Which is better for first timer Disney Cruisers

[Smilelea]

Hello,
We are thinking of taking a Disney cruise next year. We were considering going during fall break in October or right before Christmas break in December. Both times would coincide with the Halloween and Christmas themed cruises respectively. So I'm looking for opinions as to which would be better for a first time family. If it matters, it'd be myself, DH, DS 7 and DS 3. Is there anything I should take into consideration that might not be obvious to someone who is not a frequent cruiser?

 

[Sytrace]

Merrytime cruises are awesome...Halloween is too, but Merrytime is our personal favorite after having done both many times.

 

[darnheather]

Which holiday do you like the best? We did Halloween as the Merrytime never seems to fit our schedule and loved it. I love to dress up and was able to three times that one cruise (Halloween, Marvel Day, and Pirate Night). The trick-or-treat festivities are fun for the kids. The decorations on the ship were cute and fun. Once my daughter no longer dances the Nutcracker Ballet every year I'll be booking a Merrytime for sure.

 

[tlprice]

We've done 2 Merrytime and are doing our 2nd Halloween in less than 2 months. We love them both. I would choose whichever one was less money and the longest cruise possible.

 

[GPaLarry]

We've been on a DCL cruise at Easter and it was loads of fun...many eggs and rabbits. Flip a coin and go!!

 

[californiamomofboys]

October cruise is during hurricane season if that is a concern, but prices will likely be a bit lower. Temps in Bahamas may be getting a little chilly in December, but might still be perfect (we usually cruise in January and have had wonderful weather for most, but it has been too cold/stormy for 2 out of the 5). Check average temps and rainfall for your destinations for October and December to get an idea if there will be any significant difference. Disney does a great job with Halloween and Christmas themes so you will be delighted with both. Personally, December is so hectic with Christmas parties/shopping/etc. I wouldn't want to add a trip into the mix but that is completely up to you and may not even be the case with your family.

 

[ScooterScott44]

In my mind there are multiple other factors that could influence everyone's enjoyment, most notably if you are considering different itinerary's.

The make or break for me is your 3 y.o. You know him the best. As long as Santa is not an issue I think he might like the Christmas events better. The Trick or Treating can be sort of a crazy time throughout the lobby.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Our first DCL sailing was a Very Merrytime on the Wonder from Galveston and we loved it. I am a "Christmas person," so that helped, but overall it was a great way to celebrate the holiday season with a special vacation.

 

[KashasMom]

I'm not particularly a fan of Halloween but love Christmas. We're going on our 3rd (or 4th?) Merrytime cruise next year with extended family. Those are my favorite Disney cruises!

 

[Smilelea]

Thank you all for your input. We have started working with a TA to get a Merrytime cruise booked! So excited!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We have done three Halloween cruises during our Fall Breaks and loved them! But I also know I would love a Merrytime cruise because Christmas is my favorite holiday. As a busy Mom like yourself, what I would say is this: The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are magical and very busy. Will you be able to get it all together for Christmas at your house if you are gone for 7+ days? For me, when we go on a long trip, I spend many days preparing beforehand and then days afterward unpacking, etc. I think you should ask yourself if that is what you want to be doing during December. Would it be worth it? Of course! But I like to analyze everything from all angles.

With that, my vote would be for an October cruise! Have so much fun whatever you decide!

 

[KashasMom]

Thank you all for your input. We have started working with a TA to get a Merrytime cruise booked! So excited!

That's great! There are so many Christmas activities and events, the characters are dressed in their Christmas finest, and the ship is always decorated beautifully! Very Merrytime cruises are the best!! Take a look at some Navigators to get an idea of the things to do - https://www.travellingwithnikki.com/2017/12/disney-wonder-very-merrytime-cruise-personal-navigators/. The one thing you must sign up for as soon as you board is to make the gingerbread house.

