very merrytime cruise 2022

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

Very Merrytime Cruises

Ship Locations

Experience Type

Our Guide to Disney Cruise Line's Very Merrytime Holiday Cruises

Beginning as early as the first week of November and extending to Christmas Day, Disney Cruise Line embraces "the most magical time of the year" with themed holiday sailings known as Very Merrytime Cruises.

Differences you will find onboard Disney Cruise Line's fleet during Very Merrytime cruises include elaborate Christmas decorations throughout the vessel, holiday-themed activities and, of course, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus -- not to mention deliciously festive foods, too.

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

If you are booked on a Very Merrytime Disney cruise (basically any cruise during the months of November and December), expect a little added joy throughout your sailing. Garlands, creatively themed to their respective venues, bedeck the atrium and elsewhere, wreaths hang in porthole windows, poinsettias line the halls, and a 24-foot Christmas tree can be found in the lobby along with a life-size gingerbread house, complete with its expected seasonal aroma of fresh cinnamon and cloves.

(It is important to note that if you sail on one of the first Very Merrytime cruises of the season, decorations -- like the gingerbread house -- might still be under construction, and not every activity is offered.)

'Tis the season activities include Mickey's Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony on the first night of your cruise, a Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party with your favorite Disney characters dancing and singing out on deck (including promenade deck carols) and seasonal arts and crafts.

On Funnel Vision (Disney’s giant poolside screen) and in the dedicated cinema, guests can also expect Disney holiday films to be played, including the iconic 1992 holiday film "The Muppet Christmas Carol", or "The Santa Clause" movies with Tim Allen.

The atrium may additionally host a surprise snow flurry as previously summoned by none other than Queen Elsa from “Frozen,” gathered among all her other Disney friends and cast. The entire stage company gets in on the act caroling and dancing to classic Christmas tunes, magically activating the ship’s central gathering space.

In the kid and teen clubs, there might be themed parties and crafts -- decorating cards or stockings -- to celebrate the season. Also expect several meet-and-greets with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, along with none other than Santa Claus himself.

Once per cruise, Mrs. Claus can be found in a rocking chair beneath the tree, hosting a story time.

If you're one of the lucky kids (or adults) on Santa's Nice List and you're booked over Christmas Eve, you might find special towel animals and a plate of cookies in your cabin, as kids and crew go caroling throughout the ship.

Christmas cuisine might further include the likes of cranberry turkey pizza, or at Cove Cafe, either an eggnog or paddy mint mocha or even a caramel pecan chai.

If your ship visits Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay , during your Very Merrytime voyage, don't be surprised to find another Christmas tree and various other decorations. Looking for Rudolph? The island tram comes close -- it's decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and a tail. Similarly, life-size sand sculptures of a snow family make for a fun photo op.

The holidays wouldn't be complete without a little shopping. Seasonal merchandise can be found in the onboard shops, including but not limited to ornaments, sparkly shirts, a nutcracker that looks like Mickey Mouse and even a pack of Disney dreidels. (You won't find much else that's Hanukkah related onboard.)

What Do Disney Cruise Line's Very Merrytime Cruises Include?

All of Disney's Very Merrytime activities and festivities are free. Branded merchandise, of course, comes at an additional cost.

What Disney Cruise Line Ships Offer Very Merrytime Cruises?

Disney Cruise Line's Very Merrytime holiday cruises are offered seasonally, across the entire fleet -- including onboard the newly launched Disney Wish . However, the exact start and end dates might differ by cruise ship and year, so it's always best to check Disney Cruise Line's website out for exact sailings.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

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

• Get the Newsletter
• Blogger Resources

The Best Very Merrytime Disney Cruise Guide to Festivities

Christmas is our absolute favorite time of year. So adding in a little Disney always makes sense! And on a cruise? Even more magical. We’ve been lucky enough to sail on the Very Merrytime sailings on a Disney Cruise. So here is a full guide to the Very Merrytime Christmas cruises with Disney Cruise Line.

• 1 What is a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise?
• 2 Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Itineraries and Destinations
• 3 What is Different on a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise?
• 4 Disney Christmas Cruise Decorations
• 5 Very Merrytime Cruise Activities
• 6 Christmas at Castaway Cay
• 7 Disney Christmas Cruise Tips
• 8 Is Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Worth it?

What is a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise?

Sailing on the Very Merrytime has been a dream since hearing such a thing existed. What could be more magical than a Disney Christmas Cruise? Our first Disney Very Merrytime Cruise itinerary was sailing to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream . A quite fitting name for our ship if I do say so myself. Because, well it was a dream! If you love Christmas and Disney, the Very Merrytime cruises with Disney are worth checking out. With Characters dressed in their festive best, holiday decorations, activities and crafts, there is no shortage of festive fun on a Disney Christmas Cruise.

Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Itineraries and Destinations

Itineraries will vary from year to year. However, Disney Cruise Line generally starts their Very Merrytime sailings in early November and continues them until the New Year. You can count on seeing holiday sailings on the Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , Disney Magic and Disney Wish , and are generally offered from Port Canaveral, Galveston, and starting in 2023, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. To see where Disney Very Merrytime cruises are sailing during the time you want to sail, check out the Disney Cruise Line website .

Where Does the Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Sail?

The Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise sails mostly to the Caribbean Ports. You can check out the Very Merrytime Cruise Ports on the website. But you can choose from the Bahamas, British and US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico.

When Are the Very Merrytime Disney Cruise Dates in 2024?

During 2024, Disney Christmas Cruises are available for select sailing from November 4th – December 29th, 2024.

Disney Magic Christmas Cruises

• Sail Dates: November 21, 2024 – December 23, 2024
• Sailing From: Galveston, Texas
• Destination: Progresso & Cozumel, Mexico, & George Town, Grand Cayman

Disney Dream Christmas Cruises

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

Disney Fantasy Christmas Cruises

• Sail Dates: November 10, 2024 – December 22, 2024
• Sailing From: Port Canaveral
• Destinations: 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 Christmas Cruises

• Sail Dates: November 4, 2024 – December 23, 2024
• Destinations: Nassau Bahamas , Disney Castaway Cay

How Much is a Very Merrytime Disney Christmas Cruise?

A Disney Christmas Cruise typically costs from $1000- $3100 per person depending on your destination, dates, and room choices. Check out our posts on how to choose a Disney Cruise Stateroom and the best ways to save money on a Disney Cruise.

What is Different on a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise?

A Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney includes specialty snacks, meals, performances, films, trivia, decorations and more. Lots of festive things! With all kinds of fun activities for adults and kids you can enjoy the Christmas Tree lighting, “snow” in the atrium along with holiday crafts and treats. There is no shortage of festive fun on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise. See below for some of our favorite things to do on a Disney Very Merrytime Sailing.

Disney Christmas Cruise Decorations

One of our favorite parts of any Disney holiday vacation is the decorations. So, if you thought the atrium of the Disney Cruise ships were gorgeous then seeing the atrium all decked out for Christmas will make you feel like a kid on, well, Christmas morning. It’s so magical, you may just find yourself fighting back the tears. Not only is the atrium beautifully decorated, but most of the other common areas are too. The restaurants, the hallways, and even Castaway Cay (if your itinerary includes it) get dressed up for its holiday best!

Very Merrytime Cruise Activities

We did a quick wrap-up of our favorite things to do on a Disney Christmas Cruise in our 5 must-do’s on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise post so be sure to check out the details of our favorite activities onboard. Here’s a snapshot of what you should have on your Disney Christmas Cruise List!

• Sail Away Party
• Mickey’s Tree Lighting CEremony

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball

• Meet the Disney Characters in their Holiday Best

Holiday Crafts on a Disney Christmas Cruise

• Lifesized Gingerbread House (on cruises later in the season).
• Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, the new deck party for Disney Christmas Cruise sailings

And that’s just the beginning. All throughout the cruise, there are holiday-themed events, treats, and even Christmas music playing throughout the ship. Mrs. Claus has a storytime onboard and the characters are dressed in their festive best for all the events. The Christmas merchandise is in full swing in the shops. And Christmas crafts for families or ones specifically for the kids in the youth clubs are also available.

Christmas Sail Away Party 

The festive fun begins even before you sail away with the Sail Away Party! This Disney Cruise Embarkation Day is a must do, and on a Christmas Cruise, it gets a fun holiday theme! Complete with Mickey and Friends in Christmas outfits, festive songs, and a performance to remember, be sure to head to the top desk to see the Christmas Sail Away Party as you’re sailing away!

Mickey’s Tree Lighting Ceremony

One of the best parts of a Disney Cruise at Christmas is getting to see the Tree Lightning Ceremony. This Christmas event includes lighting the multi story tree and “snow” in the lobby. It’s a great way to kick off your cruise with some extra festive fun, that is just gorgeous, so don’t miss it! You can count on Mickey and friends in their holiday outfits, and Christmas carols too. There is also a countdown and a Pixie Dust Sprinkle on the tree, as the whole atrium comes alive with Christmas lights! So much magic!

Whether you’re making cutout treats to decorate, or attending a class on how to make extra Christmas decorations, a Disney Cruise for the Holidays includes loads of chances to get into the Christmas spirit with crafts and cookie decorating.

Life-Size Gingerbread House on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise 

If you’re sailing later in November you’ll get to see a life-size Gingerbread House onboard in the atrium! We were, unfortunately, unable to see it due to the timing of our cruise, but it is usually ready by the second or third week of November. But we did see it being assembled and it always made the atrium smell delicious! We can’t wait to see this in person on our next Very Merrytime cruise!

Meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus

As part of the cruise you can also count on seeing Mr. and Mrs. Claus onboard! Be sure to check your Disney Cruise Navigator for scheduled times and locations. And be sure to had your camera ready! For families, and children can both take photos with Santa, to help capture memories from this special cruise.

Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party

Head to the grand hall of the ship for all the fun and fanfare of a Holiday Party and performance. Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party includes music, and a special performance that is all part of getting you into the mood for the holiday fun! Here you can see not only the crew members, but also Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Chip and Dale!

Meet the Disney Characters in Christmas Outfits

Disney Characters can always be found on a Disney Cruise, and makes it all the more magical. As such, it’s no surprise that at Christmas, they get dressed up for the occasion. With Mickey and Minnie in Christmas Sweaters, and fancy outfits, Goofy in his best holiday gear, and more, be sure to pop by to see these Disney characters in some of their best festive costumes.

