christmas disney cruise reviews

Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise Review

Are you looking for reviews from a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas sailing? My family and I sailed during the month of December on the Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Magic.

Since this itinerary was themed as one of the Very Merrytime cruises, we were able to experience extra special Christmas decorations and activities while onboard. Sailing on one of these Merrytime voyages is a great way to experience the magic of the holidays.

With festive holiday decor, themed food, Christmas activities, holiday merchandise, and more, the Disney Christmas cruises in November and December are a great time of year to set sail.

In this post, I’ll walk you through all the fun entertainment options that go along with Disney Cruise Line’s Christmas cruises so that you can enjoy a magical holiday too. We’ll discuss the Christmas decor, shows, and activities you’ll find while cruising with Disney on a Very Merrytime Christmas cruise during the holiday season!

Disney Christmas Cruise Information

Before you book a Disney Christmas cruise, you may be wondering what happens on the Very Merrytime cruises. Disney Cruise Line goes all out in their holiday decorations and entertainment.

They even turn their private island in the Bahamas into a winter wonderland! While on a Disney Christmas cruise, some of the themed activities you could find include:

Disney Characters in Holiday Attire

Guests on a holiday themed Disney cruise are able to enjoy their favorite Disney characters dressed up in their holiday best. You’ll have lots of opportunities to pose for photos with Mickey Mouse and the gang in their festive Christmas outfits no matter which of the Disney ships you choose to sail.

Holiday Fireworks

Disney Cruise Line provides so many magical moments at sea, but one of my family’s favorite things is the fireworks show. During the Christmas cruise sailings, DCL features a festive fireworks display complete with Christmas music that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas Stories with Mrs. Claus

Story Time with Mrs. Claus is a super cute event that occurs on select days of the Disney Christmas cruise. Kids love sitting in the beautifully decorated atrium near the ship’s Christmas tree to listen to Mrs. Claus read a Christmas story.

Christmas Crafts

If you check out your personal navigator or Disney Cruise Line app while on the ship, you should see lots of options for holiday crafting like creating gingerbread houses. And don’t forget to check out the life-sized gingerbread house in the atrium!

Christmas on Disney Castaway Cay

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t just go all-out on the Christmas decoration on the ship, they decorate their private island too! As you disembark in Castaway Cay, you’ll notice a giant Christmas tree, snow flurries, wreaths, and snowmen.

Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony

During the first night of our cruise, guests were welcomed into the lobby atrium for the official tree-lighting ceremony. Mickey and friends dance and sing to popular holiday songs as the giant tree is lit.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball typically occurs later in the evening on holiday cruises. Cruisers will get to experience Mickey and friends introducing their special guests. Santa Clause and Mrs. Claus, to the ship.

Santa Meet and Greet

Another special holiday extra is a special visit from Santa Claus himself! You’ll want to get in line early for this character meet and greet as the lines get long quickly. It’s all worth it once you meet Santa though.

Caribbean Weather in Winter

You may be wondering what the weather in the Caribbean is like during the Disney Christmas cruises. The truth is that the temperature can fluctuate each day, but we’ve always lucked out with warm weather.

↓↓ Visit My Etsy Shop ↓↓

Although the temps are obviously cooler during the months of November and December, you can still often swim and sunbathe without feeling cold. In fact, I strolled my toddler around the Disney Magic jogging track at around 5:30 each morning of our last December cruise.

The temperature was perfect (around 70 degrees) outside during these walks even though the sun hadn’t even come up yet. Additionally, our stops at Castaway Cay and Grand Cayman both produced sunny skies with temps in the mid 80’s and really warm ocean water.

Is a Disney Christmas Cruise Worth It?

We always have an amazing time on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. The Very Merrytime Christmas activities made the trip even more special. The Disney Magic cruise ship looked so magical lit up with holiday decor.

And the Christmas decorations at Castaway Cay were icing on the cake! No matter which ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet you are sailing, the whole family will have a blast experiencing the Christmas season with a hint of tropical flair.

Since we lucked out with balmy temperatures and beautiful weather in December, we totally think a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas cruise is worth it!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

Similar Posts

Doing Laundry on Disney Cruise Line Ships

Disney Cruise Online Check In Process Explained

Ultimate Guide to Disney Cruise Line Vacations

Best Spots to Meet Disney Cruise Characters

Ways to Prevent Getting Seasick on Cruise Vacations

Castaway Cay – Guide to Disney’s Private Island

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I change or modify my reservation?

Your Complete Guide To A Disney Christmas Cruise

Embarking on a Disney Christmas Cruise is like stepping into a holiday storybook where festive cheer meets the magic of Disney on the high seas. A Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney Cruise Line is not just a journey; it’s an immersive holiday experience! These cruises offer families a unique way to spend the holiday season with their favorite Disney characters and the chance to meet Santa Claus himself! Whether it’s your first cruise or a cherished family tradition, a Disney Christmas Cruise promises to be an extraordinary holiday adventure. That’s why we have created this helpful guide to give you the tools you need to have a magical adventure to remember!

We hope you find this post helpful! And if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time on your next vacation and find the cheapest Walt Disney World vacation packages!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World check out our Disney Crowd calendar!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

Complete Guide to a Disney Christmas Cruise

Sailing on a Disney cruise ship is an experience drenched in the enchantment of Disney. From the intricately themed staterooms and dining venues to the exclusive character encounters. But what truly sets Disney cruises apart are their special-themed sailings! Guests can immerse themselves in the festive spirit with Very Merrytime Cruises.  My first cruise with DCL was a Halloween-themed voyage back in 2019, I can confidently say that it was a spellbinding adventure. And as a former Cast Member and someone who loves cheap tickets to Walt Disney World , it was the most magical vacation I’ve ever had. In this post, I’ll provide helpful information for those considering a Very Merrytime Cruise . Helping you decide if this holiday-themed journey is the perfect fit for your family’s festive celebration.

What Are Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Holiday Cruises?

Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruises transform the already magical voyage into a winter wonderland at sea. These cruises, scheduled around the Christmas season, offer guests a unique blend of Disney’s enchanting entertainment and the festive spirit of the holidays. Imagine boarding a ship adorned with holiday décor, complete with a giant Christmas tree, twinkling lights, and garlands galore, setting the scene for a truly memorable Christmas experience.

Related Post: What are the Best Disney Cruise Rooms

When Are the Very Merrytime Disney Cruise Dates?

Now that we know what a D isney Christmas cruise  is, we can start to uncover more details on these cheerful sailings! The V ery Merrytime Disney Cruises  sail dates are November 8th – December 28, 2023. And November 4th – December 29th, 2024. These dates are chosen to maximize the holiday experience, allowing guests to soak in the Yuletide spirit throughout the entire holiday season. When booking a Disney Cruise , one of the first things you should look at is the sailing calendar. This will help determine where you’re sailing from, sailing to, and on what ship you’ll be sailing on. This is also where you can see if your vacation will line up with any specialty cruises!

What are Disney Merrytime Cruise Sail Dates?

• 2023 : November 8th – December 28th
• 2024 : November 4th – December 29th

Christmas Disney Cruise Ships 2023/2024

Disney Magic:

• Sail Dates : December 17, 2023 – December 28, 2023 & November 21, 2024 – December 23, 2024
• Sailing From : Galveston, Texas
• Ports of Call : Progresso & Cozumel, Mexico, & George Town, Grand Cayman

Disney Dream:

• Sail Dates : November 20, 2023 – December 23, 2023 & November 14, 2024 – December 21, 2024
• Sailing From : Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Ports of Call : Nassau, Bahamas,  Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , Disney Castaway Cay, & Cozumel, Mexico

Christmas on the Disney Fantasy:

• Sail Dates : December 2, 2023 – December 23, 2023 & November 10, 2024 – December 22, 2024
• Sailing From : Port Canaveral
• Ports of Call : Nassau Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay , Lighthouse Point, George Town Grand Cayman, Falmouth Jamaica, Cozumel Mexico, Tortola British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands

Disney Wish:

• Sail Dates : November 20, 2023 – December 11, 2023 & November 4, 2024 – December 23, 2024
• Ports of Call : Nassau Bahamas, Disney Castaway Cay

Related Post : Discounted Disney Cruise Line Staterooms

What is the Cost of a Disney Christmas Cruise?

You might be wondering if the extra activities and unique experiences of a Very Merrytime Cruise come with a higher price tag compared to regular Disney cruises. While themed cruises may sometimes carry a slightly higher cost, the final price is influenced by several factors beyond just the theme. With Disney Cruise Line, the key elements determine the cost of your cruise . These factors include the sailing date, selected ports of call, and stateroom occupancy. Therefore, it’s possible that your Very Merrytime Cruise could align in price with a standard cruise, or even be more budget-friendly.

How Much is a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise?

• $1,004 – $3,059 per person

It’s worth noting that If you’re looking to sail on a themed Disney cruise, we suggest the Halloween on the High Seas cruises for the price point. The Halloween period overlaps with Hurricane Season. This is often met with lower cruise prices. However, the Holiday sailings tend to be a peak time for travel, potentially impacting the cost and availability.

Related Post :   How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost Per Person?

Very Merrytime Cruise Activities

The distinctiveness of the Disney Very Merrytime Cruises  lies in the complete transformation of the ship to embody the festive theme. This type of comprehensive thematic overhaul is exclusive to the Halloween and Christmas seasons. During other times of the year, Disney cruises showcase the natural elegance and charm of the Disney fleet without any specific themes. But for Very Merrytime Cruises, the experience is entirely different. The ships are adorned with Christmas decorations, including sparkling lights, festive wreaths, and towering Christmas trees. In addition to the visual transformation, these cruises feature an array of themed activities, entertainment, and special appearances by beloved Disney characters in holiday attire. This level of detailed theming is consistent across all ships that host the Very Merrytime Cruises. With each vessel offering a uniquely immersive holiday experience at sea.

Very Merrytime Cruise Info & Entertainment

• Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic

Characters Wearing Christmas Outfits

• Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball
• The Gingerbread House
• Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Deck Party

Meeting Santa Claus

• Storytime with Mrs Claus
• One of the highlights of the Disney Christmas Cruises is the opportunity to meet beloved Disney characters donning their festive holiday attire. It’s a perfect chance for memorable photos and a unique way to interact with these iconic characters in a Christmas setting.
• No Christmas celebration is complete without Santa Claus, and Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruises make sure of that. Children and adults alike can meet and take photos with Santa, adding an extra layer of holiday cheer to their sea voyage.

Related Post : When is the Cheapest Time to Go on a Disney Cruise?

Is Disney Cruise Christmas Worth It? – V ery Merrytime Cruise Review

Having experienced the magic of a themed Disney Cruise, I wholeheartedly would recommend it to everyone. Especially when you can seize the opportunity to book discounted staterooms through The Park Prodigy. These cruises encapsulate the wonder of the holidays with a unique Disney twist. And offer an array of festive activities, enchanting entertainment, and unforgettable character encounters. The convenience and savings provided by The Park Prodigy make the experience even more enjoyable ensuring a stress-free booking process! This cruise is not just a vacation; it’s a festive celebration that brings the joy of Disney and the spirit of Christmas! Together in a way that’s unparalleled to what you can experience in the theme parks.

Which Cruise Line Is Best for Christmas?

When considering a Christmas cruise, Disney Cruise Line stands out for its unparalleled combination of holiday festivities and Disney magic. From the festive decorations and unique holiday-themed entertainment. Disney offers an experience that’s hard to match. The attention to detail, quality of service, and overall atmosphere make it a highly recommended choice for families seeking a special way to celebrate the season.

Related Post : Enjoy Thanksgiving at Sea!

Disney Christmas Cruise FAQ

Q: Does Disney Do a Christmas Cruise?

A: Yes, Disney Cruise Line offers special Christmas cruises known as Very Merrytime Cruises. These cruises are specifically designed to celebrate the holiday season, featuring festive decorations, themed entertainment, and unique activities that embrace the spirit of Christmas.

Q: Is There a Pirate Night on Disney Christmas Cruises?

A: While Pirate Night is a beloved staple on many Disney cruises, its inclusion on a Disney Christmas Cruise can vary. These themed cruises focus more on holiday festivities. So it’s best to check the specific itinerary of your Very Merrytime Cruise for any themed nights, including Pirate Night.

Q: Do Disney Cruises Decorate for Christmas?

A: Absolutely! Disney cruises are renowned for their elaborate decorations, and this is especially true for the Very Merrytime Cruises. The ships are transformed into a holiday wonderland with Christmas trees, lights, garlands, and other seasonal adornments, enhancing the festive atmosphere onboard.

Q: Can You Do a Disney Cruise in December?

A: Yes, December is a prime time for Disney Very Merrytime Cruises. These special holiday cruises are scheduled throughout the Christmas season, including the month of December, offering guests a unique opportunity to celebrate the holidays in a magical Disney setting at sea.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our   Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a   Disney World Travel Agent   for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney World Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your   Walt Disney World Tickets.   A nd we offer promotional discounts for special events such as   Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets   and  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at  Theme Park Today , as well!

Who We Recommend

Ticket Subtotal: $325.45

Ticket Price Including Tax:

* Your magic rewards program points are automatically calculated into all theme park ticket prices!

Kurt Gillman

Kurt is a former Disneyland Cast Member and seasoned explorer and is your trusted guide to the world of theme park travel. With countless visits to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Tokyo Disneyland, and even aboard the Disney Cruise Line, Kurt's expertise and passion make him the perfect companion for your enchanting adventures. As the Multi-Media Manager, Content Creator and Writer for The Park Prodigy, Kurt hopes his experience and knowledge of the theme park industry can not only save people money, but give them the stress free vacation of their dreams. If he isn’t found trying the newest treats in Disneyland, Kurt enjoys relaxing at home with his dog Sam and playing video games with friends in his free time.

RELATED PRODUCTS

Walt Disney World Tickets

Save time and money on your next Walt Disney World vacation with The Park Prodigy. With our discounted Walt Disney World theme park tickets guests can choose from the following parks!

• Magic Kingdom Park
• Disney’s Holywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Universal Orlando Tickets

Save up to three hours at Universal Orlando with free vacation planning tools and added benefits. With our Universal tickets guests can choose from the following parks!

• Universal Studios
• Islands of Adventure

Disneyland Tickets

Save time and money with our your next vacation with The Park Prodigy. With our discounted Disneyland tickets guests can choose from the following parks!

• Disney’s California Adventure Park

Disney Christmas Cruise: The Very Merrytime Cruises from Disney Cruise Line

Posted on Published: 11/06/2023

I love the Christmas events at Walt Disney World, so this year, I was excited to experience the holidays at sea on a Disney Christmas Cruise. Our first Christmas cruise took place over Thanksgiving break. While many people were searching their local shops for Black Friday deals, we were boarding the Disney Dream for one of the Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruises.

Since originally cruising during the Christmas season, I’ve returned two more times to sail on a Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream and Disney Wish. Both were fantastic experiences.

