Christmas Cruise

We had wanted to try out a Christmas cruise for some time (pretty much since the cruise we took a few years ago).  Last Christmas everything came together and we got our chance!  We flew from India to Abu Dhabi, where we got on the ship (Celebrity Constellation) which then sailed us back to India for stops in Goa and Mumbai, then back to the UAE for more exploring there.

We loved this cruise!  Erica and Clara had a fantastic time at the kids club, which was run extremely well.  They joined in the activities as frequently as they could.  I loved not having to cook, plan,  entertain or worry about much of anything on Christmas day (or New Year's Eve).  I also liked being able to travel for an extended time without having to plan too much transport and accomodation.  Just unpack once at the beginning and then let the ship take you there!  There was a good balance of shore days and rest days.

The kids and I outside of the ship.  Poor Ethan broke his ankle before the cruise.  He was a good sport and participated in most activities with us.  I think it helped to be young and strong in most other ways.  He didn't seem to tire too easily on the crutches, and multiple places in the UAE provided him with a wheelchair.

It's not so bad to go on a cruise with a broken ankle.  Ethan happily watched movies in the room and ordered room service whenever we were doing an activity that was too difficult for him to navigate.  It didn't happen too often, but when Ethan did need to hang back, he had no problem with his alternative arrangement.

Clara happily availed herself of the face-painting services of the kids club.

This was on Christmas day.  Clara was in the middle of an 'ice skating' competition.

Our cabin on Christmas eve with the children's stockings hung ready for a visit from Santa.  Much to Clara's astonishment both Santa and our Elf were able to locate us in the middle of the Arabian Sea.

The ship felt very festive.  There were decorations, Christmas trees, gingerbread houses etc.  There was even a midnight mass service and multiple other services throughout Christmas day - and a small one in the Jeffrey cabin :).

David and Ethan enjoying their Christmas lunch.

The girls meeting Santa.

More face painting for Clara.  She bought that dress and necklace for herself at markets in Goa.  She even did the negotiating herself.  Clara is very good at it.  I give her some idea of what price she should be aiming for, and then she goes for it!  Her novelty and cuteness definitely work for her.  

When we were in Dubai, Clara and David were looking in a toy shop.  Clara spotted a toy microphone that she was interested in, but David couldn't see the price.  Clara took the box to a shop assistant to ask the price.  After finding out the price, Clara immediately started trying to negotiate the price down!  Fortunately the shop assistants thought this was funny.  David stepped in to explain to Clara that this wasn't that type of store. 

On the back of the ship.




Erica and Clara carolling with some of the other children from the ship.

A quick tip for fellow 5 person families - Celebrity Constellation (and some other Celebrity cruise ships) have cabins that can accomodate a family of 5 in one room.  It was tight quarters, but saved us a bit of money by not having to spread into two cabins.