Why You’ll Love a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise
The calendar may say early October, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas anyway.
Starting in a few weeks, Disney Cruise Line will decorate its ships with Christmas trees and gingerbread houses.
Photo: Disney
Here’s why you’ll love a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise.
What’s a Very Merrytime Cruise?
In early November each year, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) hosts unique cruises for the holiday season. While not every cruise features a Very Merrytime itinerary, many do.
On each one, you can combine the benefits of a standard Disney cruise with the glory of a holiday vacation at sea. Here’s a link to all of 2026’s Very Merrytime cruises.
Merrytime Cruise on Disney Dream
You’ll know you’re looking at the right one when you see a Christmas lights graphic above the cruise price. For obvious reasons, Very Merrytime cruises sell better than standard sailings.
All things being equal, who wouldn’t want to celebrate the holidays on the high seas?
Merrytime Cruise on Disney Dream
So, what can you do during a Very Merrytime Cruise? I’ll get into specifics in a moment, but let’s focus on the basics first. As the name implies, these are Christmas Disney cruises, with one full day devoted to the holiday celebration.
The best way I can describe a Very Merrytime Cruise is that it’s 75 percent standard cruise and 25 percent holiday celebration.
Photo: Disney
As such, you shouldn’t expect anything as significant as Disney World’s Very Merry Christmas Party. In other words, you won’t be at a four-day holiday party at sea.
It’s more of a standard cruise with events on one day devoted to Christmas.
What Can You Do on a Very Merrytime Cruise?
When you board the ship on your first day, you can’t help but notice the gorgeous, giant Christmas tree in the grand hall. What may surprise you is that it’s not lit yet.
Disney saves the tree-lighting celebration for after everyone is comfortably onboard.
Merrytime Cruise on Disney Dream
On your first night, your cruise ship will host Mickey & Minnie’s Merrytime Tree Lighting. Obviously, this event will be popular. You should arrive early if possible to get a good viewing spot for the proceedings.
For those of you with early dining, I have good news.
Credit: Disney
Disney typically hosts two different tree lightings. You’ll want to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
Once you’re onboard, it’ll confirm whether there are multiple options and times available for each one.
Photo: Disney
If there’s just one during your sailing, it will fall between the two meals. Once Disney has lit the tree, it’ll definitely feel like the holiday season onboard your ship.
However, that’s not the only Christmas activity onboard… far from it!
Image Credit: Disney
Disney decorates each ship with ornaments, garland, and wreaths. You’ll find them and Christmas lights on every hallway and stairwell on your ship.
If you think it’s difficult decorating your home, imagine the effort Cast Members put into decorating the Disney Destiny.
On the official celebration day of your cruise, various Disney characters will dress up in their holiday finest. So, you’ll enjoy several unique character greetings and photo ops on these cruises.
I just did the same thing with Halloween on the High Seas in late September, and I can confirm that the holiday character photos are the best ones.
Even MORE Things You Can Do on a Very Merrytime Cruise
Since it’s Christmas, even Mickey Mouse cannot match the popularity of Santa Claus, though. You can meet Santa and tell him your holiday wishlist.
Once you’re done, head over to the atrium, where Mrs. Claus is hosting storytime. She’ll relate some of her favorite Christmas tales.
Photo: Disney
Each DCL ship features a unique gingerbread house, and they’re spectacular each year. I say this because crew members decorate their ships, competing against the other vessels in the DCL fleet.
So, bragging rights are on the line whenever you see a gingerbread house. Onboard the ship, carolers also appear. These singers belt out “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Photo: Disney
Disney does this instead of the See You Real Soon show on the final night, so you can quickly meet characters as well. Remember to stand in line in the Grand Hall if you want to give the characters a final hug.
In our experience, Disney is extremely efficient in cycling through lots of guests. Still, this part can be a bit chaotic.
Credit: Disney
Remarkably, the holiday celebration doesn’t end on the ship. Disney decorates Castaway Cay for the holiday season, and it may also do Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay.
We don’t know what’s standard yet since we’re only a couple of years into Lookout Cay’s existence.
Credit: Disney
Back onboard, you’ll also find appropriately festive holiday sweets and drinks. Peppermint is seemingly everywhere on the menu that day, and the drink of the day is usually holiday-themed as well.
In the theaters and on Funnel Vision, Disney replaces its usual theatrical releases with holiday fare.
Again, this happens on only one day of the cruise, but you should expect plenty of Frozen and The Santa Clause.
Why You’ll Love a Very Merrytime Cruise
Here’s why I warmly endorse Very Merrytime cruises. They sprinkle a dash of Yuletide bliss into an already wonderful Disney cruise.
You’ll still engage in all your favorite cruise activities, including Pirate Night. Many Very Merrytime cruise itineraries feature visits to both of Disney’s private islands as well.
Photo: Disney
As always, you should choose the one that best fits your family’s needs. Remember that MickeyTravels is available to help you find the ideal Very Merrytime itinerary for your vacation.
Don’t forget that MickeyTravels agents provide their services free of charge. So, why will you love these cruises?
Book with MickeyTravels now!
You’re making Disney magic better in the only way possible. You’re mixing in some holiday magic, too!
Mickey Mouse plus Santa Claus is a winning combination. Everyone on these sailings has the time of their life.
