When you think of Christmas on a Royal Caribbean cruise, images of decked halls, gingerbread houses, and special holiday activities come to mind. But preparing for such festive celebrations months in advance is a meticulous and detailed process. Here are five ways Royal Caribbean ensures that their ships are ready for the Christmas season well before the first snowflake falls:
1. Holiday Theming and Decorations
Months before the holiday season, Royal Caribbean starts the intricate process of planning and implementing holiday decorations. From Christmas trees and wreaths to gingerbread villages and holiday-themed props, the ship’s ambiance is transformed:
- Tree Setup: Evergreens are shipped in and set up in common areas. Special themed ornaments are hung with care.
- Wreaths and Garlands: Wreaths adorn doors, and garlands wrap around staircases and railings, creating a festive atmosphere.
- Lights: Holiday lights are installed across the ship, illuminating walkways and dining areas.
- Hallway Decor: Artwork in the hallways is temporarily swapped for Christmas-themed pieces.
🎄 Note: To preserve the freshness of natural decorations, Royal Caribbean uses artificial trees and decorations for most of the ship’s interior.
2. Menu and Culinary Preparations
The cruise line’s culinary team begins planning holiday menus as early as six months prior to Christmas. This involves:
- Special Dishes: Turkey, prime rib, Christmas ham, and festive desserts like Yule log and mince pies are added to the regular dining menu.
- Ingredient Sourcing: Ensuring the availability of seasonal ingredients, sometimes sourcing them months in advance or storing them in freezers on board.
- Cocktail Innovations: Holiday-themed cocktails are created to complement the festive meals.
- Pantry Stocking: Stocking up on seasonal produce like cranberries, chestnuts, and winter squashes.
🍽️ Note: Royal Caribbean sometimes offers “kitchen tours” during the holidays to give guests a behind-the-scenes look at how these special meals are prepared.
3. Entertainment and Activities
To create a festive atmosphere, entertainment plans are set months before the holiday:
- Shows: Holiday-themed performances are rehearsed, including special Christmas shows in the main theater.
- Live Music: Harpists, pianists, and ensembles play carols and holiday classics around the ship.
- Activities: Games like holiday trivia, gingerbread house decorating, and Santa’s arrival are organized.
- Events: Tree-lighting ceremonies, holiday parties, and a ship-wide Secret Santa exchange are planned.
🎅 Note: Keep an eye out for special “Cruise Carols” where the crew and passengers can participate in singing carols together.
4. Staff Training and Extra Personnel
Ensuring that the staff is ready to handle the extra holiday magic involves:
- Training: Crew members are trained on holiday-specific services, from greeting passengers with festive phrases to handling unique holiday requests.
- Costume Preparation: Santa outfits, reindeer costumes, and elf hats are distributed to the staff.
- Additional Staff: More personnel are onboarded to accommodate the increased activity and special events.
- Team Building: The crew participates in team-building exercises themed around the holiday season to ensure everyone’s in the festive spirit.
5. Guest Experience and Logistics
Christmas is a peak time for cruises, so Royal Caribbean plans guest experiences and logistics meticulously:
- Cabins: Themed linens, holiday goodie bags, and pre-stocked Christmas ornaments for guests to decorate their own cabins.
- Boarding: Streamlining the embarkation process with special holiday-themed experiences like hot cocoa or gingerbread snacks.
- Shore Excursions: Special Christmas-themed excursions are planned where available.
- Loyalty Program Perks: Unique gifts or experiences for members of the cruise line’s loyalty program during the holiday season.
The final preparations for Christmas on a Royal Caribbean cruise ensure an unforgettable holiday experience for guests. From the moment they step aboard, they’re surrounded by the magic of the season, with decorations, food, entertainment, and a well-prepared staff ready to make their cruise a festive and joyous occasion.
In wrapping up, Royal Caribbean's approach to early Christmas preparations exemplifies their dedication to delivering not just a vacation but a uniquely memorable holiday experience. The careful planning of decorations, menus, entertainment, staff readiness, and guest experience ensures that passengers feel the spirit of Christmas from the moment they board until they bid farewell to the ship.
How early does Royal Caribbean start decorating for Christmas?
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Royal Caribbean usually starts setting up decorations for Christmas around mid-November, with some preparations beginning even earlier for menu planning and staff training.
What kind of holiday activities can guests expect on a Royal Caribbean ship?
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Guests can enjoy activities like holiday-themed shows, carol singing, gingerbread house decorating, festive games, Christmas markets, and even encounters with Santa himself.
Do Royal Caribbean ships have a special Christmas Eve dinner?
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Yes, on Christmas Eve, there is usually a special gala dinner served with festive decorations, holiday-themed menus, and sometimes even a special visit from Santa for children.
Can guests participate in holiday-themed events like Secret Santa?
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Absolutely, many ships host a ship-wide Secret Santa where guests can sign up to exchange gifts and bring a bit of holiday magic to each other.
