Very Merrytime Sailings
Christmas Eve after dinner on the way out they will hand out milk and cookies for Santa
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
Christmas Eve after dinner on the way out select either sugar or chocolate chip cookies and any kind of carton of Milk for Santa
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
2026 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 cheer awaits at Disney Castaway Cay, as our private island is transformed with "snow" flurries, a Christmas tree and more.
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 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