Our Review & 13 Tips & Tricks for the Best Very Merrytime Cruise on Disney Cruise Line
With holiday décor, favorite characters in their finest festive attire, themed activities that are merry and bright, and celebrations on deck that are full of holiday spirit, taking a Very Merrytime cruise is a fantastic way to celebrate the holidays! We have enjoyed two Very Merrytime cruises, most recently in early December 2023. If you’re looking to make your own Very Merrytime cruise extra special, keep reading for our tips and tricks for the best Very Merrytime cruise on Disney Cruise Line.
Before You Sail – Preparing for Your Very Merrytime Cruise
There are some things we recommend doing before you leave home. Learn more below!
1 – DYI In-Room Holiday Decorations
Disney Cruise Line cruisers are known for decorating their doors and even hallways. But what about inside your stateroom? For our cruises, we’ve brought small holiday items to bring a little bit of extra holiday spirit to our stateroom. First, we’ve bought with us some of our stockings to hang on the wall. Since the walls are magnetic, we use magnetic hooks to hang the stockings. Then, I’ll go through our Christmas decorations and pull out some small items that are packed easily to add to the desk. I make sure to bring nothing fragile and nothing that I would be too upset with if something happened to it. On this most recent cruise, I brought some small items I purchased from Target that only cost $6, including a small tree tin that we used for our tree. On our first cruise, I brought along a tree Christmas tree popcorn bucket from Walt Disney World!
Tip! – Pack these items in your carry-on bag so you can decorate your room right away! Your luggage won’t be delivered to your room until later in the afternoon!
2 – Have Disney Decorate Your Room!
In addition to the few decorations that I bring, I also love having Disney decorate the room! Disney Cruise Line Onboard Gifts has a wide variety of items that can be purchased for your stateroom up to three days before your cruise! There are a few different In-Room Décor packages available, including a holiday-themed package during the holiday season. You can find Onboard Gifts on the Disney Cruise Line website. You can search for items based on your reservation number or departure port. These items will not be available for purchase once onboard, so be sure to take a look! The In-Room Décor package will be delivered and set up in your stateroom on Embarkation Day! It’s so fun walking into a room that is already decorated for the holidays!
In 2023, we received the “Season’s Greetings! Room Décor” package and loved it! Here is the description from Onboard Gifts:
Anchors aweigh on a holly-jolly adventure at sea when you transform your stateroom into a festive wonderland. This merry room decor gift set includes a “Goofy on deck” bendable plush, a cozy holiday blanket with some of your favorite Disney pals, a Mickey Mouse-shaped pillow with a sewn-in advent calendar (includes a stick to mark the date), 2 felt ceiling banners with removable felt ornaments and a handy storage bin.
Tip! – These room décor packages are great but do take a lot of room in your luggage when returning home. Be sure to have the space needed when returning home, like an extra duffle bag or other small piece of luggage.
Check out the Instagram post below for a video of the items! Best of all, we have the items to use at home after our cruise!
3 – Pack Some Holiday Apparel and Accessories
Disney Parks fans can really come up with some amazing, themed outfits, and Disney Cruise Line is no different. During our two Very Merrytime cruises, we saw many families dressed up for the holidays in a variety of ways. Whether it was dresses and suits for a family photo, everyone in Christmas jammies, or even coordinated holiday t-shirts, many brought with them different outfits to wear during the cruise. We brought two sets of matching Mickey Santa t-shirts, Minnie headband ears, and even a Santa hat! Like going to the parks, you’ll want to pack some fun items to get in the holiday spirit. Of course, there is exclusive-themed merchandise is available during the cruise. Still, it’s great to have some items on hand as the cruise begins!
Tip! – Plan to wear your first matching outfit on Embarkation Day! We saw many families with coordinated outfits on the first day! It’s a fun way to start the cruise!
Holiday Offerings During Your Very Merrytime Cruise!
In addition to all the regular cruise offerings, during Very Merrytime cruises, guests can enjoy a tree lighting ceremony, an all-new deck show, and more! Learn more below!
4 – New! Tree Lighting Ceremony
On the first night of your Very Merrytime cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy an all-new tree lighting ceremony. Disney Cruise Line ships have enormous three-deck-tall trees in the ship’s atrium. The show is a great way to start the cruise. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy invite guests to sing along to classic holiday tunes, followed by a countdown that will not only make the tree merry and bright but also introduce the guest of honor for the cruise, Santa Claus.