Mickey and Friends all show up in the atrium for a dance show and songs. You can see the Christmas dancers, Anna and Elsa help make everything snowy, and Santa and Mrs. Claus add even more Christmas flair. All of this takes place i the Atrium, so be on the lookout for the schedule so you can make sure to see this special event! It’s such a treat!

Christmas Movies Onboard

In addition to all of the holiday fun, there is also all of the regularly scheduled programming. Broadway shows are still shown every evening, and Christmas movies play on deck by the pool and in the movie theater.

Other Activities on a Disney Cruise

You can also count on Pirate Night and Fireworks still stealing the show and all fun you expect from a Disney Cruise is still intact. Trivia, Scavenger Hunts, Wine Tastings…..you name it. There is so much to do on a Disney Cruise and the Very Merrytime Cruise just steps that up one notch. Do as little or as much as you like!

Christmas at Castaway Cay

If you’re sailing in the Caribbean, you’ll likely be stopping at Disney’s Private island, Castaway Cay . While the cruise ship itself is dressed to the nines in holiday flair, Castaway Cay at Christmas is a little more on the modest side of Christmas décor. A beautiful tree and fun little winter scene will be waiting for you as you disembark the ship, and there are small touches throughout the island to spread that holiday cheer.  We recommend getting photos with these festive displays on the way back to the ship. It will be less crowded and you’ll likely have better lighting as the sun starts to go down. And the island tram even gets decked out with reindeer antlers and a tail! Other than that, Castaway Cay is as beautiful as always and generally has mild, pleasant weather during these months.

Disney Christmas Cruise Tips

With so many things to do on a Disney Christmas Cruise, no matter where you sail, there are a few tips that we absolutely had to share!

Take at least a 4-Night Very Merrytime Disney Cruise

How Long of a Disney Christmas Cruise Should You Take? As long as you can! This is obviously advice that you can take with a grain of salt, but if your budget and schedule allow, we don’t recommend taking any less than a 4-Night Very Merrytime Cruise. There is so much to see and do in addition to the regularly scheduled programming that you’ll likely feel rushed, trying to fit it all in. Since the holiday season generally tends to feel rushed in general, we think your cruise vacation definitely shouldn’t.

Does a Disney Merrytime Cruise Still  Have Pirate Night?

Yes! Pirate Night is still held on all itineraries that would normally have Pirate Night.  Most Itineraries sailing in the Caribbean have Pirate Night; so as long as your itinerary would normally have it, then your Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise will as well.

What Should You Pack for a Very Merrytime Disney Cruise?

Not all Very Merrytime Cruises include trips to the Caribbean. But if your cruise is taking you to somewhere that is considered “warmer” during this time of year, keep in mind that you may need to pack a variety of clothes. Not only can it be considerably hotter than you’d expect, but during the winter, sometimes the temps can get pretty chilly at night. Make layers your new best friend. Be sure to check the weather ahead of time as well; don’t assume because it’s “warmer” that it will be warm. We traveled on November 9th and we needed shorts and t-shirts during the day and sweatshirts in the evening.

We have a Disney Cruise packing list here to help you pack! And if you’re sailing somewhere colder, here is what we recommend packing for a cold weather Disney Cruise .

Dress Festive for a Disney Holiday Cruise 

Remember it’s a Christmas cruise! Pack your ugly sweater for all the fun photo ops, decorate your stateroom door and get in the Christmas spirit. We even purchased these cute little Mickey cardholder lanyards and decorated them for our Key to The World Card. You didn’t pay extra for a Very Merrytime Cruise for nothing! We purchased this set pictured above as an extra amenity before our cruise started to add some holiday flair and it was the perfect souvenir from our trip!

Is Church Available on a Disney Christmas Cruise?

Yes. There is a Catholic Mass held at midnight on Christmas Eve and an interdenominational Christian service available on Christmas morning. Check your Cruise Navigator for details on times.

Is Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Worth it?

Is a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise Worth the cost? This is a completely personal question and unfortunately, one that isn’t as easy as a hard “yes” or “no”. Let us start by first saying, that the cost of the Very Merrytime Cruise will rely on a lot of different things. When you’re sailing November cruises are generally be cheaper, except on Thanksgiving. The cost will also depend on what kind of room you choose. Plus where you’re sailing.

The ship you’re sailing on. AND when you decide to book. These things will all have an impact on the cost of your cruise. And if you’re thinking about choosing another holiday cruise instead, we did write up a comparison between a Halloween on the High Seas Cruise or a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise to help you decide.

In many cases, the cost between a Disney Christmas cruise vs any other type of Disney Cruise will likely be comparable. With a little variation depending on the specifics of your sailing. Except for cruises that are very close to Thanksgiving and Christmas, or ones that actually fall on the holiday, generally Disney Holiday Cruises won’t be complete sticker shock if you’re used to Disney Cruise prices to begin with. For us, it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for a festive, Disney filled vacation, a Very Merrytime Cruise will fit the bill.

The answer for everyone is going to be different on this, but keep in mind that Disney cruises are already more expensive than other cruises. If you have made peace with that fact alone, then you will most likely find that a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise is at an ok price point for you. If you are finding that the cost is leaving you feeling a little less than magical, you might want to consider the pricing of a non-holiday-themed cruise or head to Walt Disney World for the holidays instead, which can be much cheaper.

