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 they will have an opportunity to
singChristmas 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