Tip! – Arrive early! During our most recent cruise, there was space dedicated up front near the stairs (on Deck 3) for children to sit so they could see. The adults lined up behind them. Space on the railings looking down on Decks 4 and 5 was also completely full. If you want an unobstructed view, arrive at least thirty minutes before the tree-lighting ceremony!
5 – Disney Cruise Line Holiday Merchandise!
What would be a Disney vacation without Disney merchandise? During your Very Merrytime cruise, expect to find a variety of holiday-themed merchandise from apparel, to mugs, Tervis’, Minnie ears, and more! We couldn’t resist and got the mug, the trading pin, and this year’s t-shirt. I have heard of some items selling out, but on our cruise, everything was available; however, certain sizes may sell out. If you want the best selection, we highly recommend checking out the stores on the first evening of your cruise!
Tip! – If you are a Disney Visa cardholder, you’ll receive a 10% discount. I had my card as my card on file, which was noted on the account, so I did not have to have the card with me to receive the discount.
6 – Character Greetings in Exclusive Holiday Outfits
During your cruise, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to greet many Disney characters. During a Very Merrytime cruise, you’ll also have the chance to meet them in new and exclusive outfits that debuted in 2023. We took the time to greet almost all of the characters in their holiday gear during our most recent cruise, and while it can be a challenge and somewhat time-consuming, it was worth it to us. We always get a photo with Mickey during every cruise, and we wanted to get our photo with him in one of our holiday outfits!
The key to managing meeting them all is using the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and talking to character handler Cast Members. While the app does give a schedule of when and where the characters will be greeted, it does not say which outfits they will be wearing. During day 2 of our cruise, we were able to greet the characters in holiday outfits during the afternoon and evening. I wasn’t sure when they would be making another appearance, so I asked a character handler. She checked the schedule and told me they would be out again on day 4, but only in the morning. Because we had brunch plans on the morning of Day 4, we had to make sure we saw them all on Day 2. If greeting the characters in certain outfits is important to you, talk with a character handler on Day 1 so you can make your plans for your cruise.
Tip! – The areas where characters greet are usually poorly lit, making many photos too dark. While you can always use your own camera, take advantage of Disney Cruise Line photographers and have them take your photo!
7 – Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus!
It’s not just Disney characters you’ll find on your Very Merrytime cruise! Santa and Mrs. Claus can be seen during the tree lighting show and also greet guests during the cruise. Be sure to check your DCL Navigator app for greeting times. There is also a “Storytime with Mrs. Claus” that took place twice on our four-night cruise. Mrs. Claus reads to the children for a while in front of the Christmas tree. Be sure to stick around to the end because some special guests may come to visit!
Tip! – Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet guests in front of the Christmas tree, so this may be the perfect time to get that holiday family photos!
8 – Holiday Movies on Funnel Vision
The holiday fun extends to the pool deck! During our cruise, several beloved Disney holiday movies and specials played on the Funnel Vision so that you can enjoy your holiday specials while you swim! Some of our favorites, such as “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas,” “Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas,” and the Santa Claus movies were shown.
Tip! – Check the Navigator app once onboard for the schedule and make plans with your family so that if there is a “must-see,” you won’t miss it while you swim!
9 – Festive Food and Beverage Items
There’s also no shortage of extra holiday magic to be found with an assortment of food and beverage items that can be purchased throughout the ship. On our cruise, Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats had several food items available. Chad really enjoyed a Mickey Christmas Shortbread Cookie! You’ll also find specialty holiday coffee drinks for purchase. Finally, there are plenty of Disney Parks novelty items available to purchase, including sippers, popcorn buckets, and cups.
Tip – During the late afternoon on our second day, there was a table with free chocolate cookies and hot chocolate (on deck three near the gingerbread house) that guests could enjoy while waiting in line for the characters!
10 – Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party
Another great offering during themed cruises is an exclusive deck show. In 2023, Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party debuted. This high-energy deck show will pull at your heartstrings and remind you of what’s important during the holiday season. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Chip ‘n Dale, Goofy, and a surprise guest sing a mix of classic and original holiday songs. Knowing this is Disney, don’t be surprised when you get a bit emotional. Thankfully, the show has a happy ending with snoap (fake soapy snow)! Disney Cruise Line shared with us that the show is the first time they have used snoap during a deck show! We really enjoyed the show, and you won’t want to miss it!
