The festive season on board our ships was a very special time, with a whole host of crew events to help everyone enjoy the festivities. Thank you to Iona, Queen Anne and Aurora for sharing what they got up to…
A magical Christmas and new year aboard Iona
The festive season aboard Iona was filled with laughter and unforgettable moments, creating a festive atmosphere that brought joy to guests and crew. We caught up with Iona’s Senior Management Team to find out more…
“There was a true sense of togetherness, with every corner of the ship sparkling with seasonal decorations and holiday spirit. Father Christmas himself made a special appearance, spreading joy to guests and crew. The crew received surprise gifts, given to each member as a token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication. There was also an opportunity for a photo with the Captain and Father Christmas. These little gestures helped create a sense of unity and holiday spirit among the team onboard. All members of the Senior Management Team and Operational team were present for the event to show their gratitude, thank the crew members for their hard work and wish them a fabulous festive season.
When it came to food, the festive meals were nothing short of amazing, with fabulous food that celebrated traditional Christmas flavours from around the world for all the crew to enjoy. Drinks and dinner were supported by the ship’s officers, with crackers, decorations and an incredible raffle. The fun didn’t stop there with big money prize bingo, a special late movie in the theatre and departmental festive parties for the crew to enjoy.
The crew and officer choir’s heartwarming performance of Christmas carols added to the festive spirit, filling the atrium with music and joy. Behind the scenes, the real showstopper was the amazing crew talent show, where crew members showcased their incredible skills, from singing and dancing, to magic and more! The talent on board was astounding, leaving everyone in awe and making the evening one of the crew highlights of the season.
As we sailed into the New Year, the night sky over Lisbon was illuminated with breathtaking fireworks, marking the beginning of a fantastic year ahead. The entire crew ensured that this New Year’s Eve was a celebration to remember. The festive season aboard Iona was an unforgettable blend of fun, food, and festive spirit, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the incredible crew, starting 2025 with a sense of togetherness marking the beginning of a brand-new year.”
Queen Anne’s first Christmas
The team on Queen Anne created a brilliant video to highlight some of the wonderful events hosted for her crew throughout December, as they celebrated Queen Anne’s first Christmas in service! Take a look here:
Festive fun and top scoring crew food on Aurora
Festive spirit was all around on Aurora with an array of crew events, including a competition to create Christmas Trees using only recycled materials! 17 teams across the ship’s company rose to the challenge and crafted spectacular creations using a variety of recycled materials. The creativity of the crew was amazing and delighted guests who were invited to vote for their favourite. Congratulations to the Electrics team for winning first place!
Crew enjoyed a Christmas lunch with Captain Santa giving out gifts, a raffle, and officers swapping roles with crew to plate up food, serve, clear tables and do the washing up. A special mention to Aurora’s Food & Beverage Team for being top of the fleet in scores for crew food, scoring 5 out of 5. Aurora’s HR Manager Ann Sullivan said:
“We’re incredibly proud of Aurora’s recent crew food results. Our Food & Beverage Manager, Brad Sequeira, who reaches 30 years with the company this year, and his team have worked hard to meet crew needs and continue to make improvements based on feedback. Engaging with the crew is important – we do this in our monthly food forum and discuss crew special dietary needs each cruise, as well as our very popular bi-weekly street food event.”
Officers and crew also sang Christmas carols to guests in the Atrium, and the festivities wrapped up in style with Aurora ringing in the new year with a spectacular fireworks display in Madeira.
Want to share your ship’s stories and activities on The Insider? Email internal.comms@carnivalukgroup.com