 

[rcchello]

Not really a Christmas or Holloween person, but I liked the Christmas decorations better and loved the Gingerbread house. I loved the Gingerbread smell in the atrium.

 

[Smilelea]

We have done three Halloween cruises during our Fall Breaks and loved them! But I also know I would love a Merrytime cruise because Christmas is my favorite holiday. As a busy Mom like yourself, what I would say is this: The days and weeks leading up to Christmas are magical and very busy. Will you be able to get it all together for Christmas at your house if you are gone for 7+ days? For me, when we go on a long trip, I spend many days preparing beforehand and then days afterward unpacking, etc. I think you should ask yourself if that is what you want to be doing during December. Would it be worth it? Of course! But I like to analyze everything from all angles.

With that, my vote would be for an October cruise! Have so much fun whatever you decide!

You make a good point. But we usually have Christmas decorations up by the week after Thanksgiving. And we’ll make a point to get most of the other prep done before the trip.

That's great! There are so many Christmas activities and events, the characters are dressed in their Christmas finest, and the ship is always decorated beautifully! Very Merrytime cruises are the best!! Take a look at some Navigators to get an idea of the things to do - https://www.travellingwithnikki.com/2017/12/disney-wonder-very-merrytime-cruise-personal-navigators/. The one thing you must sign up for as soon as you board is to make the gingerbread house.

Thank you so much for this! We will definitely be signing up for making a gingerbread house!

 

[fredandkell]

I am going to offer another perspective and say that for a first Disney cruise, I would not go during either Halloween or Christmas. Especially if you are taking one of the shorter cruises like the three or four night on the Dream, there is so much to see and do on the ship that people tend to try to over schedule anyway and then if you add all the extra things to the mix for the holidays, you may feel like you’re just running around the whole time trying to fit everything in. It really takes you at least two cruises on any given ship before you feel like you really know it. So I would vote for going at a time when you are not paying the Halloween or Christmas premium and just relaxing a bit more and enjoying all the ship has to offer for the first time and then going for a holiday themed cruise later. Trust me, you will book another one after that first cruise.

 

[matthew517]

I myself would do the magic 5 night as my first cruise. Smaller ship with one of the best crews in the Disney fleet. Castaway cay is so much better with a smaller ship.

 

[jeepnjudy]

It really takes you at least two cruises on any given ship before you feel like you really know it. So I would vote for going at a time when you are not paying the Halloween or Christmas premium and just relaxing a bit more and enjoying all the ship has to offer for the first time and then going for a holiday themed cruise later. Trust me, you will book another one after that first cruise.

I concur...Our 1st Disney cruise was not during a holiday and I felt like I was on such a learning curve. I think I finally figured out a lot of stuff by our 3rd cruise and even now I always feel like I'm learning something new from these boards about the Disney cruises!

 

[Smilelea]

I am going to offer another perspective and say that for a first Disney cruise, I would not go during either Halloween or Christmas. Especially if you are taking one of the shorter cruises like the three or four night on the Dream, there is so much to see and do on the ship that people tend to try to over schedule anyway and then if you add all the extra things to the mix for the holidays, you may feel like you’re just running around the whole time trying to fit everything in. It really takes you at least two cruises on any given ship before you feel like you really know it. So I would vote for going at a time when you are not paying the Halloween or Christmas premium and just relaxing a bit more and enjoying all the ship has to offer for the first time and then going for a holiday themed cruise later. Trust me, you will book another one after that first cruise.

I concur...Our 1st Disney cruise was not during a holiday and I felt like I was on such a learning curve. I think I finally figured out a lot of stuff by our 3rd cruise and even now I always feel like I'm learning something new from these boards about the Disney cruises!

Thank you for that perspective. It makes a lot of sense. This time we had to do it at least partially in conjunction with school time off and next summer wouldn't work for a few reasons. If we enjoy it as much as everyone says (and I'm sure we will) we will try to do the next one outside of the holidays so we can experience a "normal" Disney cruise.