++CONTAINS COPYRIGHTED MUSIC++

A woman spent $2k on a Hallmark Christmas cruise complete with 'carol-oke' and

pyjama parties and says it was "money well spent"."

Ashley Gitzlaff, 38, and five of her friends set off from Miami, Florida on November 5, for a four-day Christmas cruise stopping off in the Bahamas.

Ashley and her friends were part of the 2,700 passengers onboard the sold-out inaugural Hallmark cruise.

She said she loves the festive season and Hallmark movies so she and her friends jumped on the chance to be part of its maiden voyage.

Ashley paid $2k for a ticket which included her room and food.

She said the cruise was packed full of activities including, carol-oke, pyjama parties and an exclusive screening of a brand new Hallmark film.

Ashley, a brand manager, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, said: "Being part of the inaugural cruise was really special."

"I enjoyed being around all these people who have a passion for Christmas and loved the holidays."

"I have never done anything like that in my life and it was just so nice to be around people who love the holidays and Hallmark."

"It was really special."

Ashley and her group of friends have always loved Christmas and when they found out about the cruise they knew they could not miss out on the opportunity.

She paid $2k for her ticket on the four-day cruise which stopped off in the Bahamas before heading back to Miami, Florida on November 9.

Ashley said: "My close friends and I love the holidays and we love watching the movies."

"We thought it could be really fun."

"Hallmark movies are notoriously cheesy and you can always predict the outcome being a happy ending."

"They are feel-good films for the holidays to watch and you know they will make you feel good."

After setting sale on November 5, Ashley and her friends took part in carol-oke, a silent disco, pyjama party and got an exclusive peek at a new Hallmark Christmas film.

Ashley said: "Christmas carol-oke was so fun. I sang a few times - it was really popular."

"There was a silent disco and they had the world premiere of a Hallmark movie."

"We got to hear from the actors in the film and got to take pics with them."

"Everyone on the cruise decorated their doors with stockings which was really nice."

Ashley said Christmas has always been a special time for her and reminds her of her mum who passed away seven years ago from breast cancer.

She said: "My parents always made Christmas really special growing up."

"Mum put so much effort into making the holiday very magical."

"Sadly she passed away seven years ago but it makes me remember her extra during this time of the year - it makes me feel close to her."

Ashley said that the cruise was "money well spent" and her friends are planning to go again when the next cruise is announced."

She said: "When we got off the cruise we were like 'is this something we do once and never do again?'"

"But then we thought about it and said we would love to do it again."

"I mainly went on this cruise because it was a Hallmark cruise and I really enjoyed myself."

"It was extra special as it was curated for Christmas."

"Even the staff on board were really excited to have the Christmas spirit onboard."