Lynda from Cruise Review talks about Christmas in July Cruise.
What is it?
Christmas in July is starting to be a tradition in the Southern Hemisphere, one that I have not really participated in, as after all there is only one Christmas right ?
As July is generally the coldest month in Australia, somewhere along recent history, people have started to have a mid year celebration and called it Christmas in July. The best I can find to an origin of Christmas in July is a 1940’s movie, but I don’t know if that is the real origin. Not quite as big as the real Christmas, but essentially the celebration involves a meal (dinner) and drinks. Presents seem to be optional and if given, are of token value; whereas for real Christmas I would not get away without giving my husband the latest Star Trek / Star Wars gadget or thingy bob and of course I do always need something sparkly in return, or perhaps a cruise (hint, hint), but that’s for the real Christmas.
Anyway, we recently went on a P&O Short Cruise, we have done many of these themed cruises and they are great fun for an affordable long weekend (3 day) away. This one just happened to be themed, Christmas in July.
Ship Theme
Surprisingly, the ship was well set up for the theme, there was tinsel in the atrium, decorated Christmas Trees in the main lounge, and a nice Christmas display in the restaurant foyer. The theme was only for the this cruise, and everything came down at the end of the cruise. This quite impressed me and it would have taken quite some time put it all up.
The ship’s theme nights (Bianco & Gatsby) were adjusted to the new theme, along with things like Christmas trivia’s, staff wearing santa hats. It really did get me into the Christmas Spirit, and by the time the second night of the Cruise was coming around, I was really looking forward to Christmas dinner. The main show on ‘Christmas’ night was Variety Show, with the outstanding song for the night being hallelujah by ‘La Forza’ (refer http://www.laforza.com.au/) a group of three male vocalists from Melbourne – they were absolutely fantastic.
The bar staff had designed a special Christmas cocktail. Had to try that, and yes it was yummy.
Dinner
The Restaurant was suitably themed, with entry beautifully decorated and waiters dressed in Santa Hats. The tables even had decent quality bon-bons (Christmas Crackers for UK readers).
I was really hoping for ham and turkey. P&O had both these on the menu, but as main dinner options. A quick chat with my waiter and he said he would give me two main courses, one turkey and one ham – I could have both turkey and ham, woohoo, its like Christmas had come early, oh wait, it did!
I have always found the food on P&O ships to be of high quality and this Christmas meal did not disappoint. The meal was prepared well, hot and (especially having two main courses) was plentiful, just what is wanted for Christmas dinner.
Dessert was very enjoyable. They had small individual plumb puddings covered in custard, but there were other desserts for those that did not like this. I had the pavlova which was very nice, but the bluer cheese was also nice.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely, it was great fun and a very good change to the usual food & wine or comedy short cruises run by P&O. The atmosphere created was just right. If you wanted to say humbug (like Ebenezer Scrooge and ignore Christmas) you could, and just enjoy the cruises. But if you wanted to get right into the spirit like I ended up doing, you would have a great time.
Please let us know what you think of Christmas in July.
We hope you found this helpful?
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Resources
Feel free to download a copy of the Pacific Daily (Daily Ships Newspapers) for the three day cruise:
Pacific Daily, Day 1: http://www.cruisereview.net.au/Download … JulyD1.pdf
Pacific Daily, Day 2: http://www.cruisereview.net.au/Download … JulyD2.pdf
Pacific Daily, Day 3: http://www.cruisereview.net.au/Download … JulyD3.pdf
Regards
Lynda
CruiseReview.net.au