Very Merrytime Sailings

  • Enjoy holiday themed entertainment and activities which includes a large gingerbread house, a ship sized Christmas tree with festive lights, and much more.

  • During the first night of the cruise, start with Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony, a festive party in the atrium/grand hall where everyone can help light the Christmas tree.

  • Enjoy entertainment with Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball which has special guests of Anna and Elsa, Disney characters and of course Santa

  • Enjoy time and special photos with holiday themed outfits on your favorite Disney characters and Santa

  • Special story time with Mrs. Claus telling some Christmas stories.

  • Grab some holiday themed merchandise while on the cruise ship and on Castaway Cay

  • Both children, tweens, and teens all with have holiday parties in their clubs

  • Castaway Cay, will be renovated with “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree, and the island’s tram gets dressed in reindeer antlers and a tail. Book PORT side room to see from your stateroom

  • Sailing on December 24th and 25th one will get cookies on Christmas Eve, holiday towel animals, and a chance to go caroling with the crew.

  • The crew onboard ship will be leading Hanukkah services each night of Hanukkah, so you will get to celebrate with your family and your onboard friends for the first night. There will be a lighting of the menorah, wine, and even latkes.

  • If you want to bring a small tree onto the cruise ship

    • Have it battery operated

    • No plug in lights must be battery only!!!

  • Check the tree and not have it in your carry on

  • If it is a plug in, ask the staff to investigate the tree to see if you all can use it in the room

  • If sailing over Thanksgiving the pirate menu will be replaced with Thanksgiving menu

  • Port Canaveral is decorated in the holiday spirit

  • You will hear Christmas Songs 24/7 during sailing

  • Christmas show has main stage singers and actors from the broadways shows versus people part of the cruise entertainment

  • Very MerryTime sailings only have holiday outfits on certain days and not the entire sailing

  • Very MerryTime Basics

    • Tree lighting magic

    • Santa wonderland ball

    • Holiday songs

    • Snow in atrium

    • Holiday character costumes

    • Castaway cay decoration

    • Hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies

Activities on each ship but might vary

Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony

  • As you walk onto the Disney Cruise ship, your eyes will go directly to the Christmas tree in the Atrium. This Christmas tree is as tall as two decks. It is huge. On the first night of your cruise, Disney will host Mickey’s Tree Lights Magic Ceremony. For this show, Mickey Mouse and your other favorite Disney characters will light the 24-foot Christmas tree.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball

  • Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a grand celebration in the Atrium by the Christmas tree. This show is a lot of fun, especially at the end when Anna and Elsa come to say hello. If you want to see snow flurries in the middle of the ocean, you do not want to miss this show

Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party

  • Ready for a holiday party by the pool? Candy-cane limbo, dancing and games—share in the yuletide magic of the season during this jovial celebration. You will see some of your favorite Disney Characters in their Christmas Hawaiian shirts, including Stitch. This tropical holiday party is only during a Bahamian Cruise and Caribbean Cruise.

Santa Claus Meet and Greet

  • You’ll have plenty of opportunities to share your Christmas wishes with the “big guy” during your Disney Christmas cruise. Santa Claus has several meet and greet opportunities during your whole cruise. You may even get to sign his book on the “good side” or “bad side”. Were you good this year?

Favorite Disney Characters in Holiday Attire

  • Even the Disney characters put on their Christmas best for these cruises. We love seeing Minnie Mouse in her best Christmas attire, Pluto with his reindeer antlers, and Goofy in his Santa suit. You will get opportunities throughout your cruise to get selfies with your favorite Disney Characters.

Full-Sized Gingerbread House

  • In the Atrium, you will find a life sized gingerbread house. Seriously, you could walk inside this thing! It smells so good, too! Be sure you stop by the gingerbread house to learn how they built it and get a sniff of the yummy scent.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus

  • Sit down with Mrs. Claus while she shares her favorite Christmas stories. This activity is fun and relaxing, because it is not very busy. You do not have to arrive early for this one. Mrs. Claus has everyone sit down and she sits in a chair to read the stories. Everyone has a great view and loves hearing the stories.

Holiday Merchandise for sale!!!!

Christmas caroling check the Navigator app

Christmas at Castaway Cay

Tips and Tricks

  • If you are sailing to the Caribbean with a stop at Castaway Cay, swing by the merchandise shops on the islands. They have a lot of Christmas merchandise like ornaments, t-shirts, plush, and more. These are exclusive to Castaway Cay and you can only get it during the Very Merrytime Cruise.

