Very Merrytime Disney Cruises – Worth it?
Very Merrytime Disney Cruises – Worth it?
Can you imagine a more perfect setting for the most wonderful time of the year than a Disney Cruise? Disney Cruise Line’s holiday sailings, better known as the Very Merrytime cruises, bring the holidays to life onboard Disney ships.
Filled with special guests, decorations, and events, these cruises will certainly have you feeling merry from the moment you step onboard. We’ll be discussing what’s different about these sailings compared to other Disney Cruises, comparing these sailings to the Halloween on the High Seas sailings, and answering the question we see the most in the Disney Cruise Line Community (join for free here) – are Very Merrytime Cruises worth it?
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What’s different on Very Merrytime sailings vs regular Disney Cruises?
When you walk onboard a Very Merrytime sailing, you’ll immediately be welcomed by a 2-story Christmas tree, poinsettia wreaths, beautiful lights, and (our favorite) a life-sized gingerbread house! Disney’s crew starts working on building this structure weeks and weeks before it’s constructed in Atrium/Grand Hall for guests to admire. It is truly a work of art!
You’ll also notice the characters are feeling festive as they don their finest holiday attire. You’ll definitely want to grab pictures with characters in these unique, jolly outfits as they would make fantastic holiday cards or homemade ornaments. The crew will even be wearing hats and scarfs and might even be throwing out some snowballs!
You better watch out, you better not cry because Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will also be making appearances throughout the sailing at holiday events like Storytime with Mrs. Claus. Other holiday events include Mickey’s Tree Lighting, Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, Deck the Halls Deck Party, Build Your Own Gingerbread House, and more! There are also holiday specialty treats like desserts, drinks, cake pops that are only available onboard Very Merrytime sailings. There’s plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit with events for all ages throughout your sailing.
Additionally, you’ll find some specialized Very Merrytime merchandise in the stores onboard like Mickey’s Mainsail like shirts, ornaments, mugs, and so much more. Not only do these make great souvenirs, but they make great holiday gifts too! We always recommend doing your shopping as early in the cruise as possible as items, especially these unique holiday items, can sell out. Special gifts and amenities are also available for stateroom delivery, but these don’t always appear online. To find out more or have these ordered, call your Travel Agent to request this. To learn more about why so many people use Travel Agents to help with their Disney Cruises, read more here.
What’s the same on Very Merrytime sailings vs regular Disney Cruises?
Whether you sail on a theme cruise like Very Merrytime, Halloween on the High Seas, Pixar Day at Sea, etc. there are experiences that you will get regardless of your sailing.
You will always receive Disney quality service from the cast and crew filled with Disney magic. You will always experience rotational dining getting to visit all the main dining rooms onboard. The itineraries will be the same (holidays do not get special itineraries). You will still get to watch the Broadway style performances, take advantage of the kids’ clubs and adult-exclusive experiences, play Disney gameshows, see pirate night (on most sailings), sleep in the same family sized staterooms, enjoy the pools and slides, and so much more.
The holiday sailings really provide additional entertainment and holiday magic; nothing is taken away from your “regular” Disney Cruise, only added.
Are Very Merrytime sailings worth the price?
Because so many people are on holiday break and schools are out, prices are going to be higher for these sailings. We think these sailings are worth it because of all the holiday décor, exclusive Very Merrytime experiences, ease of not having to always take the kids out of school, and everything else mentioned above. If you love Christmastime and the holiday season, then our advice is to try it once to get a glimpse of the added magic onboard. You can always sail at other times if the holiday sailings don’t float your boat (yes, we know they’re not boats. They’re ships!).
Disney Cruise Line prices based on supply and demand, so if budget is a concern as it is for so many get yourself a Disney Cruise Travel Agent. This is where having a Travel Agent really comes in hand because you can give them your budget, and they can give you options that fit your budget instead of you having to try and make a puzzle work. They’ll know what stateroom categories, itineraries, lengths of sailings, etc. to utilize to help you plan your dream Disney Cruise. Oh, and their services cost you nothing!
Top tips for the best Very Merrytime Disney Cruise?