These fun Disney Christmas Cruises include all of the great things that you’d expect on your Disney Cruise Line ship, as well as some other unique holiday experiences. If you are looking for a festive time to hit the high seas, this is a great option. Here’s our experience with Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruises, and what to expect on a Disney Christmas cruise.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to me at no cost to you. I’ve been on several media cruises at a lower/discounted price, but have also paid my own way for many cruises.

Check prices on Disney Cruise Line sailings here .

Disney Christmas Cruise: The Very Merrytime Cruise

The decor on a disney merrytime cruise.

As soon as we boarded the ship, we could tell that we were on a special Disney Christmas cruise. The Disney Cruise Line staff greeting us at the gangway of the ship were all decked out in festive scarves, and the atrium lobby of the ship had a beautiful tree, as well as Christmas tree garland around the railings.

Poinsettias were spread around the ship and were subtle but a pretty pop of red color. It definitely felt like a holiday atmosphere, and combined with the Disney magic, it was extra special.

My latest Very Merrytime Cruise was the very first Disney Christmas Cruise of the season. As a result, they were decorating the ship for the Christmas season in a few places as we arrived. It was still magical, however, and the decor was really beautiful.

In the atrium lobby, you’ll also find a life-sized gingerbread house. It was pretty crowded with people taking photos right at the start of the cruise. However, later, it was very easy to take photos. If traveling on a Disney Christmas cruise, definitely wait until later in the cruise to take a photo, when most guests have finished taking their photos.

Castaway Cay , Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, is also decked out for the holidays. As we exited the ship, we saw this beautiful display with a tree, sleigh, snowmen, and fake snow flurries!

Like some of the other decorations on the cruise ship, there was a line to take photos, but it was definitely worth the wait. As a Northerner, it’s unusual to associate warm temps with snow, so it was fun to see!

We were lucky to have perfect weather on Castaway Cay too. November can definitely be a beautiful time because it is still warm, but not too hot.

For an extra special experience, try to get a private cabana on Castaway Cay .  They are typically available only to those who are platinum or pearl members of Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club (or concierge guests), but it’s always worth trying.

Special Events on a Very Merrytime Cruise

In addition to holiday decor, you’ll also get to experience some fun special events on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise. The first night, you’ll find a special Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the schedule. Hosted by your favorite Disney characters, this ceremony is not to be missed.

There’s also a Storytime with Mrs. Claus. We didn’t attend (my kids are now too old), but as I passed by, I saw lots of small children eagerly sitting and listening. It’s definitely great for younger kids who’d love to see Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

In the evening on the first night, guests were treated to Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball. This fun event was held pretty late and includes Anna and Elsa bringing in the snow.

Activities on a Very Merrytime Cruise

While you are onboard the ship, you’ll also find some fun holiday-themed activities. During our cruise, these activities included gingerbread cookie decorating throughout the day on our Nassau day. We didn’t do it, but they did encourage sign-ups because space was limited.

When you arrive at the cruise port, I’d recommend looking at the Disney Cruise Line app to see which activities are going to be offered during your sailing. Sign up right away for the best availability.

Holiday Treats on the Disney Christmas Cruise

After Storytime with Mrs. Claus, a hot chocolate and cookie station was set up in the lobby. Parents of smaller children would appreciate the “warm chocolate” that was the perfect temperature for younger cruisers. My kids, who always seem to find hot chocolate too hot, really enjoyed it.

Character Costumes on the Very Merrytime Cruises

While the characters still wear their popular cruising costumes (including the pirate costumes), they also wear some festive attire. On our last night, we loved seeing the fab five (plus Daisy, Chip, and Dale), wearing holiday sweaters. It made for a fun photo opportunity.

If your sailing takes place on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day, you’ll also enjoy holiday activities such as caroling and special towel animals.

Our Very Merrytime Cruise was a 3-night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream the day after Thanksgiving day. However, there are several itineraries available on the different Disney Cruise Line ships .

This year, Very Merrytime Cruises taking place on several ships, including the Disney Wish, the Disney Fantasy, and the Disney Dream. These ships depart/visit a variety of ports including Nassau, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Cozumel , Grand Cayman , and Castaway Cay.

Overall, we really enjoyed our Very Merrytime Cruise. I think younger children (elementary-aged or younger) would especially appreciate the Christmas-themed activities and events. To learn more, visit the Disney Cruise Line Very Merrytime Cruise page .

When booking a Disney Cruise, I recommend booking with Get Away Today. Plus, when you mention Family Travel Magazine, you get an extra $25 onboard credit! Give their agents a call at 877-510-2929.

More Disney Cruise Ships Resources: Click to read more about the Disney Cruise Line ships including restaurants, tips, itineraries, activities, and more.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Get the Newsletter
• Blogger Resources

Best Things to Do on A Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise

Sailing away for the happiest holiday at sea on a Disney Christmas Cruise?! Very Merrytime Cruises with Disney Cruise Line say may just be our favorite holiday event. With so much to get you in the Christmas Spirit, you’ll find no shortage of festive fun on a Very Merrytime Cruise! Here are the best things to do on a Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise.

• 1 A Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise
• 2 Sail Away Party on the Very Merrytime Cruise
• 3 Mickey’s Tree Lighting on the Very Merrytime Cruise 
• 4 Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball
• 5 Meet the Disney Characters in their Holiday Best
• 6 Holiday Crafts on a Disney Christmas Cruise
• 7 Sailing on a Disney Christmas Cruise

A Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise

With so much to do onboard, it can be hard to figure out where to spend your time, without feeling like you’re being rushed from place to place. If you’re ready to book, check out the itineraries on a Disney Christmas Cruise . Here are our favorite Things to Do on a Disney Christmas Cruise.

Sail Away Party on the Very Merrytime Cruise

We know everyone always recommends the sail away party. But there’s a good reason for it! This is the perfect little deck party to transition you from land to sea. And even if you don’t get into all the fun to be had there, which you definitely should btw, it’s fun to watch the boat set sail and leave the port.  There are other deck parties during the cruise too, so be sure to enjoy them all! We also loved the Deck Party!

Mickey’s Tree Lighting on the Very Merrytime Cruise 

Mickey’s Tree Lighting on the Disney Christmas Cruise was one of our favorite events on the Very Merrytime Cruise. And it happens on the first night. Mickey, Minnie, and their pals come out in their festive attire and light up not only the tree but the whole atrium! Garlands and wreaths throughout the ship get lit up and suddenly it feels just like Christmas. This is definitely not to be missed, but we will warn you, this fills up fast. This was right after our show for the night and we ended up taking a spot on the fourth floor to get an aerial view. But they do reserve a special section for little ones so they can see, so if your child is ok being away from you, they just might get a better view than you do!

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball

A Disney Christmas Cruise wouldn’t be complete without a ball. And what makes a Very Merrytime sailing on a Disney Cruise even more magical?! Santa of course! Santa is not just for kids folks, and if you disagree and skip this during your cruise, you will miss the snow in the Atrium. Snow that’s not cold, in the atrium, AND Santa?! Yes, that’s right. Don’t miss it. This gets packed too, so try to get there early if you can. 

Meet the Disney Characters in their Holiday Best

Even if you’re not a huge fan of character meets, you have to meet at least one character on the Very Merrytime Cruise! Ok, so technically you don’t have to do anything…. but we highly recommend it. When sailing a Disney Christmas Cruise you get to see your favorite characters in holiday outfits. And they are different than the ones you’ll find in the Parks! So consider these once-in-a-lifetime photo ops. Plus, who doesn’t love meeting Mickey?! In his Christmas sweater? What a swell guy!

Holiday Crafts on a Disney Christmas Cruise

Ok, hear us out on this. Yes, we know they’re just crafts, BUT, for the most part , the crafts are free! Which means free Disney souvenirs. Or cookies. Or whatever it is that you’re making.  And if you’re traveling with little ones, this can be a great activity for your whole family to do something Christmas-y together. 

We originally wanted to make gingerbread houses because we had heard it was amazing onboard. Unfortunately, on this itinerary anyway, it was no longer offered. So we instead chose to make gingerbread people and even though it only took a little bit to decorate them, they were fun, festive, and delicious. Since this is something we do together at home, it felt like being home during the holidays. It’s a simple thing, but sometimes the simple things are the things we enjoy the most. 

Best things to do on a Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise

These are just some of the things you can look forward to on a Disney Holiday cruise. Very Merry time Christmas Cruises with Disney Cruise Line have so many fun activities. From themed holiday trivia to holiday crafts. Characters dressed in their holiday best, holiday themed shows and more. 

Sailing on a Disney Christmas Cruise

We highly recommend taking a Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney Cruise Line! We had so much fun and can’t wait to book another! Check out our full review of the Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Have you taken a Very Merrytime Cruise? What are your must-dos?!

Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .

• Melanie Renee https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/melanniee/ 11-night Disney Cruise to Northern Europe on the Disney Dream
• Melanie Renee https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/melanniee/ Meridian Lounge on Disney Cruise Line
• Melanie Renee https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/melanniee/ Disney Yacht Club vs Beach Club - what's the difference?
• Melanie Renee https://www.polkadotsandpixiedust.com/author/melanniee/ Dahlia Lounge at Coronado Springs

Share this:

Related posts.

6 Ways to Avoid Disney Resort Parking Fees Right Now

Walt Disney World has decided to start charging for Disney Resort Parking, for all guests at Walt Disney World Resorts. If you’re looking for ways to Avoid Disney Resort Parking Fees we have a few options you may not have considered. Here’s the breakdown of […]

Delicious New Snacks at Disney World 2024

Walt Disney World welcomes new snacks all year long! So we are here to help you see what’s new and where you can find it. Here are all the Best Snacks at Walt Disney World you can find in the parks for 2024. From Snacks […]

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Serious Stuff

Affiliate Links are sometimes used in many of our posts. As an Amazon Associate, and affiliate publisher for several companies we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking the links. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosures page for more information. Unless otherwise noted, all photos, designs and graphics are original to Polka Dots & Pixie Dust.

This site is not affiliated in any way with the Walt Disney Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries. This site and the information contained therein represent the opinion of the webmaster. For official information on Walt Disney World, Click Here

• Built using Kale Pro by LyraThemes .

Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Tips & Itinerary

Sharing is caring!

Last year we did the 4-Night Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Wish cruise ship and had an amazing time. Whether you already have a Very Merrytime cruise planned or are thinking about doing one in the future, it’s such a fun way to kickstart the holiday season. We’ve put together some of our top Very Merrytime Cruise tips, including onboard activities, itineraries and what to wear for these special Disney Cruise Line sailings.

What is a Very Merrytime Cruise on Disney Cruise Line?

First things first, it’s helpful to know what Very Merrytime Cruises actually are. These special itineraries are part of Disney Cruise Line’s themed cruises, and they include holiday activities during the entire sailing. The ship is decorated for Christmas, and the characters are dressed in cute Christmas outfits. Plus, each day has special activities like crafts and Santa visits to get you in the holiday spirit throughout the entire cruise.

Disclaimer: Toddling Traveler participates in Amazon Affiliates and other affiliate programs. That means we could earn a commission for qualifying purchases made through our links.

Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Activities

The main draw to a Disney Cruise Line Christmas cruise is the special activities offered throughout. I read several Disney Christmas cruise reviews prior to our trip, and I wasn’t able to find a lot of information on the fun activities a DCL Christmas cruise offers. Here are some of the activities on our Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise:

• Christmas Tree Lighting: This is offered on each Very Merrytime sailing on the first night. It’s typically around 7:45pm, between first and second dinners. Santa comes out and everyone can watch the tree lit together. 
• Storytime with Santa and/or Mrs Claus: This special activity is offered once per sailing, and on our cruise it was at 1:45pm on the Nassau port day. The best part about storytime was the surprise dance party afterwards. The characters came out in their Christmas gear and spent time with the kids dancing to popular Christmas songs.
• Holiday crafts like ornament making for either adults only or all ages offered throughout the cruise.
• Character Greetings each day with characters dressed in the cutest Christmas outfits. For the most part, the characters were wearing Christmas outfits with the exception of Pirate Night and Castaway Cay. 
• Visits with Santa are offered on a few days and times throughout the sailing. He was the best Santa I’ve ever seen!
• Special Photo Ops: Get pictures with or without Santa in front of the tree or with special photo backgrounds. Many people either dress up in their best Christmas outfits or matching Christmas pajamas. 
• Holiday Music Performances: In the evenings, there are special musical performances with holiday music. 
• Gingerbread house making or cookie decorating have also been offered on Very Merrytime cruises in the past, but we didn’t see it on our particular sailing.

Christmas Decorations on Disney Very Merrytime Cruises

Another benefit to doing a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise is getting to see the ships beautifully decorated with Christmas decor. Some of the amazing Christmas decorations include:

• A huge Christmas tree in the Grand Hall, with special colors and theming based on the ship. The Disney Wish Christmas tree is unique in that it’s a gold tree with gold decorations throughout. While it’s different from your traditional tree, we absolutely loved it! The lights are off when you first board the ship, and then there’s a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on all DCL Christmas cruises the first night. 
• Themed Christmas trees in each area of the ship. The kids’ clubs each had a special tree in each area, and the lounges and even the hair salon and spas had their own trees. It was fun looking for them throughout the ship!
• A Gingerbread House on each Disney cruise ship. Each ship puts together their own Gingerbread house for display, and they have a contest at the end to see which ship has the best tree. The gingerbread house on the Disney Wish was unique in that it was more of a tower than a house. 
• Castaway Cay is decorated for Christmas with its own Christmas tree and beachy themed snowmen for a fun photo op as well as decorations throughout the island. Sadly, with a hurricane and other events, Castaway Cay wasn’t decorated for our Nov 14-18 Very Merrytime Bahamas cruise on the Disney Wish. (So keep that in mind that if you’re on an earlier Very Merrytime itinerary in November, Castaway Cay may not yet be decorated!)

What to Pack for a Very Merrytime Cruise

Not sure what to pack for a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise? One of our biggest Disney Christmas Cruise tips is to get super festive! Regardless of whether you’re sailing in November or December, you’ll see people decked out in holiday gear throughout the cruise. It’s such a fun way to get in the holiday spirit. Some things to pack for a Disney Christmas Cruise include:

• Disney Christmas pajamas for the whole family. If you’re planning ahead, Target, Old Navy and Kohls tend to have matching family PJs by late September. Little Sleepies also has the comfiest family matching Disney Christmas pajamas that would be great for a cruise. I bought slipper socks for everyone for nighttime as well.
• Disney Christmas shirts . I stocked up on Christmas gear at ShopDisney after the holidays the year before, and we typically find great deals for kids at Old Navy, Target or Kohls. You can also shop for matching Very Merrytime cruise shirts here on Etsy.
• Disney Cruise Christmas door magnets are a fun way to get festive and “decorate” your room. Some people go all out, but we kept it simple and ordered these Christmas cruise magnets.
• Disney Cruise Christmas Ornaments if you’re participating in an ornament exchange with your cruise group. You also can find some here . 
• Fun accessories like Christmas ears, bows or Santa hats. 
• Nice Christmas outfits for family pictures with Santa or in front of the tree. I bought this dress for me, a gold toddler dress for my daughter and a similar Mickey Christmas button down shirt for my son. 

