By Kayla Caldwell
Snow, ice skating, hot chocolate, and twinkling lights - as if the Queen Mary weren’t magical enough already, the legendary ship is now suited up for Christmas. From November 29 until January 1, guests can make their way through Santa’s North Pole Village before meeting the big man himself, on the ship.
We were lucky enough to snag an invite to this festive gathering, so we could report all the holiday happenings to you! It was quite rainy throughout the day, so as soon as we arrived to Queen Mary Christmas, we made our way to the Making Spirits Bright bar, and the covered cabanas.
After munching on some holiday goodies, and warming up with some hot chocolate, it was time to check out Santa’s North Pole Village. There’s plenty to do - from ice skating in a beautiful rink by the bar and cabanas, to sitting atop a giant rocking horse. The latter, I assure you, was quite the experience that I have yet to see anywhere else.
There is another bar by the North Pole Village’s entrance, as well as the lighthouse stage, a human-sized snow globe that you can climb right into, and a carousel. The stage was surrounded by the enchanted forest, decorated with bears, penguins, spooky trees, and sporadic bursts of fake snow. We couldn’t resist setting up an impromptu photo shoot in the adorable area, though we also passed through again, while riding the QM Express train throughout the village.
More adventurous guests can tackle the North Pole Climb, while more artsy, less athletically-inclined visitors can browse the festive shops or get their faces painted. But that’s not all, my friends. That’s merely what you find outside of the majestic ship.
Come aboard for the winter wharf, which boasts the Nutcracker Sweets booth, a place to craft your own snowman ornament, stocking decorating, gingerbread decorating, and tons of photo ops. There is also a stage, where we caught one of many A cappella group performances.
There’s certainly enough on the Winter Wharf to occupy your time. However, if you’d like to explore the Queen Mary a bit more, you’ll also find “The Polar Express” Experience in the ship’s 4-D theater. This abbreviated (15-minute) version is a fully immersive experience, equipped with hot cocoa smells and snow flurries!
Continuing up to the promenade of the ship, guests can meet Santa in his Captain’s Quarters. But don’t forget about Mrs. Claus! She reads classic Christmas stories on the promenade. And for an extra cost, you can whip up your perfect hot chocolate with toppings from the hot cocoa bar to have something to sip on during the show.
If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, there’s no better place than the Queen Mary. If you come on a Saturday, you can even start your day by enjoying breakfast with Santa! Tickets to Queen Mary Christmas are only $22, and promise a myriad of festive activities to kick off your Christmas season.