The most wonderful time of the year is also a very popular time to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Some people are surprised to hear that cruise ships are sold out for Christmas and New Years, but the truth is this is one of the very peak times for a cruise vacation. The combination of time off from school and work, along with cold weather at home compels a lot of families to head to the tropics for a warm cruise escape.
If you're booked on a cruise for the end of December and early January, here's what you should know and plan around before you embark.
Look for holiday decorations
Royal Caribbean decorates its ships for Christmas and Hanukkah, so be sure to look for it onboard. They go up after Thanksgiving across the fleet.
Usually the decorations are found on the Royal Promenade or Centrum area. It seems the bigger ships have more of it around.
There will almost certainly be a Christmas tree and a Hanukkah menorah, but likely other lights and signage.
I've also seen special holiday decorations around the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. Even some bars have stuff up.
Royal Caribbean doesn't go crazy with the decor, but there's enough to remind you it's the holiday season and they are great photo opportunities.
You should decorate your door instead of a tree
If Christmas doesn't feel the same without decorating, then plan to decorate your stateroom door.
Cabin doors are metal and with the assistance of magnets, you can give your door a very fun holiday look.
More passengers than you might expect will decorate their cabin doors, so don't feel embarrassed to be doing it. In fact, some people get really creative.
Battery powered lights are usually fine. But don't bring anything that plugs into an outlet. And all decorations cannot use any adhesives. So magnets and magnetic hooks are your friends.
There will be holiday events during your sailing
If your sailing actually goes over a holiday, then expect to find special Christmas events onboard.
The Royal Caribbean app lists every event. Most of them are the usual assortment, but there are also Christmas events.
There can be gift exchanges, Christmas trivia, caroling, and more. For Hanukkah, there is usually a menorah lighting (it's electric) ceremony held each evening.
In the Main Dining Room, there will be a special Christmas menu. On New Years Eve, the Main Dining Room has plastic hats and noise makers on each table.
Cruises that sail in December and early January but aren't over any holiday probably won't have specific events like this.
You can meet Santa on cruises over Christmas
If your cruise goes over Christmas, expect Santa to be waiting for you onboard. However, he isn't onboard for other sailings that don't fall over Christmas.
Typically there are a few events where guests can line up and meet Santa Claus.
It's a lot like meeting Santa at the mall. Report to a specific location, wait in line, and then wait your turn.
Check for holiday hours in ports you are visiting
One of the biggest x-factors with a cruise over Christmas or New Years is what to expect in port.
The ports will still be open and tourist areas too, but restaurants can be hit or miss.
Certainly shore excursions booked in advance will be safe, along with beaches and resorts.
The question mark is what to expect when you go downtown and look to do shopping or enjoy a meal. Often these establishments are closed for the day, if you're visiting on a holiday.
Booking a shore excursion might be a safer bet to ensure you aren't left with few options.
New Years Eve is a giant party, with paid areas
One of my favorite times of the year to go on a cruise is for New Years Eve because it's the best kind of party.
The ship will transform into a giant floating party. Different parts of the ship are designated for different kinds of ways to celebrate.
There is a Times Square style party on the Royal Promenade, a DJ dance party in a lounge, pool party, and more.
On the Promenade, expect certain areas to be roped off for guests willing to pay for a table. Usually the Pub, Playmakers, and Vintages turn into VIP velvet rope areas that you must book onboard for access.
Buying a table means you have a reserved seat, drink service, and usually a bottle of champagne too.
The rest of the Royal Promenade is open to a first-come, first-standing area for a midnight countdown and balloon drop.
There's music, dancing, and a lot of energy as everyone awaits the clock to strike twelve. Then, the entire Royal Promenade is drowned in balloons.
And yes, the kids club is open too during all of this so you can drop off your children while you enjoy a party out.
The holiday decorations come down right after New Years
Once New Years hits, the decorations come down pretty quickly.
Any sailings that begin after January 1st shouldn't expect holiday decorations to remain on display.
Plan around winter weather before or after your cruise
While your embarkation port in Florida, Texas, or Southern California is probably safe from a winter storm, the situation at home might be very different.
Snow and ice can cause major delays and cancellations of flights, so you need to have backup plans.
I always recommend planning to arrive at least one day before your cruise begins to protect against a travel delay.
Coming home can be more of a toss up since accurate weather forecasts likely do not develop until well into your cruise. Your best bet is to plan to fly home the day your cruise ends, but know what your options are for a flight later that evening or the next day.
Having travel insurance is essential any time of the year, but especially in the winter. Travel insurance pays you back for cancelled travel plans, missing luggage, or other weather-related problems.