Head to our Disney Cruise packing list for a full list of items to bring with you on a Disney Cruise. 

Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Itineraries

Very Merrytime cruises typically run from early to mid-November through December each year.  Historically, all five Disney cruise ships have had Christmas cruise sailings that visit Mexico and the Caribbean during this time. 

In 2023, 4 of the 5 Disney ships will have Very Merrytime sailings, with the Disney Wonder being the only one that will not offer them. The 2023 Disney Very Merrytime Cruise itineraries include:

• 5 Night Western Caribbean & 4 Night Bahamian Very Merrytime cruises on the Disney Dream out of Fort Lauderdale
• 6-7 night Western and Eastern Caribbean Very Merrytime cruises on the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral
• 3-4 night Bahamian Very Merrytime cruises on the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral
• 5 Night Baja Very Merrytime Cruise from San Diego and 14-Night Panama Canal Very Merrytime Cruise from San Diego to Galveston on the Disney Magic

Looking for a 2024 Disney Very Merrytime Cruise? Fall 2024 Disney Cruise Line itineraries are currently available for booking on Disney Cruise Line. The Very Merrytime Cruises in 2024 include:

• 3 and 4-night Bahamian Very Merrytime cruises on the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral (with stops at either Lighthouse Point or Castaway Cay)
• 4, 5 and 6-night Western Caribbean Very Merrytime cruises from Galveston on the Disney Magic
• 4 and 5-night Bahamiam Very Merrytime cruises from Fort Lauderdale on the Disney Dream (includes itineraries with either Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay stops)
• 6 and 7-night Bahamian, Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises on the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral

If you’re specifically looking for a Disney cruise over Christmas, there are also special Very Merrytime Disney Cruises on Christmas Day. They also have itineraries for Disney cruises over New Year’s Eve. If you’re sailing out of Port Canaveral, be sure to also check out Disney at Christmas either before or after your trip!

Not sure where to start? Contact me Amanda at [email protected] for help planning your next Disney Cruise Vacation!

Additional Tips for a Disney Cruise Line Very Merrytime Cruise

• Be sure to check the Navigator app for all scheduled holiday activities when you board the ship. It’s easy to miss some of the holiday activities.
• Characters tend to be in Christmas gear during most of the cruise, with the exception of Pirate Night and on Castaway Cay.
• Consider purchasing the DCL photo package in advance of your cruise. It’s a great way to get family Christmas photos, and we plan to use our picture in front of the tree for Christmas cards this year.
• Plan outfits in advance, particularly if you want to purchase matching Very Merrytime Cruise shirts like these or something similar on Etsy. Shipping can always take a bit longer this time of year, and we totally missed the window for our cruise!
• Be aware that special one-time events like the Christmas tree lightning will fill up fast. Get there early and try to go on the top floor of the grand hall for the best viewing.
• If you’re on a Bahamas Very Merrytime sailing, consider skipping port excursions at Nassau for more ship time. There’s so much to do, and some special Christmas activities only happen on the Nassau day.
• Join a cruise group on Facebook for ornament exchanges as a way to interact with other guests and leave with several fun and special souvenirs.
• Speaking of souvenirs, if you’re looking for special Christmas gifts on a Very Merrytime cruise, be sure to go to the gift shops on the first night. Inventory is typically lower, and they will sell out.

Related Posts:

• Disney Cruise Packing List & Tips
• Orlando at Christmas
• Cruising with a Toddler

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Very Merrytime Cruises Over the Holidays on Disney Cruise Line

Every year, a Very Merrytime Cruises  take place on most voyages aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships from mid-November through right before Christmas. In addition to the usual activities and fun expected from a Disney cruise, there are many magical holiday extras in keeping with the holiday spirits. Sailings range in length from three to 14 nights with itineraries to the Caribbean and Bahamas, including stops on  Castaway Cay , Disney's private island. There are four ships that host the Very Merrytime Cruise during the holiday season: Disney Magic , Disney Wonder , Disney Dream , and Disney Fantasy .

Holiday Decorations

Families sailing during the holiday season from late November to New Year's Eve are treated to ships decked out from stem to stern with traditional Thanksgiving fanfare, Christmas festivities, and snow flurries.

Decorations onboard the Disney ships include 124 Christmas trees; 4,473 yards of garland; 14,000 yards of ribbon; over 5.5 miles of Christmas lights; and one giant candy cane for a tropical deck party. While Santa shares 300 pounds of gingerbread cookies, the life-size gingerbread house takes 320 hours to make with 650 pounds of gingerbread, 5,250 gingerbread bricks, and 220 pounds of sugar icing.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay , the celebration continues with a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets, and holiday island music. Plus, the island's tram is decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and a tail.

Merrytime Cruise Event Highlights

During the cruise, there will be many holiday-themed events to look forward to, from tree lightings to holiday parties.

• Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic takes place on the first night of the cruise in the atrium lobby where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
• Santa's Winter Wonderland Ball celebrates the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, offering an opportunity to don holiday attire and join Disney friends and princesses for a glamorous ball. There will be appearances by Santa and meet-and-greet opportunities with Disney characters like Anna and Elsa from the hit movie "Frozen ."
• A variety of family holiday activities include building gingerbread houses and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus and favorite Disney characters. Youth holiday craft sessions are held to teach the kids how to decorate stockings and gingerbread men cookies, make holiday cards, and create holiday animation cells.
• Storytime with Mrs. Claus gathers the children in the atrium to hear well-known Christmas stories from her rocking chair by the tree. Holiday storytellers will share tales of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, plus a story about the magical feeling of the holidays on a ship.
• At the Deck the Deck Holiday Party, Disney friends lead 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. The Disney Cruise Line’s farewell on the final night of each cruise, Til We Meet Again, features a special holiday edition with Disney characters and the ship’s crew in a musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

Thanksgiving Day Events

On Thanksgiving cruises , families can feast on a Thanksgiving Day dinner and more. Guest will receive visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. Also during the special Thanksgiving voyages, big NFL football games are broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen located near the family pool.

New Year's Eve Events

If you cruise on any Disney ship during New Year's eve, expect music, food, fireworks, and a giant midnight deck party. Activities are subject to change depending on each ship and itinerary, but a party hosted by Disney characters dressed in their New Year's best is guaranteed.

Halloween on the High Seas With Disney Cruise Line

A Theme Park Fan's Guide to the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

Disney Magic - Tour and Profile

Christmas in Los Angeles

Disney Travel Planning: Disney World vs. Disney Cruise

Disney Magic - Western Mediterranean Cruise Travel Log

The Best Disney Cruise Hacks Seen on Pinterest

8 Disney Cruise Hacks for Grown-Ups

What's Included in Your Disney Cruise Line Fare?

Great Places to See Santa

December at Disney World: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Disney's New Cruise Ship Is Setting Sail In June 2022—See Inside

11 Kid-Friendly Vacations to Take in December

Take a Photo Tour of Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island

Disney Dream Virtual Tour

Festivals and Events in Orlando in November

New Entertainment for 2023 Very Merrytime Christmas Sailings on Disney Cruise Line

Very Merrytime Christmas sailings return to Disney Cruise Line with brand new entertainment and offerings in November and December 2023. This post shares all of the news, plus quick thoughts from our last experience during the holiday season special event.

According to DCL, the Christmas 2023 ‘Very Merrytime’ cruises will bring back more guest-favorite offerings, while adding two brand-new entertainment experiences, characters dressed in jolly new looks, fun-filled activities for the whole family, and elaborate décor and themed food and beverage items. During these limited-time Disney Cruise Line voyages, the high seas will be brimming with the spirit of the holidays later this year.

Disney Cruise Line will offer Very Merrytime Christmas cruises from Texas, Florida and California, offering adults and children alike the ability to discover the wonder of the holidays at sea in 2023. The   Disney Magic will set sail to Baja and the Mexican Riviera from San Diego for holiday sailings before wrapping up the season in Galveston, Texas with Very Merrytime cruises to the Western Caribbean.

DCL ships will set sail from a new South Florida home in Fort Lauderdale, offering 4 and 5-night Very Merrytime cruises aboard the Disney Dream to tropical locales in the western Caribbean and Bahamas. Also from Florida, the Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy will continue sailing from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas and Caribbean.

If you set sail on one of the Very Merrytime cruises during the Christmas 2023 season, here are the new additions you can expect to experience on-board the ship…

New Tree Lighting Ceremony – On the first night of all Very Merrytime sailings, you can gather around the three-deck-tall tree in the ship’s atrium for a brand-new tree lighting ceremony.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy will invite your family 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 guests of honor for the cruise.

“Deck” the Halls at Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party – This new deck party is another brand-new experience for Christmas 2023 on the Very Merrytime specialty sailings, will invite your family to the upper decks for a one-of-a-kind celebration at sea filled with tidings of good cheer.

This high-energy deck party is thrown by Mickey and Minnie and will feature favorite Disney friends as they celebrate friendship, love and family with a fresh mix of classic and original holiday songs.

In addition to these new entertainment offerings, the Disney Cruise Line decks and halls will be filled with holiday décor and boughs of holly from bow-to-stern during Very Merrytime Christmas cruises.

Aboard these seasonal sailings, guests will also find characters debuting new holiday attire, themed Very Merrytime activities for the entire family, carolers singing contemporary versions of songs that celebrate the holiday season, commemorative merchandise, and festive food and beverage items.

It’s never too early to start planning for next Christmas, and Disney Cruise Line has also confirmed that the holiday magic of Very Merrytime cruises will also return as part of the just-announced itineraries in Late 2024.

From mid-November through December 2024, you will be able to spend the most wonderful time of the year with Disney Cruise Line from two home ports in Florida, as well as a selection of cruises from Galveston, Texas.

Short holiday getaways will be offered from both home ports in Florida, with a selection of 3 and 4-night Bahamian Very Merrytime voyages on the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral and 4 and 5-night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Disney Dream. The Disney Fantasy will embark on a variety of four-night Very Merrytime sailings to The Bahamas, along with longer 6 and 7-night itineraries in November and late December.

Cruises from Galveston aboard the Disney Magic will range in length from four to six nights, allowing your family the chance to celebrate the holiday season together while visiting tropical ports of call throughout the Caribbean.

Turning to what’s new for 2024, select voyages on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will include a day of fun in the sun along the white sand beaches of Disney Cruise Line’s newest destination at Lighthouse Point during the holiday season. Located on the island of Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point, this vibrant beach retreat will be a unique celebration of Bahamian culture brought to life with the quality and service of a Disney vacation.

There’s almost certainly more to come for Very Merrytime Christmas cruises next year. The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. We’re still awaiting more details about this ship, but suspect that DCL will give the current ships a couple months to fill Late 2024 itineraries before the big reveal. In any case, the Disney Treasure should also offer Very Merrytime Christmas sailings next year.

In terms of commentary, we’ve previously done one of the Christmas sailings aboard Disney Cruise Line, and it was a bit underwhelming. (See our Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Review .) At least, it was  at the time.  That was the culmination of a big year of Christmas fun for us, which included great new additions at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort. Comparatively, the Very Merrytime offerings were a bit of a letdown.

However, in reviewing all of Sarah’s photos and hearing what she had to say about Halloween on the High Seas last year, it made me eager to give the Very Merrytime cruise a second chance. (And also experience the Halloween cruise, since I wasn’t invited and/or declined my invitation last year.) So, we were going to do precisely that for Christmas 2023…until life had other plans for us.

Not that you care, but we actually would’ve been on a Mediterranean Greek Isles cruise right now for our anniversary–booked with the generous discount from having our original Disney Wish sailing cancelled.

No complaints here–we’ll take sitting at home over doing either of those cruises in a heartbeat, especially given the circumstances. Now we can do the Very Merrytime cruise for Christmas 2024 as a party of 3 on a brand new ship and research activities for small children. Win-win!

But I digress. When it comes to our first and only Very Merrytime Christmas cruise thus far, it was probably a matter of unrealistic expectations. My memories of the Very Merrytime Christmas cruise have grown fonder over time–rereading my review today sounds quite harsh as compared to what I remember!

Ultimately, we’re very excited to give the Very Merrytime cruise a second chance, and we are glad to see Disney Cruise Line confirming that it’s coming back for this year and Christmas 2024. We will absolutely be “disregarding” our own opinion of the experience, and booking next year, hopefully on the brand-new Disney Treasure. Although pricing may bring that dream back to reality, and we may find ourselves on one of the cheaper legacy ships!

Planning to set sail aboard one of the Disney Cruise Line ships? Read our comprehensive  Disney Cruise Line Guide   to prepare for your trip, plan entertainment and other activities, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! If you want personalized recommendations for Disney Cruise Line itineraries, ships, and more,  click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of these Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Christmas sailings? Any of the special offerings appeal to you? Looking forward to the new tree lighting, deck party, or character costumes? Any other tips to add or recommendations for Very Merrytime Christmas cruises? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Just completed the Merrytime Cruise on the Wish. I was incredibly disappointed in the deck “Christmas” party. The music and performances were very meh. I expected cookies and hot cocoa – something to make it more of a party. But, the lackluster performance was the real bummer. I agree with your previous post about it feeling like it was a regular cruise with a splash of Christmas. Even the Christmas music that played over the speakers around the ship was not great. Felt like the same 10 songs on a loop. However, I wouldn’t avoid these sailings, as suggested, I would just temper my expectations. It is YOUR family that will make this trip special. Wear holiday attire…I even recommend jammies one night!

We are doing the 7 day cruise out of Galveston on Dec 2023 and can not wait! We are going all out! We are a large family of 6 (mom, dad, 21, 18, 15 and 9) lol Reading that there is going to be even more entertainment and activities is very exciting! I plan on taking lots of photos and videos so I can put something together to help show others what to expect (not in a blogger sense, I’ll leave that to y’all lol) We have exciting outfits and costumes and just can not wait!! This will be our first cruise and know the whole family is going to remember it forever! ️

We just did a cruise on the Magic with our 4 year old and can confirm that cruising is the best way to “do Disney” with small children! I am genuinely excited for you to experience it as a family of three, and for all of your advice on that front going forward!

Cruises indeed provide a convenient and baby-friendly environment, allowing you to set a relaxed pace and easily access your room if needed. It’s amazing how your first cruise with your seven-month-old created lasting memories filled with pure joy for everyone involved. Cherishing those special moments and experiences is what makes vacations like these so unforgettable.

Hi I live in the uk I’m waiting to get my MVMCP Ticket do you think they will be available soon , it helps with planning my days

“Now we can do the Very Merrytime cruise for Christmas 2024 as a party of 3 on a brand new ship and research activities for small children. Win-win!”

Oh man, cruises are the best baby vacation. It’s so much easier to set a baby friendly pace on a cruise than at the parks. And the room is always right there should you need to pivot away from activities. We took our first kid on a cruise when she was about seven months old and that will likely be *the* vacation I remember for the rest of my life. Seven months is right around when their personality starts to emerge and it was clear then that she was ready to play hard. Pure joy for her, pure joy for us.

