“When you take little kids to a park, they run to other kids they don’t know and become friends. I’ve never seen that happen in adults – until now.”
That was the feeling aboard the Hallmark Christmas Cruise, as described by one guest who enjoyed her vacation with her adult nieces and granddaughter. The group of four, dressed in matching pink dresses with sequined Nutcrackers, sipped cocktails as they opened up about how excited they were to just watch the Christmas movies and meet the stars.
“It looks like a cult – but a good one,” one of the women joked, explaining that so many people came together on the ship with one common interest: Hallmark Channel. Although the crowd was mostly women, there were many couples on board, including a couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and another who got engaged during the voyage. Men also wore some of the funniest shirts on board. One had Christmas lights on the front and said, “My wife made me wear this.” Another read “Hallmark Husband.” A few men were dressed as Santa Claus.
I was fortunate enough to be invited aboard the Norwegian Gem for the inaugural sail, along with approximately 2,500 Hallmark fans and 11 celebrity guests, which set sail on November 5. For some guests, however, the fan experience accidentally started the day before, as many actors arrived a day early at a Miami hotel near the departure port and before they knew it, fans were waiting in the lobby hoping to snap a selfie before work actually started – and none of the actors said no.
Upon entering the ship, guests were sent to a winter wonderland. The atrium and check-in area were decorated with Hallmark brand pillows, fairy lights, oversized ornaments and festive backdrops perfect for photos. Elsewhere on the boat, things were less Christmasy, but still Hallmark-branded: Movie posters were placed on the hallway walls for upcoming films, and the library was turned into a store for Hallmark merchandise. Additionally, with the Hallmark+ app just launching this fall, the actors have taken many opportunities to remind fans of content only available in the app (such as the “Finding Mr. Christmas” trilogy and “The Groomsmen”).
Just to get it out of the way early, yes, we left on Election Day. The first night was spent by many in their cabins, watching and waiting for the results after participating in some of the opening night events. (Although Hallmark Christmas movies were available to watch 24/7 on the in-room TVs, news channels were also offered.) Around midnight ET I decided to get some much-needed fresh air with a walk around the ship and what I witnessed was that many people did the same – but not because of the elections. Guests had fun, sat at the many bars and enjoyed holidays.
In one bar, Fox News was on the television, but no one was watching. I decided to get some hot chocolate, took a deep breath and went back to my room. The rest of the week followed the same pattern: very few people talked about the election, and most decided to focus on the Christmas magic happening in front of them. So I managed to do the same.
“Hallmark” icon Jonathan Bennett was the official host of the cruise and easily gets the MVP award — with honorable mention going to his husband, Jaymes Vaughan, and Hunter King’s fiancée, Chris Copier, both of whom cheered on their partners every day. For his part, Bennett kept his energy high from start to finish as he hosted each event, including “Festive Feud,” a holiday version of “Family Feud,” with actors mixed in with audience members. Bennett had never actually done that looked “Family Feud” and was so funny and engaging that he might have a future taking over for Steve Harvey.
Much of the upper deck was closed. The walking paths were closed due to the heavy winds, and all suites and rooms were reserved for Hallmark’s staff and talent to have a little privacy.
Speaking of which, getting the talent around the ship was a challenge in itself. Fortunately, Sixthman, the company Norwegian Cruise Line partners with for themed cruises, had its way. For example, before moderating a panel with the cast of “The Groomsmen” Bennett, Tyler Hynes, BJ Britt and Heather Hemmens, we were all escorted as a group through a maze of back hallways and white staircases until we found our way backstage. We didn’t encounter a single person who wasn’t a ship employee, which made the talent’s commute a little easier – until it was time to head to the elevator after the panel and return to their own quarters.
Panel “The Groomsmen” in the Stardust Theater on the Norwegian Pearl
By the time an event was over, especially those at the main venue, the Stardust Theater – with 1,042 fans – guests quickly knew where the exit door was. Although it was only ten steps to the elevator, crowds of people gathered to meet talent, and several security guards were assigned to ensure no one got too close.
It’s hard to think of a group of actors who could have handled this better. Despite their busy schedules, the actors stopped every time to take photos with babies (I’m looking at you, Rachel Boston!) whose parents couldn’t contain their excitement. They listened to fans’ personal and often heartbreaking stories about how their films have helped them, and happily received gifts such as stuffed animals, shirts and friendship bracelets that read “Cruisin’ With Hallmark.”
