Merrytime Cruise vs Regular

[Hawkeyegirls]

Hi- I am pretty sold on booking next November on the Dream. I just wanted to know what is different between the Merrytime Holiday cruise vs the regular cruises. I saw there is a tree lighting, ball and decor of course. But will the characters be in holiday attire the whole time, or will they still be in the tropical and sailor clothes at all? Also are these extra activities like the tree lighting a bonus or are they replacing something that would have been on the normal year round cruises?

Thanks!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi- I am pretty sold on booking next November on the Dream. I just wanted to know what is different between the Merrytime Holiday cruise vs the regular cruises. I saw there is a tree lighting, ball and decor of course. But will the characters be in holiday attire the whole time, or will they still be in the tropical and sailor clothes at all? Also are these extra activities like the tree lighting a bonus or are they replacing something that would have been on the normal year round cruises?

Thanks!!

The tree-lighting is a bonus, it doesn't replace anything. While our "Christmas" cruise wasn't in the Caribbean, I recall that the characters basically just had "winter" attire on at the events that were Christmas related. Otherwise, they wore their "regular" clothes.

I'd suggest checking some of the past Navigators (over the Christmas season) to get an idea of what sorts of activities are likely to be onboard. You can find some here:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

 

[Amw1064]

I have been on a few of the Merrytime cruises. The characters are in their holiday attire a few of the nights and regular the other. I asked at guest services which exact times they would be in holiday attire as I wanted pictures with my daughter in her Christmas dress and M/M in theirs. I also had her recreate a photo of her in her Minnie Christmas nightgown at age 5 and again at age 11. (she slipped it on in the nearest bathroom and did the photo and changed back out) Goofy was dressed in his Santa suit as well. They have the tree lighting with snow falling. The huge gingerbread house is set up in the lobby and you were able to do gingerbread houses in one of the restaurants. These events are not replacing anything, just added for the Merrytime cruises.

 

[diznymom]

Is there still Pirate Night on the Merrytime cruises? We are sailing Dec 3, 2016 on the Fantasy (7 night).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is there still Pirate Night on the Merrytime cruises? We are sailing Dec 3, 2016 on the Fantasy (7 night).

We had pirate night on our Christmas cruise. Of course, this was a couple of years ago, but I would think it's still the same.

 

[nflmom]

There is a pirate night on the Merrytime cruises!

 

[professorandmom]

Belle in her red holiday dress is an exclusive to Merrytime Cruises ...and if you are into princesses, this ranks right up there! Now beware, she doesn't wear the red dress at all meet and greets

 

[Hawkeyegirls]

Belle in her red holiday dress is an exclusive to Merrytime Cruises ...and if you are into princesses, this ranks right up there! Now beware, she doesn't wear the red dress at all meet and greets

Is there a place that lists which characters will meet and which outfits?

 

[Hawkeyegirls]

Yay. Thats what I wanted to hear. I wanted to make sure the holiday didn't overtake everything but I like them as "extras" since this is the time of year that works for us and we love holiday decor.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is there a place that lists which characters will meet and which outfits?

The Navigator lists where/when the character meets are. Don't know that it specifies dress, however.

 

[professorandmom]

I checked my navigators. While some descriptors were listed in the Navigators ("Pirate Minnie Mouse", for example), Belle is just listed as "Belle". The photo was taken in front of the Christmas tree - priceless! I will say definitely it was NOT at the princess meet - she was in yellow at that event

 

[ladypiph]

A Merrytime cruise is awesome just make sure to check your personal navigator like everyone recommends. The even had a gingerbread decorating activity on my Merrytime cruise. The characters along with many cast members are dressed in holiday attire as well. Castaway Cay (my favorite ) is decorated very nicely and has a very nice huge tree there as well. Even the tram that takes you around the island is decorated as a reindeer. You could even have some holiday stateroom decorations placed in the room before you arrive along with a small table top tree (for a fee of course).

 

[afyoung]

Last November we had Belle in her Christmas dress on the final night party in the atrium. We really enjoyed the Christmas decorations, Santa, and the characters in their Christmas attire. On Castaway Cay they were beachy, but on the ship several times they were in Christmas finery. Even the port terminal was decorated.

 

[Donna3271]

The tree-lighting is a bonus, it doesn't replace anything. While our "Christmas" cruise wasn't in the Caribbean, I recall that the characters basically just had "winter" attire on at the events that were Christmas related. Otherwise, they wore their "regular" clothes.

I'd suggest checking some of the past Navigators (over the Christmas season) to get an idea of what sorts of activities are likely to be onboard. You can find some here:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

PrincessShmoo....
Is the gingerbread house making like the tea parties where you need to get a ticket from guest services, or are all allowed in?

THANKS!!! Any other things to request from Guest Services upon arrival?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

PrincessShmoo....
Is the gingerbread house making like the tea parties where you need to get a ticket from guest services, or are all allowed in?

THANKS!!! Any other things to request from Guest Services upon arrival?

Haven't done that particular activity, but, AFAIK, it's limited. In checking a past Navigator, it's a sign-up list at Guest Services. But the numbers are limited.

 

[lillygator]

how do you know if your cruise is a merrytime cruise? sailing 12/10/16

 

[PrincessShmoo]

how do you know if your cruise is a merrytime cruise? sailing 12/10/16

These are (inclusive) date for this year's VeryMerryTime cruises:
Disney Magic 11/11/2015–12/23/2015
Disney Wonder 11/6/2015–12/24/2015
Disney Dream 11/9/2015–12/24/2015
Disney Fantasy 11/14/2015–12/19/2015

The dates will probably be very similar for next year.

 

[wanderlust7]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread. We're sailing on the Magic out of Miami on a Merrytime cruise. We really want to do the gingerbread house. Our PAT is noon. I figure we'll probably be onboard around 1 pm and everyone will be hungry. Should I have everyone go eat lunch and I'll go sign-up or can I wait to sign-up after lunch?

 

[gumbypee]

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread. We're sailing on the Magic out of Miami on a Merrytime cruise. We really want to do the gingerbread house. Our PAT is noon. I figure we'll probably be onboard around 1 pm and everyone will be hungry. Should I have everyone go eat lunch and I'll go sign-up or can I wait to sign-up after lunch?

sign up first. from what i hear it is limited spots.

 

[wanderlust7]

sign up first. from what i hear it is limited spots.

Right, better safe than sorry. Thanks!