There is no better way to get yourself in the Christmas spirit than by taking a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise. You can experience the Disney Christmas cruise on sailings in November through Christmas.
![Things You Will Experience on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/disney-very-merrytime-cruise.jpg.webp)
Things You Will Experience on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise
If you get a chance to go and experience a Disney Christmas cruise, you will not be disappointed!
You will find the normal Disney magical cruise experience with some other amazing perks you will only get this time of year!
![](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/disney-dream-christmas-cruise.jpg.webp)
Christmas Decorations
No matter which Disney Cruise Ship you set sail on during your Disney Christmas cruise, you can expect to find the entire ship transformed into a Christmas paradise.
![Disney Christmas Cruise Decorations on the Ship](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/disney-christmas-cruise-decor.jpg.webp)
There is a beautiful Christmas tree in the atrium along with holiday garland strung from the banister all the way up to the balcony.
![Gingerbread House on Disney Christmas Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/disney-christmas-cruise-gingerbread-house.jpg.webp)
Just off the atrium, you will find a HUGE Gingerbread house with smaller Christmas trees. The gingerbread house has lots of windows so you can peer inside.
You may even spot Mickey and Minnie Mouse by the fire!
![](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/minnie-mickey-holiday-party.jpg.webp)
Mickey and Minnie’s Holiday Party
There isn’t anyone who doesn’t want to spend some time by the pool and during your time on a Disney Very Merrytime Cruise, there will be holiday fun on the pool deck throughout the cruise.
![](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/disney-cruise-holiday-party.jpg.webp)
There are special parties and poolside fun with some of your favorite Disney friends dressed in their best holiday outfits!
Kids can get the chance to play some reindeer games like hula hoop with Goofy and Pluto, do the Limbo with Stitch or dance with Chip and Dale!
![Christmas Tree in Atrium on Disney Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/tree-lighting-disney-christmas-cruise.jpg.webp)
Tree Lighting Ceremony
There is a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the Merry Time Cruise that you won’t want to miss.
It features your favorite Disney characters, Christmas music and of course, the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Atrium.
You will want to make sure that you get to the Atrium early to get a good spot to watch this event!
![Christmas Carols on a Disney Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Christmas-Carols-on-a-Disney-Cruise.jpg.webp)
Along with the tree lighting, there is also Christmas caroling, storytelling and a piano player belting out holiday tunes!
If you have ever walked through the Grand Floridian Resort at Christmas, you will get a similar experience!
![Disney Christmas Cruise Meet & Greet with Mickey Mouse](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/disney-christmas-cruise-meet-greet.jpg.webp)
Disney Characters in Their Holiday Outfits
On a Disney Christmas Cruise, you will have several opportunities to meet and greet your favorite Disney characters.
They will appear in their tropical holiday outfits, cruise wear, Christmas sweaters and formal wear.
Be sure to pack your Disney Christmas shirts (or some Disney pajamas!) so you can take special photos with them in front of the Christmas tree.
![Castaway Cay on a Disney Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/christmas-cruise-castaway-cay.jpg.webp)
Christmas at Castaway Cay
As if it wasn’t enough to see the ship decorated for Christmas, you will also find that Castaway Cay has been transformed into a winter wonderland!
![Meeting Stitch on a Disney Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/disney-cruise-stitch.jpg.webp)
There will be tons of great photo ops with your favorite characters as soon as you hit the island!
Along with this, you will find holiday displays making you feel a bit frosty even on a tropical island.
![](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/minnie-mickey-christmas.jpg.webp)
There is just so much to love about taking a Disney Christmas Cruise no matter what Disney ship you set sail on!
One thing to keep in mind is that the weather in December could be a little chillier than other times of the year, so pack accordingly to your destination.
The water in Castaway Cay is cooler than it would be in June or July, but there are plenty of other things to do in Castaway Cay besides spending time in the ocean.
![Mickey and Minnie on Christmas Cruise](https://www.disneyinsidertips.com/wp-content/uploads/mickey-minney-cruise.jpg.webp)
Overall, Disney does a wonderful job of getting you in the holiday spirit with their Disney Christmas cruise! While this cruise does tend to cost a bit more than sailing other times of the year, the extra festivities and holiday charm are worth the added cost.
Have you been on a Disney Christmas Cruise? What was your favorite part?
Alecia
Tuesday 5th of July 2016
The amazing thing about Very Merrytime Cruises is that they happen during Thanksgiving, too! I've taken 3 Very Merrytime cruises, 2 during Thanksgiving and 1 at Christmas. My favorite thing about these cruises is the decorations. I also love the caroling and the opportunity to meet the man in red. On our November cruise, Anna & Elsa opened the holiday season by bringing the snow to the atrium of the Disney Magic. Everything on the ship has an extra dose holiday spirit.
Kristi
Thursday 7th of July 2016
It is so magical! We love the decorations too. I haven't see the snow, though! Maybe this year!