Although there was a separate dining area for the exclusive use of talent, many took the opportunity to also head to the main floor buffet, mingle with fans and take photos throughout the day. For example, Tyler Hynes joined fans for a Boot Shot — a tradition he shares with fans via social media — during which he took a photo of a boot-shaped Christmas ornament.
Brooke D’Orsay, Rachel Boston, Brendan Penny, Ashley Williams, Will Kemp, Kristoffer Polaha, Tyler Hynes
The big night events were held in the main pool, which was covered with a stage during the cruise.
The evenings were divided into a tree lighting sailing event, a pajama party, a bad Christmas sweater competition and a Christmas ball. Attendees and talent alike went all out, from pajamas decorated with actors’ faces to ball gowns and shoulder-length gloves.
Every night, after about an hour or two on stage with plenty of fun and games, the actors left the stage and headed to the VIP area, where the fans quickly realized they would be there. Although barriers were put in place, some of the talent spent hours posing for selfies and giving hugs to fans.
(But they had to say no when some asked for a kiss – limits, people!)
Tyler Hynes takes photos on board
Just like in Hallmark movies, the cruise also had heartwarming moments. During “The Groomsmen” panel, Bennett cried as he discussed the importance of the trilogy, which he co-wrote and produced, featuring a gay wedding for the first time for Hallmark. He thanked Hallmark and later asked everyone who was part of the Hallmark family in the audience to stand (many executives were on board). He kept asking – and it took a few minutes for people to stand up – proving that every person on board was part of the Hallmark family, and reminding the crowd that they were the reason for the event.
In another instance, nearly 2,000 fans gathered on the upper deck to sing “Silent Night” without music in front of the Christmas tree as the actors swayed together on stage.
Actors were not involved in all the activities, but events were planned to bring fun to the guests: ornaments and cookie decorating, caroling, gift exchanges and holiday card writing with some of the Hallmark artists.
One of the most entertaining guests on board was Julie Sherman Wolfe, who has written 20 Hallmark films, including two this year: “Hanukkah on the Rocks” and the highly anticipated “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Not only was she part of the “Holiday Touchdown” panel with the cast — sharing tidbits about working with Donna Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium — but she also wrote multiple screenplays to be performed on stage throughout the week.
After the pajama party, the talent headed to a private location where they gathered for a script reading of “Twas the Scene Before Christmas,” a script Wolfe wrote that followed a chaotic family at Christmas, with the actors playing crazy characters. During the “table read,” the actors shared their own ideas, tweaked certain lines and perfected what turned into magic on stage the next day. The audience got to get a little involved, too, as Hynes portrayed an over-the-top influencer who ended up teaching his friends and family (and fans) a viral dance — the one memorably performed in ‘Three Wise Men and a Baby ‘. .”
Another really fun (especially to watch) event was Cocktail Tastings. Kristoffer Polaha and Ashley Williams hosted the first episode, while Polaha and Brooke D’Orsay hosted the second. The event was held in the 372-seat Spinnaker Lounge and featured audience members asking talent questions… while everyone had a drink. lot of alcohol.
Upon entering the theater, guests were given a placemat with five circles on it, for five different cocktails. On stage, D’Orsay and Polaha were joined by a mixologist, who explained what each drink was and instructed the audience when to move on to the next. In retrospect, consuming five cocktails with five different types of alcohol probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, as the actors would then have to go to another event. (I tasted them all, but knew better than to drink five drinks in less than an hour.)
On the last night of the cruise, the second cocktail tasting took place before the Christmas ball, which D’Orsay would open with a waltz with Will Kemp. She did it – somehow it still made it look immaculate – but first had to take off her shoes, laugh and tell the crowd she’d had a few drinks.
Will Kemp and Brooke D’Orsay
Eli Johnson
After taking off their gowns, many actors wanted to continue celebrating with the fans, heading to the silent disco. Polaha, D’Orsay, Kemp, Ashley Williams, Brendan Penny, BJ Britt and Hunter King headed to the Spinnaker Lounge. They started in the VIP area, but soon took to the dance floor with headphones, ready to dance. In fact, a group of us were still there when the lights came on.
Less than eight hours later it was time to disembark. Although many were sleep deprived, fans were still buzzing with excitement as they lugged their bags off the ship. In the Facebook group dedicated solely to cruisers, hundreds of comments flooded the page about how, despite a few kinks, this felt like the perfect way to kick off the holidays.
With a second sold-out sailing set to launch just 12 days later, fans are now just waiting for news of a 2025 cruise… and crossing their fingers they’ll be one of the lucky few to get a ticket before it sells out is. Talk about a Christmas wish come true.