Tip! – Arrive early-at least 30 minutes if you want a good spot! Again, during our cruise, there was a children’s section where they sat down in front near the stage on Deck 11. This time, anyone behind them also needed to be seated. If you can’t sit for that long, then you may want to consider Deck 12, where you view the show from above in a standing position.
11 – Disney Cruise Line Gingerbread House
If you’ve visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you may know that certain resorts put out elaborate gingerbread displays during the holiday season. Disney Cruise Line also takes part in the fun with gingerbread houses on the ships. These make great photo spots, and they’re pretty amazing to look at.
Here is a description of the Disney Dream Gingerbread House:
The Gingerbread House was developed and created by our Executive Pastry and Pastry Chefs onboard the beautiful Disney Dream.
Approximately 230 hours were spent in the development and completion.
Our ship’s carpenters completed the framework, meanwhile, the pastry and bakery team baked the gingerbread cookies.
Please find below listed details on our gingerbread house.
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- 750 lbs. of gingerbread dough
- 3,500 gingerbread bricks
- An additional 1,900 gingerbread bricks on the roof
- 160 lbs. of icing sugar
- Total working hours – 10 days
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Each brick had to be individually aligned and stuck to the frame with icing.
We certainly enjoyed designing and building our gingerbread house for your viewing pleasure. We hope you enjoy this fine work of our talented chefs!
We wish you happy holidays!
Disney Dream Culinary Team
Tip! – DCL Photographers will take your photos in front of the gingerbread house during select times of the day. Check the Navigator app for times.
12 – Holiday Activities for Everyone
Guests can also experience more holiday fun in the kid’s clubs, including themed activities and crafts, and during other activities offered for the whole family. We’ve seen cookie decorating, gingerbread house decorating, and other fun activities offered. Check the DCL Navigator app for activities to enjoy!
Tip! – Review the holiday activities offered in the kid’s clubs with your children on the app on the first day of your cruise. Let them know their choices and help them plan which activity to attend. This will give them something to look forward to in the kid’s clubs!
13 – Holiday Decorations on Castaway Cay
During Very Merrytime Cruises, when visiting Castaway Cay, you can enjoy the island’s holiday decorations. While you won’t see a lot of decorations, there is a Christmas tree near the ship and a snowman photo op next to that. You’ll also see wreaths and garland decorations throughout the island. It’s not much, but it’s a nice addition when visiting during the holiday season.
We expect to see decorations at the new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in 2024! The new island destination welcomes guests in June 2024, so if your 2024 itinerary includes Lookout Cay, expect to see all-new decorations!
Very Merrytime Cruises on Disney Cruise Line
Very Merrytime cruises are typically offered from mid-November through December. There’s still time to enjoy a Very Merrytime cruise in 2023! With cruises from Florida and California, adults and children alike will discover the wonder of the holidays aboard Very Merrytime sailings in 2023.
From mid-November through December 2024, the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be decked from bow to stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Families who want to spend the most wonderful time of the year with Disney Cruise Line will have opportunities to sail from two home ports in Florida, as well as a selection of cruises from Galveston, Texas.
If you’re considering booking a Disney Cruise, now is the perfect time to do so! We highly recommend booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to ensure you are well taken care of and get all the discounts available to you. For more details and help booking your vacation, call (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no-obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you, and they can answer any questions you may have.
Our Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream
Learn about Very Merrytime Cruises and learn cruise tips and advice in our travel logs below!
Travel Log Articles with Cruise Tips
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Follow Along on Our Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Getting Ready to Sail-Part 1 – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Getting Ready to Sail-Part 2 – Packing for a Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Day 1-Part 1 of Embarkation Day – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL DAY: Day 1-Part 2 of Embarkation Day – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Day 2-Port Day – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Day 3-Castaway Cay & Pirate Night – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVEL LOG: Day 4-Sea Day – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
TRAVE LOG: Day 5-Debarkation – Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream!
Instagram Story Highlights
Click here for our Day 1 Instagram Story Highlight for photos and videos from our first day!
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.
Editor’s Note: Disney Cruise Line provided a complimentary Very Merrytime Cruise and special media-specific events during the cruise. However, as always, the thoughts and opinions about Disney Cruise Line contained in this article are entirely our own.