Now there’s a blog title we never thought we would be writing!
We all know Santa as the cheerful chap in the red suit who travels around the world in one night, delivers presents and somehow manages to eat millions of mince pies without needing a larger suit.
But long before the sleigh, the elves and the flying reindeer, there was St Nicholas—a fourth-century bishop who became famous for secretly helping people in need.
He was also the protector of children, unmarried young women and, most importantly for us here at Coastal Cruises, sailors.
Naturally, we had to find out more.
Who Was St Nicholas?
Nicholas is believed to have been born around AD 270 in Patara, a coastal town in what is now Turkey. He later became the Bishop of Myra, another busy port on the Mediterranean coast.
Not a great deal is known for certain about his life, but stories of his kindness and generosity were passed down through the generations.
Nicholas was said to have inherited a large amount of money following the death of his parents. Instead of spending it on a grand house, expensive robes or the fourth-century equivalent of a superyacht, he used it to help people who were poor or in trouble.
Even better, he often gave his gifts secretly because he did not want any praise or recognition.
Sound familiar?
Why Is He the Protector of Virgins?
Let’s be honest—that part of the title certainly got the office team’s attention!
In this historical context, “virgins” simply meant unmarried young women. St Nicholas became their protector because of one of the most famous stories associated with him.
A poor father had three daughters but could not afford the dowries they needed to marry. Without financial security, the young women faced a very uncertain and potentially dangerous future.
Nicholas decided to help the family, but he did not want to embarrass them by making a public display of his generosity. Under cover of darkness, he secretly delivered a bag of gold to their home. He later returned with a second and then a third, providing enough money to secure the future of all three daughters.
Some versions say he threw the gold through an open window. Others say the coins landed in stockings or shoes that had been left beside the fire to dry.
And there we have a possible origin for the Christmas stocking!
We are not sure what they used before novelty stockings featuring dancing snowmen, but the idea of a secret gift arriving during the night has certainly lasted.
Why Is St Nicholas the Protector of Sailors?
This is where the story becomes even more interesting for us.
According to legend, Nicholas was once travelling aboard a ship when a violent storm developed. Waves crashed over the deck, the wind tore at the sails and the terrified crew believed their vessel was going to sink.
Nicholas prayed, and the storm suddenly calmed.
Another story tells of sailors caught in terrible weather who called upon Nicholas for help. He appeared aboard their ship, helped them regain control and guided them safely through the storm before disappearing.
When they later reached the port of Myra, the sailors recognised Nicholas in his church as the mysterious man who had saved them.
Stories like these spread quickly through maritime communities. This was a time long before weather apps, satellite navigation, radios, lifeboats or a Coastguard to call. Sailors heading to sea in small wooden vessels faced enormous risks, so the idea of someone watching over them brought comfort.
St Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, ships and many harbour towns. Sailors carried images of him onboard, prayed to him before voyages and thanked him when they returned safely home.
Perhaps every vessel should keep a little picture of St Nicholas in the wheelhouse—although our captains may point out that proper passage planning, safety equipment and checking the weather forecast remain rather important too!
From St Nicholas to Santa Claus
So how did a bishop living beside the Mediterranean become the red-suited Santa we know today?
In the Netherlands, St Nicholas became known as Sinterklaas. Dutch settlers carried his traditions to America, where the name gradually evolved into Santa Claus.
Over hundreds of years, the stories changed and grew.
The bishop’s robes became a red suit trimmed with white fur. His journeys on foot or horseback became a magical flight through the sky. His quiet gifts of gold became presents delivered to children around the world.
The elves, North Pole workshop and famous reindeer came later, helped along by poems, stories, illustrations and, eventually, films and advertising.
But the most important part of the original St Nicholas story remained: helping others, giving generously and bringing hope.
And What About the Reindeer?
We may need to make a small confession here: St Nicholas was not actually the patron saint of reindeer.
Reindeer did not appear in the earliest stories about him. They joined the adventure much later, when St Nicholas gradually became the modern Santa Claus.
But after pulling that heavily loaded sleigh around the entire world every Christmas Eve, we think the reindeer probably deserve a patron saint of their own. St Nicholas seems as good a choice as any!
We would also like to know whether the sleigh requires an annual passenger certificate, whether Rudolph’s nose counts as a navigation light and who carries out the pre-departure safety checks.
We feel an office debate coming on.
St Nicholas and Coastal Cruises
Here at Coastal Cruises, we love that the real person behind Santa has such a strong connection with sailors and the sea.
Of course, running passenger boats today is very different from sailing across the Mediterranean in a small wooden vessel more than 1,600 years ago.
Our captains and crews have training, navigation equipment, radios, detailed weather forecasts, safety procedures and modern lifesaving equipment to help keep everyone safe.
But some things have not changed.
Life on the water is still about looking after people, helping one another and making sure everyone returns safely home. Those are values St Nicholas would surely have understood.
Santa Is Coming Aboard!
This Christmas, the connection between St Nicholas and the sea becomes even more special as Santa joins us aboard Solent Scene for Santa’s Magical Harbour Adventure.
Families will enjoy a festive cruise around beautiful Poole Harbour, with Jovie the Elf leading the fun through storytelling and Christmas games.
There will be Christmas biscuits, a hot chocolate station and a chance to visit Santa in his very own onboard grotto. Every child will also receive a personalised present—continuing the tradition of secret gift-giving that began with St Nicholas all those centuries ago.
From a generous bishop in an ancient Mediterranean port to Santa arriving aboard Solent Scene in Poole Harbour, it has been quite a journey.
But we think a boat is the perfect place for the original protector of sailors to spend Christmas.
We just need to reserve a parking space on Poole Quay for nine reindeer—and make sure nobody tells BCP Council!