Thanks for sharing that. As is probably obvious from the reviews and other posts (as well as the lack thereof), I am way less enthusiastic about DCL than Sarah.

Based on everything we’ve heard from everyone, this is probably the biggest viewpoint change I’m expecting to have with a kid. Heard nothing but exceptional things about DCL on that front!

Exciting to read this. We are trying DCL for the first time on a Very Merry Christmas cruise from Fort Lauderdale on 30 November of this year. As a bonus, Southwest dropped a 40% off discount yesterday (through this Thursday) and our itinerary is part of the discount (that discount made me wonder if there is seriously soft demand on the horizon). I’ll be sure to add a comment once we return.

Yes! That Southwest 40% sale has been HUGE for us, too. I haven’t added up the total, but we saved a ton of money booking and/or rebooking family flights for the fall.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Posted on Last updated: March 14, 2024 Categories Disney Travel

By: Author Kate

My Ultimate Guide to the Pros and Cons of a Disney Cruise

This post may contain affiliate links.

Sharing is caring!

We recently returned from a 3-night Bahamas cruise aboard the Disney Dream. Our family had a blast, and it is a trip we will remember for a long time! Coming back though, I was reflecting on my Disney cruise experience and wondered, are Disney Cruises really worth the cost?

Let’s not kid ourselves, these trips are expensive! There seems to be no such thing as a discounted Disney cruise or a Disney cruise deal. I found that our trip cost easily 2-3x the cost of other cruises! I’m not sure if all the Disney extras were really worth the inflated price.

At the end of the day, my Disney Cruise advice to others is to wait until your kids are older to splurge on Disney! It seems the best age for a Disney cruise is likely between ages 5-12 when Disney mania is prime, and kids are more independent!

Although we did REALLY enjoy the awesome infant babysitting service on our cruise, I’m not sure we got out as much as we put in.

Every family is different though and every family values different things on vacation. When I was researching Disney dream cruise reviews I read a lot of blogs and I hope this review of the pros and cons will be helpful to others.  

Here is my list of the pros and cons of a Disney Cruise:

Disney Cruise on Your Horizon? Get a Quote from a Disney Travel Agent now!

My Disney Cruise Experience

Pros of a disney cruise:, your kids will have a good time.

The kids will have a blast. ESPECIALLY if they like Disney Characters . My two sons were 10 months and 3 years old when we went on our cruise.

My eldest son does like Star Wars and Mickey but he wasn’t very interested in Princesses or other characters. In fact, he was mostly petrified of them.

R2D2 in the kids club was the highlight for him. He still talks about it months later! Pirate night was also great fun! (Don’t forget to bring a pirate costume!)  I don’t think it’s possible for a kid to have a bad time on the Disney cruise.

The staff will certainly bend over backward to put a smile on your child’s face. Oh, and did I mention? Unlimited ice cream = guaranteed good time.

Disney Cruise Child Care

HUGE pro: They have child minding for children under age 3! This one is HUGE. This is basically the entire reason I booked the cruise and it is something we took advantage of.

Of note, this service does cost extra (for under age 3), but given the price of the cruise, it was small in comparison. The ladies at the Small World Nursery were experienced with babies and infants. I never worried at all when I dropped off my son.

When I picked up our 8-month old I got detailed reports on how he had done. The sitters were able to detail what he ate, if he slept, and what he enjoyed playing with. I felt comfortable knowing that the sitters were attentive to all of the babies needs.

My older son who was 3 was also allowed to attend the small world nursery and I much preferred the individualized attention he got there.

One nice feature is that you can use your portable cruise phone to contact the Nursery while you are away to check up on your kids. I really loved this feature and it came in handy one day when my son was grumpy!

We left our infant son at the nursery by himself when we went to Castaway Cay. Babies who like to crawl + Sand are generally a tough combo! It was nice to have some one-on-one time with our older son who loved the beach at this age!

We also booked one night at Remy and it was great to be able to have a mommy-daddy date on board.

Check out all my tips for bringing a baby on a Disney cruise here!

The staff love kids!

The staff are wonderful and cater to children. Every single staff on the Disney cruise, right down to the housekeepers are good with kids. Clearly, it’s in the job requirement.

The servers in the restaurants go out of their way to win over your little ones. Our server had jokes, paper airplanes , and other games ready for my three-year-old at every meal. This extra mile service was definitely appreciated when my son was a bit grumpy and the servers worked hard to cheer him up.

Thinking of heading to Disney World instead? Check out my ultimate guide to doing Disney for the first time!

Disney’s Remy Restaurant is the best!

The adults-only restaurants are amazing, seriously AMAZING! We booked one night at Remy and it was literally the best meal I have ever had in my entire life. We are not novice diners either. The service was exceptional, the food delicious and the wine pairings were great as well.

Again, this was another (significant) added cost, although it was worth every penny! It did make me think twice about the whole cost of the cruise.

If you have one ‘treat’ on the cruise I would absolutely recommend dinner reservations at Remy! You won’t’ be disappointed!

Wondering what to pack on vacation with little ones? Check out my ultimate packing guide for a beach vacation with a baby.

We always use a travel agent when we book a Disney vacation. A certified Disney vacation planner does not cost extra and they often know insider deals and tips! Get a Quote Now!

Cons of a Disney Cruise:

They aren’t cheap.

This is obviously the biggest drawback to the cruise. I spent more on this 3-night vacation than I would normally spend on 7 nights at an all-inclusive resort.

I have only been on one other cruise line, NCL, and I went on it without kids, so I don’t have a great comparison to other cruises. It’s worth saying that I found my NCL cruise to be of similar quality in terms of service, food, and amenities. The only thing missing was the “Disney-ness”

I haven’t been on a Royal Carribean cruise , but I’ve heard from many friends that they compare to Disney for a fraction of the cost. We may just have to try this cruise line next.

Thinking of a family cruise? Read our review of the best cruises for kids!

There are lines everywhere.

If you want to meet a character on a Disney cruise expect to get in line. This drove me CRAZY. I do not understand why they don’t have at least one meal where the characters walk around freely and come to your table. Update: As per the comments below this does happen on longer cruises, which is great!

Although getting on and off the cruise at the various ports went better than expected, I still can’t shake that feeling of being herded on a cruise.

I’m not the only one who has had concerns about lines on the Disney cruise either. This is a definite drawback of cruising in general and is probably not specific to Disney.

The food at the main restaurants is ok.

I really wasn’t that impressed with the Disney cruise dining options . The breakfast buffet was quite good, but I found the dinners at the sit-down restaurants to be only ok.

The food felt a bit like cafeteria food. It was clearly pre-made for mass serving, as evidenced by the fact it took over 20 minutes for them to actually make the pureed food for my infant son.

Perhaps it was related to my expectations because everyone I knew RAVED about the food on the Disney cruise. It was definitely not anything special to me.  I prefer a nice buffet at an all-inclusive any day!

One thing I will note, that I have heard from several of my mom friends, is that Disney does a great job with food allergies. Certainly, this attention to detail is paramount when you have a child with an allergy, so that’s a huge plus.

Check out Smart Mouse Travel’s Disney Cruise Food Allergy Guide. She has some great tips!

For the best food, I prefer a trip to Disney World itself. There are so many great options and the food at Disney World is delicious! Check out my guide to the hardest disney dining reservations for more tips.

The pool is RIDICULOUSLY crowded.

There are two small Mickey Shaped pools on the main deck. The kids are crammed into these pools like sardines. Literally. Kids who could normally swim had to wear lifejackets in the deep pool because there was no room to hold onto the edge.

Of course, the kids really didn’t seem to care. They were all having a blast!

I found it less pleasant for the adults trying to watch their little ones though. I’ve heard from some others who have read this blog that the crowds are much less on longer cruises.

So if you are looking for a quieter cruise, choose a longer cruise, and consider a destination less popular with young families like Alaska or the Panama canal.

The adults-only pool, which we lounged at when the kids were at the kids club was much more relaxing. I at least appreciated that there was a quieter place to sneak off to and escape the chaos of the main pool area.

Don’t forget your floatie! Check out our guide to the best baby and toddler floaties for your next vacation

So, are they worth it?

Overall, Disney Cruises are a nice splurge, especially if your kids (and you) LOVE Disney. We are just starting to get into the Disney Movies, Walt Disney, and all the Disney Magic in our house.

When my kids are older, and will really enjoy the kids club more I may book again and take advantage of the R&R for me and my hubby. For now, I think that Disney doesn’t offer quite enough to make me convinced it’s worth the $$$ again.

Wondering how to book your next cruise vacation? Whether you want to book Disney or another cruise line, we recommend an experienced travel agent. Travel agents book your vacation at no cost to you and can help you plan a magical vacation for the entire family! Get a Quote Now!

What do you think? What did you love about your cruise? Do you have a Disney Dream review? I welcome all your comments below!

Pin for Later!

Sunday 3rd of September 2017

We leave for our 5th cruise on Friday and our first one was when my kids were 10 months and 3 years and we have gone every year since. As they get older they are mush more enjoyable, but we have done 2 Carnival cruises and they just don't have the same feel as Disney. With Carnival I felt like they were better for either college kids or retired aged people that like to gamble. Disney cruises are worth the money to me because I know my kids will have fun at the kids camps while we can do adult stuff around the ship. As far as lines, the longer cruises have characters that just walk around the ship and there aren't usually lines for them. Also, when your kids are in the camps, the characters go in and play with them which makes it much more personal than Disney World. Helping Peter Pan find his shadow, hula dancing with Stitch, or learning to be a super hero with Captain America. We have also been to Disney World 5 times and it is so much fun but not half as relaxing as the cruise.

Wednesday 6th of September 2017

Wow! Thanks for the detailed response! I think a longer cruise sounds great!!! I've heard that really helps with the lines. Glad you enjoyed your ???? cruise!!!

Thursday 31st of August 2017

Hi! Loved reading you post! We have been on 3 Disney cruises and one Carvial cruise. We have a 10 year old boy and an 11 year old girl. We purposely waited until they were 7 and 8 to try a Disney Cruise. I'm so glad we did because if not, my feelings would be identical to yours. Seriously, you'll be back in a few years and you'll enjoy it SO much more (and your kids will too)! Also, you get a little more value with the longer cruises and it's even more relaxing.

Thanks Sara! Yes I definitely think I will go back when my kids are older and can really take advantage of all things Disney! I've heard that the repositioning cruises are actually the best value, might consider that in a few years! Thanks for dropping by :)

Recent Posts

• Five Walt Disney World Experiences that Are Overrated
• 5 Important Reasons to Take a Family Vacation
• Best and Worst Buffet Meals at Disney
• Walt Disney World Resorts with the Best Restaurants
• Disney World Vacation VS Universal Orlando: Which is Better?

12 best Christmas cruises for 2024 and 2025

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... to go on a cruise.

Trade the glow of a Christmas tree in your living room with the warmth of the sand and the sun on a holiday cruise. Skip the mulled wine on your stovetop for some of the world's best at a European Christmas market.

Christmas cruises can level up your holiday celebrations — and are an ideal opportunity to escape the conventional holiday celebrations in place of an adventure.

On a holiday cruise, you can leave the cooking, cleaning and decorating to the pros and simply enjoy time with your family. Christmas and New Year's cruises can also be good options for people trying to avoid the crush of relatives or who don't have family but still want to spend the holiday surrounded by other people and festive cheer.

Winter cruises feature holiday-themed activities for all ages, special feasts that capture the magic of the holiday season and port calls at destinations that let you enjoy the holiday spirit without shivering from frigid temperatures.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

It's never too early to plan your holiday getaway, especially as these cruises are among the quickest to sell out. Here are the best Christmas and New Year's cruises still available in 2024 and holiday sailings in 2025 to book now, as well as some useful tips about holiday cruise travel.

Holiday cruise tips

Before you book, keep in mind a few key facts about Christmas cruises.

Rates will be high

Expect cruise fares to be among the highest of the year during the holiday weeks as demand increases.

The best prices will be for early bookings; you likely won't find any last-minute discounts. If you do, they might be on windowless inside cabins or guarantee cabins , where the cruise line picks your room location.

Sailings will sell out

Holiday sailings sell out earlier than other itineraries, as people plan their holiday vacations months in advance. Suites and special cabins (family, spa and solo rooms and so forth) book up the fastest.

Consider booking your holiday cruise as early as possible, as the December sailings often fill up a year in advance .

Consider your own decorations

The crew will decorate public areas on board, but passengers often go all-out decorating their doors and cabins for the holidays.

Magnetic doors on cabins are blank canvases for the imagination. You'll find stateroom doors on Christmas cruises covered in wrapping paper, adorned with garlands or dotted with holiday-themed images.

It's best to double-check with your cruise line before attaching anything to your door or in your cabin, as rules and regulations differ per line. If you're not creative, check if your cruise line offers cabin decoration packages for preorder prior to your sailing.

Specialty dining is not advised on the actual holiday

Most of the specialty dining restaurants on major cruise lines have set menus that do not change for the holidays.

Your best bet for traditional holiday dinner options (think roast turkey, smoked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy) will come from the main, included dining options on board. It can't hurt to ask if any extra-fee restaurants are doing a Christmas or New Year's menu if you're looking for a more intimate holiday meal.

Expect holiday hours in port

Most cruise ships will plan for Christmas to be a sea day, but if you're in port on Dec. 25 (or on Boxing Day, as many islands celebrate the day after), expect shops, restaurants and attractions to have modified hours or be closed.

Onboard services won't stop, so if all your top lunch spots in port are closed, you're always guaranteed a hot meal on the ship.

Consider a holiday bonus for the crew

Cruise ship crew members go beyond the standard service on all lines for the holidays, whether it's a kind note wishing you well, a Champagne toast for New Year's or a fanciful towel creation.

They can't be at home celebrating with their families because they're working hard to make your holiday special. While gratuities are often included in your fare or added automatically to your final bill, consider tipping extra on a Christmas cruise. The hardworking staff will appreciate your extra generosity during the holiday season.

Best Christmas cruises for 2024

If you're on the hunt for the ideal holiday getaway, consider these Christmas cruises for this year's holiday vacation. (Note: These sailings had availability at the time of writing, but prices may change or ships sell out at any time.)

4-night Very Merrytime Bahamian cruise on Disney Cruise Line

Sail dates: Dec. 22-26, 2024

Ship: Disney Fantasy

Access Disney Cruise Line's newest private island when you sail Disney Fantasy this Christmas. This four-night Very Merrytime Bahamian cruise sails from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando) to Disney's Castaway Cay, followed by a day at the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The new island destination will highlight island culture with work by local artists and Bahamian music throughout the colorful beachside resort.

This sailing is one of Disney Cruise Line 's Very Merrytime Cruises, so expect plenty of holiday-themed surprises and special moments. Disney's December sailings feature snow flurries in the ship's atrium, pop-up meet-and-greets with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best and a Christmas wonderland on the beach at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.

