When Does Santa Arrive On The Ship?

[BlackForest]

We will be sailing (Navigator of the Seas) with a toddler over the holidays. Does anyone know what day Santa comes?...Christmas Day, I assume. Any particular time...morning or afternoon? We will be in port on Christmas day so the family was just wondering. Thanks and happy holidays to all!

[smokeybandit]

There will be an event for kids to get a gift from Santa on Christmas morning. Or, if your kids really don't care about "Santa" or you'd rather not wait in line, there will be a "non-Santa" gift giving area elsewhere on the ship.

[bburf42]

We were on the Mariner over Christmas last year. There was a photo op and gift from Santa on the ice rink around 10am. Gift was a Royal branded pop it toy. The line was long but Santa was friendly & happy. I think there was a 2nd gift for younger kids but not sure what it was (our kids were 7 at the time). There were photographers posted by the big Christmas tree in the promenade all day for pics and a scheduled time for Santa with the tree pics later. In the day.  Lots of family's wore matching pajamas all day. We’re on our 2nd Christmas cruise in just a few weeks. 

[BlackForest]

Thank you for the details. This is super helpful. Happy Holidays! And enjoy your holiday cruise bburf42! What a great way to celebrate the holidays, right?!

Edited December 1, 2023 by BlackForest

[ONECRUISER]

Also Santa is usually on Ship multiple Cruises before Xmas

[Tlbecker1]

On the Explorer last year we had the Grinch and Santa 2 weeks before Christmas.🎄 

[BlackForest]

Oh my gosh! The Grinch would be sooooo cute!!

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, Tlbecker1 said:

On the Explorer last year we had the Grinch and Santa 2 weeks before Christmas.🎄 

A friend posted a pic on their current cruise with the Grinch making the rounds.

[BlackForest]

This gets me so excited! Now the family is going to buy matching holiday PJs for a photo opp. It took some convincing for some of the men but they didn't want to be Grinchs themselves.

[AC Stew]

We've been on a Radiance class ship out of Tampa for many Christmas sailings. We don't have kids or grandkids, but Santa and his elves on Christmas morning is always a highlight! We find a seat in the Centrum, sip the complimentary eggnog, and watch in delight as wrapped gifts are presented to the excited children. Even the older kids seem to enjoy the show.

 

And BTW, there are lots of families proudly sporting their holiday PJs! In the Windjammer, too. Believe me, you'll get a ton of compliments and approving smiles. You can also take your own pics; the massive decorated tree makes a gorgeous background. 

 

[Sunshine3601]

We sailed last December in the middle of the month and Santa and his elves were in a parade in the promenade.    He then walked around for some photo ops with passengers.   

[BlackForest]

Complimentary eggnog?! Well now you are talking.

[AC Stew]

21 hours ago, BlackForest said:

Complimentary eggnog?! Well now you are talking.

 

Well, don't get too excited. Last year, the eggnogs were tasty but non-alcoholic. In previous years, there was always a choice ... with rum or not. We see that at least, some of the post-plague cutbacks are being reversed. Maybe the rum will make a return?!

[BlackForest]

Oh, man...good to know about the rum-less eggnog. I won't get my hopes up then.