Hallmark-ian Review: 'A Christmas Cruise'

Despite her ambitions to become a novelist, Pam Stevenson (Vivica A. Fox) finds herself stuck in an unfulfilling job as a journalist for the New York Minute, with her younger co-workers and boss Arlo Sands (Jason Cook) testing Pam's patience. Upon receiving an assignment from Arlo to write a Christmas related romance piece, however, Pam has the perfect solution: The Christmas Queen, a special Christmas-themed cruise ship taking its annual trip to Christmas Island.

Joining Pam on the cruise is her best friend Becky (Jessica Morris), who had previously recommended the cruise to Pam to help her unwind. As the cruise sets sail and Pam finds herself struggling to relax, she crosses paths with cruise director Jake Rockwall (Kristoff St. John), who instantly connects with Pam due to her journalistic work. As the cruise sets sail and Pam continues working on her article despite Becky's objections, Pam finds herself giving in to the spark she feels for Jake. But ultimately, will Pam be able to open her heart to the possibility of love and find the courage to pursue what she wants?

Something I've noticed about Ion Network Christmas films: the charm and heart they exude is basically what you'd get if you took one of the better Hallmark Christmas features and gave it a 5 Hour Energy. Such is the case with their 2017 offering A Christmas Cruise, ironically released a year before its main star Vivica A. Fox would go on a cruise of a much less festive nature (Fun Fact: with both films being directed by David DeCoteau, I was able to spot how both films' titular cruise ship share the same exterior establishing shot!). Along with being a sure fire picker upper for anyone lacking in Christmas spirit, A Christmas Cruise delves deeper into its' characters than most give made-for-TV holiday flicks credit for.

To begin with, though, the cast is notably strong, with Fox and Kristoff St. John playing well off each other in regards to both their whirlwind romance and their conflict over their differing ways of living life. In a much appreciated spin on the classic "Two Lonely People Learn To Open Their Hearts To Love Again" tale, A Christmas Cruise has Pam and Jake truly combat their insecurities and demons, with each side of the pairing pointing out how the other's lifestyle isn't as healthy or satisfying as they want to believe it is. This is most notable with Pam, as the film's clear end goal isn't just to have her open up to the possibility of romance with Jake; it's instead to have her acknowledge her insecurities and finally led a life she enjoys rather than one that's merely safe.

The supporting cast holds Fox and John up, with Jessica Morris making Becky a memorable character and true supportive shoulder to Pam who goes beyond being the standard "Heroine's Sex-Crazed BFF." Jason Cook makes for a fun side character as Pam's quirky boss Arlo, and Rib Hillis exudes effortless charm as Becky's love interest Paul, along with Owen Saxon as a recurring "Santa" working for the cruise. Cristine Prosperi also appears as doubtful young fiancee Jessica Knoll, with her arc serving as a nice parallel to Pam's doubts regarding her own life.

On the cast's downside, however, the usually reliable Corin Nemec also appears as recurring passenger Gil, but unfortunately serves only to be a running gag joke that ends up falling flat. And as a nitpick, the ending at times comes off as weirdly disconnected from the rest of the film, to the point where Pam's voiceover narration could be used as the conclusion for a number of Christmas films. Considering the emotional strength that comes from the film's third act, this feels like a particularly rough misstep.

But ultimately, A Christmas Cruise manages to be be an entertaining Christmas romp, while at the same time developing into something deeper through its' well-cast group of characters. With the holiday season coming to a close, this is one film I sincerely recommend you watch with your family this Christmas.

Score: 9.5 out of 10 green journals.