Rates start at $4,862 for two adults sharing an inside cabin, including all taxes and fees.

16-night Circle Hawaii Holiday cruise on Holland America

Sail dates: Dec. 18, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025

Ship: Zaandam

The 16-night Circle Hawaii Holiday on Holland America's Zaandam is a great way to retreat from the cold this December. The extended itinerary will whisk you away for both Christmas and the New Year.

The ship sails round-trip from San Diego with stops in Honolulu; Kahului, Maui; and Hilo and Kona, Hawaii. You'll spend five days traversing the Pacific Ocean on your way to Hawaii and five days at sea returning to the west coast for one more stop in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to San Diego. You can also enjoy scenic cruising by the Kilauea Volcano.

Don't forget your holiday best, as Zaandam will host a Christmas Eve formal ball with dinner and dancing, as well as a midnight Mass. Other seasonal events include a holiday-themed high tea service, holiday choir performances and Santa meet-and-greets.

Rates for inside cabins start from $1,739 per person, not including an estimated $282 per person in taxes, fees and port expenses.

13-night New Zealand holiday cruise on Celebrity Cruises

Sail dates: Dec. 20, 2024-Jan. 2, 2025

Ship: Celebrity Edge

The most appealing holiday itinerary on Celebrity Cruises takes you Down Under for a two-week celebration, sailing round-trip from Sydney.

You'll cruise during the region's summer season with an itinerary that traverses the picturesque Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound before making port stops in Dunedin, Napier, Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

The cruise doesn't call on Australian ports, but you can easily tack on a land-based pre- or post-cruise stay since the ship sails from Sydney.

If you're feeling the holiday spirit, sign up to join a group of crew and passengers to go caroling around the ship. Cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Christmas games are part of the holiday fun. On New Year's Eve, gather for a special party with a complimentary midnight Champagne toast, party favors and live music.

The lowest cabin fares start at $1,664 per person, plus $444.55 in taxes, fees and port expenses.

15-night South Africa Intensive Voyage on Azamara

Sail dates: Dec. 20, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025

Ship: Azamara Pursuit

Azamara is known for its travels to less-frequented ports, often with longer stays providing more time for immersion. Go somewhere new with Azamara's 15-night Christmas and New Year's cruise around South Africa. Azamara Quest sails round-trip from Cape Town with stops along the east coast of South Africa, including Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Durban and Mossel Bay.

Holiday events include caroling concerts, pop-ups with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, and a special tree-trimming party on Dec. 24. Azamara Quest will time its popular White Night pool deck party to coincide with New Year's Eve. The line has a tradition of seeking out the oldest person on board to ring the ship's bell two minutes prior to midnight to literally "ring out the old." Then the youngest passenger on board will "ring in the new" as the clock strikes 12 o'clock.

Rates start from $2,784 per person, not including $196 in taxes, fees and port expenses.

7-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise on AmaWaterways

Sail dates: Dec. 9-15, 2024

Ship: AmaBella

A river cruise through Europe is the most convenient way to visit many of the continent's famous Christmas markets.

Your ship will dock in the heart of each city, usually just a few steps from the markets. Sailing with AmaWaterways during the holiday season, guests return from a day exploring the markets to events on board that include tree-trimming, caroling and a fun European tradition called "Shoes for St. Nick," where passengers who leave their slippers outside their stateroom awake to find them filled with sweets.

Unlike most Christmas-related retail stores in the U.S. that stay open through the holiday season, many of Europe's Christmas markets close up shop by Dec. 22, so you'll need to take your vacation before Christmas itself. AmaWaterways' seven-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise takes place aboard AmaBella. You'll be immersed in the holiday spirit with port stops in Passau, Germany; Linz, Vienna and Weissenkirchen, Austria; and Budapest.

Rates for the weeklong cruise start at $3,699 per person, not including $224 in port charges and taxes.

7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Princess Cruises

Sail dates: Dec. 21-28, 2024

Ship: Sun Princess

Debuting in February 2024, Sun Princess is the first of Princess Cruises ' brand-new Sphere-class series of ships.

Take the line's newest flagship for a Christmastime spin on a round-trip Fort Lauderdale itinerary that features port calls at Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras. Three sea days give guests plenty of time to explore all the attractions on board, from a dome-covered pool area to a top-deck family activity zone.

The 4,300-passenger vessel will be about 21% bigger than the current biggest ships in the Princess fleet. It will be the line's first ship that features suites with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck. Sun Princess will also boast an innovative new "cabana cabin" along the ship's extra-wide 10th deck with access to a private deck area.

It will be easy to get into the holiday spirit while on board Sun Princess, with festive decor throughout the ship and an occasional "snowfall" in the Atrium. If you're traveling with kids, you can leave cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Christmas caroling, storytime and other holiday events will help you create special holiday memories.

Rates for the Western Caribbean cruise start at $957 per person for an inside cabin, not including $153 in taxes, fees and port expenses.

12-night Antarctic Explorer cruise on Viking

Sail dates: Dec. 22, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025

Ship: Viking Polaris

While instinct might say to stop by the North Pole to check in on Santa's operations, it's just too cold, dark and icy for cruising. Instead, head toward the South Pole and Antarctica for a Christmas expedition.

Spend close to two weeks exploring the farthest reaches of the earth on the Antarctic Explorer itinerary aboard Viking 's Polaris. The route sails round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, before traversing the Drake Passage and cruising Antarctica for seven days. You'll have a cruise line-provided pre-cruise stay in Buenos Aires the night before you fly down to Ushuaia to meet your ship.

You'll explore the icebergs and cliffs of Antarctica on Christmas, presumably followed by a hot cocoa or a warm cocktail on deck. Afterward, treat yourself to Nordic-inspired dishes like smoked salmon and caviar, along with holiday treats like krumkake (a Nordic take on the cannoli) and sandkaker (Norwegian sugar cookies).

As with all Antarctica itineraries, ports and destinations on the continent change by the day, depending on weather and climate conditions. Rates for available staterooms on the cruise start from $15,495, including airfare, port taxes and fees.

Best Christmas cruises for 2025

If you want to score the best prices on a holiday cruise, book far in advance. Here are a few cruises to consider for your 2025 Christmas vacation.

Royal Caribbean: 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise

Sail dates: Dec. 20-27, 2025

Ship: Icon of the Seas

Catch a ride on the world's largest cruise ship during the 2025 holiday season. Highlights of Royal Caribbean 's new Icon of the Seas include a reconfigured Aqua Theater, now set at the bow of the ship inside a giant glass dome and featuring a dazzling 50-foot waterfall and dancing robotic arms, and Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides, including the tallest drop slide at sea.

This holiday-week sailing departs round-trip from Miami with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas). Three days at sea might not be enough time to try everything on board!

Holiday highlights often include Christmas Eve caroling, an ugly Christmas sweater crafting competition, Christmas ornament and gingerbread cookie decorating classes, and holiday games and trivia.

The lowest available cabin category for this sailing is an ocean-view cabin, starting at $3,266 per person, not including $182.51 in taxes, fees and port expenses per person.

7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruise Line

Sail dates: Dec. 21-Dec. 28, 2025

Ship: Carnival Celebration

Carnival's seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing is an excellent way to experience Carnival's Celebration Key, the line's new private destination on the south side of Grand Bahama Island. Carnival Celebration sails round-trip from Miami with stops in Celebration Key; Nassau, Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, so you can get some much-needed beach time and warm weather.

The line understands its family-forward "fun" ships are built for cheery escapes, and its Christmas celebrations fit perfectly into that world. Seasonal holiday events include Christmas caroling, an ugly sweater competition and a live holiday show with appearances by Santa and the Grinch.

Rates for inside cabins start at $1,049 per person, not including an estimated $215.65 per person in fees.

14-night Galapagos cruise on Silversea

Sail dates: Dec. 13-27, 2025

Ship: Silver Origin

Escape to the exotic Galapagos Islands for the holidays with a Silversea cruise. On the 14-night sailing round-trip from San Cristóbal, Silver Origin will alight at a remarkable 27 ports throughout the archipelago.

The Silver Origin's Christmas sailing will include many festive enhancements, beginning with an extensive overlay of greenery and ornaments throughout the interiors of the ship. The ship's culinary team will prepare a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner menu, along with mulled wine, eggnog and hot chocolate.

Adding to the cheer, guests and the ship's crew can participate in caroling, and despite no chimney in sight, a special visitor from the North Pole is scheduled to make an appearance.

The "door-to-door" rate for this sailing starts from $24,400 per person, including port fees and taxes. It includes a transfer service to the airport, airfare, shore excursions, premium alcoholic beverages, all gratuities, butler service and a return transfer back home at the end of your trip.

11-night Monteverde Cloud Forest & Arenal Volcano cruise tour on Windstar Cruises

Sail dates: Dec. 16-27, 2025

Ship: Wind Spirit

Give yourself a bucket list gift for Christmas and book a Panama Canal cruise for your winter vacation.

Windstar Cruises ' Wind Spirit — a cruise ship that's part yacht, part four-masted sailing ship — is sailing down Costa Rica's Pacific coast and through the Panama Canal during the 2025 holiday season.

The journey begins with a five-day land tour of Costa Rica, taking guests to the Arenal volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. You'll then head to Puerto Caldera to board Wind Spirit. The ship will sail south to Quepos and Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. Then it's on to ports in Isla Parida and Balboa (for Panama City) in Panama before sailing through the Panama Canal.

To sweeten the holiday, Windstar gifts each cabin with a basket of Christmas cookies, candy canes, mandarin oranges, roasted nuts and chocolate candies.

Rates for the 11-night Central American getaway start from $5,599 per person, not including $474 in port fees and taxes.

7-night Roundtrip New Orleans Christmas cruise on American Queen Voyages

Sail dates: Dec. 22-29, 2025

Ship: American Countess

Glide up the Lower Mississippi River and soak in the charms of historic towns decked out in their holiday finest. This American Queen Voyages itinerary will also visit the special European-style Christmas market in Natchez, Mississippi, created especially for the line.

The itinerary begins with a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, where the bustling Bourbon Street awaits exploration. The Mississippi river sailing includes stops along the river at Nottoway, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi; St. Francisville, Louisiana and an overnight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Guests can opt for a premium holiday shore excursion in Natchez. The Jeweled Christmas in Natchez tour features a visit to The Towers, one of the state's most opulent privately owned antebellum homes. Guests will ooh and ahh over the festive decorations and displays that include over 100 Christmas trees.

While on board, passengers will enjoy festive holiday decorations, special holiday performances, seasonal cuisine and Christmas cocktails.

Rates for the seven-night Roundtrip New Orleans Christmas cruise start from $3,819 per person, including taxes, port fees and gratuities.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

the disney food blog

food IS a theme park

Read the Latest Posts

Looking for something?

Get the dfb newsletter.

STAY CONNECTED

17 Reasons to Take a Disney Christmas Cruise

By Jesus Garcia Leave a Comment

Is there anything better than a Disney cruise?!!

We love them and know you do too! There’s so much to do and experience when you’re on board a Disney cruise , especially for the holidays! And that’s why we’re here. We wanted to give you a couple of reasons why you should definitely take a Disney Christmas cruise the next chance you get!

There are so many reasons to take a Disney Christmas cruise and so little time to talk about it, so let’s run down the list right now!

Don’t miss it!

• They have a SUPER CUTE holiday show that you can’t miss!
• All your favorite characters are dressed in their holiday best!
• There are TONS of decorations all over the place — in all the restaurants, atrium, etc.

There’s a lot going on here

• Don’t miss out on those themed treats at Vanellopes !
• This is your opportunity to get some truly EPIC Christmas card photos!
• The decorations aren’t just on the ship. Castaway Cay is decked out for the holidays too! (The decorations and Christmas tree make for excellent tropical-themed Christmas card photos too!)

• If you love Christmas music, it’s EVERYWHERE — even on Castaway Cay!
• How about taking a cruise instead of gift-giving for that year?
• You’ll find that even the Cast Members put you in the Christmas spirit — They even add holiday touches like wintry scarves to their uniforms!

©Laughing Place on YouTube

• Storytime with Mrs. Claus. Need we say more??
• This is one of those rare opportunities to get pictures with Santa AND Mrs. Claus at the SAME TIME!!

Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream

• You and your family get to wear your Christmas clothes in temperate weather without having to pile on coats and hats.
• Your matching Christmas PJs are totally acceptable at the movie theater onboard. (Where else can you do that?!)

• Popcorn bucket fans this one’s for you. You can find holiday popcorn buckets onboard!
• You can meet Belle in her gorgeous holiday dress!

• Do you love gingerbread houses? Then you’ll flip over the giant gingerbread house in the ship’s atrium!
• This is THE place to find unique gifts for those back home (in a cruise port).

Happy Holidays! Stay tuned to DFB for more!

Come Tour Disney’s NEW Cruise Port With Us

What you need to know about disney cruise line, learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

Have you ever been on a holiday Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. We were invited by Disney Cruise Line to attend their media preview of the Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy . Thank you for reading. — AJ

TRENDING NOW

A series has been renewed at ABC following a prior cancelation on a different network.

If you don't like crowds, beware these dates in Magic Kingdom!

Disney has OFFICIALLY released a closing date for Test Track, as well as some concept...

Disney has been teasing us with little updates and reminders about a HUGE expansion that's...

A NEW Disney Dining Plan deal is coming SOON — but there’s a catch! Only...

Don't forget that Target's NEW membership program launches tomorrow!

Disneyland is making a huge change to an iconic ride -- does that mean Disney...

You can now BUY Disney's Fort Wilderness Cabins!

We just found some bags at Target that might be our new favorite park bags!

Let's take a look at what you'll experience the next time you take a ride...

This is the one thing you should NEVER do on this ride.

We've got an update on a NEW experience in Magic Kingdom.

I'm taking you along with me to Boatwright's at Disney's Port Orleans Resort!

Disneyland just announced when tickets will go on sale for Pride Nite!

Disney dropped a TON of movie release date announcements, including new dates for two major...

Our favorite Disney World shoes are on sale on Amazon now!

Should you really pay more for Disney's deluxe hotels? And how MUCH more do they...

McDonalds has released a NEW Happy Meal toy, and our 2012 selves are SCREAMING.

The ultimate sale is happening next week for Disney and Target fans!

I have some BEEF with Disney World restrooms!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED

How to Pack for a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise

by Jenn Marrazzo | Nov 29, 2021 | Disney Cruise Line

Wondering what to pack for your Disney Christmas cruise? We have six essentials to add to your Disney Very Merrytime Cruise packing list that you won’t want to leave behind for this special sailing. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, time for a Very Merrytime Cruise onboard Disney Cruise Line . Can you picture it? The smell of gingerbread cookies filling the air, Christmas trees and lights welcoming you in, and Santa Claus giving you a great big ho-ho-hello?

Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime Cruise is perfect for Christmas fans thanks to a number of festive activities that will get you into the holiday spirit.

