Christmas cruise-- which option?

[DisneyMaleficent50]

We have done the Halloween on the high seas and really enjoyed it. We have a 7 day western Caribbean cruise this year. We are very interested in doing a very merrytime Christmas cruise. So here are my questions for everyone.

If a 7 day cruise leaves on Dec 25th would it still be a merrytime cruise?

Next would you do a 7 day leaving the 25th or a 3day/4day back to back leaving on the 24th.

Priority is Christmas activities. We also have been to all Caribbean ports and the only one we get off the ship for anymore is Castaway Cay.
Thoughts????

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Yes, a cruise departing on Christmas would still be Merrytime. There will be lots of holiday themed activities.

Pros for 7 night: No "wasted" day switching out cruises. No need to worry about booking things for 2 separate cruises.
Pros for B2B: You would actually be on the ship for all of Christmas day, versus just part of it for the 7 night. Shows are repeated so you can skip them if you want to do other things. 2 opportunities to do the different "big" Christmas events.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

Thanks those are all great points!!!

 

[dcassetta]

The BTB will also give you 2 visits to Cataway Cay.

 

[KVH]

Remember that not all Merrytime cruises are created equal. Been watching them for the last 2 years and the price variations based on departure dates can vary widely. We're actually dong EBPC this year for our Merrytime ('cause 14 days). Unless you are really stuck on being on the ship on the 25th, you should explore options. And there should be a Merrytime with a double dip option for CC.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

Unfortunately dates are not very flexible as kids are in school so has to be during break.

 

[DietCokeMommy]

Personally, I would prefer the 7 day. December weather in the bahamas/FL can vary widely, whereas in the Caribbean it's much more consistent and likely to be warm. The water will also be warmer. You'll also get better variety in shows and menus on the 7 day. Castaway is great, but if it's 60s and raining all week then going there twice isn't a bonus.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

We are really hoping to focus on the Christmas activities....

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

We sailed a 7-night Very MerryTime from Galveston on the Wonder in 2017, and there were LOTS of Christmas activities on board. Something Christmas-y happened every day! We especially enjoyed:

- Mickey's Tree Lighting Magic on the first night
- Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party (DD got to go on stage for games with characters)
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Meeting Santa (DD declared this the real Santa, not one of his helpers you sometimes meet)
- Winter Wonderland Ball
- Christmas crafts in the Promenade Lounge

We didn't get to do the gingerbread house because we were first time cruisers, but they have changed this to cookie decorating to make it more accessible to all.

One tip I have is to look at Navigators (on the DLC Blog) from 2017 and 2018 MerryTime sailings to see what activities might be offered on the 7-night vs. the 3-night and 4-night. I have a hunch that the 7-night might offer more activities, while you'd see a few repeated on the B2B option.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

We sailed a 7-night Very MerryTime from Galveston on the Wonder in 2017, and there were LOTS of Christmas activities on board. Something Christmas-y happened every day! We especially enjoyed:

- Mickey's Tree Lighting Magic on the first night
- Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party (DD got to go on stage for games with characters)
- Story Time with Mrs. Claus
- Meeting Santa (DD declared this the real Santa, not one of his helpers you sometimes meet)
- Winter Wonderland Ball
- Christmas crafts in the Promenade Lounge

We didn't get to do the gingerbread house because we were first time cruisers, but they have changed this to cookie decorating to make it more accessible to all.

One tip I have is to look at Navigators (on the DLC Blog) from 2017 and 2018 MerryTime sailings to see what activities might be offered on the 7-night vs. the 3-night and 4-night. I have a hunch that the 7-night might offer more activities, while you'd see a few repeated on the B2B option.

Thanks that's very good advice. I will have to see if i can find some posts

 

[darnheather]

B2B also moves you up the CC club faster but is probably more expensive than 7 day.

 

[DisneyMaleficent50]

Yes it would count as 2 cruises.....it does stink for us that a cruise is a cruise no matter the length as we have only done 7+ days cruises