Back-to-Back Merrytime Cruise
December 24-December 31, 2015
Would you ever think about spending the holidays on the high seas? This is one question I had to ponder over and over. I just didn’t know if my daughter would be OK not being home the day the big man in the red suit showed up in the middle of the night. I had to tell her we had booked a cruise over Christmas. We would be leaving on December 24 and returning on the 31st. What she didn’t know was that we had a back-to-back planned. (You can hear in the video, I almost spoiled that surprise when I broke the news to her, so I covered it up by restating we had another cruise booked for Spring Break). We decided to only tell her about the first leg of the cruise and would tell her we were going to be staying at the beach in Melbourne, FL for New Year’s Eve.
I walked into her room and told her I needed to talk to her. She immediately asked me if we were canceling our trip to FL and asked if we would be staying home for Christmas. Well, I broke the news to her and as you can see in the video, I was very hesitant. I initially told her we were going to be moving to FL. She was not very happy about that but knew I was playing. so here I was thinking I was going to get this great response full of excitement…you know, the kind you see on YouTube where the reactions are priceless. I told her we were going to see the Mouse. To my surprise, she said, “Yea, so.” (So not what I expected). This was the not-so-priceless part of the reveal. Then she asked if we would be staying in the castle. I told her no and we would be floating with Mickey. A small smile broke, but then she was worried Santa would not visit and if she could bring her American Girl dolls with her. I wanted this to be exciting for her. I didn’t want to ruin her Christmas.
Well, as you can see here, we had an amazing trip! We revealed to her we would be staying on for another cruise after that one ended. She didn’t believe us because she thought she had to start school again. She was so excited we were staying on the Dream because you see, she makes friends with anyone she meets. She had become close with some photographers and officers on the ship. The bracelet she shows is a friendship bracelet Rhaul made for her (he is a photographer). [If you have questions about the disembarkation and embarkation process on a back-to-back, let me know. I’ll be happy to share our experience!]
What is special about a Very Merrytime Cruise on Disney? Well, everything, really! The characters are decked out in their holiday best and worst (ugly sweaters). The Charles Dickens Carolers were amazing. It snowed...in the atrium! Santa came on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day Mrs. Claus read stories to the children in front of the Christmas tree. In the atrium, there was hot (and cool) cocoa, cookies, cakes, and all kinds of treats. We were given a special Christmas gift from Disney Cruise Line in our staterooms on Christmas Eve (a DCL miniature Santa hat, goodies, and a collectors poster), and on Christmas Day we got another special gift in the atrium (a DCL calendar). We made gingerbread houses. Christmas Day was even more special when Disney Dream sailed past Disney Fantasy near Castaway Cay at sunset. There were also special character appearances and a Christmas Day deck party, Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party, for the kids and families. You are even allowed to decorate your cabin as long as you don't put holes in the wall, use tape, or cause obstructions. We took a small Mickey Hat Tree, Emily's Elf, and small stockings.
When we woke up on Christmas Day, the atrium was buzzing and smelled so good. The chefs on DCL made amazing goodies for everyone to enjoy on Christmas morning. They even served cool hot cocoa and hot cocoa, gave away free large cookies that you would pay an arm and a leg for in the parks, music by the Charles Dicken's Christmas Carolers, and snow falling in the atrium. Be sure to get there early so. you don't miss out! Unfortunately, the cakes were not being cut while we were there, so I'm not sure if they were ever cut. The life-size gingerbread house was up for our entire sailing!
Will we sail over Christmas again? Yes, but not until Emily becomes her own Santa. Until then, we will sail on other holidays. We haven’t experienced Halloween on the High Seas yet. Maybe next year! This year, we will be on our first New Year’s Eve cruise on Disney Dream! I can’t wait to share my experiences with you!
I hope you enjoy the videos. They make me laugh. Emily (my daughter) is a character of her own! Feel free to ask me specific questions you have about Merrytime Cruises. I will do my best to answer them based on my experiences. Feel free to browse this Merrytime Cruise Album with over 1,000 photos for your viewing pleasure.
Above: We were chosen as a Magical Family and got a special time with all the characters the last night.
The characters were all decked out in the Christmas best!
Mrs. Claus read stories on Christmas Day. Once she finished, we all got a surprise. All the Disney characters came down the staircase in their Christmas outfits for photo opportunities, much like they do at the Farewell Party on the last night. There are no photographers, so be sure to bring your camera.
Minnie Mouse in her Christmas Day Best
We sailed past Disney Fantasy on Christmas Day. Bob Iger was on Disney Fantasy and wanted us lined up at sunset. It was quite a shot, just off the coast of Disney's private island of Castaway Cay.
Below: instead of getting Chocolate Mickey's on our Sundae, we got a cute Gingerbread Man.
Gifts in our Cabin on Christmas Eve
Making Gingerbread Houses (Free Activity) in Animator's Palate while docking in Castaway Cay. We were able to finish them before disembarkation time. They stayed in our Cabin while Emily and Harry munched on them here and there. Unfortunately, they were not allowed to leave the ship, so make sure you take a photo of your work of art, then enjoy the homemade gingerbread cookies and all the goodies you used to decorate your home. You had to sign up for this activity because space and supplies were limited.
Emily and I worked on our house. Harry was just tormenting her, trying to eat everything (jokingly).
The Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party was a lot of fun. All the characters came out in their Christmas outfits and interacted with guests of all ages. It's always fun when all the characters get together to help you celebrate a special holiday.
This is one of the photo spots in front of the giant Christmas tree in the atrium. We switched clothes a few times for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day photos. When you have the photo package (all photos), you can take as many photos as you wish, so we planned a family PJ session, Carolina Panthers Jersey, Ugly Christmas Sweaters, and formal wear. It's also fun when you make friends with the photography staff. They throw in some extras like character photos, pictures of the ship, and more for us.
Be sure to catch Santa in front of the tree. After Christmas, he is back at the North Pole and will not be available for photos. Mrs. Claus will be around for story-telling and photo ops on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Santa Goofy will take Santa's place after Santa returns to the North Pole. Goofy is in his Christmas PJ's, which match ours!
Mickey on Christmas Eve
Mickey on Christmas Day (Formal Night)
Dinner at Animator's Palate
Alexis and Emily
The Christmas Tree on Castaway Cay is located on the gangway once you exit the ship. There are usually photographers there to snap your photos, so check your navigator for specific times. Don't worry if you missed them. You are free to take your own family photos. There are also other photo spots around the island to get your photo snapped, but these will be the only ones with holiday backgrounds.
Below: Another photo that was taken on the gangway just outside the ship by Disney Photographers.
Hint: look around the island for hidden holiday surprises.
The terminal was even decked out for the holidays! Not pictured is a large Christmas Tree with Disney-themed beach ornaments.
The video below is the “Surprise! We are staying on for another Disney Cruise!”
Click below for a quick recap video on our Merrytime Cruise.
Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carolers…they were Amazing!
Don't forget to stop by Shutters to pick up your photo package. We ordered the "All Photos" package, so we got the digitals and thumb drives.
I hope you found this post helpful in showing you some of the special moments on a Merrytime Cruise. If you book a cruise and want information or advice, feel free to reach out to me. Have a safe and magical voyage!
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