December 24
What is Christmas like on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic?
Image courtesy of Idea go at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Lots going on for sure. We are getting cards and presents from some of our new friends. They have assembled a choir that will perform tonight. Andy performed with his guitar in the upper lobby, playing and singing his favorites. The band and the string quartet play all types of music and do have some holiday songs in the mix. The Sunday service was a reading of the Christmas biblical story with the appropriate carols. There has been carol singing in Martini’s bar (and yes, there are martinis/wine involved). Yesterday they gave out a booklet with the words to 29 different Christmas songs. Alex (the Insignia pianist) was at the piano and Tammy (the social hostess) led the singing. She took requests. The most fun one was the 12 Days of Christmas where each table took one of the days. What a riot!
Eric from the destinations team hands out the songs
They showed the movie “White Christmas” in the Insignia lounge – which was fun to watch again, and I mentioned before that on the stateroom TV they are showing all of the famous Christmas/holiday movies on one channel, with the fireplace and songs on another.
Tonight there is a Christmas Eve show with the guest performers, the entertainment team, the choir and it will be followed by midnight mass with communion (there is a priest on this leg, apparently).
The Christmas cookies continue to appear and all of the favorites are there. Yesterday they brought out sugar cookies with sprinkles. Those pastry chefs are busy.
There was a gala teatime yesterday and the culinary team outdid themselves with both the food and the decorations.
And, of course the auction for the benefit of the crew welfare fund is tomorrow as well as probably many other surprises.
Who knows if Santa will be too busy surfing to find the Insignia! We are having a wonderful holiday here. It may look like it is all about the food (which is out of this world for sure) but for us it is savoring the last days of a magical journey.
From “our” ship to your homes and hearts, our best wishes for the happiest of holidays and a 2016 that makes your dreams come true!
Pat and Norm's World Cruises and other adventures 
Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Particularly the amazing culinary creations that we can observe at a distance; imagine the luscious aroma of chocolate — and not have to ingest it so that it adds to our already full abdomens!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and continued adventures in 2016–
Hugs, Joy
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Merry Christmas, Pat and Norm! May you have a joyful holiday on board, and enjoy your final days of your big adventure!
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Merry Christmas Pat and Norm! I have so enjoyed your adventures through you wonderful postings. Best wishes for a Happy New Year and the end of your cruise.
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Pat and Norm…Happy Holidays…thank you so much for making your incredible experience one we all could enjoy…..you have brightened my days…wishing you good health and happiness in 2016..Jane Taylor (Julie Shows next door neighbor)
Happy Connecting. Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S® 5
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Thank you for sharing your wonderful Christmas at sea. It sure is unique. May you continue to have a wonderful journey. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Rick & Marilen
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Pat and Norm I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe Atlantic crossing , my name is Silvio ,Lisa Binder brother in law I live near Lisa and been following your blog since day one and reading every days ,you really have seeing many nice places, I’m familiar for some of these places because I also did travel a lot ,around the world 9 times on cruises ship (2 ship total ) but it was not the same as your cruise, I was on the other side (meaning I was a crew member on it ) for 6 years , in one cruise I meet Lisa sister and end up in Philadelphia area, still love the cruise ship and would be nice to go around the world as passenger, sorry for my English I’m from Italy and I try my best,
thank you and enjoy
Silvio
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