But what do you need to pack for your Very Merrytime Disney Cruise? We’ve put together a list of must-pack items for a Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney. 

[metaslider id=”50088″]

1. Christmas Ears/Hats

Don’t forget your ears for meeting Santa! Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

What’s a Christmas cruise without a pair of magical Christmas ears? With all of the exciting activities happening around the ship like a tree lighting and character interactions , you’ll definitely want to be showing off your favorite pair of ears . 

But there’s no need to be limited to just ears . Bring your Santa hats along too! All festive accessories are welcome to show off during your cruise! 

During a recent trip to WDW, I picked up these new Spirit Jersey ears that would be the perfect accessory on any Merrytime Cruise. 

Christmas ears are your best bet. Photo courtesy of Jenn Marrazzo

Mickey and friends will be in the holiday spirit, but you can spread that good cheer to your own stateroom with some decorations. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

While Disney will go all out to decorate for the Very Merrytime Cruise, your room won’t have that magical holiday touch . But you don’t have to leave it that way! 

By bringing a stocking or a miniature Christmas tree , you can bring the holiday celebration to your stateroom. 

This miniature Christmas tree available at Walmart is super easy to pack in your suitcase and will give your room that extra holiday touch it’s been missing. 

[metaslider id=”40370″]

3. Apparel/Matching PJs

Matching PJs are a great thing to pack for your Very Merrytime Disney Cruise. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

If you’ve ever visited Walt Disney World for Christmas , you know guests love to wear matching holiday shirts or even pajamas to holiday events . That’s also the case on a Very Merrytime Cruise. 

From the tree lighting to the Christmas Ball thrown onboard, being in the holiday spirit is essential (and let’s face it—wearing matching PJs is just fun). 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jessica McDonald (@thehealthymouse)

4. Door Magnets/Door Décor

If you read our blog detailing what to pack on a Halloween cruise with Disney Cruise Line , you’ll be entirely familiar with the idea of bringing festive door magnets and door decor. This practice is just as popular aboard a Merrytime Cruise. 

Your metal door is a great way to show off your holiday spirit . Whether you decide to bring just magnets or maybe even a wreath, let your imagination run free and have fun !.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chip and Company (@chipandco)

5. Camera (or Phone)

The gingerbread house is always a great photo op. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

You’re probably scratching your head on this one. Really, they are recommending a camera?

One item that is always a must-have for me is a camera. While any trip warrants a camera to capture those magical memories, holiday cruises are even more important to bring a camera . 

And I remind you because, with no cell service and paid Wi-Fi only, you might be more likely to leave your phone back in your room. Don’t forget to bring your phone with you!

From the large gingerbread house to photo ops with your favorite characters in their Christmas costumes to the holiday fun on Castaway Cay , you won’t want to miss all of the chances to remember a magical holiday season at sea.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Rozee (@righthandmouse)

6. Holiday Cards

Give the gift of Disney to Cast Members onboard the ship.

Holiday Cards can be great to offer magical moments to Cast Members onboard. Whether you want to say thank you for something they did that was extra special or just wish different Cast Members a happy holiday, this will definitely make the day of the people who make your cruise so special . 

For extra magic, make them  Disney Christmas cards !

Have you ever sailed on a Christmas cruise with Disney? If so, let us know what was on your Disney Very Merrytime Cruise packing list. Share with us on our DCL Magazine Facebook page !

[metaslider id=”37755″]

Not sure if you’re going? You can just get more information about a potential Disney vacation.

Know your dates? Just need advice for now?

Your Complete Guide to 2021 Christmas at Disney World

Disney Wonder Pools: Take a Refreshing Dip on Your Disney Cruise

Port Canaveral Hotels: Where to Stay in Port Canaveral Before Your Disney Cruise

[metaslider id=”53772″]

Latest Posts

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point: Your Guide to Disney’s Tropical Island Destination

Everything we know about the disney destiny, disney cruise line reveals name and details for new ship, this is the most expensive stateroom you can book on a disney cruise, discover the disney wish’s wedding venue: the grand hall, is marvel day at sea worth it, posts by jenn marrazzo.

Authored by Jenn Marrazzo

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100. Dismiss

Save money, experience more.

Disney Cruise Line Christmas Entertainment and 2024 Itineraries

The Disney Cruise Line has shared details about the 2023 Christmas entertainment that guests can look forward to during their Very Merrytime holiday cruises later this year, along with new Disney Cruise Line Christmas itineraries for late 2024. Disney Cruise Line also announced itineraries for 2024 that will explore rarer destinations, including Hawaii and the South Pacific, during special sailings.

Keep reading for more information on the brand-new entertainment for the 2023 Very Merrytime holiday sailings and the newly announced holiday, Christmas, and special itineraries for 2024!

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Disney Cruise Line Christmas Very Merrytime 2023 Sailings

The Very Merrytime sailings offer holiday-themed decorations, activities, and characters dressed in festive attire. For this year's Very Merrytime holiday sailing, two new entertainment experiences will be offered:

• A new tree-lighting ceremony will be offered on the first night of Very Merrytime sailings in the atrium. Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy will be there to sing classic holiday tunes with guests and light the giant tree after a countdown. Santa will also be introduced during this ceremony! This is a great addition that kicks off the adventure with a healthy dose of holiday spirit.
• A new Mickey and Minnie Party , a “one-of-a-kind celebration at sea filled with tidings of good cheer,” will also be offered. The deck party, hosted by Mickey and Minnie, will feature a mix of classic and original holiday songs.

Returning experiences for the holiday sailings include the following:

• The ships will be adorned with special holiday decorations for the Very Merrytime sailings, including a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias, and lights
• The holiday cruise will also feature characters in holiday outfits, along with Santa Claus, who will greet guests and take pictures with them
• Carolers will sing contemporary songs in celebration of multiple holidays
• Holiday merchandise, activities, themed food items, and merchandise will also be available

For 2023, the Very Merrytime holiday cruises include four and five night sailings to The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and Disney Castaway Cay, with itineraries departing from San Diego, California and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

New 2024 Disney Cruise Line Christmas Itineraries

New itineraries have been announced for the holiday season of 2024 for mid-November through December. Select cruises will stop at Disney's new Lighthouse Point during the holiday season.

• On the Disney Wish, there will be short holiday sailings offered in late 2024, with three and four night Bahamian destinations departing from California
• On the Disney Dream, there will be four and five night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean departing from Florida
• On the Disney Fantasy, there will be four night sailings to the Bahamas and six and seven night itineraries in November and late December
• On the Disney Magic, there will be cruises ranging between four and six nights in length headed to tropical ports of call across the Caribbean

You can read more about Disney World's Christmas celebration and Christmas at Disneyland for more information on what to expect for their celebration of the holidays this year! Disney also just announced their holiday treats to look forward to this year as part of Halfway to the Holidays, which you can take a peek at in our Disneyland Christmas food guide and Disney World Christmas Food Guide.

Halloween on the High Seas 2024 Disney Holiday Sailings

In addition to the Very Merrytime sailings, Halloween on the High Seas will return during mid-September through October of 2024, offering cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

• On the Disney Wish, there will be three and four night Bahamian sailings
• On the Disney Fantasy, Halloween cruises are offered for four, six, and seven nights. Four night sailings will take guests to the Bahamas, and six and seven night sailings will take them to destinations across the Bahamas and Caribbean
• On the Disney Magic, there will be sailings ranging from three to five nights with destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean

You can read our guide on this year's Halloween on the High Seas for more information on what to expect from these themed sailings! 2023 holiday sailings are available to book now .

2024 Disney Sailings to Hawaii and the South Pacific

Special sailings will be offered in 2024 to Hawaii and the South Pacific. During these exciting, rarer itineraries, guests can look forward to the following:

• On the Disney Wonder, guests will sail in late September from Vancouver, Canada to Honolulu, Hawaii, stopping at Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Oahu.
• The Disney Wonder will also go through the South Pacific to Sydney, Australia, stopping at destinations including Fiji, American Samoa, and New Caledonia.

Bookings for fall 2024 itineraries are NOW AVAILABLE. In addition to these exciting offerings, there are also other Disney sailings available in 2024. You can read our 2024 Disney Cruises guide for information about all itineraries next year!

Plan Your Disney Vacation Today

To get started planning your Disney vacation, make sure you subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter . Here, you will receive helpful information to plan your trip, including exclusive Disney deals, Disney news, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. Be sure to read our other planning guides here:

• When to Visit Disney World 2023 Disney World Crowd Calendar
• Disney Cruise Alaska 2023 & 2024 Guide: ESSENTIAL Tips For Your Cruise

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer from San Diego, California. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been in love with all things Disney ever since! At Mickey Visit, she will keep you updated with the latest news from the Disney Parks and provide helpful planning content for your vacation. Her favorite rides at Disneyland are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses

In addition to exclusive discounts for Mickey Visit subscribers, get our free planning printable and guide to make your life SO much easier.

Previous Post: Disney Skyliner: Ultimate Guide to the Best Disney World Transportation

Next Post: Very Merry vs Jollywood: Disney World Christmas Parties Compared

Exclusive Discounts + BREAKING NEWS

Join our newsletter of 100,000+ readers for discounts, planning tips, and breaking news about Walt Disney World and Disneyland. "Essential for planning your trip!" -Helen from Portland, Oregon

Home » Cruise Tips » Why You Should Celebrate Christmas on a Cruise

Why You Should Celebrate Christmas on a Cruise

There are many reasons to celebrate Christmas on a cruise, but if anyone in your family needs a little convincing, we’ve got you covered.

Share this post:

Cruising and Christmas; two words that are likely to trigger joy, whether you’re young or old. So why not combine them for the ultimate celebration at sea? Sure, many people associate the winter holiday with snow and a toasty fireplace, but it’s never too late to start a new tradition — maybe one with palm trees and frozen hot chocolate.

There are a great many merits to observing Christmas on a cruise vacation, but if anyone in your family needs a little convincing, we’ve got you covered. Here are some benefits of dashing through the sea this year, along with a few tips for making your holiday sailing as merry as possible.

Call to Book Your Next Cruise Now: 1-855-228-5584!

What are the benefits of celebrating Christmas on a cruise?

Not having to host or clean.

Of course a cozy Christmas at home is wonderful when you just have to show up. But for those family members who spend many hours prepping, cooking, cleaning, and hosting the big day (or Christmas Eve), it’s a lot of work!  Maybe your mother-in-law swears that hosting the entire extended family is rewarding, but we promise that she won’t miss accommodating your vegan cousin, dealing with a drunk uncle, or doing piles of dishes.

A cruise caters to your every whim, from dietary restrictions to large dining reservations, special requests and even late-night room service…maybe even some cookies and milk for the Man in Red. You won’t even have to make your own bed in the morning!

Gorgeous decorations

We are sure that your Charlie Brown Christmas tree is positively charming. But cruise lines take holiday decorating to another level (they have the budget for it, after all).

Your itinerary might be somewhere decidedly not wintry, but the onboard atmosphere should still be festive and magical. Each cruise line decks the halls in their own unique way, but you can probably expect multiple trimmed trees, garlands, a miniature train or gingerbread display, and lots and lots of lights.

Lavish meals and holiday desserts

It’s widely known that you’re never going to go hungry on a cruise. Some newer and larger vessels have nearly two-dozen dining venues! However, Christmas is an entirely different story. Menus and offerings will vary by cruise line but anticipate a gala dinner on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas day, along with many tasty treats of the holiday season.

On a Christmas markets river cruise, most ships offer gingerbread-making demos and steaming mugs of spiced, mulled wine.

Themed entertainment and events

Adults looking for a subdued and relaxing way to ring in a merry little Christmas can certainly find it on a cruise ship. Although families looking to keep the holiday spirit alive can also seek out cruise lines who lean into kid-friendly festivities, from caroling to crafts, a tree lighting, and character meet-and-greets.

As mentioned, cruise itineraries throughout Europe, for example, will offer plentiful Christmas cheer on and off your ship, with holiday markets, classical concerts, and other portside celebrations of the season.

Tropical weather in December

The wintry wonder of falling snow is less peaceful for those of us who have to dig our cars out of it. Maybe by late December you and your family are a bit fed up with falling temps and the perfect gift is a little surf and sand.

Consider packing your Santa hats and matching swimsuits for a warm-weather Christmas cruise this year. Part of the fun of a cruise is being able to “get away” for a few days and just think how good it will feel to ring in the new year with a bit of a tan. Trade in shovels for shorts and treat your loved ones to some much-needed sunshine.

Get Deals on Your Next Cruise Now!

Tips for planning a cruise at Christmastime

Book in advance.

Maybe you’ve never thought to spend Christmas on a cruise before, but plenty of other people have. With limited departures that span December 25, you’ll want to reserve your place early in the year for the best choice of cabin and the chance to track pricy holiday flights (if needed).

Be on the lookout for deals a year or more in advance, with discounts potentially available during promotional periods like wave season (late fall to winter); Black Friday (November); and even Christmas.

Anticipate weather-related delays

It might be a balmy 80 degrees with not a cloud in the sky where you are docked, but it’s important to remember that back home— depending on where you live — it’s still winter. Plan to reach your departure port at least a day in advance to account for any weather-related delays or cancellations.

You don’t want to fixate on the banalities of home while you’re working on your backstroke in the pool but be sure to check in occasionally for the chance of any winter storms while you are away. Be sure that a trusted friend or family member has access to your home in case of emergency (frozen pipe, etc.).

Especially in the wintertime, it might be worth considering a car service to and from the airport or upgrading to a covered lot for airport or cruise port parking. Nothing like coming home from Christmas vacation to find that a snowplow has blocked your car with a wall of ice, and you are temporarily stranded.

Consider bringing festive attire/door decor

Matching T-shirts and door decorations are a hallmark of cruises at any time during the year, so why not go all in with the Christmas cheer? Splurge on those matching family jammies (bonus points for footie pajamas) and don’t forget some spruced-up attire for a formal dinner or family portrait.

Kids will especially love the idea of decorating your door with a wreath, stockings, a basket of candy canes or anything else that will keep your cabin extra festive.

Don’t forget about the crew, including your stateroom attendant. It’s Christmas for them too, and they might enjoy a little extra token of appreciation. After all, giving is the reason for the season.

Decide whether you’re packing gifts

For many couples or families with older children, the cruise itself is the ultimate Christmas present. Discuss exchanging presents at home before or after the sailing. Another great option is to pre-purchase experiences as the gifts, like a shore excursion or additional onboard experience.

However, for a child, there is no substitute for unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning. Chances are, even if you don’t pack the entire haul, you will have to bring along a few goodies to open. It’s a logistical move deciding how much to pack, but you could sprinkle in small items or pack carry-ons and check a single suitcase full of toys.

Consider if candy or clothes will need to be repacked and brought home or if the opened gifts might make a little room for souvenirs (and holiday gifts for friends) on the return trip.

Celebrate a new tradition

Part of the novelty of welcoming the Christmas season on a cruise is that it’s something new and different. Keep that mentality when it comes to local holiday traditions in the ports of call you are visiting.

