Santa’s come down the funnel. The presents have been shared. Now, it’s time for a traditional Christmas lunch. Cruise Passenger asked cruise lines what surprises their chefs were preparing. From chestnut stuffing to Christmas cookies, guests are in for a festive feast.
Princess Cruises
On Christmas morning, eggnog is served and for lunch passengers sit down to a traditional lunch of cooked ham with all the trimmings. The pastry chefs also prepare a Christmas Yule log. And for dinner, a juicy roast turkey is served. Freshly prepared stollen and Christmas cookies round out the seasonal treats offered during afternoon tea on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Seabourn Cruise Lines
Seabourn’s luxury vessels are known to go all out during the festive season. The pastry chefs and bakers create gingerbread villages, a special Christmas Eve goodie basket is placed in each suite and for Christmas Eve dinner, a rich and sumptuous meat like duck is usually served. On Christmas Day, the line has been known to serve quite a big buffet spread during the day – Yuletide Log cakes and cookies, eggnog as well as a Christmas High Tea featuring stolen and Christmas cake. For dinner, the chefs seve a menu which includes roast turkey, English pudding and mince pies.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity has exceptional holiday-inspired menus created by Celebrity’s expert chefs. A midnight “Tree Trimmers Buffet” on Christmas Eve, and a special brunch on Christmas Day are among the culinary high spots. There are also ornate gingerbread houses created by Celebrity’s expert pastry chefs, plus holiday-themed cocktail specials. The Celebrity chefs also make freshly baked cookies.
Carnival Cruise Lines
At Christmas, Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships feature special festive menus. While the cruise line’s US-based ships deliver their American guests a Christmas dinner with turkey, in Australia, the cruise line puts on a seafood lunch on Christmas Day with crackers – a truly Aussie affair.
Royal Caribbean
Alongside turkey and ham with all the trimmings, this year’s menu includes Australian Moreton Bay Bugs and Lamb Rump, a new addition to the line’s Christmas feast. Royal Caribbean also have a meet and greet with Santa and his elves, Christmas cookie decorating for families and plenty more.
P&O Cruises
Guests can forget the hassle of queuing for seafood or cooking a hot roast at home, and instead feast on traditional Christmas-themed lunches and dinners including roast turkey, baked Christmas leg ham, festive Christmas salads, warm Christmas pudding, fruit mince pies and Christmas crackers. There are also gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies and fruit bread and a lolly grotto with lights, lollies and chocolate fountains.
Crystal Cruises
Each Crystal Cruise ship offers its guests traditional Christmas feasts which include goose, roast turkey and chestnut stuffing, potato latkes and chocolate Hanukkah gelt (chocolate money).
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Guests can expect a modern twist on the Christmas dinner menu. The feast includes Black Forest ham with sweet potato mash, pumpkin soufflé and a pear and chestnut torte to round off the meal.
