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 cancelling 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. There was snow 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 was also special character appearances and a Christmas Day deck party, Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party, for the kids and families. 

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. 

Read more: http://mickeychats.com/thread/61/merrytime-cruise#ixzz4wgBcBRH0


Here are some highlights from our Very Merrytime Cruise: 

Surprise Character Appearances

Charles Dickens Christmas Carolers

The video below is the, "Surprise! We are staying on for another Disney Cruise!" 

Magical Moments with DCL

Enjoy some of our favorite moments on Disney Cruise Line. Each cruise has special moments, which keep us coming back.

One of our favorite things to do at night is to sit up on the top deck and watch movies (or sports) and listen to the waves. My daughter loved the soft-serve ice cream and would make cookie sandwiches or floats with them. Then we would head down to the quiet atrium and she would dance or flip in the atrium, speak to guest services, or sit in the comfy chairs and read. Guest services got to know my daughter and fell in love with her. We would receive gifts in our rooms from the chefs, guest services, and entertainment staff. My daughter became known as "Dancing Cruise Girl" and her videos of dancing with the characters and officers have been posted on YouTube (check them out if you get time). She even received a special envelope from Kevin Irish in the mail a few months after our cruise with a "Magical Moments" certificate, personalized letter, and a Pluto bobble head pin. So, to say the cruise staff goes above and beyond is an understatement. We keep in touch with many of the photographers, and a few of the entertainment staff. It is great to see familiar faces when we cruise. The main star in Disney's Believe is now on Broadway in Rent and we went to see her perform. She was able to introduce us to the cast and gave my daughter a special gift.

Daughter Selected as Honorary Officer for Pin Trading Night

Honorary Officer for Pin Trading Video Montage

Disney Cruise Line Horn at Sail Away Party

Fairy Godmother Sprinkles Emily with Pixie Dust in BBB

Mr. Smee and Captain Hook Dance with Emily on Castaway Cay

Magical Surprise in our Cabin

Magical Moment on Disney Dream

Surprising One of Our Favorite Disney Cruise Staff Members

Our Magical Family Surprise: All the Characters at Once!

Disney Cruise Line Horn Battle on Castaway Cay Christmas Day

Disney Dream Sails Past Disney Fantasy on Christmas Day

My Favorite Video: Disney Fantasy 2015

The Best and Worst of Disney Cruising

Best and Worst Parts of the Cruise Plus Pros and Cons of Other Parts of the Cruise

People ask me what my favorite part of the cruise is. It is really hard to answer. I think the interactions with the amazing cast members is the best! In a future blog, I will tell you all the swag we got from the management because my daughter is so outgoing and they fall in love with her each and every cruise. Another part of the cruise that is my favorite is walking around the ship at night when it is quiet, sitting on the decks upstairs and watching movies by the pools, and all the dancing and singing in the atrium at night. What is the worst part of the cruise...disembarking. It really is sad. I have managed to shed many tears with my daughter every single time we disembark. So many memories were made on your home at sea and the staff makes it very difficult to leave.

The Best

The Worst

Pirate Night!

Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party and Buccaneer Blast

Dancing with pirate Haley at the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party.

Disney Fantasy, 2014 Pirate Night

Dancing with Pirates

Buccaneer Blast Grand Finale

Club Pirate on Disney Dream

More Club Pirate on Disney Dream

Emily Dances with Favorite Pirate on Pirate Night

Pirate Night on Disney Dream

Fireworks at Sea on Disney Dream (Buccaneer Blast)

Buccaneer Blast

Pirate Night Deck Party

Mickey Mouse Pirate Jig

Buccaneer Blast on Disney Dream (each video is different BTW)

Pirate Stitch Hula Dances

Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party

Disney Fantasy Pirate Party

Disney Vacation Club Reception

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Reception happens before the Muster drill the day you embark. We are given DVC goodies, champaign, water, and macaroons (my daughter's favorite cookie). If you arrive early enough, you get the chance for a meet and greet with a special Disney character. Here are some video clips and pictures from the receptions we have attended.

You might want to know what else goes on at the reception...well there is a raffle where you have a chance of winning a $200 gift card, you play games, and watch a video presentation on what new things are happening with DVC. Usually, there is some type of "amazing deal" you just won't be able to pass up, so take a magnetic time slot and sign up to talk to your DVC representative. There is no pressure, which is one major thing I love about Disney!

Cinderella Dances with my Daughter During DVC Reception

Stitch Doing Jailhouse Rock During DVC Reception

Disney Cast Member Learns Some Dance Moves During DVC Reception