  • One of the favorite guest activities on board the Disney Cruise ships is door decorating. The doors of your stateroom are medal, so you can use magnets to decorate your room. Be sure you only use magnets. If you use tape, the stateroom host will have you take it down to protect the doors. However, use as many magnets as you want to decorate for Christmas.

  • Wear your favorite holiday attire for fun pictures with the Disney Characters and Santa. We also get a family picture during our November Disney Cruise. We turn it into the perfect Christmas card!

  • You can get specialty coffees at the Cove Cafe near the adult pool. This is an extra cost. We love getting a coffee on our last morning. You can get a holiday themed coffee, too.

Top experiences from a Very MerryTime Cruise

  • Meet Santa

  • Mrs. Clause reading at bedtime

  • Wear family matching pajamas for extra special pictures

  • Christmas tree lighting ceremony

  • Hearing Christmas songs all throughout the ship/hallways

  • Christmas tree on the Wish from pictures seems to be a classier tree with the colors of gold and white and very shiny instead of red and green

  • Christmas tree on other ships is more of the red and green traditional colors

  • DCL typically has lots of “magic” on the ship but with it being a VMT cruise it is taken up to the next level

  • Castaway Cay being decorated for the holidays

  • Gingerbread house competition between the ships

  • Special bedding

Very Merrytime Cruises Aboard Disney Cruise Line 2024

‘Tis (almost) the season for tropical tidings! Disney Cruise Line will offer more beloved Very Merrytime sailings this winter, when select sailings will light up with the spirit of the holidays.

Gather ‘round the tree in the atrium for a tree-lighting ceremony and dance to your favorite carols on the upper decks during Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, where you might even find yourself in a magical snow shower at sea! Your favorite Disney characters will don their holiday finest for these sailings, so pack your most festive looks for the occasion.

The Disney Cruise Line decks (and halls!) will glow with seasonal décor, and these specialty sailings will have Very Merrytime activities the whole family will enjoy, along with commemorative merchandise and spirited sweets and treats.

Create a new family tradition and celebrate the holidays at sea immersed in a winter wonderland of fun!

Onboard Activities

Delight in seasonal magic at sea and discover a jolly fusion of holiday-themed entertainment, activities and décor.

Share in the magic with festive onboard decorations that include a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, and experience numerous merriments sure to warm the hearts of the entire family!

Holiday activities and offerings are subject to change and vary by ship and itinerary.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

Gather round the tree with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse for a time-honored Disney tradition at sea.

Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party

Join your Disney friends on the upper decks for good tidings, music and cheer as you celebrate friendship, love and family during this special time of year.

Disney Characters in Their Holiday Finest

See some beloved Disney Characters in jolly holiday attire and take one-of-a-kind pictures to cherish throughout the year.

Santa Claus Sightings

Meet the one-and-only Kris Kringle himself—he’s looking forward to meeting you and is eager to hear all your holiday wishes.

Themed Activities and Crafts for Kids

Have some festive fun and get creative with Christmas cheer for the young and young-at-heart.

Holiday Merchandise

‘Tis the season to pick up exclusive, holiday-themed Disney Cruise Line gifts for family and friends—and make Christmas wishes come true.

Holiday Fun in the Sun

Celebrate the season in paradise at our tropical retreats in The Bahamas. A wonderland of holiday

The most wonderful time of the year is here! If you’re setting sail this holiday season, don’t miss festive popcorn buckets, drink sipper, holiday stateroom décor, and extra magic during our VeryMerryTime sailings (2023).

Very MerryTime Updates 2023

Disney Cruise Line debuted new festivities this holiday season aboard Very Merrytime cruises with brand-new entertainment experiences, Disney characters dressed in jolly looks and celebratory activities for the whole family. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Disney Cruise Line debuted new festivities this holiday season aboard Very Merrytime cruises with brand-new entertainment experiences, Disney characters dressed in jolly looks and celebratory activities for the whole family. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Atrium Photos

From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic is unwrapped for the whole family with festive holiday decor onboard and at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island oasis in The Bahamas. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

2023 Onboard Activities and Sailings Offerings

Onboard Activities

Delight in seasonal magic at sea and discover a jolly fusion of holiday-themed entertainment, activities and décor.
Share in the magic with festive onboard decorations that include a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, and experience numerous merriments sure to warm the hearts of the entire family!

