What if you could celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Mickey Mouse, Christmas decorations, holiday entertainment AND a tropical vacation?
That’s exactly what makes Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruises so special!
Every holiday season, select Disney Cruise Line sailings transform into festive celebrations at sea, complete with beautiful Christmas decorations, beloved Disney Characters dressed for the holidays and seasonal experiences you won’t find on an ordinary sailing.
And if you’ve never experienced a Disney Christmas cruise before, there are a few things you’ll want to know before stepping onboard.
From what to pack to the holiday activities you won’t want to miss, we’re sharing 12 things to know before your first Disney Very Merrytime Cruise!
1. Not Every Disney Cruise Is a Very Merrytime Cruise
First things first!
Just because you’re sailing during November or December doesn’t automatically mean your cruise includes Very Merrytime festivities.
Disney Cruise Line offers these special holiday experiences on select sailings, so you’ll want to make sure the itinerary you’re booking is specifically designated as a Very Merrytime Cruise.
The good news?
There are different ships, itineraries and sailing lengths to consider, giving families options when planning their holiday getaway.
Our tip: If experiencing Christmas at sea is your priority, make sure you’re booking the right sailing before choosing your stateroom.
2. The Ships Are Decorated for Christmas
One of the most exciting parts of a Very Merrytime Cruise happens before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase.
The moment you step onboard, you’re surrounded by holiday magic!
Disney Cruise Line brings the Christmas spirit to sea with beautiful decorations, sparkling lights, a towering Christmas tree and festive touches throughout the ship.
And yes, there’s even a giant gingerbread house!
The decorations make the ship feel completely different from an ordinary Disney Cruise.
You’ll definitely want to spend some time exploring and taking pictures throughout your sailing.
Our tip: Take your holiday photos early in the cruise so you aren’t scrambling to fit them in on your final day.
3. Don’t Miss Mickey & Minnie’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
If there’s one holiday experience you’ll want to look for in your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, it’s Mickey & Minnie’s Merrytime Tree Lighting.
This special celebration brings Disney Characters and guests together to officially light the ship’s Christmas tree.
It’s one of those experiences that makes the holiday season feel extra magical.
And if you’re traveling with little ones, seeing their faces light up as the Christmas tree comes to life might just become one of your favorite memories from the entire vacation.
Our tip: Check your Navigator app for the scheduled time and arrive a little early to find a comfortable viewing spot.
4. You Can Meet Disney Characters in Their Holiday Outfits
One of our favorite things about Disney Cruise Line is getting to experience Disney Character greetings without having to visit a theme park.
But during a Very Merrytime Cruise?
The characters get festive, too!
You may encounter familiar Disney friends wearing special holiday outfits throughout your sailing.
Think Christmas colors, festive accessories and adorable photo opportunities.
If you’re someone who loves collecting unique Disney Character photos, this is definitely a reason to consider sailing during the holidays.
Our tip: Pack coordinating holiday outfits for your family so you’re ready for those Christmas Character photos!
5. Santa Claus Is Coming to Sea
Yes, you read that right.
Santa Claus makes appearances aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime sailings!
Imagine your little ones getting to share their Christmas wishes with Santa while you’re on a Disney Cruise.
It’s such a fun way to combine traditional holiday experiences with an unforgettable family vacation.
And depending on when you’re sailing, it could even become your family’s annual Santa photo!
Our tip: Check the Navigator app for Santa’s appearance times so you can plan around other activities.
6. There’s a Special Holiday Party Onboard
Very Merrytime Cruises aren’t just about decorations and Character greetings.
There’s also holiday entertainment!
One experience to look forward to is Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Party, a festive celebration featuring Disney friends, music and plenty of Christmas cheer.
It’s the kind of event that reminds you why celebrating the holidays with Disney is so special.
And the best part?
You get to enjoy the festivities while sailing toward your next vacation destination!
Our tip: Don’t assume every holiday activity happens more than once. Check the schedule early and prioritize the experiences your family wants to see.
7. Pack Christmas Outfits AND Swimsuits
Here’s something first-time Very Merrytime cruisers might not think about.
You’re going on a Christmas vacation, but depending on your itinerary, you could also be spending your afternoons swimming in the pool or relaxing on a tropical beach!
That means your packing list might look a little different from a traditional December vacation.
We recommend bringing Christmas pajamas, festive Disney shirts, holiday dresses or outfits, coordinating family photo outfits, swimsuits and cover-ups, sunscreen, sunglasses, a light sweater or jacket, comfortable shoes and dinner outfits.
You get the best of both worlds: Christmas magic AND warm-weather vacation fun.
Our tip: Pack at least one festive outfit specifically for holiday photos around the ship.
8. Bring Matching Christmas Pajamas for Family Photos
This might be one of our favorite Very Merrytime Cruise traditions to recommend.
Matching Christmas pajamas!
Imagine taking your annual family Christmas photo in front of a beautifully decorated Disney Cruise Line Christmas tree.
Or getting a picture of your kids in their holiday pajamas with the ship’s decorations in the background.
Those are the kinds of photos you’ll love looking back on for years.
You could even turn your Very Merrytime Cruise pictures into your family’s Christmas card!
Our tip: Take pajama photos during a quieter time of day when the main gathering areas aren’t as busy.
