Hallmark Christmas at Sea Stars Share Holiday Traditions

Hallmark is serving up sunshine with a side of snowflakes as Christmas at Sea makes waves on Hallmark+. The stars at the center of this festive cruise are opening up about what the holidays really look like when the cameras stop rolling.

Nikki DeLoach, B.J. Britt, and Heather Hemmens may be leading a ship full of devoted superfans through silent discos and ugly sweater showdowns, but when December 25 rolls around at home, their celebrations are surprisingly relatable. It’s all comfort food, cozy chaos, and zero pressure to be perfect—honestly, isn’t that what most of us are after?

Christmas at Sea Is the Ultimate Fan Fantasy

Hallmark has long mastered the art of small-town snowfall and picture-perfect romance. Christmas at Sea takes that magic offshore.

The film centers around the network’s most dedicated fans boarding a Hallmark-themed cruise, where beloved stars pop up with surprise appearances, festive events, and plenty of seasonal sparkle. Think meet-and-greets, themed parties, and more twinkling lights than your neighbor’s wildest ambitions.

The cruise itself is a floating winter wonderland. Fans don’t just show up in holiday attire—they engineer it.

According to the cast, some attendees travel with multiple suitcases packed solely with costume components. These are carefully dismantled for transport, then reconstructed onboard like couture Christmas architecture.

The Ugly Sweater Competition Is No Joke

If you thought your office ugly sweater contest was intense, prepare to be humbled. The superfans on this cruise take the tradition to a whole new level.

We’re talking moving parts, hidden compartments, and elaborate mechanics that would make a stage designer proud. DeLoach and Hemmens describe sweaters featuring tiny doors that open to reveal drinks, miniature trains circling torsos, and elements that literally move across the garment.

It’s wearable engineering at its most festive. The stars are clearly in awe of the creativity.

Silent Disco, Superstar Energy, and 1,000 Voices Singing

Beyond the sweaters, one of the cruise’s most beloved traditions is the nightly silent disco. Guests don headphones, choose their channel, and dance the night away under the stars.

There’s one night in particular when things just hit different. Historically, the cast makes a group appearance on the final evening, joining the fans on the dance floor for a euphoric sendoff.

Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and a Sea of Holiday Joy

DeLoach lights up describing the scene: thousands of people dancing, sweating, and belting out pop anthems at the top of their lungs. Imagine a cruise ship deck transformed into a glowing dance party, with Hallmark stars and superfans united in pure, carefree celebration.

It’s not scripted. It’s not choreographed. It’s just joy—messy, loud, and contagious.

And in an era when connection can feel fleeting, there’s something powerful about a thousand strangers singing in sync beneath the night sky.

So What Do These Stars Do on December 25?

After hosting fans, filming scenes, and living in full-on holiday mode, you might assume these actors go all out at home with elaborate décor and gourmet feasts. The truth is refreshingly different.

When the cruise wraps and the season officially arrives, each star embraces a version of Christmas that’s deeply personal and wonderfully unfussy.

Nikki DeLoach: Pajamas All Day, No Exceptions

If there were an Olympic sport for cozy commitment, DeLoach would take gold. Her family’s Christmas tradition is built around one non-negotiable rule: no one changes out of their matching Christmas pajamas. All day. No exceptions.

It’s the one day of the year she gives herself permission to ignore the mess. Wrapping paper stays where it lands. Dishes wait in the sink.

The house becomes what she lovingly considers a beautiful Christmas mess. There’s something deeply comforting in that image—no rush to tidy up, no pressure to perform perfection.

• Matching Christmas PJs for the whole family
• No cleaning allowed until the next day
• Leaning into the mess as part of the magic

Heather Hemmens: Food, Family, and Full Hermit Mode

Hemmens describes herself as a natural hermit, and the holidays are when she fully embraces that side. After the high energy of the cruise, she retreats into her cozy home, shuts out the noise, and focuses on what matters most.

For her, Christmas is about cooking and comfort. The kitchen becomes the heart of the celebration, filled with aromas that signal warmth and familiarity.

Once the cruise ends, she crashes in the best possible way, savoring time with family and surrounding herself with good food. It’s not about flashy parties or packed schedules—it’s about staying in, snuggling up, and creating a space that feels safe and nurturing.

B.J. Britt: Keep It Simple, Pass the Plate

While Hemmens cooks and DeLoach lounges in pajamas, B.J. Britt takes a refreshingly straightforward approach to the holiday. He eats. All day.

Britt happily admits he’s not the one in the kitchen. Instead, he fixes up a plate and fully leans into the culinary bounty of the season.

No stress, no elaborate hosting duties, just appreciation for whoever is doing the cooking. There’s a certain honesty in that simplicity—Christmas doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

Why Christmas at Sea Feels So Timely

In a world that often feels divided and digitally distracted, the idea of gathering fans and stars together on a ship dedicated to holiday joy feels almost radical. It’s immersive, interactive, and rooted in a shared love for stories that promise hope and happy endings.

The cast’s real-life traditions only add to the appeal. They’re not living in perpetually staged snow globes—they’re navigating messy living rooms, overflowing plates, and quiet nights at home just like the rest of us.

Beneath the glitter and garlands are relatable people who value family, food, and a little well-earned rest. Maybe that’s the real secret sauce behind Hallmark’s enduring success.

Streaming Now and Ready to Sail

Christmas at Sea is streaming right now on Hallmark+. If you’re up for it, step aboard and see the spectacle for yourself.

Maybe you tune in for the wild sweaters. Or maybe it’s the silent disco vibe, or just a chance to spot your favorite stars in a new setting.

This film really leans into festive escapism. It’s kind of impossible not to get swept up in it.

When the credits roll, you might feel like starting a new tradition. Matching pajamas, a kitchen marathon, or just claiming a seat at the table—whatever feels right.