Holiday activities and offerings are subject to change and vary by ship and itinerary.

  • Tree Lighting Ceremony
    Gather round the tree with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse for a time-honored Disney tradition at sea.

  • New Holiday Deck Show
    Join your Disney friends on the upper decks for good tidings, music and cheer as you celebrate friendship, love and family during this special time of year.

  • Disney Characters in Their Holiday Finest
    See some beloved Disney Characters in jolly holiday attire and take one-of-a-kind pictures to cherish throughout the year.

  • Santa Claus Sightings
    Meet the one-and-only Kris Kringle himself—he’s looking forward to meeting you and is eager to hear all your holiday wishes.

  • Themed Activities and Crafts for Kids 
    Have some festive fun and get creative with Christmas cheer for the young and young-at-heart.

  • Holiday Merchandise
    ‘Tis the season to pick up exclusive, holiday-themed Disney Cruise Line gifts for family and friends—and make Christmas wishes come true.

Holiday Fun in the Sun

Celebrate the season in paradise at our tropical retreats in The Bahamas. A wonderland of holiday cheer awaits at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point—and on Disney Castaway Cay, our private island is transformed with "snow" flurries, a Christmas tree and more.

Featured 2023 Itineraries

Holly, jolly experiences await you on select sailings in 2023! Special itineraries departing from San Diego, California, Port Canaveral and—for the first time—Fort Lauderdale, Florida take you to captivating destinations including The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Mexico, the Panama Canal—and our own private island, Disney Castaway Cay.

Onboard Gift Options for 2023

  • You must pre-book or pre-purchase these before the sailing

  • They sell out quickly so make sure to purchase early or once available

Very MerryTime Sailing Notes

  • Christmas Tree Lighting

    • Cast members will get to talk about their family traditions from around the World

    • Characters in Christmas attire and each one has a special gift to bring out

    • Disney Characters will have a sing-a-long with Christmas songs

    • It is one time and typically on the first night

  • Story time with Mrs. Claus

    • Ends with a special surprise when someone comes out to visit (Santa)

    • Offered a few times during the day and cruise

  • Meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus

    • Offered a few times during the sailing

  • Christmas themed activities

    • Holidays trivia

    • Holidays crafts

      • Family orbs or ornaments

    • New Deck Show for 2023

  • Carolers move throughout the ship singing Christmas songs

  • Bring family costumes or pajamas for wearing around the ship

  • On Christmas Day families can get together in a lounge and open presents together with the staff

  • Atmosphere smells like gingerbread

  • Atrium tree lightening ceremony only on the first night

    • Get there early and a must do

  • Gingerbread house is 750 pounds, takes 10 days to make, 250 hours to build, 160 pounds of sugar, 3,500 bricks with 1,900 additionally on the roof

  • Hot coco and cookies are typically served in front of the gingerbread house

    • The hot coco is not the powder kind, it is thick and sweet and delicious

    • Late afternoon and evening starting on the second day

  • Mulled wine is for sale the entire sailing (around $6.29 per glass)

  • Disney character sing a long in new costumes

  • Season greeting room décor package must be order as soon as possible

    • Very popular and costs $118 well worth it

    • Will need extra luggage space to bring items home

  • Bring a small tree with battery powered lights and treat your room like your home

    • Holiday themed accessories or outfits (family pajamas), ugly Christmas sweater,

    • Use magnetic hooks on the walls and ceilings

  • Special holiday treats: check out Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats, Sweets on You, Joyful Sweets

    • 9 special treats: shortbread cookie, gingerbread Mickey cookie, chocolate dipped strawberry gnomes, merry marshmallow sticks, Christmas Oreo cookie with a 3-layer Oreo with dulce de leche filling, merry time popsicle, happy Santa cupcakes, Merry Christmas shortbread cookies, rice crispy Christmas tree, chocolate brownie

  • Cove Café

    • Specialty coffees

    • Gingerbread coffee is one

    • Look for the complementary small cakes

  • Mickey and Minnie Holiday Party deck show aka new show

    • Watch from upper side deck the show plays to the center

    • Special spot up front for the kids and then the adults behind them must sit down

    • Max cannot make it to Christmas with Goofy and then happy ending

    • Fake snow ends show

  • Funnel Vision

    • Holiday Disney movies

  • Castaway Cay

    • Special decorated Christmas tree on the port

    • Great for photo opportunities

    • Mini make over with snowman

  • Merchandise sells out quickly

  • Cookie and gingerbread house decorating activities

Disney Cruise Line 2023 Holiday Entertainment, 2024 Fall Itineraries Announced

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … for planning your cruise vacation, that is! This week, Disney Cruise Line not only announced brand-new entertainment coming to Very Merrytime cruises in 2023, but also 2024 fall itineraries for even more magical family vacations at sea.

