From the Christmas tree adorning the ship’s mast to a visit from Santa, the holiday season brings a special kind of cheer to Princess ships. This year, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year celebrations will be in full swing fleetwide, with several new seasonal activities for passengers to enjoy.

Trimmed from stem to stern in festive holiday d?cor, Princess ships will reflect the season in a variety of ways. Special menus and culinary displays will offer traditional goodies. Strolling carolers and live musicians will fill the air with the sounds of the season. And the ship’s movie screens will feature the holiday classics loved by young and old alike.

Some special activities debut this season, adding to the festivities. Children of all ages will enjoy a special reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by a member of the ship’s company. A holiday production show debuts in the Princess Theater on select ships, with the opportunity for photos with the cast members in their holiday finery.

On Christmas Eve, passengers will sit down to a dinner of traditional holiday fare, and on Christmas Day passengers can enjoy a cup of eggnog, plus a sumptuous brunch including roast turkey and all the trimmings. Freshly prepared stolen and Christmas cookies round out the seasonal treats.

A full day of activities on Christmas Day centers around the atrium, with events for young and old. A spectacular display from the ship’s culinary team, including a variety of gingerbread houses, will delight the senses. Santa is sure to drop in with gifts, and stay for a special photo session to capture the moment with passengers. Elsewhere, a holiday variety show adds a seasonal element to the ship’s entertainment offerings. Religious services are held as well, and passengers can attend Catholic mass or an inter-denominational church service performed by onboard clergy.

Christmas For Kids—Christmas Day will be especially festive for the ship’s younger cruisers. Santa Claus is sure to make an appearance with his sack full of toys, along with his Princess helper, Pelican Pete. A fun-filled holiday fair in the atrium offers youngsters the opportunity to try their hand at 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 sing Christmas carols for passengers. Classic family holiday movies will be screened in the kids centers and the ship’s theaters. 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—Passengers celebrating the festival of lights on board can participate in religious services, including special prayer and song services conducted by a rabbi who sails during the holiday period. A special area of the ship is reserved for those participating in these events and ships display menorahs and fresh flower arrangements decorated in the Hanukkah colors of blue, silver and white. Children will enjoy themed arts and crafts pertinent to the holiday, which runs from December 15 to 22.

Ringing in the New Year—Princess ships will welcome 2007 in style with a fun-filled New Year’s Eve party where revelers can count down to the new year with music, confetti, noise-makers and a balloon drop. Earlier in the evening, passengers will enjoy a special New Year’s Eve menu. And once the new year arrives, football fans will be pleased to know they won’t miss the day’s traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts will be shown (if available) in a shipboard lounge or on some vessels’ giant Movies Under the Stars screen, complete with a full buffet of “munchies” such as popcorn, chips, mini hot dogs or burgers, and other assorted goodies.
This season, Princess’ 15—ship fleet offers a wide range of sailings over the holiday period, offering the opportunity to celebrate in the Caribbean, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Australia/New Zealand, South America, Hawaii and the South Pacific.