When you live in a warm-weather climate, no winter holiday feels right.
Thanksgiving is tied to fall and Christmas has long been celebrated as a winter holiday. It’s hard to sing about a white Christmas when it’s 90 degrees and you’re at the beach.
The same applies to all the end-of-year holidays. It’s simply harder to get into the spirit when the sun is shining and you’re wearing shorts.
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Cruise ships sailing in warm-weather locations have a similar problem. They can decorate their ships and offer special menus, but it’s still hard to capture the holiday vibe.
That has not stopped them from trying, and Holland America Line, a Carnival Corp.-owned cruise line, is doing its best to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve.
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Holland America Line has big holiday plans
Holland America Line plans to celebrate the holidays with themed food and beverage menus across the fleet. The cruise line will feature festive offerings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve to bring the holiday spirit on board.
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“Guests will enjoy a variety of holiday-themed culinary experiences, including a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, a new ‘Breakfast with Santa,’ Christmas Eve and Day feasts, and special Hanukkah treats,” the cruise line says. “The Christmas Eve menu in the Dining Room features dishes from around the world, honoring the cultures and traditions from many of the destinations the ships visit.”
The special events include:
- Thanksgiving Favorites at Sea: The Dining Room offers a robust menu with an array of fall flavors for Thanksgiving dinner, including a selection of traditional Thanksgiving turkey with cranberries and sweet potatoes; Beef Tenderloin with Apple Rösti; Honey-Baked Ham; Mushroom Ravioli with Sage. The menu also features two new fresh fish dishes from Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Masaharu Morimoto for an additional fee.
- Christmas Dining and Culinary Delights: Throughout the month of December, guests of all ages can savor seasonal delights during the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea Service offered on select sea days in the Dining Room. The full tea service features a Grinch truffle, Santa Hat cupcake, Reindeer Chocolate tart along with savory sandwich items.
- Breakfast with Santa: Families sailing in the Caribbean just before or during Christmas can join Santa Claus at a special Breakfast with Santa in Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind restaurant on Signature and Pinnacle Class ships. While waiting for Jolly Old Saint Nick to join, families are invited to enjoy festive crafts and Christmas music. Santa will make his entrance after the family-friendly meal has been served and will be available for photos. Breakfast with Santa is a $25 surcharge per adult or $15 per child ages 3-17 years old.
- Special dinners: Leading up to Christmas, both the Dining Room and Italian-inspired Canaletto will serve special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners. In the Dining Room, Christmas Eve dinner will feature holiday dishes from around the globe including Norway, Thailand, Spain, and the Caribbean, while Canaletto will feature festive Italian fare.
- Hanukkah Favorites in Lido Market: Guests can indulge in doughnuts filled with strawberry jelly, a nod to the story of Hanukkah where oil burned for eight days. Freshly baked challah bread and crispy potato latkes served with apple sauce and sour cream add a touch of holiday spirit.
- Ring in the New Year in Style: New Year’s Eve celebrations kick off with a special dinner in the Dining Room, or at Pinnacle Grill for $69 per person where guests can enjoy a Colossal Crab Tower with Caviar, Sterling Beef Fillet with Butter-basted Lobster, and a Chocolate Countdown. The festivities move to the ship’s Lido Deck for a party, complete with favors and sparkling toasts when the clock strikes midnight.
In addition to those offerings, Holland America will offer a limited-time lineup of holiday cocktails and coffees:
- Minty Elf Martini: Grey Goose vodka, Crème de Cacao and peppermint schnapps.
- Rudolph the Red Margarita: 1800 Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, pomegranate juice and fresh lime.
- De Lijn Ginger Mojito: De Lijn Gin, mint, ginger beer and candied ginger.
- Spiked Eggnog: Baileys, Kahlua, espresso and eggnog.
- Christmas Cocoa Mint Coffee: Kahlua, peppermint schnapps and coffee.
- Vanilla Gingerbread Latte: A classic latte featuring gingerbread, and vanilla syrup.
- Eggnog Latte: Espresso, eggnog, milk, and almond syrup.
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