If you’re in Sweden on December 13 you might learn about St. Lucia Day. If you’re sailing earlier in the month in Germany or even Australia, you might witness the terrifying tradition of Krampus Nacht, which takes place each December 5. Many Central American countries host fireworks displays on Christmas Eve, well before New Year’s. Barbadians enjoy a traditional Christmas ham along with rum cake, of course. New Zealanders take part in an outdoor cookout.

Do cruise lines observe other winter holidays?

The focus of this article is Christmas, but of course the winter holidays encompass the celebrations of other religions and cultures. You are likely to find a menorah onboard a cruise ship during the holiday season, lit accordingly to commemorate the eight nights of Hanukkah. A nightly prayer service might be held for observant cruisers. Also, ask in advance about special Kosher holiday meals.

Cruisers might also find a kinara, or candle holder that represents the African holiday Kwanzaa, observed between December 26 and January 1.

How cruise lines celebrate Christmas onboard

Carnival cruise line.

Carnival’s FUN ships are certainly no exception from the frolic and festivities of the holidays . Participate in an ugly sweater competition, attend a special on-stage holiday performance, mail letters to Santa with a designated mailbox onboard, and don’t forget to celebrate Grinchmas, in partnership with Seuss at Sea.

Celebrity Cruises

On Celebrity, you can spend a silent night, holy night at the spa or attending a Christmas movie under the stars. Themed shows and music can be found around the ship, as well as traditional foods for your holiday meal. Even in the middle of the sea, Santa and his reindeer find their way onboard for a special visit with kids cruising during Christmas.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime cruises bring the magic of the holidays onboard as only Disney can do. Families can expect character meet-and-greets in their holiday best; a 24-foot-tall Christmas tree with a lighting aboard each sailing; a holiday deck show (with appearances from Kris Kringle himself); Christmas-themed activities and crafts; and of course, plenty of holiday merch to stash under the tree — or in the cabin.

If your ship is calling on a Disney private island like Castaway Cay , prepare to be wowed by tropical “snow flurries” and even a Christmas tree standing tall among the sandy beaches.

Holland America Line

Classy lights will twinkle and wreaths will spread cheer on a decked-out Holland America Christmas cruise. Enjoy a traditional Christmas feast with all the trimmings, join fellow passengers for a tree lighting, and be serenaded by a holiday choir. Adults can attend sophisticated cocktail parties on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, while kids are assured to enjoy a few holiday surprises at Club HAL.

MSC Cruises

MSC welcomes families to embark on the ultimate Christmas cruise , whether it’s four or 14 days; in the Caribbean or Northern Europe. Mr. Claus is on hand to attend to kids’ wish lists, handing out gifts to each child in partnership with brands like Lego and Chicco.

Families can celebrate together at a holiday show or Christmas karaoke session. Adults might want to participate in a holiday-themed version of the cooking competition MasterChef. A number of themed activities happen throughout the sailing in the kids’ clubs, including a Christmas parade along with mascots Doremi and Lego sailors.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian offers a wide range of Christmastime itineraries with a focus on warm weather, from the Mexican Riviera and the Bahamas to Asia and Australia/New Zealand.

Despite the heat, pack your dodgy jumper and prepare to dance past gingerbread displays and sing along to a playlist of all the top Christmas tunes. Take part in Christmas trivia, enjoy eggnog by the pool, and warm your belly with a yuletide feast. Kids won’t want to miss a visit from Santa, though check in advance as this might be itinerary dependent.

Princess Cruises

Sail the Panama Canal or the South Pacific on a Princess Cruises Christmas cruise. No matter where you are, you will feel in the spirit onboard, with elegant decorations, holiday entertainment, and Catholic mass.

Gorge on seasonal treats like Christmas cookies, a yule log cake, or traditional mincemeat pie. Kids won’t miss their own beds with tons of activities like ornament making, singalongs, a Christmas play, and an appearance from Saint Nicholas with gifts in hand for each child.

Royal Caribbean

Family cruise line incarnate Royal Caribbean comes highly decorated and well prepared to observe all the Christmas tidings. You and your family can expect to visit with a few of Santa’s elves, singalong with carols, screen a holiday movie, make a craft, decorate some Christmas cookies, go on a themed scavenger hunt and more, during your Christmas sailing.

A main dining room dinner during Christmas includes dishes like ham, turkey and beef wellington, with dessert options like spice cake or a traditional French buche de noel. On a holiday cruise, priests are typically present onboard to hold special mass on both Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Viking Cruises

Viking offers a range of ocean, expedition and river cruising, but for the holiday season, it’s bread and butter is its Christmas market river cruises . A hallmark of many river cruise lines, these sailings soak in all the magic of the season with calls on various ports like Vienna or Budapest that host sprawling holiday festivals with enchanting local vendors.

In addition to promises of storybook villages and the sights and smells of these gorgeous markets, cruisers can expect tasty, onboard holiday fare; musical performances; cooking demonstrations; and the slow-moving scenery of Europe in the advent season.

Virgin Voyages

Celebrating without kids ? Virgin Voyages has the mistletoe and spiked punch ready for you and your friends on pre-holiday getaways as well as their unconventional sailings over Christmas. Special menu offerings and the line’s eyebrow-raising brand of entertainment are sure to wash away the winter blues.

Pack your ugly sweaters, your finest holiday fit, and of course a splash of red for Scarlet Night. Pub crawls and PJ parties will count you down until Christmas morning, though the holiday vibe onboard Virgin is way more subtle than other cruise lines. If you’re looking to escape the holiday drama altogether, this line might be for you.

BOOK NOW: Exclusive Discounts on Your Next Cruise!

Have you ever celebrated Christmas on a cruise? What are some of your pros and cons to spending the holidays at sea? Drop us an anchor below to share your Christmas cruise experiences.

Related Posts

Cruiseline module – Remove Title

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to our newsletter!

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

What’s Trending

Contact Us: [email protected]

My First Disney Cruise – Everything I Loved and Hated (Honest Photo Review)

For YEARS I’ve wanted to try a Disney cruise and last week I finally did it.

I’ve just disembarked the Disney Magic and I thought I knew what to expect from a Disney cruise, I’ve been cruising since I was a child with other cruise lines but this cruise was the biggest culture shock ever.

Every couple of hours I would find something new that I didn’t expect at all, some of which were really great surprises and some things I really didn’t like at all. 

I was definitely skeptical when I booked this cruise. I’d heard amazing things from my friends who love Disney but I just didn’t see how a Disney cruise could be worth the price.

This cruise was the most expensive cruise I’ve ever paid for and it was 3x what I usually pay when I cruise. 

I was worried that I’d feel as though I wasted that money and although I’d heard about how amazing the food was and the service but I wasn’t sure if this was better than the other cruise lines that I know and love, would it be 3x better to justify the cost? Or if it was just a case of paying a premium for the Disney brand. 

Why Did I Decide to Book a Disney Cruise?

When I saw that a Disney ship was coming to the UK though, I thought this was my chance. I’ve been curious about it for years and although I didn’t think I was the target market for a Disney cruise. I wanted to find out who was. 

The Disney cruise experience started before we even got to the port.

When I booked this cruise, Mickey Mouse phoned me to welcome me on board when I boarded the ship, Mickey and Minnie were there to welcome us too.

Mickey and Minnie Welcomed us Onboard 

Usually when you embark on a cruise you might be handed a glass of something bubbly but you’re pretty much left to your own devices, you can just wander off and explore the ship but on the Disney Magic when you board, your family name is announced and Mickey and Minnie do a dance.

It was a great start to the cruise because it really kind of set the scene, there was never any doubt what cruise line you were on and the kids seemed to love it. 

The crew do this same kind of welcome show over and over again for embarking guests and afterward we were sent on to do our muster drill.

The Muster Drill Was Completed Next

The muster drill is a compulsory safety drill that has to be completed on cruises where they tell you about things like what would happen in an emergency and how to put on a life jacket.

The muster drill was completed on our phones and Disney have an app that you use to do most things onboard.

The app was pretty good overall. There are definitely other cruise lines with better tech and better apps but that isn’t really the point of a Disney cruise. 

We went onto find our muster station and had to scan the sign with our phones. Mum’s phone was having none of it but luckily we could complete the muster drill for both of us on my phone.

The crew onboard were really really helpful and they would have helped us to do the muster drill if we got stuck or if you don’t have a phone I’m sure they’d have an alternative.

I Loved The Promenade Deck

Our muster station was this big promenade deck and this quickly became one of my favourite places onboard, I love a promenade deck where you can walk all the way around and I think it’s good to note the extra safety precautions like the glass here to stop any little children from trying to climb between the bars.

The Disney Magic Was Built in The 1990s

The Disney Magic was built in the late 1990s and that makes her pretty old by cruise ship standards.

She’s also pretty small, for the time she would have been a large cruise ship but now the world biggest cruise ship is almost 3x the size of the Disney Magic.

I have to say I did love not having far to walk to the top deck and wherever I was, I was never far from my cabin which was good but personally, I’m a fan of the big cruise ships.

That is a personal preference though and I’m sure many people cruising with Disney prefer the smaller ship size.

If you’re cruising with young children I doubt you want to be having to go 15 decks up to get the buffet, that isn’t a problem on the Disney Magic though. 

The thing that’s more important to me than the age and the size of a ship, is how the spaces work and if they’ve been well looked after by the cruise line. I’ve been on some ships from the 1980s and 1990s, which were in much better condition than newer ships. 

After completing our muster drill, we went to the top deck to take a selfie with the funnel. I feel as though that’s a thing you have to do on a Disney cruise and I actually managed to find some sunshine briefly for the photo which was a miracle. It’s the Disney magic I guess! 

Soda is Included on The Pool Deck

Wandering around the top of the ship I realised that this is where you could get free soda from.

On Disney cruises soda and tea & coffee are available in the buffet and on the pool deck free of charge. If you order a soda from a bar it’ll cost you money, so I made good use of it and I drink a lot of soda and we grabbed one to start exploring the ship.

On the top deck there is a swimming pool, waterslides, sports court and lots of seating. 

Theres also an adult only pool too and we did find that there were a few adult only areas onboard, which I thought I may need to retreat to at some point. 

I was a bit worried that I would be totally overwhelmed by this Disney cruise. When I cruise I usually cruise to relax. I don’t have any children myself but I decided to embrace all things Disney, I was only cruising for 3 nights but I don’t really think I understood at that point what I was actually getting myself into. 

We Went in Search of Food (Of Course)

One of the most important things about cruising for me, is eating and by the time we got onboard we were pretty hungry. We headed to the buffet but it was closing so we decided to grab a hotdog and fries from the poolside grill. 

The buffet was closed a lot more than I would expected and sometimes lunch would only be open from 12-2 and then the buffet wouldn’t reopen until around 6pm which I found really strange.

On most other cruise lines the buffet rarely closes at all, if it does, on some cruise lines like MSC the buffet is open for 20+ hours a day. 

The buffet was a nice big space with lots of seating and when we did manage to eat in the buffet though the food was great, just more of it would have been nice. 

Room Service is Free on Disney Cruises

The room service is free though, which is good. I ordered a pizza and some cookies which was nice, on some cruise lines you do have to pay for room service.

If you order drinks through room service they’ll cost you money though so if you are doing this, run up to the pool deck to get some soda and bring it to your room, that’s what I did. Luckily because the ship isn’t very big, it was never far to go. 

We Had a Balcony Cabin

We went next to find our cabin and I’ve never had a cabin quite like it. One thing that Disney seem really good at is giving out upgrades. I booked an oceanview cabin and was upgraded to a balcony cabin.

Most of the people I spoke to onboard had either been given an upgrade or had paid to upgrade their cabin, the sailing I was on was at reduced capacity so it may have something to do with that. 

I’m usually more of an inside cabin kind of person but they weren’t available to book when I booked this cruise. Disney cruises almost always sell out very fast and that’s one of the reasons they can charge as much as they do. 

The cabin was pretty big and our balcony was a really nice size. There were lots of surprises in here, like me having to sleep on the sofabed and the toilet being in a different room.

Disney do ‘Rotational Dining’

After exploring our room and wandering around the ship it was dinner time. When it comes to dining, Disney do something that no other cruise line does.

On most mainstream cruise lines you’ll either have fixed time dining or flexible dining where you just show up the restaurant when you’re hungry. 

On Disney everybody has a fixed time for dinner and it’s not just your time thats set but actually the restaurants you eat in too.

Disney calls this ‘rotational dining’ and basically, you are assigned a different restaurant each night and your waiters and everybody else in that restaurant follow you to the next restaurant. 

I thought that it worked really well and our waiters knew that I was drinking Coke Zero throughout the cruise, so I never even had to order a drink, it just arrived like magic (see what I did there)!

I love the soft drinks being included in with meals and because our cruise was only 3 nights, we never had any kind of dress codes or formal nights, I wore jeans to dinner everyday which made a nice change.

The service was really good and the waiters would take the time to talk to the kids. Some of our dining experiences were much better than others but the best was the first we had in Animator’s Palate.

Animator’s Palate Was a Great Dining Experience

I’ve never ever had a dinner quite this one and I don’t know if I would have believed it if it was described to me. When we came into the restaurant, everything was black an white and when we sat down we were given a piece of paper and a pen and told to draw a character. 

After we had finished our food, the animations came to life and danced around the restaurant. It was really clever and fun and it was definitely the dining highlight of the cruise.

The Food Quality Was Good

The food was good and I liked that there were multiple veggie options available.

Having cruised recently with other cruise lines like Princess and Celebrity, I’d say that the food was about the same in quality.

To find out what’s included in a Disney cruise (almost all the food and lots more) check out this post: What’s Included on a Disney Cruise? – Food, Activities and Exclusions

The Theatre Shows Were Great (If a Little Overwhelming)

After dinner we went onto the theatre and really I think this is what a Disney cruise is all about. We watched Tangled the musical and it was great, it was definitely of broadway quality and no expense was spared.

The team of singers and dancers were all very talented, the set design was amazing and in other shows they even had things like bubbles and fake snow. 

A word of warning though, I did find the theatre to be quite overwhelming. I had kids kicking me from behind, toys being dropped on me, kids were running around the back and it was hard to see through everybodies’ Mickey ears. 

I did talk to a few people when I was onboard and after I got back, they said that I should have picked the late dining seating and therefore gone to the earlier shows because there would be less children on that schedule.

I didn’t really think about that before but it does make sense.

I understood that I was on a cruise line mostly aimed at children and because I cruised out of the school holidays, most the children onboard were between about 2-5.

I didn’t expect the kids to sit still throughout dinner and the show but its definitely worth being aware of. My mum was hit by a Thor hammer, whipped with a Rapunzel braid, you name it, the kids were a bit wild and it did get very, very loud at some points. 

If you’re a parent though, or a child, it must be nice to be able to see a theatre show without having to worry about the kids making too much noise.

Top Tip: Buy Mickey Ears Pre-Cruise!