2023 Very Merrytime Cruises

Looking to trade in white snow for white sand beaches? If so, Disney Cruise Line provides the perfect tropical setting for your family holiday getaway. With two brand-new entertainment experiences, Disney characters dressed in jolly new looks and fun-filled activities for the whole family, the high seas will be brimming with the spirit of the holidays later this year.

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 (Santa!? I know him!).  

“Deck” the Halls at Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party

Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, another brand-new experience on these 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 – thrown by Mickey and Minnie – will feature favorite Disney friends as they celebrate friendship, love and family with a fresh mix of classic and original holiday songs.

Can’t get enough holiday décor? In addition to these new entertainment offerings, the Disney Cruise Line decks and halls will be filled with boughs of holly from bow-to-stern during Very Merrytime cruises. Aboard these seasonal sailings, guests will also find beloved Disney characters debuting new holiday attire, themed Very Merrytime activities for the entire family, carolers singing contemporary versions of songs that celebrate a myriad of holidays, commemorative merchandise and festive food and beverage items. 

With cruises from Florida and California, adults and children alike will discover the wonder of the holidays at sea in 2023. 

Disney Cruise Line will set sail from a new South Florida home in Fort Lauderdale, offering four- and five-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. 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.

More Holiday Merriment in 2024

The holiday magic of Disney Cruise Line will also return next year as part of the just-announced itineraries in late 2024.

From mid-November through December 2024, your family 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.

Disney Cruise Line (2023)

Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy

Joyful Sweets and Sweet on You (Available June 12 through 18 aboard the Disney Wish and June 10 through 17 aboard the Disney Fantasy)

  • Happy Santa Cupcake: Celebration cupcake with vanilla frosting and Christmas sprinkles

Available on Various Disney Cruise Line Ships

Preludes and Buena Vista Theater:

  • Reindeer Sipper: Available on the following sailings: 

    • Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17

    • Disney Wish: June 12 through 18 

    • Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19

    • Disney Magic: June 15 through 19

Preludes, Buena Vista Theater, and Luna Libations (Aboard the Disney Wish):

  • Christmas Rotating Tin Popcorn Bucket with butter-flavored popcorn; available on the following sailings:

    • Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17

    • Disney Wish: June 12 through 18

    • Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19

    • Disney Magic: June 15 through 19

Cove Café and All Specialty Coffee Locations

  • Holiday Stainless Steel Tumbler: Available on the following sailings: 

    • Disney Fantasy: June 10 through 17

    • Disney Wish: June 12 through 18

    • Disney Wonder: June 12 through 19

    • Disney Magic: June 15 through 19

From holidays to everyday excitement, there’s no limit to the fun that can be had at Disney Parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line! Keep your eyes peeled on the Disney Parks Blog and our social channels next week for more Halfway to the Holidays announcements coming your way.

If you’re interested in more foodie news, check out the Disney Eats topics page and Disney Eats on Instagram and Facebook. And tell us about your favorite jolly bites with #DisneyEats!

Happy Halfway to the Holidays!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

Spooky Fun and Merry Magic Await Disney Cruise Line Guests on Halloween and Holiday Cruises in Fall 2024

Voyages provide more opportunities for families to experience Disney’s newest island destination in its inaugural year  

CELEBRATION, Fla. (June 13, 2023) – The fun of fall and winter holidays will meet the magic of Disney Cruise Line in late 2024 with the return of Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises. With rare itineraries to Hawaii and the South Pacific and more opportunities to visit Disney’s newest island destination in The Bahamas, families will have the chance to experience the fall seasons at sea in new and exciting ways.

Bookings open to the public June 26, 2023. For more details, visit the Fall 2024 itineraries page of disneycruise.com.