Are there any Disney Cruises during Christmas Day?

Yep! They’re not really common, but generally every year there are at least one or two cruises that are sailing on Christmas day.

Special Activities for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Disney Christmas Cruise

If you’re sailing on a Disney Very Merrytime cruise on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, there are special activities just for you! Enjoy milk and Christmas cookies, holiday themed towel friends and participate in Christmas Caroling with cast members onboard.

Is Santa on Disney Merrytime Cruise?

He is! Guests will have a chance to meet Santa and let him know what they want for Christmas this year. And Mrs. Claus does storytime in the atrium as well! The Disney Very Merrytime Cruises are a great way to experience everything Christmas. So, bring your Christmas List and your camera to capture all of the memories of the season.

Disney Christmas Cruise Shirts

Heading to sea for the holidays? Disney Cruise is complete with a souvenir shirt to remember the occasion. While we have loads of Disney Cruise Shirts in the shop if you’re traveling for the merry season then why not grab a Disney Christmas Cruise Very Merrytime Shirt to jumpstart your vacation? Or head to the beach with a Castaway Cay Christmas Shirt. Or if you’re looking for something a little more subtle, you can try our Merriest Cruise that Ever Sailed Christmas Cruise Shirt . These are soft jersey, unisex shirts. And we always recommend sizing up if you’re unsure, for a more relaxed look. You can also grab a Disney Christmas Cruise Door Magnet in this collection to match. Check out the links for all our shop collections.

Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Review

While some events we write about are easy for us to say “do it once” or “pass it all together”, a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise can really be a once-in-a-lifetime trip or an annual holiday tradition depending on your family.  But if you’re looking for a trip that combines the magic of Disney with the magic of the season without the crowds you’ll find in the parks and while feeling like you’re actually on vacation, then a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise may be exactly what Santa ordered.

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 .

• Comparing Disney Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve
• Pros and Cons of Disney's Coronado Springs
• Brunch at Remy On The Disney Dream Cruise Ship
• Save money on your Disney Hotel with Priceline

Related Posts

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 […]

Sailing Out of New York City with Disney Cruise Line

If you’re a Disney Cruise Line fan, no doubt you’ve seen pictures of the boarding process for their most common port, Port Canaveral.  The big Mickey that you walk through to get on board, the character ops while you’re waiting, and everything looking magical in […]

2 thoughts on “The Best Very Merrytime Disney Cruise Guide to Festivities”

Thank you so much, we are taking a Disney Merrytime Cruise this year, in Australia, and this gave me a lot of new information.

Thank you again. I am about to read everything I can from your site about the Wonder and the Merrytime cruises, and Disney bounding if there is anything (I want to do the Bounding on the cruise, well cruises as we are taking 3 short cruises)

How exciting for you! I’m so glad they are brining Disney Cruise Line to Australia, so you have a chance to experience it. We will be back on the Wonder in June, and will be updating all of the information so it is the most current, so be sure to check back! I hope you have the most amazing time on your Very Merrytime cruise!

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

Disney Cruise Line Information

DCL Fan is your source for Disney Cruise Line Information, News, and Discounts

Very Merrytime Cruises – Disney Cruise Line

Special days at sea and holiday cruises.

• Halloween on the High Seas Cruises
• Marvel Day at Sea

The most wonderful time of the year will be even more joyful this holiday season as Disney Cruise Line unwraps new festivities for the whole family aboard Very Merrytime cruises. With two brand-new entertainment experiences, Disney characters dressed in jolly new looks and celebratory activities for the whole family, Disney Cruise Line will be filled with the spirit of the holidays this year.

In addition to these new holiday entertainment offerings (described below), the Disney Cruise Line decks and halls will be filled with boughs of holly from bow-to-stern during Very Merrytime cruises. These guest-favorite sailings will also include:

• 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; and
• Commemorative merchandise and festive food and beverage items.

VERY MERRYTIME DISNEY CRUISE DATES

Very merrytime cruise activities.

These seasonal cruises include a sleighful of holiday magic at sea! Enjoy themed entertainment, activites, a life-sized gingerbread house, a huge Christmas tree, garland, poinsettias, festive lights, and more.

Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party , a brand-new experience on these special sailings, will invite families to the upper decks for a one-of-a-kind celebration at sea filled with good tidings and 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 during this special time of year.

On the first night of all Very Merrytime sailings, guests will gather around the three-deck-tall tree in the ship’s atrium for a new tree lighting ceremony . Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy will invite guests to sing along to classic holiday tunes, followed by a countdown that will not only make the tree merry and bright, but will also introduce the guest of honor for the cruise, Santa Claus.

ARTICLE: Halloween on the High Seas vs. Very Merrytime Cruises ARTICLE: Unique Disney Cruises

Throughout your cruise, enjoy hugs and photos with the beloved Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, plus a chance to meet Santa and give him your Christmas wish list. Not to be left out, Mrs. Claus will host storytime in the atrium, sharing some well-known Christmas tales.

Kids can also take part in themed crafts like decorating stockings and festive cards. There’s also a holiday scavenger hunt! Teens and tweens will have some fun of their own with holiday parties in their clubs.

