Holly's Mum 0 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 We're quite new to cruising; one cruise with P and O, (36 nights to Caribbean from Southampton) and two 14 night cruises with Celebrity, one to the Med and one to the Baltic. We really enjoyed all three cruises, with some positives and negatives on each occasion. We are now contemplating a Christmas cruise and, if we decide to take the plunge, would want a traditional Christmas (decoration of the ship, carols and good quality, traditional Christmas food) with like minded people. We are both in our sixties and have been retired for 2 years. We are reasonably fit and well, enjoy a wide range of activities and like to keep fairly active. Is there anyone out there who has travelled at Christmas with P and O or Celebrity? We would love to hear about your experiences and whether your cruise lived up to your hopes and expectations. We would also love to hear from anyone who has travelled at Christmas with any other cruise line, particularly Cunard, NCL, Holland America and Princess, and how they compare. Time is moving along and we keep dithering about whether to risk it or not. Can anyone help us please? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Panthersnotts 22 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Hi Holly's Mum,we have cruised five times for Christmas in the Caribbean with P&O,having a stay at home this year but booked for 2014/15.The ships dec's are great and things Christmas...We are all so 60+ and love it all......Food,hats and crackers..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernGirl 0 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 I cruised on the Queen Elizabeth Christmas 2011 and it was great. The ship was beautifully decorated, lots of christmas trees all around the ship each done in a different colour, Father Christmas arrived and gave all the children a present. There was traditional carol singing and different religious services which were well attended. New Year's Eve was particularly good we were in Madeira, which was very warm that year, and then the ship went out into the bay so we had a great view of the spectacular firework display at midnight, there was a great atmosphere, people were limbo dancing in evening gowns. The food throughout the cruise was very good. The entertainment was the only let-down, it wasn't good perhaps it is difficult to get decent entertainers then, but still a very enjoyable experience and I would do it again. Bernadette Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Star 166 Report post Posted October 22, 2013 Have done 3 Xmas & New Year cruises 2 with P & O & 1 with HAL on Eurodam.We really enjoyed them all but must admit that the Eurodam was decorated best and had the best Xmas day festivities. On Xmas day Christmas carol singing in the atrium with artificial snow falling across all the decks of the atrium .Mince pies and Egg nog distributed to everyone. Captain was dressed as Santa carrying sack of toys and arrived with snow falling around him and a following of elves .He then gave Xmas gifts in the theatre to every child on board . It really was a very memorable Xmas ! However we also thoroughly enjoyed our P & O Xmases on board Oriana & Aurora ,just lower key. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alistair 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2014 I have cruised with a variety of lines at Christmas. I too am over 60 (well, actually over 70), and do now prefer to travel with few or no children. I have quite enjoyed ORIANA (child-free) at Christmas, but continuing P&O cutbacks are now a disincentive to travel with them. The Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary Christmas cruises are better, and more sophisticated. This year, I am trying Oceania's Marina in the S Pacific for Christmas and New Year, and expect excellent food, accommodation and service, with few or no children. If you too value the peacefulness tha comes when children are absent, you might consider Seabourn, Regent, Crystal, Azamara, as well as P&O's child-free ships. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaguar01 546 Report post Posted June 22, 2014 Hello,suprise suprise we too are over 60,is it a club. I have been trying to convince my wife for a long time that we should do a Christmas and New Year cruise. For some reason she thinks the daughters,who are in their 30s, would object,tough. I think though the main reason is she is concerned that the sight of people enjoying themselves would be totally alien to me. Rodger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheshirepen 7 Report post Posted June 22, 2014 Hi Holly's Mum We try to do Christmas and New Year every year, having been on the old QE2, P&O and Celebrity. Celebrity was the worst as the Americans don't seem to do Christmas like the Brits. My advice is choose a British ship for a traditional festive time. The New Year's Eve deck parties are great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doratheexplorer 90 Report post Posted June 23, 2014 this is the top of my "to do" list.... as soon as i retire.... can't get the holidays at the moment Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cruise chef 864 Report post Posted June 24, 2014 P&O & FRED OLSEN FROM EXPERIENCE DO TRY TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, THE AMERICANS PREFER THE NEW YEAR, SOME OF THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS THOUGH REALLY GO OUT OF THERE WAY TO CELEBRATE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Cumference 29 Report post Posted June 24, 2014 I have done two Christmas cruises (Azura and Oceana) and loved them both. The ships are decorated beautifully with displays of decorated Christmas cakes and a gingerbread village in the Atrium. Santa arrived down the funnel on Christmas Eve and everyone on board received a present. There was a passenger choir in the Atrium on Christmas Eve and a senior officers choir in the Atrium on Christmas Day. There was also a pantomime (Oh, yes, there was) on Christmas Eve (or, maybe Boxing Day, I can't quite remember) and a children's nativity play. The Christmas morning service in the Theatre was very well attended too. Christmas Dinner was a very grand (formal) affair and the food just kept on coming. There were a good number of children on board, but the only time I was aware of it was on Christmas morning as I wandered around the ship and it was magical to see families dotted around the ship all opening their Christmas presents. For me, their presence enhanced the experience. It was all summed up for me as I overheard a lady sat in the Atruim on Christmas Eve saying "this beats queuing for sprouts at Tesco's" - my sentiments exactly!