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Disney Cruise hosts a Disney Christmas Cruise from November-December every year. We share the top things to do on a Disney Christmas Cruise, so you do not miss out!
Have you ever thought about going on a Disney Christmas Cruise? Disney hosts a holiday themed cruise called the the Very Merrytime Cruise. The entire cruise features a Christmas theme with a life size gingerbread house, multiple visits from Santa Claus, story time with Mrs. Claus, and so much more.
All four of the Disney Cruise ships including Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder participate in the Very Merrytime Cruises. They normally run the whole holiday season from November-end of December.
There is so much to do on a Very Merrytime Cruise! We share the top things to do on a Disney Christmas Cruise, so you can soak in all of the holiday fun.
Disney Christmas Cruise
For our family, the holiday season always starts with a Disney Christmas Cruise out of Port Canaveral or Miami. For the Disney Christmas Cruise, there are so many holiday activities. Here is a video of one of our recent holiday cruises with Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Christmas Cruise Video
Top Things to Do on a Disney Christmas Cruise
As we mentioned above, there are so many things to do on a Disney Christmas Cruise. If you blink, you may miss something. We share the top things to do during your cruise.
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
This is one of my favorite shows. When the kids were younger, our family were talent (actors) on a photoshoot for Disney Cruise Line. We got to “pretend” we were enjoying this show called Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball. We got to see a sneak peak of this show during the photoshoot, before it was even released to the Disney Cruise Ships.
Ever since that moment, the Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball is a special show for our family. We think it will be magical for you, too. 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
The kids love this part of the cruise. 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.
Themed Activities and Crafts for the Family
There are so many Christmas activities and crafts on the Disney Christmas Cruise. Our favorite is gingerbread man decorating. This is also a fun activity for the whole family. Plus, you get a yummy treat to enjoy!
Youth Parties at the Children Programming
Your kids will have so much holiday fun at the Children Programming. Even the tweens and teens have their own Christmas Parties.
Holiday Merchandise
Do you love shopping? Disney normally dedicates a whole store to all things Christmas. You can shop for your favorite Disney inspired Christmas merchandise.
Christmas Caroling
We love the Christmas carolers that just wander the ship (usually around dinner time) singing our favorite holiday songs. You can sing along or just enjoy.
Check your Navigator (activities guide) in your stateroom or on the Disney Cruise app for times and locations for all of these activities.
Christmas at Castaway Cay
If you booked a Bahamas or Caribbean Cruise, you will probably make a stop at Disney’s private island called Castaway Cay. Get ready for some Christmas fun on this island. As you exit the Disney Cruise Ship, you will see a huge Christmas tree with tropical ornaments.
You may even see snow flurries with the sand man family. You’ll also spot special Christmas decorations and holiday music throughout the island.
Insider Christmas Tips
We have a few more fun insider tips for Christmas fun on the Disney Christmas Cruise.
- 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.
The Disney Very Merrytime Cruises will delight your family as much as they do for ours. Be sure to book them early, though. They tend to be quite popular among Disney Cruise fans! To add some extra Christmas magic, start your vacation at Walt Disney World for a Disney Parks vacation. Then hop on the Disney bus to a Disney Cruise vacation. It is the best of both Disney vacations. The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy both leave Port Canaveral, less than an hour from Disney World.
If you love this Disney Christmas Cruise, you may want to look into other themed cruises. Disney has a Halloween Cruise called Halloween on the High Seas. They also have a Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea Cruise. We love all of these themed Disney Cruises.
You may also love our 105 Disney Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Hacks to help plan your next Disney Christmas Cruise.
Have you been on a Very Merrytime Cruise? What did you think?
