It’s a Winter Holiday at Sea Onboard the Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line‘s very popular Very Merrytime Cruises are back this year aboard the fully decorated Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. As we discovered last year on the Fantasy, it’s the perfect way to celebrate winter holidays, starting early November, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. Check out our previous video showcasing the 2015 festivities and new list of 2016 details below…

Onboard Attractions (according to the cruise line):

• “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.
• “Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where Disney cruisers welcome the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, with a grand celebration featuring Broadway-style entertainment, favorite Disney characters and classic holiday tunes. This evening of enchantment is made complete when a special pair of royal sisters joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.

• Holiday story time beneath the giant tree, where children gather to hear classic tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, including a cozy and intimate storytelling with Mrs. Claus as she shares some of her favorite Christmas stories.
• Dickens-inspired carolers carrying the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends. At the end of the cruise, children will have the opportunity to join the carolers onstage for a special farewell show.
• Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.
• Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

• “Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.
• A special holiday edition of the cheerful farewell celebration on the final night of each cruise, with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

Special Holiday Offerings:

Additionally on Thanksgiving, there will be a special turkey day feast, plus Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will make appearances in their Thanksgiving outfits. Also, NFL football games will be screened on the ships’ poolside jumbo Funnel Vision screen.

On Christmas, Santa Claus and his helpers will have a surprise for the children in the atrium lobby, and guests will enjoy a musical performance from the kids. Later that night, there will be a special Christmas Dinner served in the restaurants. Plus, Christmas Day services, a midnight Christmas Eve mass and Hanukkah services each day from Dec. 6 to 14 will be held.

2016 will also be rung in with a special New Year’s Eve party with music, a midnight countdown and sparkling wine available in commemorative flutes.

Castaway Cay:

Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, will also be decked out for the holidays with magical “snow flurries,” its own Christmas tree, character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

Special Gifts:

Besides special holiday merchandise, like popular ornaments, available in the gift shops, extra stateroom amenities are available for advance purchase and delivery. Such holiday packages include treat baskets and mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper.

Holiday Itineraries:

Disney Magic sets sail on 4- and 5-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises leaving Nov. 11 to Dec. 23.

Disney Wonder departs on 4-, 6- and 7-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises on Nov. 6 to Dec. 24.

Disney Dream sails on 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises leaving on Nov. 9 to Dec. 24.

Disney Fantasy embarks on 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises on Nov. 14 to Dec. 19.

For more information about Very Merrytime Cruises, visit the Disney Cruise Line website, and to book, call upon MiceChat’s very own Fairy Godmother Travel.

Have you sailed on one of Disney’s winter holiday cruises? We’d love to hear your thoughts below…