Of course, the onboard shops will be filled with exclusive holiday merchandise to help fill your holiday shopping list.

For sailings that visit  Castaway Cay , look for holiday fun there, too, as the island paradise is transformed with “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree, and a Mr. & Mrs. Snowman photo opportunity. The island’s tram even gets in the spirit with reindeer antlers and a tail.

If you’re sailing on December 24th and 25th, you’ll enjoy cookies on Christmas Eve, special holiday towel animals, and a chance for the kids to go caroling with the crew.

VERY MERRYTIME CRUISE VIDEOS

Get a Quote

Share this:.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

4 Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise From Miami

Find out how crowded are ports - cruise ship traffic during this voyage. Click on each port for more details.

Miami, Florida

Nassau, Bahamas

Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise Info & Review

We recently did a Very Merrytime Christmas sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line and thought it’d be worth sharing photos, info, and our review of the voyage. Our cruise was a 4-night trip from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Walt Disney World) on the Disney Dream, but these holiday cruises are offered fleet-wide in November and December.

These Very Merrytime voyages promise everything of a normal itinerary, including Pirate Night, holiday-themed atrium entertainment acts, and a stop at Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line’s private island is also decked out for the holidays with garland, and icon Christmas tree, and more.

Aboard each Disney Cruise Line ship, there are also entertainment highlights, themed activities for kids, youth parties & crafts, and interactive options. Of course, there’s also a variety of exclusive, holiday-themed DCL merchandise and gifts. In our estimation, this all sounds better than it is in execution…

We’ll start with some basic background info about Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime sailings…

Very Merrytime Cruise Info & Entertainment

Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic – When you walk onto your Disney Cruise Line ship on day one, the Christmas tree and garland lights aren’t yet on. This is because there’s a show featuring Disney characters, Christmas music, crew members, and more in this tree-lighting ceremony that makes these festive lights twinkle.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball – Santa and Mrs. Claus invite in some special guests on each Very Merrytime sailing in this performance. This special holiday gathering featuring Broadway-style entertainment (per Disney–we’d say that’s overselling it), classic holiday tunes, Mickey & friends, and snow in the atrium.

Christmas Character Costumes – The costumes that the Disney characters don during Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic Ceremony and Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball are also worn throughout the cruise during meet & greets. The Navigator App specifies meet-and-greet times, but not attire.

Castaway Cay – Disney Cruise Line’s private island is decked for the holidays with a tropical flair. An icon Christmas tree, holiday island music, garland, and even snow flurries greet guests arriving to the island.

Gingerbread House – Each Disney Cruise Line ship features a life-size gingerbread house in the atrium, created by the Crew Members from scratch as they compete against each other for the most creative and whimsical creation.

See Ya Real Soon – The holiday version of See Ya Real Soon is modified, featuring the Dickens Carolers who sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” As with Epcot’s now extinct fireworks, this was a perfect way to end the cruise during the Christmas season. This show also provides another opportunity for guests to meet the characters, in a rushed-but-efficient process.

There isn’t enough Christmas. That’s pretty much it, in a single sentence. Don’t get us wrong–we love Disney Cruise Line and had a blast on this sailing. However, this isn’t simply a sailing that coincidentally occurs around Christmas-time, it’s actively marketed by Disney as a Very Merrytime Cruise. From that perspective, it falls woefully short.

First, the decorations. It’s nice to see the atriums of the gorgeous Disney Cruise Line ships decorated, but disappointing that these are generic Christmas ornaments, garland, and lights. They look nice, but there’s nothing on-theme about them, which is a bit of a letdown if you’ve been to the resorts at Walt Disney World around the holidays.

Beyond the ship atrium, there just isn’t much in terms of decor. There are trees in the lobby of each restaurant and scattered in a few other spots, but not much. A few wreaths and scattered pieces of garland, but nothing (that I can recall) that was even illuminated outside the atrium.

Castaway Cay does have an on-theme Christmas tree, which is really well done. Definitely the best photo op of the entire Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise.

Beyond that…Castaway Cay also does not have much. This would’ve been totally fine and more understandable if the ship had an adequate amount of decor.

Then there’s the entertainment. Three shows might sound like a decent amount, but that would be really overselling each. The tree lighting is pretty short and the See Ya Real Soon is a modified version of a normal (also short) goodbye.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball is decent, but it’s also way too short, and the substance of the show is over far too quickly. Disney describes these as “Broadway-style” entertainment, but that’s not even remotely accurate. These are not proper shows, they’re mostly character greetings with a mild musical component. If you’re expecting Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration or even A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, lower your expectations.

The Dickens Carolers are great in the few moments they’re given to shine, but those are over way too quickly. (If our in-room survey is any indication, they roam the ship and perform carols, but we never saw this.)

A proper stage show featuring the Dickens Carolers in the Walt Disney Theatre would’ve been awesome, but we would’ve been content with much less. Something– anything –of substance would’ve been nice. As it stands, there’s way too much of an emphasis on the Disney characters being introduced and waving, and too little on…literally anything else.

Speaking of the Disney characters, they are one of the few Christmas bright spots. Each of the Fab Five (or is it Sensational Six now?) has multiple holiday-themed outfits, and they rotate in these costumes for meet & greets throughout the Very Merrytime cruise. If your primary concern is meeting a range of characters in rare costumes, you’ll probably leave very satisfied.