9. Don’t Forget About the Regular Disney Cruise Experiences
With so much holiday excitement, it’s easy to forget that you’re still getting the incredible Disney Cruise Line experience!
In addition to seasonal festivities, guests can enjoy many of the experiences that make Disney cruising so popular.
Depending on your ship and itinerary, that includes Broadway-style Disney entertainment, rotational dining, Disney Character experiences, pools and water activities, kids clubs for eligible ages, Disney movies, adult-exclusive spaces and exciting ports of call.
And many of these experiences are already included in your cruise fare.
That means you aren’t choosing between a Christmas vacation and a Disney Cruise.
You’re getting BOTH.
10. Your Holiday Cruise Can Be Surprisingly Relaxing
As magical as the holiday season is, it can also be BUSY.
Between decorating, shopping, cooking, hosting and trying to fit in every holiday tradition, December can sometimes feel like one giant to-do list.
That’s one of the reasons we love the idea of a Very Merrytime Cruise.
Imagine enjoying Christmas decorations, holiday entertainment and family activities without having to decorate your own house for the occasion.
Or cook every meal.
Or clean up afterward.
Your family gets to experience the excitement of the season while someone else handles so many of the details.
And that means more time to actually enjoy being together.
11. You Can Celebrate Thanksgiving at Sea, Too
Did you know some Disney Cruise Line Very Merrytime sailings also include special Thanksgiving celebrations?
On select November cruises, guests sailing over Thanksgiving can enjoy holiday-inspired experiences, including traditional Thanksgiving dining and other seasonal touches.
Imagine spending Thanksgiving with your family while sailing aboard a Disney Cruise ship!
No cooking an elaborate dinner.
No washing dishes afterward.
Just family time, Disney magic and a vacation to remember.
If your family has been considering doing something different for Thanksgiving, this could be a fun tradition to start.
Our tip: If you specifically want to celebrate Thanksgiving onboard, look for a sailing that includes Thanksgiving Day and confirm the seasonal offerings for that itinerary.
12. Book Early If You Have Specific Holiday Dates in Mind
If you’re hoping to sail during a school break, Thanksgiving week or the days leading up to Christmas, planning ahead is a smart idea.
Holiday travel dates can be popular with families, especially when everyone is trying to coordinate school schedules and time off.
And when you’re booking a Disney Cruise, there are several things to consider beyond simply choosing a departure date.
You’ll also want to think about which Disney Cruise ship you’d like to experience, how many nights you want to sail, which destinations you’d like to visit, what type of stateroom works best for your family, your overall vacation budget and whether you want to sail during Thanksgiving, early December or closer to Christmas.
The earlier you start exploring your options, the more flexibility you may have when choosing your ideal sailing.
BONUS: Make Your Very Merrytime Cruise a New Family Tradition
Here’s an idea we absolutely LOVE.
Instead of giving your family more things for Christmas this year…
Give them a vacation they’ll remember.
Imagine surprising your kids with a Disney Cruise for Christmas.
Or making a Very Merrytime sailing your family’s annual holiday getaway.
There’s something special about stepping away from the usual holiday rush and spending uninterrupted time together.
And with Christmas decorations, Disney Characters, holiday entertainment and beautiful destinations all wrapped into one vacation?
It’s a pretty incredible way to celebrate the season.
Is a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Worth It?
If your family loves Disney AND Christmas, we’d say a Very Merrytime Cruise is absolutely worth considering.
You’re getting many of the experiences guests already love about Disney Cruise Line, plus seasonal entertainment, festive decorations and unique holiday memories.
And unlike a traditional holiday vacation where you’re constantly traveling between activities, so much of the magic is right onboard.
Want to meet Santa?
Check the Navigator app.
Ready for a holiday show?
Head to the scheduled entertainment.
Want to spend the afternoon by the pool?
You can do that, too!
It’s Christmas magic with a vacation built right in.
Let an Academy Travel Agent Help You Plan Your Very Merrytime Cruise
If a Disney Christmas cruise is on your family’s wishlist, we’d love to help make it happen!
An Academy Travel agent can help you compare Very Merrytime sailings, explore different Disney Cruise ships, choose the right stateroom and find an itinerary that fits your family’s vacation plans.
And if you’re trying to decide between spending the holidays at Walt Disney World or celebrating Christmas aboard Disney Cruise Line?
We can help you explore BOTH options!
Our agents can also help you understand what’s included in your cruise fare, what extras you may want to budget for and which sailing makes the most sense for your family.
And the best part? Our Academy Travel agents are completely FREE to use!
You get help from a Disney vacation expert at no additional cost.
Ready to Celebrate Christmas at Sea?
There’s something pretty magical about celebrating the holidays with Mickey Mouse.
But celebrating the holidays with Mickey Mouse while sailing across the ocean?
That’s a whole different kind of Christmas vacation.
From festive Character greetings and Christmas decorations to holiday entertainment and family memories, Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruises bring together some of the best parts of the holiday season.
So whether you’re planning your first Disney Cruise or looking for a new way to celebrate Christmas with your family, this might be the holiday vacation you’ve been dreaming about.
Head to our website to get connected with an Academy Travel agent and start planning your Very Merrytime Cruise!
