Ahoy, Rachelle!
Welcome aboard planDisney! You’re asking the right questions, and a Very Merrytime sailing is an excellent way to spend the holidays! There’s something pretty special about waking up on Christmas morning surrounded by Disney magic and the ocean.
Offerings can vary a little bit from ship to ship and from one sailing to another, but no matter which one you pick, your sailing will be
filled with holiday-themed activities and events. There are generally several opportunities to meet Santa and take holiday photos, Storytime with Santa, holiday-themed Learn to Draw and crafts, special holiday merchandise, hot cocoa and cookies, Mickey & Minnie’s Merrytime Tree Lighting, and the list goes on and on with holiday fun.
One of my favorite things to do is simply walk around the ship and admire all of the holiday décor. Each space is so festive and just makes you want to get into the holiday spirit. The beautifully decorated trees, garland, lights, and other seasonal touches really transform the ship. All that is missing is some snow!
I also love spending some time up on the pool deck. Funnel Vision is usually playing holiday-themed Disney or Pixar movies, and I can’t help but grab an ice cream cone before sitting down to watch a movie out in the ocean air. There’s something about watching a Christmas movie while surrounded by the ocean that makes the whole experience feel a little different from celebrating the holidays at home.
When it comes to attire and themed nights, it really depends on the length of the sailing. Sailings of 7 nights or longer will typically include a formal night, semi-formal night,
Pirate Night, and Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party. Shorter sailings will usually include all of the same holiday fun, but the formal and semi-formal nights are generally combined into a single optional dress-up night.
Dressing up is definitely part of the fun, but
it is completely optional on each of the themed evenings. For Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party, my crew and I usually like to wear matching pajamas. It makes for some fun family photos and is a pretty comfortable way to celebrate the holidays! You’ll see Guests dressed in everything from festive cruise attire to full holiday outfits, so no matter what you choose to wear, you’ll fit right in.
I hope this helps give you a better idea of what to expect from a Very Merrytime sailing. Whether you dress up for the festivities or spend the evening in matching pajamas like my crew, I think you’ll find that Disney has a wonderful way of making the holidays feel right at home, even when home is several miles out to sea!
Sea ya real soon as summer waves goodbye and autumn magic begins to shine,
Dustin