Halloween on the High Seas

Halloween on the High Seas returns to Disney Cruise Line in mid-September through October 2024. This season of extra-special sailings will bring the fun of Halloween to guests on select cruises across the fleet with a host of added entertainment. Families will dress up and join Disney characters in their Halloween costumes; dance the night away at a spooky celebration on the upper decks; enjoy spinetingling themed food and beverages; and immerse themselves in a ghostly ship takeover with elaborate décor and a magical Pumpkin Tree.

From Port Canaveral, Florida, the Disney Wish will sail three- and four-night Bahamian voyages full of frightful fun, while the Disney Fantasy will offer these special themed cruises with lengths varying from four, six and seven nights. Four- and six-night sailings on board the Disney Fantasy will take families to The Bahamas, while seven-night escapes will transport guests to fan-favorite destinations throughout The Bahamas and Caribbean.

The Disney Magic will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on vacations ranging from three to five nights to tropical destinations in The Bahamas and Caribbean. Select sailings on both the Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy will include a chance for families to discover fun and relaxation at Disney Cruise Line’s newest destination in The Bahamas. 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.

Very Merrytime Cruises

From mid-November through December 2024, the Disney Cruise Line fleet will be decked from bow to stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday magic will be unwrapped for the whole family with joyful holiday décor; favorite characters in their finest festive attire; themed activities that are merry and bright; and celebrations on deck that are full of holiday spirit.

Families who want to spend the most wonderful time of the year with Disney Cruise Line will have opportunities to sail from two home ports in Florida, as well as a selection of cruises from Galveston, Texas.

Short holiday getaways will be offered from both home ports in the Sunshine State, with a selection of three- and four-night Bahamian Very Merrytime voyages on the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral and four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Disney Dream.

The Disney Fantasy will also embark a variety of four-night Very Merrytime sailings to The Bahamas, along with longer six- and seven-night itineraries in November and December. 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.

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

Special Sailings to Hawaii and the South Pacific

In addition to the festive themed sailings, Disney Cruise Line guests can experience bucket-list itineraries in late 2024. The Disney Wonder will sail from Vancouver, Canada, to Honolulu, Hawaii, in late September with stops on the islands of Kauai, Maui and Hawaii before arriving in Oahu. From Hawaii, the Disney Wonder will embark on a transpacific voyage to Sydney, Australia, that will take families through the South Pacific to visit once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia.

Disney Cruise Line will then set sail on its second season of vacations from Australia and New Zealand, bringing the magic of Disney close to home for local families in the region.

Repost from Disney Cruise News

Disney Wish 2023 Update

  • On Pirate Night during your sailing, Mickey and Minnie’s Pirate themed deck party will be replaced with Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday deck party.

  • Following a pirate themed dinner, Guests can venture up to the pool deck to “Celebrate” with their favorite Disney Characters and enjoy an entertaining holiday themed party

  • Later the same evening aboard the Disney Wish, Guests can enjoy the Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party on the upper decks, featuring live music, remarkable stunts, special effects and plenty of surprises including fireworks at sea.

FAQs

  • When sailing on New Year's Eve, you are set for a magical evening. Each ship and itinerary may vary slightly, but you can look forward to a special dinner menu, equipped with delicious food and drink offerings. There will be holiday-themed giveaways to help commemorate this special night. Your favorite Disney characters will be out and about, ready to take pictures in their best seasonal attire. To cap off the night, there will be an amazing New Year’s Eve fireworks display that will light up the night sky!

    As far as your attire for the night, there may or may not be a formal night during your voyage. I do anticipate many Guests will be dressing up for the occasion. I would plan accordingly in the event it is as a formal night, but dress as comfortably as you would like. Once in a while, my family likes to have the excuse to dress up and get fancy for an evening. After all, it is your Disney getaway!

  • Two of my favorite things are Christmas and cruises, so combining those together in a Very Merrytime Cruise sounds better than hot cocoa on a cold day. You'll find so many holiday-themed activities, character meet-and-greets, and gorgeous décor aboard the ship that you might just book another sailing before you even hit land. And... while I certainly don't want to end up on the naughty list for ruining surprises, I will share that you'll even find the most famous North Pole resident aboard your sailing!

    Now, based on your question, I bet decorating helps keep you in the holiday spirit, so let's talk about permitted and prohibited decorations. You'll need to leave larger decorations including trees, wreaths, and traditional string lights at home when you sail, however, I'm happy to report that battery-operated lights are permitted.