Are you considering a Holiday Cruise? | Leisure Travel Reports

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By Bobbie Green ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

New Year?s Eve was unreal, far beyond our expectations.? This was our first time spending the holidays, Christmas and New Year?s Eve away from home and family. I was prepared to do it once and never again. I now know why the cruise ships book-up quickly over the Holidays.

We had a terrific time aboard Cunard?s Queen Victoria. They made the Holiday Cruise very special.? The Christmas decorations from forward to aft were elegant and festive. On our two-week cruise, there were six formal nights. This may seem extreme, but it did help create the Holiday Spirit. I found it refreshing to see everyone looking so chicly within our now seemingly casual world of jeans and island pants.

I was sure I would feel very lonely on Christmas Day, but, we had to get our breakfast finished and get to the Queen?s Room as the Captain reported over the speaker he has a strange object on his radar, he believes it to be Santa?s sleigh.?? Soon we heard Santa grumbling about eating too many pies and found himself stuck in the smoke stack, but the children aboard should hurry to the Queens Room and he would be there soon.? Children on aboard?I had hardly seen any.? I was very surprised to see how many there actually were?the ships staff had done a great job of keeping them entertained and out of the adult areas. The ship has multiple levels looking down onto the Queens Room dance floor allowing everyone a good view. Santa came in and greeted the ships Elves and the children seated on the floor, but not too close to his chair.? Santa knew and called each child by his or her name, to come up, sit on his lap and receive a present, starting from the youngest to the oldest, this personalization from the ships staff impressed everyone, especially the parents. Since there are no young, children left in our family, what a delightful Christmas morning we had enjoying the children with Santa.

The always cheerful, Keith Maynard, the ships entertainment director played Santa.? ?I love my work,? he says. ?I get to be different characters, I am an entertainer.? I have been on many ships and he is a gem among cruise ship directors.?

Later in the day, a choir made up of volunteer guest and staff, led Christmas Carols in the atrium.????????????

The evening entertainment in the showroom topped off the day with their Christmas presentation. It was not a flashy style show, but tastefully done with meaning of Christmas in mind.

On New Year?s Eve, after dinner all venues closed except for those on one specific deck. All bands and entertainers were located throughout this deck.? This Clever arrangement made the party night atmosphere outstanding. Everyone handsomely decked out in his or her party apparel. Countdown screens were also located throughout the deck.? It was like being at a sophisticated Times Square party. The Queens Room featured a Big Band Ball? A DJ with favorites and disco tunes were in the atrium. When Midnight arrived, the balloon drop in each venue was unreal.? I still cannot believe they could inflate that many balloons. After the drop we stood in balloons up to our knees, it was a little rough to dance, but it was wonderful. I cannot think of a better place to celebrate on New Year?s Eve at least once in your life. ?

Since this was my first holiday cruise I cannot compare this experience to other lines, but I do know Cunard lines will make your Holiday exceptional and I would not hesitate to take another on any cruise line, although Cunard will certainly be a tough act to follow.?? ?

Source: http://leisuretravelreports.info/go/2012/11/are-you-considering-a-holiday-cruise/

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