captain's Club buffet in the Sky Lounge and the turkey, stuffing and gravy were delicious. Just the way I like it! But sadly, we assumed that the dinner in the MDR that evening would also be good so we didn't eat very much, saving our appetite for dinner that evening. Had we know what our dinner in the MDR was going to be like, believe me, we would have had our dinner there at the CC event!

[griffy116]

We're a pretty non-traditional family so we would be delighted to find that we could each have our menu choice for Thanksgiving Day. We went on a Royal Caribbean cruise this past December. It started the day after Christmas so we were traveling Christmas Day by plane. I think we ate at a Denny's that evening when we arrived. They had a "traditional' meal on the menu but everyone ate something different, from burgers to pancakes. We just enjoy being together and knowing we didn't have to cook or clean up afterwards. If a traditional meal is important, why not have it prior to leaving for the cruise?

[Muushka]

We're a pretty non-traditional family so we would be delighted to find that we could each have our menu choice for Thanksgiving Day. We went on a Royal Caribbean cruise this past December. It started the day after Christmas so we were traveling Christmas Day by plane. I think we ate at a Denny's that evening when we arrived. They had a "traditional' meal on the menu but everyone ate something different, from burgers to pancakes. We just enjoy being together and knowing we didn't have to cook or clean up afterwards. If a traditional meal is important, why not have it prior to leaving for the cruise?

 

We had it when we got home. I only make the comments about the food not being wonderful so that others may not have high expectations. I would never avoid a Thanksgiving cruise! It still beats being at home!

[Stteenvoern]

They will have a traditional menu and, usually, its a chic evening, so an elevated menu as well. Have done the last 3 Thanksgiving's on ships and have not been disappointed at all.

 

Enjoy!

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I've been on several Thanksgiving cruises and will be on another one next year. I give thanks that I don't have to cook and clean up for days! Is it exactly how I would do it? No. But somebody else is doing all the work. If your Thanksgiving is really about spending time with family and/or friends, this should work for you. If it is about a meal that someone has to slave over, maybe not.

And yes, the elves stay up all night and start decorating the ship for Christmas after dinner. I also give thanks for elves!

[thephillykid]

My family was on the Reflection a few years ago when it was a brand new ship during Thanksgiving week.

The lunch buffet had turkey and all the trimmings along side their regular buffet. And then at dinner in the MDR they has a turkey dinner along with the regular menu. I believe that not many people ate the turkey that day because they had it repeated the following day again at lunch in the buffet.

I know that thanksgiving is an American holiday and with all the nationalities aboard the ships that its not that big a deal.

I think we were in port that day anyway.

The absolute best part of thanksgiving on board was not having to deal with all the holiday family drama associated with cooking/cleaning/hosting/arguing around dinner.

We would do it again in a heartbeat.

Howard