Merrytime cruise

[eeyorefanuk]

do any other cruise lines do "Christmas themed" cruises

I really fancy a merrytime cruise ..... Has anyone been and thought it was not worth it

Thank you

 

[professorandmom]

Has anyone been and thought it was not worth it

You'll hear mixed reviews, I think...I believe the holiday decor and extra events find a good balance between celebrating the holidays and a typical cruise...some people have expressed dismay that the holiday vibe wasn't strong enough...personally, the giant ginger bread house and other events are perfect

 

[katellynne]

I have been on 2 Merrytime Cruises. The decorations and events are wonderful! The whole ship, even Castaway Cay is decorated and holiday music is playing. Nice way to enjoy a bit of holiday magic and get in the spirit. I have never gone on an actual holiday though, just in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. They have gingerbread decorating on the longer sailings at least and holiday themed performances and photo ops with Santa etc.
Saying that I did say after my 2nd that I wasn't dying to do it again When I found out the early November cruise I am on is a MerryTime I was actually kinda bummed LOL. But I am sure I will enjoy just the same.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Saying that I did say after my 2nd that I wasn't dying to do it again When I found out the early November cruise I am on is a MerryTime I was actually kinda bummed LOL. But I am sure I will enjoy just the same.

What if you don't think it would be wonderful? I thought it was only in the main atrium. I am sure my opinions will not go well with the masses but I have zero desire to see Christmas decorations on a cruise to the Caribbean. I want to escape winter and reality. So when you say there is holiday music playing, is that everywhere like in the hallways where they normally play instrumental disney music? What about the characters? Do they have a regular Mickey etc or are they always in christmas clothes? I can get over decorations here and there but if it is stuffed in my face in November I will not be a happy camper. Is it really that much in your face? Can you escape it if you want outside of decorations? Not sure if we should keep the booking but will have to give up a 7 for a 5 day to go later in winter.

 

[spgoad]

do any other cruise lines do "Christmas themed" cruises

Other lines do decorate and hold Christmas events, though I don't think anyone starts as early and goes as all-in as Disney. We were on Royal Caribbean around Christmas and their decor was very nice, but their other events lacked the level of Christmas magic as Disney has.

What if you don't think it would be wonderful? I thought it was only in the main atrium. I am sure my opinions will not go well with the masses but I have zero desire to see Christmas decorations on a cruise to the Caribbean. I want to escape winter and reality. So when you say there is holiday music playing, is that everywhere like in the hallways where they normally play instrumental disney music? What about the characters? Do they have a regular Mickey etc or are they always in christmas clothes? I can get over decorations here and there but if it is stuffed in my face in November I will not be a happy camper. Is it really that much in your face? Can you escape it if you want outside of decorations? Not sure if we should keep the booking but will have to give up a 7 for a 5 day to go later in winter.

Yes, there is holiday music playing, but they mix it in with Caribbean music and it definitely doesn't feel like your typical mall at Christmas from an atmosphere perspective. We saw characters both in Christmas & non-Christmas gear - in fact we had to make special effort to catch the Christmas characters vs the regular ones. Most of the decor is just the atrium, and of course shows don't change. It definitely still felt very caribbean, just with a Christmas touch.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I loved the Merrytime Cruise...the decorated tree in the atrium and all the Christmas decor really adds something special.

 

[marana]

This will be our second Merry Time cruise the week of Thanksgiving. We did it two years ago and really enjoyed it. We are a bit of a Disney Holiday family and enjoy the decorations that are ship wide. Santa comes and visit, there's Elsa and Anna and the giant gingerbread house. And we even enjoy a bit of turkey on Thanksgiving (nothing to write home about, but nice). Castaway Cay is cute with the slight additions they make. We think it's a good balance.

 

[CaterFamily]

We're setup for Dec 23-30 2017 Fantasy cruise. Merrytime here we come! Cant wait - it will be our family's first time away from home for Christmas, DW and I are extremely geeked about this one.

 

[ivanp91]

I've been on 2 Merrytime cruises and 1 normal one. The normal one was a nice break from my one and only gripe on the MT cruises - by the end of a week you want to pull your hair out from hearing the same carols playing in the ship over and over I thought DCL has just the right touch with the theming and the events, it isn't too bland nor is it too over the top. The decorations and tree are tasteful (and the gingerbread house is amazing), the deck party and the decorations on Castaway Cay are great. Definitely recommend it

 

[pogmog]

DH and I did a MT cruise last year on the Fantasy and we are doing it again this year...just loved all the holiday decor and shows. Just so special! Disney knows how to do Christmas. Tasteful decorations, Santa and Mrs. Clause, tree lighting in the atrium, decorating gingerbread houses, the characters in their holiday costumes, Mrs. Clause reading stories to the children, the fragrance of the beautiful gingerbread house in the atrium and the holiday show in the atrium with snow coming down; could go on and on....what better way to put you in a festive mood! Everything done to perfection! Did Celebrity in early December, 2010; lovely decorations but that was all. Definitely not DCL.

 

[kiapepito]

I'll be on the cruise Christmas Day and can not wait!!!

