Christmas time Cruising

[slk537]

Hi all,

We just got back from a magnificent vacation at the VWL and MVMCP and are of course busily planning our next vacation. My question for you is this: Christmas is all over the place at the parks and especially at Wilderness...we felt very Christmassy and it really put us in the mood for the season. Next year we want to do either a week cruise followed by a week at VWL, or just two weeks at VWL. So to those of you who have cruised after Thanksgiving...what special differences are there for Christmas? Even though you're cruising through the Caribbean, do you feel the Christmas spirit? What holiday things does Disney do?

Any links to old or new trip reports or opnions would be most appreciated. We'll book the vacation on points through DVC and would be doing it for the 11/26/05 Cruise so we'll call right after Christmas to book so we're researching like crazy now.

THANKS!

Jennifer.

 

[disneybride96]

I've heard good things. From what I understand, christmas decos start going up even before Thanksgiving. Christmas Tree lightings start the first cruise after T-day.

We are sailing the same trip you are considering. Looks like the rooms are filling fast....we could not get my SIL's room with the rest of us. At least she is only a couple of doors down. Somehow we got lucky and got 7120 - the downgraded cat 6.

 

[3xthecharm]

We got lucky, too. We booked 4 of the 6 SPH rooms!

 

[disneygatorfan]

This Saturday will be my third "Holiday Season" cruise with DCL, and there are lots of holiday touches. Last year there were even more then I remember.

The atrium is beatifully decorated with wreathes, garland, and a gorgeous two story tree. Decorations are all over the ship as well--in the dining rooms, in the guest services areas, main hallways, which include the huge Gingerbread house. Even the outside has decorations, with a huge tree up on the "lookout" post. The terminal is also decorated, as well as Castaway Island!

In addition, you can look forward to a lot of holiday activities... some of the ones I remember are:
Characters in Holiday suits
Story time with Mrs Claus
Caroling in the atrium
Gingerbread making lessons
Special tree-lighting ceremony

I am sure there were more, but I always get the Holiday feel on the cruise. Granted, I think there might be more "Holiday stuff" in the parks, but WDW has more room and attractions to showcase. DCL for the holidays might be a nice change! I say give it a try. Beats the Holiday crowds at WDW.

 

[slk537]

Thank you all for your responses!! I really love the idea of a Disney cruise anyway and the whole Christmas additions just have us really excited. I can't book it through DVC until 11 months prior to the sail date, so I am hoping that they reserve several rooms knowing that. Yikes!!

Thanks again!

 

[taeja71]

This Saturday will be my third "Holiday Season" cruise with DCL, and there are lots of holiday touches. Last year there were even more then I remember.

The atrium is beatifully decorated with wreathes, garland, and a gorgeous two story tree. Decorations are all over the ship as well--in the dining rooms, in the guest services areas, main hallways, which include the huge Gingerbread house. Even the outside has decorations, with a huge tree up on the "lookout" post. The terminal is also decorated, as well as Castaway Island!

In addition, you can look forward to a lot of holiday activities... some of the ones I remember are:
Characters in Holiday suits
Story time with Mrs Claus
Caroling in the atrium
Gingerbread making lessons
Special tree-lighting ceremony

I am sure there were more, but I always get the Holiday feel on the cruise. Granted, I think there might be more "Holiday stuff" in the parks, but WDW has more room and attractions to showcase. DCL for the holidays might be a nice change! I say give it a try. Beats the Holiday crowds at WDW.

Any chance you'll be taking digital pics and posting them? I'm dying to see the ship Wonder/Magic all decked out as well as what you've described above.

 

[Lynnyl]

We just returned from a 4 day tour on the Wonder and it was as the writer above remarked, beautiful garlands and trees decorating everything, including theme-relevent wreaths, etc in the restaurants. (For example, Tritons had wreaths with seacreatures in it.) Also, we were greeted at Castaway Cay by a large Christmas Tree and sleigh with snowpeople and it was "Snowing" there. The music on the island was like Christmas-reggae style. Guest services also had a menora displayed. There was a large Gingerbread house by the Promenade Lounge. You'll definately know its the holiday season!

 

[gshoemate]

We have cruised during the holiday season and also not during holiday season. We really felt like something was missing this fall when we cruised. We really missed the Christmas decorations. We are for sure going to try to book a cruise for next November.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We cruised last week. Not only was Castaway Cay decorated, but they greeted us as we got off the ship onto the island with cups of eggnog and cookies. Even the tram had antlers on the front. There was holiday music playing in the hallways on the ship too.