The holiday season is right around the corner and Disney Cruise Line has a suggestion for a gift that’s both nautical and nice: a Very MerryTime Cruise. Starting early November, sail away to a magical winter holiday with Disney Cruise Line when they add sparkle to each ship, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.
During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:
- Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
- Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball in the atrium lobby, where Disney cruisers welcome the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a grand celebration featuring Broadway-style entertainment, favorite Disney characters and classic holiday tunes. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a special pair of royal sisters joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.
- Holiday story time beneath the giant tree, where children gather to hear classic tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, including a cozy and intimate storytelling with Mrs. Claus as she shares some of her favorite Christmas stories.
- Dickens-inspired carolers carrying the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
- Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
- Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.
- Deck the Deck Holiday Party, a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
- A special holiday edition of the cheerful farewell celebration on the final night of each cruise, with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.
On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screens – Funnel Vision – located near the family pool.
Christmas morning at the atrium lobby tree Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for all the kids, and guests will delight in a special musical performance from the children. A traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.
Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 6 to Dec. 14.
When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.
For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, special amenities are available for stateroom delivery. Purchased in advance of sailing, these include holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets and even mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper. Plus, during the holiday cruises, the Disney Cruise Line holiday merchandise collection and ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments will be available in the gift shops.
To ring in 2016, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.
To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 11 to Dec. 23; the Disney Wonder sails four-, six- and seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 6 to Dec. 24; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 24; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 14 to Dec. 19.
Below is a complete summary of the Very MerryTime sailings per ship with itinerary information.
Disney Magic 2015 Very MerryTime Sailings
- November 11, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary A from Miami
- November 15, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary A from Miami
- November 20, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary B from Miami
- November 25, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary H from Miami
- November 29, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary A from Miami
- December 4, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary B from Miami
- December 9, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary H from Miami
- December 13, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary A from Miami
- December 18, 2015 – 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary B from Miami
- December 23, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Magic – Itinerary E from Miami
Disney Wonder 2015 Very MerryTime Sailings
- November 6, 2015 – 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary A from Galveston
- November 13, 2015 – 7-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary A from Galveston
- November 20, 2015 – 7-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary B from Galveston
- November 27, 2015 – 7-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary C from Galveston
- December 4, 2015 – 7-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary B from Galveston
- December 11, 2015 – 7-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary A from Galveston
- December 18, 2015 – 6-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary A from Galveston
- December 24, 2015 – 4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Wonder – Itinerary A from Galveston
Disney Dream 2015 Very MerryTime Sailings
- November 9, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 13, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 16, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 20, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 23, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 27, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 30, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 4, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 7, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 11, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 14, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary C from Port Canaveral
- December 18, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 21, 2015 – 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 24, 2015 – 4-Night Bahamian Cruise on Disney Dream – Itinerary I from Port Canaveral
Disney Fantasy 2015 Very MerryTime Sailings
- November 14, 2015 – 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary C from Port Canaveral
- November 21, 2015 – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- November 28, 2015 – 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 5, 2015 – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 12, 2015 – 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary A from Port Canaveral
- December 19, 2015 – 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy – Itinerary D from Port Canaveral
Any idea why the November 11, 2016 Fantasy cruise is blocked out? Maybe a DVC member or TMC cruise?