The holiday season begins, Princess Cruises ships are getting ready to celebrate this joyful time of year around the world.
Whether they are sailing through the islands of the Caribbean and South Pacific or cruising through the waters Down Under in Australia and New Zealand, the ships will be decked from stem to stern and may even experience an unusual snowfall.
Now a favorite holiday feature on Princess ships, most ships offer a daily snowfall using an innovative snow-making process that creates falling flakes that vanish on contact, letting passengers enjoy the excitement of snow flurries without the need to bundle up.
Even when the snow isn’t coming down, Princess ships will feature a merry atmosphere. Vessels are decked out in holiday décor – even including a Christmas tree on many vessels’ masts – and strolling carolers fill the air with the sounds of the season.
Passengers will keep busy with special season activities, including a “gingerbread challenge,” where teams test their holiday house-building skills in a fun-filled competition to construct the most creative gingerbread structure.
Kids can test their holiday craft skills by creating a personalized ornament. Turkey-carving demonstrations will prepare passengers to do the honors at their next holiday feast.
Special events also include a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” for children by either the captain or cruise director and a holiday variety show adds a seasonal element to the ship’s entertainment offerings.
For those who can’t get enough of Christmas carols, the ships’ Princess Pop Star talent show will feature a holiday edition where competitors can croon their favorite seasonal songs.
Religious services are held as well, and passengers can attend midnight mass or an inter-denominational church service. Passengers will receive a stocking turndown gift and can enjoy classic holiday films or even relax in front of a traditional burning Yule log … on their stateroom television!
Holiday Feasts – Each Princess ship’s culinary team will delight the senses with spectacular holiday displays and will serve up several delicious feasts. A sumptuous Christmas breakfast includes complimentary eggnog.
On Christmas Day, passengers will sit down to a dinner of traditional holiday fare, including roast turkey and all the trimmings. Freshly prepared stollen and Christmas cookies (even some for Santa) round out the seasonal treats.
Christmas For Children – Junior cruisers can count down to the big day with special holiday activities. Santa Claus makes an appearance with a gift for each child, and a fun-filled holiday fair in the atrium offers youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at Christmas cookie decorating, balloon making, face painting, games, and other competitions.
The youth centers will host holiday parties for each age group, and kids can make decorations to display on the center’s Christmas tree. Youngsters can get creative with other holiday-themed arts and crafts projects throughout the cruise and have an opportunity to sing Christmas carols for passengers.
For parents who want to stay up later to celebrate the holidays, free late-night group kid-sitting sessions will be available on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Hanukkah – For passengers celebrating the Festival of Lights, beginning December 8, a special area of the ship is reserved for those participating in Hanukkah events.
Ships display menorahs and fresh flower arrangements decorated in blue, silver, and white. Children also get into the act with themed arts and crafts relating to the holiday.
Happy New Year – Passengers can ring in 2013 with fun-filled New Year’s Eve parties, complete with all the festivities: music, confetti, noise-makers, and a balloon drop to count down to the new year. Earlier in the evening, the dinner menu will feature special treats just for New Year’s Eve.
On New Year’s Day, football fans will be pleased to know they won’t miss the holiday’s traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts will be shown (as available by satellite) on the giant Movies Under the Stars screens or in shipboard lounges.
The 16-ship Princess fleet will cover the globe this holiday season, with sailings to the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand, South America, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.
Source: Princess
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