Don’t be afraid to pack your holiday sweaters, holiday Mickey ears, Christmas jammies, and dress in the spirit of the season. The characters, crew, and ship are all decked out, so you can too. You can even order Christmas cards at Shutters, so be sure to pack outfits for your cards!
And don’t forget about your staterooms. We love seeing holiday magnets like homemade ones decorate stateroom doors, cruisers buying the special Very Merrytime room package, and folks purchasing Disney Cruise Line stockings and the little packable tree to decorate your stateroom. We also recommend pre-ordering the photo package (to get the savings) because you are going to want to have these photos with the whole family for years to come. And don’t forget to pack your autograph books. You never know who you might see walking around the ship.
Overall, don’t be afraid to lean into the holiday spirit onboard. It’s your vacation, so whether you want to go all out in holiday sweaters or simply enjoy cruising on one of the most beautiful cruise ships at sea, you will have a wonderful time! If you need help planning your next Disney Cruise, reach out to one of our Recommended Travel Agents today.
FAQs:
Do Very Merrytime Disney Cruises happen on all ships? Yes, the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish will all have Very Merrytime cruises. Wondering which ship is best for you? Learn more here.
Will Santa Claus be on my Very Merrytime Disney Cruise? Yes, both Santa and Mrs. Claus will make appearances during your Very Merrytime sailing.
Does Castaway Cay get decorated for Very Merrytime Disney Cruise? Yes, Castaway Cay joins the holiday fun with its own tree, presents, and festive sandmen (instead of snowmen) and more. Fantastic photo opportunities! To learn about the Top 5 Must-Do Activities on Castaway Cay, watch here.
If I do not celebrate Christmas, will I still have a good time? Absolutely! Disney Cruises are exactly what you make them. If holiday events are not of interest to you, you do not have to participate. There is still plenty to do onboard that will not be holiday-centric. Disney Cruise Line also celebrates the traditions and holidays of several countries, so we consider these more “holiday” sailings than just Christmas sailings. For example, they have menorahs and general worship services available. Check your Personal Navigator App for what might be available on your sailings.
When does the ship get decorated for the holidays? Right after Halloween, the crew works to transition everything from Halloween on the High Seas décor to Very Merrytime décor. From just after Halloween through Christmas, the decorations will be up around the ship. Right after Christmas all the holiday decorations do come down, so they will not be available on New Year’s sailings.
Is it warm enough to swim on Very Merrytime sailings? Typically, yes, it is warm enough to swim during November and December (and even January/February) sailings. This isn’t always true, so we always recommend packing layers (see the Ultimate Disney Cruise Line Packing List here). Depending on where you sail, where you’re from, and what Mother Nature has in mind for your sailing, it could be perfect swimming weather or a bit chilly on deck. The good news is that Disney Cruise Line does heat their pools and have hot tubs, so if you or your party are swimming regardless of the temperature outside you can stay warm. We would recommend bringing a sweater or sweatshirt to Castaway Cay for the same reasons above. We have been to Castaway in December and been sweating on some cruises and chilly on others. Best to be prepared.
When do Very Merrytime sailings get released? Disney Cruise Line Very Merrytime sailings get released with all the itineraries. There are not special releases for just these sailings. With that in mind, be sure to book as far in advance as possible to take advantage of the best prices. Disney prices based on supply and demand. While you might have some savings booking last minute, that is never guaranteed especially with high demand sailings like these. Typically, prices are best the day the itineraries are released so work with your Travel Agent to make an action plan as soon as itineraries become available. You can let your Travel Agent know what you’re looking for too. This way, you don’t have to constantly be checking, refreshing, and glued to your computer. They can simply contact you once everything is released to confirm what you would like booked. And reminder, our Recommended Travel Agents’ services are completely free to you!
Will my Very Merrytime Disney Cruise have a Pirate Night? Yes, Very Merrytime cruises will still have Pirate Night. Keep in mind that while most itineraries include a pirate night, not all do. Call Disney Cruise Line, your Travel Agent, or join our Community for free to confirm if your exact sailing will include a Pirate Night.
