Find out why your family should take a Very MerryTime Christmas Cruise with Disney Cruise Line and all that is included in this special themed cruise.
*Updated 2019
Very MerryTime cruises are available on all four Disney Cruise Line ships. These special sailings are full of holiday magic and made our 3rd and 5th Disney cruise extra special.
Disney Cruise Line does a great job of decorating the ships for the holidays and adding a ton of additional events and parties. So how does Disney Cruise Line create a magical Very MerryTime cruise?
Tree Lighting
The tree lighting ceremony takes place on the first night of the cruise. Mickey and friends sing holiday songs and invite one family to help light the Christmas tree.
Tip: To have a good view of the ceremony be sure that you can see the stage in the atrium from your spot.
Gingerbread House
The pastry team on each cruise ship create their own special design each holiday season. The gingerbread house on the Disney Wonder has 3700 bricks, 400 roof shingles, 4 windows, and 1 door. It smells so delicious!
Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House Man
This event has changed to decorating your own gingerbread man. This family activity is open during specific hours and was first come, first serve. Check your navigator or the Disney Cruise Line app to see where and when the event will be held.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball
Celebrate the arrival of Santa Claus during this holiday party. There are holiday songs performed by the holiday Snowbells, Mickey and the gang join the fun and the party concludes with Santa Claus’ arrival and snow from the ice queen herself.
Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party
This party is held outside near the pools (deck 9 on the Wonder and Magic; deck 11 on Dream and Fantasy). Mickey and friends help you celebrate the season with a tropical spin including limbo, hula hoop and more.
Tip: Children are taken on stage to participate, so be sure to be on the deck if your child wants to participate and not above looking down.
Meet Santa Claus
What’s a Very Merrytime Christmas cruise without Santa? S has refused to meet Santa Claus the past 5 years, but she was brave and agreed to see him on the cruise. While in line for Santa Clause children get to write their name on the naughty and nice list, which was a super cute touch!
Characters in Holiday Attire
During many of the character meet and greets the Characters will be wearing holiday attire. I always love to see how many different outfits we can catch the characters in during our cruise!
Castaway Cay
If you cruise visits Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, the island will be decked out with “snow” flurries and a Christmas tree. Keep an eye out for the island’s tram which is decorated to resemble a reindeer.
And More!
Storytime with Ms. Claus where she visits the atrium to read classic holiday tales.
When a holiday event was happening in the lobby, there was always hot chocolate and cookies being served.
In addition, most common areas and restaurants are decorated with trees, wreaths, and lights. Special holiday-themed merchandise can be found onboard in the shops.
I loved the holiday magic that Disney Cruise Line was able to create during our cruise. I definitely want to take another Very MerryTime Christmas Cruise soon!
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Have you cruised during the holiday season? What was your favorite part?
Previous photos:
We are going on a merry time cruise on the Wonder in December from Galveston! Do they still do fireworks at sea?
We still had a pirate night with fireworks on our Very MerryTime Christmas Cruise.