We enjoyed these character meet & greets, but they were not our primary motivation for taking the cruise. We were expecting something more akin to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Sea. We would’ve even settled for a holiday version of Star Wars Day at Sea, which we experienced earlier in the year and really enjoyed.

Speaking of which, we’ve previously done two cruises with a Star Wars and Frozen Day at Sea, and each of those single days offered more substance than the entirety of this Very Merrytime Cruise. It’s worth emphasizing that those are marketed as normal cruises with the themed day added to select dates after itineraries go on sale.

In any case, these other themed ‘day at sea’ cruises provide a template for what Disney Cruise Line could do to make the Very Merrytime Cruise satisfying as a Christmas-time experience. Add a deck party, more substantive stage show, daytime entertainment, themed menus & desserts, scavenger hunt, and decorations. (On the plus side, the themed cups were a decent touch.)

We’d personally go a step further and replace the tired and underwhelming Pirate Night offerings with something holiday-centric. Use the same fireworks but set them to Christmas music.

Have a nighttime stage show. Encourage guests to done their holiday finery and get dressed up in yuletide attire. These are not unrealistic expectations–Disney Cruise Line does all of these things well on other cruises, so it’s perplexing that they drop the ball with Christmas.

Overall, our Disney Cruise Line experience was still exceptional, and we remain of the belief that DCL offers a premium product worthy of the premium pricing, elevated level of service, and high standards…at least with all of the normal offerings. Our disappointment here comes in comparing the Very Merrytime Cruise to other days at sea we’ve experienced, as well as Disney Christmas entertainment in the parks.

We wouldn’t hesitate to take another Disney cruise, but will likely avoid November and December in the future. These itineraries are more expensive (at least, in our experience) than their counterparts in January and February, and we’d prefer to save the money and do one of the discounted off-season sailings. With that said, if you’re looking to do a family cruise around the holidays and are only looking for mild dashes of Christmas cheer, there’s no reason to actively avoid the Very Merrytime Cruises. Just don’t go out of your way to book one, either.

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

If you’ve done a Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise, did you have any similar disappointment? Did it live up to your expectations? Do you think we’re being too hard on it? Is this seasonal offering something you’d like to experience on Disney Cruise Line? Do you agree or disagree with our review? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Thanks for the article! I’m wondering where I can get that black dress with red belt?! It looks great with the red ears!

We have the Wish booked this year for our first! Can’t wait to experience it!

We’ve done the Halloween on the High Seas cruise and we’re booked for the Very Merrytime this November. I had such high hopes for the Halloween cruise that I too was disappointed to see just how lightly themed the cruise was. I spoke to the acitivity director about it and he said i was the first person to mention being a bit let down by how little “halloween” there was (notably that …somehow… during the week long cruise there wasn’t a single showing of the Disney Halloween classic, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”!) I now have lower expectations going into our Merrytime cruise. DCL says they “don’t want do overdo it” with the theming so if you’re a holiday die hard, just expect a great cruise … with a touch of the season (Halloween or Christmas) added to make it even better.

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.

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

Disney Cruise and Stay Miami: Easy Pre-Cruise Options

Easiest Hotel Stay before a Disney Cruise (Port Canaveral)

How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost (Planning on a Budget)

25 Best Disney Cruise Tips for First Timers

Best Disney Cruise Activities for Kids

3 Day Disney Cruise Review (Is it worth it?)

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.

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Trip Log Day 2: 3-Night Very MerryTime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida – At Sea

Trip log, day two. At Sea. 3-Night Very MerryTime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida  November 12, 2022 Personal Navigator – Day 2

Day 2 was originally scheduled to be a port day in Nassau, but due to our late departure from Port Canaveral, the itinerary was modified to make today a day at sea. Thankfully, the weather was cooperative, and the additional time onboard allowed for a more relaxing day, especially for those in our group who were experiencing the Disney Wish for the first time.

After a long first day, I choose sleep and to attempt to try taking pictures of the decorated Grand Hall in the morning rather than the wee hours of the morning. Well, the gamble paid off as it was fairly quiet in the Grand Hall until about 7:30 AM. Just a few folks walking through and stopping for a quick photo.

While I miss the traditional holiday color palate used on the other ships, I will admit, the gold tree and garland pair well in the Grand Hall, castle at sea – enchantment motif aboard the Disney Wish.

The AquaMouse was scheduled to open up at 9AM, and the plan was to rope drop the line so we could be done and have enough time to get to our 10AM brunch reservation. We were not the only guests with this idea. Not all that unexpected considering the weather was lovely and I keep hearing Nassau is trash, so by that I’d expect today was going to be a sea day for most regardless of the ships position. Side note, I have come full circle on Nassau; I now quite enjoy going ashore for a few hours, but then again, I like cruising for the adventure, not the floating resort aspect of the cruise experience.

We did not succeed in the rope drop attempt as the queue was filling with the end of the line just beginning to extend down the staircase to deck 12. The AquaMouse was running raft after raft and the wait was just over 30 minutes. I kinda lied to the family saying they wouldn’t get soaked… Well, I forgot about the misters and the water jets…

After a very quick turnaround, we were off to Palo Steakhouse for brunch with fellow DCL Blog Group Cruise passengers. Originally, our group ended up with staggered seating times, but that was resolved and we were seated at the same time. Although, we were split up into multiple tables because I assume the tables are bolted to the floor.

