On a warm day when Susan Leining and her sister-in-law, Michelle, awaited their flight for the Hallmark Channel’s first Christmas-themed cruise, not a single flake of snow fell. The temperature at Houston’s Hobby Airport was a cozy 77 degrees on November 4, yet a magical, festive spirit was palpable at Gate 43.

“We live right next to each other,” Susan explained, “but we’ve been calling each other multiple times a day to check in: ‘Are you ready?’ ‘Are you ready?’”

During Hallmark’s four-night trip to Nassau, Bahamas (from November 5-9), guests engaged in delightful activities such as caroling, cookie decorating, participating in an ugly sweater contest, and spending time with 11 of the network’s stars through panels and photo opportunities. Tickets sold out mere hours after their release, with costs beginning at $1,115 for a four-person interior cabin. Due to strong demand, a second cruise was quickly added (November 17-21) and tickets for that also flew off the shelves.

Susan regularly sets her TV in her home in Santa Fe, Texas, to capture the latest Hallmark films weekly. The network’s widely loved Countdown to Christmas series began on October 18 and runs until December 21.

“Everything is leading to a happy ending, and it’s uplifting to anticipate some positivity,” said Leining, 67.

Four years back, Leining lost her mother after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Now, she actively raises awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association, having raised over $15,000 for a charity walk in October. Throughout the year, she bakes and sells homemade cookies, and for the cruise, she brought along a festive assortment of individually packaged goodies featuring snow-dusted trees alongside vibrant candy canes and gingerbread men.

Leining believes her mother “would be really proud that I’m not just sitting back and saying, ‘Oh, that’s too bad,’” she said. “She would encourage me to keep going.”

Also, Leining brought along a photo with actress Ashley Williams from their encounter at the 2019 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., seeking Williams’ signature. Williams lost her mother to the disease in 2016 and organizes an annual Dance Party to End ALZ, raising funds for the research grant program of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Leining succeeded in having her photo signed and shared some of her delicious cookies (this reporter sampled the gingerbread and chocolate varieties) with Williams. This was just one of the heartwarming Hallmark-esque moments we encountered onboard.

What to anticipate on a Hallmark-themed cruise? It’s like ‘Adult Disney’ for superfans

In 2021, Debbie Romanella proposed to her husband, Rocky, that they give Hallmark a try after hearing everyone rave about it. They watched “Winter in Vail,” featuring Chelsea (played by Lacey Chabert) who moves to a snowy Colorado town after inheriting a home, where she meets the charming Owen (Tyler Hynes).

“I found myself crying,” Rocky, 67, recalled. “I looked at her and asked, ‘How could you not be crying?’”

Debbie, 64, laughed, “She was wondering, ‘Where did my husband go and who is this new person?’” It turns out he has a soft spot for happy endings.

Rocky was thrilled about the cruise after Debbie gifted it to him. He eagerly looked forward to spending time with her and meeting Hallmark stars. They had the chance to meet Hynes (Rocky’s favorite), Heather Hemmens, B. J. Britt, and Jonathan Bennett, who even sent a special video to Debbie’s brother-in-law, a big fan of Bennett.

“They’re just ordinary people, which is refreshing,” Rocky said. “They’re always smiling and making eye contact. It feels like an ‘adult Disney.’”

What if you’re not a Hallmark superfan?

Patches Seely has never watched a Hallmark Christmas movie. However, she enjoys spending time with her three close friends, all wearing matching holiday-themed Hawaiian shirts and handcrafted hats. She has known one of her friends since fourth grade and the other two since sixth grade. After going to high school together in Baton Rouge, their paths diverged for college and their careers. Seely, now 48, has made her home in New Braunfels, Texas.

“Whenever they suggest an outing, I always say yes,” Seely remarked. “We are best friends, sharing adventures and cherishing our memories together.”

She continued: “They provide a break from life’s difficulties and a cozy refuge.”

The group had plans to attend a Christmas pajama party dressed in matching plaid pajamas with feather trim, ready to relive their youth at the Silent Night Disco.

“We used to go clubbing together,” Seely reminisced. “Back in the 90s and early 2000s, we really enjoyed ourselves.”

A space for celebration

Leigh Anne Holman and Jen Kamzelski have two significant reasons to celebrate during Hallmark’s Christmas cruise: both women have turned 50, and Holman is now cancer-free after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year.

“I never imagined I’d receive a diagnosis like that in my lifetime,” Holman shared. “It was frightening.”

Nevertheless, she chose to stay hopeful. She began her treatment in March and completed it in June. In August, she learned of a clear PET scan.

Kamzelski expressed that it feels “amazing” to share this experience with her friend now that Holman has regained her health.

“I was incredibly happy for her because it was a tough journey,” Kamzelski expressed. “But she maintained a positive attitude throughout, and that truly makes a difference.”

Meeting Tyler Hynes, her favorite actor, during the cruise was the cherry on top of their experience.

‘Hallmark movies have comforted people in the worst times of their life’

Ashley Williams, known for her roles in “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” initially viewed her Hallmark films as just another job. She appreciated the manageable schedule and knew her aunt would enjoy them. However, over the past 8-10 years, she has recognized a significant rise in stress levels among people, and her films now serve as a source of comfort for many—a surprise to her.

Following a trivia game on the cruise, Williams met a fan. “A woman approached me, saying, ‘My mother is in end-stage heart failure and may not survive the cruise, but she absolutely had to be here,’” Williams recalled. “She brought her mother, who looked frail, and I embraced her. I felt the mother’s body shaking from crying as we hugged.”

Williams shares that such emotional encounters are a regular occurrence. “I often have someone tell me how Hallmark movies have brought them solace during incredibly hard times,” she explained. “These moments truly rank among the greatest joys of my career.”

Bennett, the cruise host, met an appreciative woman from Texas whose son enjoys his films. In the 2020 movie “The Christmas House,” Bennett portrayed a member of a gay couple hoping to adopt their first child. Two years later, he appeared in “The Holiday Sitter,” featuring the first leading gay couple in a Hallmark Countdown to Christmas film.

The mother recounted how her son was thrilled after watching Bennett’s first movie, eagerly telling friends, “You have to see this Hallmark film! It has an LGBT storyline.” For the actors, such feedback reaffirms that they are sharing important stories.

The festive atmosphere on the cruise lifted spirits, with passengers donning ugly sweaters and Christmas pajamas while enjoying cheerful holiday music. It created a joyful oasis amidst unpredictable waters, just as Hallmark does for its viewers.

The reporter for this story received complimentary access to this cruise from Hallmark. YSL News retains editorial control over the content.