Merrytime Cruise Questions

[1926Moon]

Hi - we will be on an Eastern Fantasy Merrytime cruise early December 2017 and I cannot wait - my two favourite things colliding: Disney and Christmas

I have a few questions:
-First - I have looked at the Navigators and Menus on the Disney Cruise Line Blog, but I can't tell - are there special holiday menu items available? I know that they menus are still standard rotational, however, I am wondering if there are some holiday things added - a holiday dessert, or cocktail maybe?

-Second - are there holiday movies in addition to regular ones? A Christmas Story or It's a Wonderful Life? I am meaning either in one of the theatres or on the on-demand in the rooms

-And finally - are there special Disney Christmas things for sale in the stores on board?

I think that is about it for now

Thanks and happy Saturday!

 

[Princess Minnie of Disney]

Hiya! I went on Merrytime Cruise in Nov. 2014 aboard the Magic. As far as I remember there weren't any holiday food items but, I'm a pretty picky eater so I might have skipped them. The movies also in the theater weren't holiday themed but on demand you could get ones like Mickey Once Upon A Christmas. Finally of course there were holiday themed merchandise! They had so many cutesy ornaments and other things, loved it! Honestly that cruise was so pretty and fun that I'm sure you will love it. Happy sailing

 

[Flossbolna]

-First - I have looked at the Navigators and Menus on the Disney Cruise Line Blog, but I can't tell - are there special holiday menu items available? I know that they menus are still standard rotational, however, I am wondering if there are some holiday things added - a holiday dessert, or cocktail maybe?

We were on a Merrytime Cruise in 2014 and the dinner menus were not changed. However, there was seasonal food at the counter service places on deck (I remember a sandwich with turkey and stuffing and a pizza with turkey and cranberry?), there were seasonal coffee drinks at the Cove Cafe. I also think there were seasonal items at Cabanas (pumpkin pie).

-Second - are there holiday movies in addition to regular ones? A Christmas Story or It's a Wonderful Life? I am meaning either in one of the theatres or on the on-demand in the rooms

I did not notice anything like that. But there was Christmas music playing in the hallways.

-And finally - are there special Disney Christmas things for sale in the stores on board?

Yes, plenty! They even have special DCL Christmas things to purchase. I have a lovely mug from that cruise.

 

[1926Moon]

Thank you both for your quick responses

 

[Sytrace]

We did our first Merrytime cruise in December 2014...but are doing another one on December 2nd.
I will be sure to take notes and see if they play special movies or have some Christmas themed food choices. They definitely have Christmas items in the shops for purchase and I know they have special drinks as well.
Heck, even on the HOTHS cruises they sell Christmas ornaments in addition to the annual bulb ornament.

 

[Starwind]

They also have special holiday activities, like making a gingerbread house you can take back to your stateroom (you need to sign up the first day for tickets). Note: the gingerbread house is not allowed off the ship.

SW

 

[professorandmom]

A favorite memory: room service breakfast accompanied by A Christmas Story....yes, Christmas movies available!

 

[1926Moon]

^^^^^I am so happy to read this I absolutely shall be taking part of on-demand Christmas movies in the mornings and before bed!

And thank you everyone for responding. I do have to admit I am kind of surprised that there are not holiday touches with the menus!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

^^^^^I am so happy to read this I absolutely shall be taking part of on-demand Christmas movies in the mornings and before bed!

And thank you everyone for responding. I do have to admit I am kind of surprised that there are not holiday touches with the menus!

I believe on those cruises that have the specific holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas) there is a special menu for that day. But not on all holiday themed cruises.

 

[professorandmom]

I can tell you we made (and consumed) a delicious drink during mixology class called "the Grinch" - green and good...we still joke about it!

 

[kiapepito]

Do they sell special Christmas popcorn buckets during Merrytime sailings?

 

[NJMomto2]

I can tell you we made (and consumed) a delicious drink during mixology class called "the Grinch" - green and good...we still joke about it!

We sailed a Fantasy Christmas cruise that actually included Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so it may have been different. Dec 2014. We had the Grinch drink in MDRs and eggnog and maybe one other themed drink. I tried the Grinch - it was great!

We also got cookies and milk for Santa on Xmas Eve and special gifts in our room like the Lithograph with Mickey and Minnie dressed for Christmas and yummy chocolate truffles.

 

[Princess Minnie of Disney]

We sailed a Fantasy Christmas cruise that actually included Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so it may have been different. Dec 2014. We had the Grinch drink in MDRs and eggnog and maybe one other themed drink. I tried the Grinch - it was great!

We also got cookies and milk for Santa on Xmas Eve and special gifts in our room like the Lithograph with Mickey and Minnie dressed for Christmas and yummy chocolate truffles.

That sounds awesome! Did you guys have a little tree in your stateroom and gifts to exchange?

 

[Meredisney]

On the first night, there is a Tree Lighting in the Atrium at 7:30pm.

Then on the fifth night, they do a Holiday Ball and Santa Claus arrives at the end. This is also in the Atrium. They do an early ball 7:30 and a late ball10:15pm. If you sail on the Dream, they have both the tree lighting and the holiday ball on the first night, so there is only a 10:15pm Holiday Ball

Also, check the navigator for Santa Claus in the atrium and story time with Mrs. Claus.

 

[Starwind]

Also, check the navigator for Santa Claus in the atrium and story time with Mrs. Claus.

And, adults are welcome to line up for Santa and sit beside him (his chair is particularly large and wide and comfy) and have their picture taken. Or not have a picture if you don't want photographic evidence of your visit with Santa.

SW

 

[NJMomto2]

That sounds awesome! Did you guys have a little tree in your stateroom and gifts to exchange?

No, my kids forced me to pretend it was Christmas before we left home lol so they only got the freebies onboard.

 

[NJMomto2]

Do they sell special Christmas popcorn buckets during Merrytime sailings?

No unfortunately. They do in the parks but not on the ship in 2014 anyway.

 

[PoopDeckPappy]

I was on the Magic in early December but I don't remember them calling it a Merrytime sailing? Is this fairly recent? They did show A Christmas Carol in 3D in the movie theatre and like mentioned subtle holiday music playing overhead (same thing w Halloween too). The best part was seeing Carolers dressed in Dickens era costumes singing Christmas songs. I thought that was so cool (they sounded GREAT too). I want to say I was on that sailing in 2012.

 

[Flossbolna]

I was on the Magic in early December but I don't remember them calling it a Merrytime sailing? Is this fairly recent? They did show A Christmas Carol in 3D in the movie theatre and like mentioned subtle holiday music playing overhead (same thing w Halloween too). The best part was seeing Carolers dressed in Dickens era costumes singing Christmas songs. I thought that was so cool (they sounded GREAT too). I want to say I was on that sailing in 2012.

I think it was in 2014 that they started calling the cruises before Christmas the "Very Merrytime Cruises". I was on one in 2014 and remember that there were a few Disney Parks Blog posts about this and such. Never heard about them before.

 

[YohoAPiratesLife4Me]

Do they sell special Christmas popcorn buckets during Merrytime sailings?

YES!!!!!! Got this special Mickey bucket last December on the Dream!!! He has a toboggan and boots! It's by far my most favorite souvenir I have ever bought!