 

[traveln4fun]

We went on a Merrytime cruise in November and it was the best cruise. We are a family that loves both Disney and the holidays to this fit the bill. The decorations are beautiful and the character costumes are great. I must admit I cried a little when the dancers were singing carols in the lobby atrium with their winter wear. Loved it!

 

[katellynne]

What if you don't think it would be wonderful? I thought it was only in the main atrium. I am sure my opinions will not go well with the masses but I have zero desire to see Christmas decorations on a cruise to the Caribbean. I want to escape winter and reality. So when you say there is holiday music playing, is that everywhere like in the hallways where they normally play instrumental disney music? What about the characters? Do they have a regular Mickey etc or are they always in christmas clothes? I can get over decorations here and there but if it is stuffed in my face in November I will not be a happy camper. Is it really that much in your face? Can you escape it if you want outside of decorations? Not sure if we should keep the booking but will have to give up a 7 for a 5 day to go later in winter.

The decorations are in most of the public areas...the atrium is the most decorated with the tree and the gingerbread house depending on the ship. The gingerbread house on the Wonder was in a different place in the past. The music in the hallways is still instrumental but I think it is holiday themed and the Castaway Cay is caribbean/hawaiian christmas holiday theme music and the trams have garlands etc. The characters do Christmas clothes and regular clothes. When you get off the ship at Castaway there will be a huge holiday scene with a sleight and snowmen etc. It fits in but it is definitely holiday!! I am NOT trying to talk you out of it-I think you shouldn't cancel if it means 7 day vs 5 day, just figure it is better to be prepared The hallways are decoration free lol and the staterooms but people will do their doors so there is that holiday going on too!. It's okay to be different and I think you will be able to escape it, not participate in it. Honestly I wouldn't cancel a cruise just because of the decorations. But I do totally get how you feel, it is not an appealing thing to me either that early in November before Thanksgiving.

 

[Kel-C_D27]

This is going to be our first Merrytime cruise. Any must-do/must-see you all can suggest? I love Christmas and love all the decorations (honestly, I'm a little sad its not a halloween cruise, but maybe another time) so I am excited about that. I read somewhere that they do a Christmas dinner, does this happen on every cruise or just the one that falls on Christmas day? And does this replace pirate night or something? Thanks for all your suggestions!!!

 

[Sil452]

This is going to be our first Merrytime cruise. Any must-do/must-see you all can suggest? I love Christmas and love all the decorations (honestly, I'm a little sad its not a halloween cruise, but maybe another time) so I am excited about that. I read somewhere that they do a Christmas dinner, does this happen on every cruise or just the one that falls on Christmas day? And does this replace pirate night or something? Thanks for all your suggestions!!!

My wife and I have been on two Merrytime cruises, one on the Dream and one on the Fantasy. Both cruises were in November and there was no Christmas dinner, but we still had pirate night.

We always had hot chocolate and cookies in the Atrium next to the gingerbread house. We also found mulled wine being served at the Bon Voyage bar on the Fantasy on our last cruise. We had that every night it was so good.

 

[Amunet]

We're setup for Dec 23-30 2017 Fantasy cruise. Merrytime here we come! Cant wait - it will be our family's first time away from home for Christmas, DW and I are extremely geeked about this one.

I'll be on the cruise Christmas Day and can not wait!!!

Oh my gosh! You guys are living my dream! Are either of you bringing a mini fiber optic tree to decorate your staterooms?
Christmas isn't a religious holiday for us, so going Christmas Day would be just pure magic for me
Waking up on the ship with presents under the mini tree with surprises in the mini stockings!!!! And all day Disney holiday magic!!! I hope you guys write a trip report!

 

[Leeba]

Our cruise was changed to a Merrytime cruise as well, and I'm kind of annoyed because it's at the very beginning of November. If it were in December I'd probably feel differently, but I'm generally not in the mood for Xmas stuff that early.

When I saw the change I remember thinking it's a good thing we celebrate Christmas. I would be plenty bothered by it if we didn't celebrate. At least they changed it prior to the final payment date, so people could change.

Bah humbug for me, I guess. Lol

 

[Googelibear]

So, they arbitrarily change a cruise to a holiday cruise? WE are sailing on November 4th, I hope this isn't happening then.

 

[CaterFamily]

Oh my gosh! You guys are living my dream! Are either of you bringing a mini fiber optic tree to decorate your staterooms?
Christmas isn't a religious holiday for us, so going Christmas Day would be just pure magic for me
Waking up on the ship with presents under the mini tree with surprises in the mini stockings!!!! And all day Disney holiday magic!!! I hope you guys write a trip report!

Yeah we're going to take a mini tree and several presents. We will be taking about 2000 pictures - we have a bad habit of filling both of our iPhone hard drives during vacations. We have largest capacity too!!

 

[Flossbolna]

So, they arbitrarily change a cruise to a holiday cruise? WE are sailing on November 4th, I hope this isn't happening then.

They usually announce some time in the spring which cruises will be Verry Merrytime cruises. So, after the schedule is out, but well before the cruises take place. However, they do not notify anyone already booked of that change.

Your cruise is the last cruise on the Dream before the Very Merrytime cruises start. Start date for the Dream is November 7th: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/very-merrytime-cruises/