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blueberry25 5 Report post Posted July 9, 2014 morning, i have cruised with NCL over christmas. it was great. there was a santas grotto on christmas morning where all children got to have a photo with santa and his elves, and then towords the end of the morning it opened up to the adults too. there was so much to do, it was magical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elvis 31 Report post Posted July 21, 2014 doing a cruise this Christmas on Saga Sapphire, 1st time away from home at this time and I am really looking forward to it especially the fireworks on New Years Eve in Maderia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaguar01 546 Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Hello,fireworks in Madeira and Elvis on board,what more could you want. 3 elvis, PopsiB and Bumble Bee reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elvis 31 Report post Posted July 27, 2014 Some sunshine would go well also. I live near Lincoln too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaguar01 546 Report post Posted July 28, 2014 Hello,yes sunshine is allways welcome,how close ? Rodger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Solent Richard Report post Posted July 30, 2014 We're quite new to cruising; one cruise with P and O, (36 nights to Caribbean from Southampton) and two 14 night cruises with Celebrity, one to the Med and one to the Baltic. We really enjoyed all three cruises, with some positives and negatives on each occasion. We are now contemplating a Christmas cruise and, if we decide to take the plunge, would want a traditional Christmas (decoration of the ship, carols and good quality, traditional Christmas food) with like minded people. We are both in our sixties and have been retired for 2 years. We are reasonably fit and well, enjoy a wide range of activities and like to keep fairly active. Is there anyone out there who has travelled at Christmas with P and O or Celebrity? We would love to hear about your experiences and whether your cruise lived up to your hopes and expectations. We would also love to hear from anyone who has travelled at Christmas with any other cruise line, particularly Cunard, NCL, Holland America and Princess, and how they compare. Time is moving along and we keep dithering about whether to risk it or not. Can anyone help us please? One quick point. If you choose Celebrity it will be a fly cruise. My wife and I have done TWO Christmas cruises with P&O - Aurora and Arcadia. Both were great. I wouldn't dither too long if I were you, they usually sell out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elvis 31 Report post Posted August 10, 2014 live at Skellingthorpe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaguar01 546 Report post Posted August 11, 2014 live at Branston Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badmintongirl 8 Report post Posted August 16, 2014 we have done 2 Christmas cruises in the Caribbean with po and have booked for the next 2 Christmas. Great not having the terrible food shop before Christmas. And have another Christmas with children and grandchildren when we get back. Found entertainment good famous names. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeithnRita 684 Report post Posted August 17, 2014 We've been on about 10 or so New Year cruises and will be on a ship for for New Year 2015. After spending Thaksgiving and Christmas with our family, which includes 10 grand kids, this is our 'just us' time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fudge 265 Report post Posted August 18, 2014 We sailed on Arcadia over Christmas. It was nice but from a purely personal point of view I missed my family because we always spend Christmas together. The ship had minimal decorations, but there was a wonderful gingerbread village on display. The Christmas meal was everything you'd expect. A choir was created using passengers and crew which was lovely. On deck though the same Christmas tape was on a loop and we got tired of the same carols from the same artistes. Santa appeared from behind the funnel which was fun and by the time we got back to our cabin he'd left a gift each for us. My advice would be to go for it and enjoy ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerry304 135 Report post Posted August 18, 2014 Cruising at Christmas sounds wonderful, i would definitely consider it in the future. This year will be our first Christmas away, althought not quite as exotic as the Caribbean, we've booked a log cabin in the Lake District with a hot tub, beautiful scenery and a village pub within walking distance. Cannot wait! 1 Fudge reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PopsiB 5 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 We are on Aurora for Christmas this year, looking forward to it also. Elvis we are visiting many of the ports on the same days as you culminating in Madeira for the fireworks. Then like you a return to Lincoln, North Hykeham for us though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mcc 7 Report post Posted August 20, 2014 We have cruised at Christmas for many years with several cruiselines, usually in the Caribbean. The best ones have been when we have spent Christmas Day in port. Christmas Day at sea can be low key in order to give staff a taste of Christmas too. There is often little choice of venue for eating dinner on Christmas Day and even when you have opted for Anytime Dining, this is often unavailable on Christmas Day and you have to queue up a few days before to be allocated seating in the main dining room or ignore this and be given what is left. NCL made more of Christmas Eve formal dining. The American cruiselines do not make a big fuss of Christmas either and we personally prefer this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elvis 31 Report post Posted August 23, 2014 I live at Skellingthorpe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