I will say I did feel a bit out of place without any Mickey ears! If you are taking a Disney cruise definitely get some before you go.

They only had one type left in the gift shop and for $40 I decided against it. You can get great ones online before you go though and lots of people had personalised ears.

If you want to wear custom T-shirts and things that is totally cool on a Disney cruise. Lots of people had matching Mickey ears, T-shirts, bags, you name it. I’ve never met cruise guests that are so passionate about their cruise line.

If you’d like to learn more about Mickey Ears, check out this post from a Expedition Hopper which explains what they are for, who wears them, and where to buy them: Everything You Need To Know About Mickey Ears

Disney Cruisers Decorate Their Cabin Doors

It was intense but really cool to get to talk to people from the Disney crowd, Disney fans always are very friendly and they decorate their cabin doors like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s incredible. 

Below are a couple of my favourite examples from the ship.

These magnets can be bought on Etsy here: Disney Cruise Door Magnets.

Disney do Towel Animals and Chocolates on the Pillow

When we came back to our cabin we found a towel animal waiting for us and a chocolate on the pillow.

10 years ago you’d find that most cruise lines would do towel animals and chocolates on the pillow but this is definitely a thing that the majority of cruise lines have stopped doing recently.

I personally quite like it and the chocolate on the pillow was good too.

As I went to sleep in my sofa bed I felt pretty content and happy with my first day onboard, I still had some questions though that I needed answering.

What would the daily schedule be like on a sea day? Would there be many activities for adults and would I be able to eat enough cookies to make back the cost of the cruise fare? 

Breakfast Options Onboard (I Found Mickey Waffles!)

The buffet was open until 10.30 for breakfast which was good because I’m not an early riser and we also went to the sit-down restaurant another day for breakfast because I was told that I HAD to try the Mickey waffles.

I did try them, and they were good, very very sickly sweet with this pink sugary stuff but it was nice to try them. Maybe that was why the kids on board were so hyper, they started their day with Mickey waffles!

The Daily Schedule

Despite the bad weather, plenty of people went for a swim and they constantly showed different Disney movies on the pool TV. They’d also show movies in the theatre and there were lots in the cabin to watch too, if you could get the little TV to work that is. 

The daily schedule on the sea day was made up almost entirely of waving at characters, Disney trivia and Disney movies.

Sometimes the schedule would look like: waving, waving, bingo, waving, waving, selling something, beer tasting, waving, waving, drawing, waving. (A real example from my Disney cruise).

I did my fair share of waving on this cruise and it was cool to see all of the Princess and Marvel Characters.

COVID Social Distancing Measures Were Still in Place

It was a little bit strange because there are still COVID social distancing rules in place, so nobody could put their arms around Mickey Mouse or hug Thor but it is what it is, not much can be done about that. 

One thing that I missed on the daily schedule was live music, there was a little bit but I’m more used to cover bands and singers being around the ship.

Of course, we did have the Disney music being played through the speakers, all day but for me personally, I’m a big fan of sitting in a big lounge with a band playing and I didn’t find any big lounges really, or much live music. 

There Are Kids Clubs For Kids of All Ages

Most of the kids would be enjoying extra activities in the kids clubs of course. Most cruise lines have kids clubs and I actually went to the kids clubs with Norwegian Cruise Line when I started cruising, I loved it so I’m sure the kids on this cruise did too.

They have kids clubs for kids of all ages and they get to meet the characters and do crafts and dance and everything. 

An Interesting Discovery on The Promenade Deck!

When wandering around the promenade deck, I came across this area which I thought was so cool. I’ve never seen anything like this just open to the public before but that’s the nerdy ship side of me coming out.

The promenade deck was also the jogging track so people would be running and walking around here in the evenings and day times. 

Frozen at Sea – A Pool Deck Party

Despite the cold UK weather, Disney did manage to put on a show called Frozen at Sea.

This was like a festival, but Frozen themed and for kids on the top deck by the pool. Anna and Elsa sang and even Olaf came out to see everybody.

There was fake snow, lots of people dancing and it was cool to see everybody having such a good time. It was freezing though, I imagine this would have been quite different in the sunshine. 

Adult Only Activities and Areas

In the evening there would often be adult-only trivia which did sometimes have non-Disney themes, there was a 90s music trivia at one point that I remember and a few other things.

There are only a couple of places onboard that are adult-only and we didn’t really spend much time there. I’d prefer to be out and about seeing what’s happening on the ship, than spending too much time in the pub.

If I was on an cruise line that included drinks, or I had a drinks package, this might have been different.

There isn’t much late night entertainment happening on a Disney cruise, so we would usually watch a movie before bed in our cabin, which was nice.

Disney cruise ships don’t have casinos and they don’t have drinks packages. To find out what else Disney cruises don’t have, check out this post: You Won’t Find These 9 Things on a Disney Cruise

Who Are Disney Cruises For?

I spoke to quite a few people onboard and since I’ve got home, who LOVE Disney cruising.

They all said to me that they cruise with Disney because of the Disney community and how well the staff take care of them and their children. 

I came at this cruise from a cruise perspective, as opposed to a Disney side and I had great fun finding out who Disney Cruises are for, but personally when I look at the cost and what I could get for the price on other cruise lines, it just doesn’t add up for me. 

It really confirms my point about there being a cruise line for everybody and not every cruise line being for everybody. Life would be very very dull if we all liked the same things.

To put it into perspective, my next cruise is over double the length of my Disney cruise, it includes flights to Spain, transfers, luggage, all gratuities, and all-inclusive drinks, a ship I much prefer personally and is quite a bit cheaper than my Disney cruise. Over double the length and cheaper. 

You’ll never get the Disney magic or Disney entertainment or anything Disney on other cruise lines though, so it’s difficult to compare, and really it’s just a case of if that’s worth the price to you.

For me personally, no. For many many other people, absolutely yes. 

One thing that I did find strange, and it seems like even Disney cruisers find this strange, is the way that Disney do tipping. To find out how that works and why I was so confused to find this in my cabin, check out this video:

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Enter your email address below:

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Holiday-Themed Cruises

A new holiday tradition, seasonal sailings, halloween on the high seas.

From September through October, set sail for a spooky jubilee packed with haunted tricks and fun-filled treats for everyone in the family. Magical mischief and spirited surroundings await you at every turn, thanks to not-so-scary parties, bewitching entertainment and eerie décor.

Very Merrytime Cruises

Delight in a winter wonderland of fun as you share seasonal splendor with loved ones from November through December. Discover a jolly fusion of holiday-themed entertainment, activities and décor—including a 24-foot-tall Christmas tree, sparkling lights and more.

SAIL DATES AND RESERVATIONS

Spirit away for spook-tacular fun during select sail dates in 2023.

Unwrap the perfect holiday gift during select sailings in 2023.

• Book with us
• Chip and Co
• Disclosure / Privacy Policy
• Disney Addicts Group
• Live Near Disney World

• Disney Food
• Disney Cruise Line
• News & Info
• Attractions
• Deals and Discounts
• Disney World
• Planning Tips
• Souvenirs & Collectibles
• Universal Orlando

Review: My Magical Danube River Cruise with Adventures by Disney

An Adventures by Disney River Cruise experience is like no other!  Imagine every detail of your trip being designed to relieve stress and maximize your enjoyment.  Sounds amazing, right? If you aren’t familiar with Adventures by Disney vacations, they are guided group trips that are hassle-free and you are able to touch, taste, hear and explore firsthand the places that you visit.  Think of it as your backstage pass to the world with the Disney difference of creating trips with families in mind, VIP service and where so much is included. Since 2016, Adventures by Disney has partnered with AmaWaterways, a leader in luxury river cruising, to provide unforgettable exclusive sailings to European destinations.  I had the fantastic opportunity to experience the memorable and magical journey of river cruising this past November with my husband. We cruised the Danube through the heart of Europe on the incredible AmaLea. Since our “hotel” traveled with us, we were able to completely focus on getting the most out of each destination. I would love to share some of the highlights of this dream come true trip with you.

We started with a long, overnight flight and landed in Budapest which is Hungary’s capital city on the Danube River.  It was a short car ride to our hotel, the Sofitel Chain Bridge Hotel, on the banks of the Danube. We weren’t scheduled to start our Adventures by Disney itinerary until the next afternoon, so we were on our own this day.  Our plan was to push through the day in order to combat the time change, so we set out to just explore and see what we would find. Budapest is beautiful!! I cannot say this enough. The architecture, the views and the people were just amazing.  The highlights of Budapest for us were St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge, Parliament, City Hall, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Royal Palace. Plus the view from our room was stunning!

The next afternoon our official Adventure by Disney began!  Here are some highlights of our trip:

Evening of Day 1:   Official Welcome to Budapest

We had a welcome cocktail hour at the hotel where we met our fabulous adventure guides, followed by a dinner buffet.  Our night was filled with meeting new people and it was the perfect way to kick start the fun!

Day 2: Budapest continued

We visited the local Central Market Hall in Budapest, followed by a Panoramic City Tour.  Once we arrived at the famous Lazar Equestrian Park, we viewed a spectacular horse show, took a scenic carriage ride, sampled some regional wine, and made traditional Hungarian goulash that was served as part of our lunch.

 Then it was on to Vienna by coach transfer to board the AmaLea for a Welcome Cocktail hour followed by the mandatory Safety and Information Briefing. The AmaLea is an absolutely gorgeous ship and the staff is outstanding.

There is a Sip and Sail Hour every night and plenty of snacks available – so much food!  

Day 3: Waltzing on the Blue Danube

Our morning excursion was to Imperial Glory at the Schloss Hof Palace in Austria, an extraordinary Baroque palace with unique gardens, farm and petting zoo.  We made homemade gingerbread cookies and had a few samples of different schnapps. Yum! For the junior adventurers that may be traveling with you, there was an area with a miniature theater complete with a backstage makeup room where they can dress up in costumes and put on a play with one of the Adventure guides.

Back aboard the AmaLea, there was an afternoon Apple Strudel Demonstration and Tasting in the lounge hosted by the fantastic pastry chef.  The desserts that she created during our sailing were amazing and plentiful.

That evening we had the first of two Fireside Chats during our sailing.  This is something new that is being incorporated on the sailings. Your adventure guides share stories from their lives that relate to the countries that you are visiting.  They are riveting and one of the most impactful memories that I have of this trip. I won’t spoil the story for you, but I just have to say that I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house after this first presentation.  Absolute tears! It was helpful that they combined the Sip and Sail hour with the presentation.

It was also movie night and tonight’s feature was Nightmare Before Christmas.

Day 4:  Symphony of Sights

Today was another day of exploring Vienna.  A Panoramic Coach tour of Vienna with a visit to Schonbrunn Palace, the famous Summer residence of the Hapsburg Emperors. I visited this palace many years ago and was excited to be sharing my memories in person with my husband.

We had free time in the afternoon to explore downtown Vienna and a couple of the Christmas Markets that are so popular during the holidays in Europe.  They are so charming and I loved all the little booths! This is a perfect opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of Vienna’s old center, ride the city’s popular Ferris wheel, or relax over coffee and Sacher Torte in a cafe.

Back on the ship in the evening, we had a traditional Viennese Dinner, followed by our Sip and Sail Hour with the second Fireside Chat presentation.  The late night “snack” in the lounge that night was delicious Goulash and Sausage.

Day 5: Living History

Happy Thanksgiving!

This day we left the big cities behind and entered the picturesque countryside of Austria.  We visited the most adorable town of Durnstein. It was like a fairy tale village. Some of us took a pretty challenging hike up to the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.  The view looking down from above onto the town and the Danube was breathtaking!

**Magical Moment: After visiting Durnstein, we had a scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley on our way to Melk.  A bunch of us sat up on the sun deck for the view. My husband had purchased a few bottles of local whiskey in one of the shops before getting back onboard and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, he popped open the bottles to share with everyone.  We had an amazing time drinking, chatting, taking pictures, sharing about our lives and families while floating down the river. So many friendships were made that day that will last a lifetime.

Upon docking, we toured the Melk Abbey and immersed ourselves in the “Story of the Danube”.

That evening we had Disney Trivia Night!!  So much fun!

Day 6: Austrian Melodies

This morning we arrived in Linz, capital of Upper Austria and fourth largest city in Austria.  We had a full day of excursions that included visiting the oldest Salt Mine in the world and experiencing the quaint town of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart.  More Christmas Markets!!

Dinner this night for us was at the “Chef’s Table Restaurant”.  Everyone sailing has an opportunity to dine at least once at the Chef’s table and it has a Tasting Menu that isn’t offered in the main dining room.  It was fabulous!

That evening our entertainment was the live music of Billy T Rock n Roll.

Day 7: Three River City

This morning we arrived at one of the most beautiful baroque cities in Germany, Passau.  We explored on our own and took a walk to the point where the three rivers (the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz) meet.  It was kind of cool seeing three different rivers melding together.

That afternoon we cruised to Vilshofen, a small, typical Bavarian town and prepared for our own private Oktoberfest!  A tent was set up right outside the AmaLea on the dock for the fun beer festival. We had a live music, dancing, fresh pretzels and of course, BEER!

This was our last dinner aboard the ship before we were to be transferred to our hotel in Nuremburg. We were so sad to be saying goodbye to all the friends we had made along the way, the wonderful Adventure guides and the crew of the AmaLea.

Throughout our entire trip, all the service was incomparable.  The Adventure guides were fantastic!! We were so spoiled! Adventures by Disney thinks of everything so you have no worries or hassles. We met many, many wonderful people.  The friendships forged through the shared experiences and memories created are sometimes hard to put down on paper. You have to experience it yourself to believe it. The laughter, or the crying, was all experienced together in the most amazing settings.  

I’m ready for another Adventures by Disney!  How about you? Let’s Adventure together!!

“Ready to book your vacation adventure today? Contact me or fill out the form below to receive your free no obligation quote from a College of Disney Knowledge graduate and experienced Travel Planner from Key to the World Travel , the official travel partner for Chip and Company.  As a full service travel agent with Key to the World Travel , I can help you book and plan all Disney destinations including Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise line, plus Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and so much more!  My services are absolutely FREE to anyone booking a vacation through me! Contact me via email at [email protected] , phone 508-726-9590 or follow me on Facebook. “

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

Get started Now for your FREE No Obligation Quote.

Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel

• Recent Posts

• How Does Lost and Found Work at Disney World? - December 19, 2021
• What Happens to my Reservation if Disney Prices Increase? - January 8, 2020
• Are There any Buffet Character Dining Experiences at Disney World? - December 30, 2019

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

5 Incredible Ways to Celebrate the Beginning of Daylight Savings Time at Walt Disney World

15 Fabulous Disney Crocs You Can Get on Amazon!

On February 22nd, Celebrate National Margarita Day at these 5 Walt Disney World Drink Destinations – and more!

Why You Should Upgrade Your Walt Disney World Tickets to an Annual Pass

Celebrate National Popcorn Day at these Delicious Disney World Locations

Roundup of all of the current Disney special offers

4 New Experiences Coming to Walt Disney World this Summer