So now is the time to wrap up the review with our finals thoughts. We aren’t going to go over the ship, food, cabin and regular details. Those aspects of our cruise were good. We enjoyed all our meals, service was excellent and ports were fine. It was really no different than any other time we have been on a ship.
Lisa and I have been chatting about holiday sailings. We have sailed over March school break, Easter, St Patricks Day, Canada Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and even Thanksgiving. That said, I think those holidays do not compare to Christmas or NYE. Let’s be honest, those are the ultimate of the holiday sailings.
Did we enjoy ourselves on this cruise, for sure. How could we not, we are on a cruise. Would we book another NYE or possibly a Christmas sailing? Perhaps, but for our household it won’t be an annual tradition. We can understand how some families would love to do this as a tradition. It might be because of work or school breaks.
The thing that we really noticed was the influx of kids, from teenagers to younger kids. That would be over and above a March school break sailing which has over 1,800. We think we heard there were 2300+ this week. We didn’t come across any that were rude or disrespectful. LOL, maybe it’s because I’m now over 50 that I’m noticing all the young people.
What we noticed in the demographics of the guests, was the amount of multi-generation families on board. We can see how it becomes a tradition. Just not for us. It was an “adventure” to fit in Christmas at home with three families, then put away Christmas, finish packing, worry about the weather for travel, make sure both grandmas were taken care of and then head south. It was a lot for our house.
Now, would we sail again over the “MEGA” holidays? Perhaps, but the factors would have to be right. The biggest would be pricing for a starter. I think we would also have to be in the mood for it, and it might take a while to try it again in this house.
Now, Lisa birthday is in February, it’s the 14th…we’ll have to give that holiday sailing a try someday!