The brunch is essentially the same experience as it was back in June. The bread service was much improved along with presentation. The antipasti is where the brunch offering really misses the mark. This was a huge part of the self service options where guests could pick and choose various items based on personal preferences and favorites. I’m not complaining about the absence of self service, that ship has sailed and I’ve moved on. However, why not offer an antipasti cart like they’d wheel to your table at dinner service? That way, if someone wants a half a plate of shrimp, a pile of parmigiano-reggiano, and a taste of sliced coppa they could get exactly what they want. During both brunches, the table has split both antipasti selections and both times there were items not touched and others that disappeared quickly.

The table shared a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato pizza which was just ‘ok’ and the same could be said for what used to be a sleeper hit, the lasagna bolognese. The lasagna that was served was more of a deconstructed casserole version or what was left in a pan scrapped together and dressed. up with a drizzle of olive oil and basil. The wild mushroom ravioli was a lovely dish and if you were to tell me these were not made in house, I’d demand to know where they were purchased because the pasta was great and the accompanying sauce was good.

A blogger’s delight, Mary, who we were seated with, ordered each of the poached eggs, and they were presented on one glorious plate!

Dessert time: the limoncello torte was a popular choice along with the amaretto chocolate fondant at our table and actually compliment to each other nicely.

I don’t think New Palo Brunch will have the same fate as New Coke – it is what it is, just another thing about New DCL I’ll need to get used to, or in my case may just skip in the future. I gave it a couple of tries but, brunch just doesn’t feel like brunch without the self service component. It is worth pointing out, our server, Daniel, was fantastic.

After brunch, we took a stroll down to Mickey’s Mainsail in hopes that more Very MerryTime merchandise soon would be there. The shirts were nestled all snug on their racks, while a variety of ornaments hung on their hooks. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, nothing more than last night.

As luck would have it, guests now have a slightly more options available on the Disney Wish.

The Christmas merchandise has not improved much since Scotts sailing. Store was chaos at 6:15! https://t.co/WXXCkWwYOa pic.twitter.com/13GXnJXj7o — CHRIS in the Concierge Lounge (@CHRIS_MAGIC_DCL) November 21, 2022

You learn something new everyday. To my surprise, rubber ducks are quite popular on cruise ships, our plan to hide 50 ducks and see who could find the most in the afternoon became a bit more challenging. Roughly 44 ducks were found by those outside of our group. Three groups of people each found 2 ducks making it a 3-way tie. Isabelle not only hid the ducks, she took pictures of each location and afterwards went back and made sure all were found.

During the duck hunt, there was the second wedding of the day; the first was in a private ceremony in Nightingales, the second a more public affair in the Grand Hall – a little different setup than the Disney Weddings rendering utilizing the stage instead of the staircase landing.

Very MerryTime continued expand around the ship with the construction of a gingerbread house, tower, cake…. tower of houses? Compared to the gingerbread houses across the fleet and those at the various Disney resorts on land, this was underwhelming. So much in fact, I didn’t return to take a photography once it was completed .

Isn’t it neat? The tree inside Treasures Untold is simply wonderful.

Storytime with Mrs. Claus was one of the unique Very MerryTime events offered during this voyage. Mrs. Claus appears from at the top of the staircase on deck 4 where she stops to welcome everyone before depending the grand staircase as she makes her way to the Grand Hall stage.

Mrs. Claus begins by interacting with young guests, then reads two stories before… she is joined by some special guests culminating with a dance party in the Grand Hall.

Over at Luna Libations, you can buy the Disney Parks holiday souvenir musical popcorn tin as well as the parade reindeer sipper.

We stopped in Keg & Compass to check in on scores and watch some of the college football game(s) – The next big Walt Disney Company collaboration should be with the WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORT and the cruise line… DCL x ESPN to build a sports bar venue/experience onboard the next ship that is willing to show more than 2 games and not turn off a game heading into overtime. 687, although limited to the same ‘broadcast restrictions’, 687 remains the best place to watch live sports across the fleet. Icing on the cake is a seat in one of the 687 recliners in front of the big screen.

We conviened in a side room in Marceline Market for our own version of Christmas movie quote trivia. Tammy, the mastermind behind the DCL Blog Group Cruises, came up with some great quotes ranging from the classics like Home Alone and Miracle on 34th Street to timeless treasures such as A Christmas Story, Elf, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

When it comes to ugly christmas sweaters, we made a splash. However, the winner was clearly Dave who took it to another level by customizing his tree hoody with a string of lights!

Sometimes, you are in the right place at the right time. This evening or late afternoon since it gets dark so darn early these days, we were treated to an incredible Bahamian sunset.

If this sunset picture is worth a 1,000 words, what is time-lapse worth?

Dinner this evening was in Worlds of Marvel where we were able to try some of the menu changes such as the new Grilled Tuna Steak and the revised Dill And Meyer Lemon Marinated Shrimp.

The dinner show was paced well and the Avengers Quantum Encounter show is re-watchable ! You never know who may show up at dinner in Worlds of Marvel… Ok, be ready with your camera for when Ant-Man and The Wasp walk around.

