Holidays onboard?

[RayRayoftheSeas]

Hi cruisers,

I hope this hasn’t been asked before — I searched and didn’t see anything relevant.

What are major holidays like on board ship? I’m currently booked for grandeur of the seas out of Baltimore on January 24, 2019, but I’m considering canceling and rebooking for the November 22, 2018 (i.e., USA thanksgiving), sailing instead. Do ships celebrate major holidays? Or are they basically just another day onboard?

(Also, if there’s a better way to switch sailings, this firsttimer appreciates all advice!)

[Clarea]

About the only thing the ship will have different for Thanksgiving will be turkey on the main dining room menu.

[fishywood]

I've been on board twice over Thanksgiving, thrice over Easter, and once the week before Christmas. Whatever feigned observation there has been in the past is fast fading. The most important item on the agenda for Thanksgiving will be showing the football games on the big screen.

 

As for not-so-major holidays, I embarked on Memorial Day weekend this year. And the date seemed to have slipped everyone's mind until sufficient requests were made that a Veteran's Gathering was added to the program at the last minute on Monday. (I've also sailed in mid-June twice in the past, but don't recall any Flag Day festivities :rolleyes:)

[cb at sea]

There is a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas. Aside from football, I don't know what other "Thanksgiving=y" things there might be!

Easter will have an easter egg hunt and easter bunny for the kids.

Christmast will have decorations, and perhaps a Santa at some point. Maybe caroling, depending on ship, cruise line and passenger mix.

 

Other "American" holidays aren't really observed.

[SPacificbound]

There are a number of holidays that are celebrated in the US, but not in other countries, so they would have no significance to those on board from other countries.

[Essiesmom]

I've been on at least two lines over Halloween and they decorated lavishly, people wore costumes, and there was a parade and costume contest. EM

[leaveitallbehind]

Hi cruisers,

I hope this hasn’t been asked before — I searched and didn’t see anything relevant.

What are major holidays like on board ship? I’m currently booked for grandeur of the seas out of Baltimore on January 24, 2019, but I’m considering canceling and rebooking for the November 22, 2018 (i.e., USA thanksgiving), sailing instead. Do ships celebrate major holidays? Or are they basically just another day onboard?

(Also, if there’s a better way to switch sailings, this firsttimer appreciates all advice!)

 

As to changing your itinerary, if you booked on line or through RCI, contact RCI directly to discuss this. If you booked through a travel agent contact them to make the change. Note that there may be restrictions with your deposit and some TA's charge a fee for this.

[MicCanberra]

Most holidays are celebrated on board with food. Using the fare for the respective country's holiday enables everyone to participate if they wish. Of course some holidays are global and they often celebrate them with a party and maybe a special course or two in the MDR.

[msmayor]

We were on RCL's Serenade over Easter a few years ago and it was truly a festive holiday on board.

 

Easter services were held in the showroom in the morning and a 'chocolate extravaganza' breakfast in the dining room that included special menu items that included chocolate.

 

The Lido buffet area had a huge display table set up with Easter decorations and baskets loaded with chocolates and candy as well as decorated hard-boiled eggs that passengers could help themselves too. The Easter Bunny made an appearance in the Centrum for 60-90 minutes at midday for photo opportunities...children and adults alike joined the fun.

 

Dinner in the main dining room that evening featured turkey and ham dishes.

 

It was really quite nice.

[geoherb]

One big difference you'll see around holidays is the number of children on board. We were surprised at how many families took Thanksgiving cruises when we were on our first one. Our local school system gives three days off that week, but apparently some close for the whole week.

[leaveitallbehind]

One big difference you'll see around holidays is the number of children on board. We were surprised at how many families took Thanksgiving cruises when we were on our first one. Our local school system gives three days off that week, but apparently some close for the whole week.

 

Or parents take them out for the other two days as well. That does happen....

[MicCanberra]

Holiday cruises are becoming a very popular way to celebrate a holiday with many of the extended family in a neutral and sometimes more entertaining location.