Save some room for bonus dessert; tonight we received the brownies, and they were delicious!

On a somewhat related note for those interested, up at the pool deck bar, I found this Disney Wish Avengers Quantum Encounter tumbler.

Quite possibly the best offering anyone on land or sea… The Silent DJ Party. I believe the kids would say IYKYK.

In case you were wondering, the Pirates Rockin’ Parlay Party still rocks.

A little bit or randomness to cap off the evening of our day at sea. Sitting out on deck, relaxing in a lounger, I saw something in the night sky… That ain’t the friggin’ Christmas star, Gris. That’s a light on at the sewage treatment plant! Actually, maybe, it was the space station, a helicopter hovering for an at sea rescue, or something unexplained. Whatever it was led to a fun conversation that would not have happened if I didn’t take the time to sit down and enjoy the night sky with a friend and a slice of pizza.

Here is a neat feature of the drop down stateroom beds (no not the quote); there is a USB port in the light. The same light with USB port is also part of the Murphy beds.

We think tonight’s towel animal is Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas. What do you think?

Tomorrow is a day at Castaway Cay, so it was time to rest up!.

Complete Trip Log Index

• Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida
• Day 2 – At Sea
• Day 3 – Castaway Cay
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

14 Replies to “Trip Log Day 2: 3-Night Very MerryTime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida – At Sea”

Thanks for the details and photos, sorry to put you through an LSU football game!

So only if I need a well made egg Benedict or truly fluffy pancake should I try for Palo brunch. DCL didn’t even try to create new names for the or menu items. That is a disappointment. I love your description of the Lasagna Bolognese. I guess I’ll stop trying for the brunch and concentrate on the dinner at Palo.

Couldn’t get a Palo brunch reservation but got dinner. We’ve never done dinner (always love brunch, even the “new” version). Is dinner worth missing the MDR? (We enjoy the MDRs and don’t usually miss them, but we are on a B2B. ) Also love the silent disco! Who knew it would be so fun?

Scott, we did for just parmigiana cheese and prosciutto and was able to just get that. We ate it all with no other items wanted. This was in October on the Magic.

I remember sailing many, many moons ago when ESPN had the Skybox in the funnel!

I still have my Skybox mugs!

Hi, Michelle wasn’t that place unique. Remember the mural of the crowd at a game and the neat stadium seats. Where are today’s imagineers? Disney certainly has the money, but they seem to be lacking in creativity. To you, Scott, and everyone on his blog, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I had Palo Brunch on the Fantasy and the Wonder this past September, and definitely agree with Scott. Very standard feeling meal, not much individualization. I use to look forward to using my Platinum Palo perk for Brunch in the past for the buffet, but after experiencing the new set up on 2 different ships, I may just decide to do Palo Dinner on Pirate night in the future instead of brunch… Maybe the brunch will come back someday…

On our cruise in October (10/24-10/28), all the hot food (which is all we had) in Palo was mediocre, and lukewarm at best. Our experiences in the MDRs was that the main courses were lukewarm as well. Our server seemed to do the work of both his job and the assistant server. Our assistant server didn’t really do anything except bring ONE drink refill towards the end of the meal when we were getting ready to leave! I think the best thing we ate was the BBQ kielbasa from the quick service place. The Wonder is still our favorite ship and can’t wait to go back on her in February 2024!

I hear you.. In April we took a 7 Nighter on the Fantasy- # 9. After not sailing for 2 years I was so looking forward to my Roasted squash soup, it was cold. And one of our other nights the food was barely warm. We told Kerry Sean. Our head server he said he really wanted to know so we were honest. Our serving team there was awesome they worked hard. Dining on the Wish, Chaotic, Slow and left Arrendale with a migraine.

Didn’t mean to complain too much we will still keep cruising because we still enjoy it and we love Disney. Everything about taking a cruise is luxurious. We are thankful to be able to take the cruises.

@ Krista, You do not need to apologize. With the prices DCL charges, they owe a lot of people an apology for the mediocre experience many are having these days especially in the area of food. We are not willing to pay DCL prices for their current product.

Shocked that the author is so disrepectful of other world cultures and no one calls them out on it. Very entitled viewpoint. Sad to see.

“I keep hearing Nassau is trash, so by that I’d expect today was going to be a sea day for most regardless of the ships position.”

Luis, please take a minute to re-read my statement. This is NOT my commentary on Nassau. I very much like going ashore in Nassau. Look at message boards, social media posts, etc. This is not an uncommon reaction when the port is discussed. To the contrary, I am trying to share my experience going ashore in Disney Cruise Line’s most visited port of call aside from Castaway Cay.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

View prices for your travel dates

Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 0
• Very Good 0
• English ( 0 )

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

ELEMASH: Reviews (Elektrostal, Russia) - Photos of Lodge - Tripadvisor

• Yekaterinburg
• Novosibirsk
• Vladivostok

• Tours to Russia
• Practicalities
• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

Plan your next trip to Russia

Ready-to-book tours.

Your holiday in Russia starts here. Choose and book your tour to Russia.

REQUEST A CUSTOMISED TRIP

Looking for something unique? Create the trip of your dreams with the help of our experts.