Disney Cruise Line- What's Included?

Do you ever wonder what's included on your Disney Cruise Line vacation? I've included some valuable information on what the value of your cruise includes and ways to make your vacation as magical as possible.

Contact me for a free, no-obligation quote.

s.inch@magicalvacationplanner.com

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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

Shows and Entertainment

Enjoy our thoughts, pictures, and videos of entertainment on the Disney Ships. This includes entertainment areas on the ship, live shows, and a list of some of what we do when we are on the ship. Everyone's entertainment needs are different. We are more of the family who wants everything Disney, so we don't go to many of the adult clubs, but enjoy many of the family events.

Entertainment for Kids/Youth

Disney Cruise Line has the longest complimentary hours of childwatch at sea for ages 3+, according to their website. Parents can stay in touch with their kids by using the wave phones located in each stateroom or by using the navigator's app. Kids are checked in using the magic bands, similar to those in the parks. You can choose to keep the magic band or return it at the end of your voyage for a refund of the $12 deposit you put down when you register your child for the clubs. Your child must be potty-trained to use the Oceaneer's Club and Oceaneer's Lab. There is an hourly fee for children less than 3 to use the nursery.

Andy's Room (all 4 Ships)

  

Retired Monster's Academy on Fantasy

 

 Other Areas

Interactive Dance Floor

Dining Area

 

Wash Stations

Pixie Hollow: Fantasy, Dream, Magic
 

• MARVEL'S Avenger Academy: Magic
• Mickey Mouse Club: Magic
• Star Wars Command Post: Fantasy
• Star Wars Millennium Falcon: Dream
• Disney Infinity: Dream
• Marvel Superhero Academy: Wonder, Fantasy
• Frozen Adventures: Wonder
• Club Disney Junior: Wonder

Oceaneers Lab: Ages 3-12 (ages 8-12 can check themselves in and out on their own)

Wonder, Magic
Dream, Fantasy: Includes themed play spaces: Media Room, Animator's Studio, Wheelhouse, Craft Studio, Sound Studio

Craft Studio

Wheelhouse

Wheelhouse

Craft Studio from Wheelhouse

Animator's Studio

Edge: Ages 11-14: All 4 ships

Vibe: Ages 14-17: All 4 ships

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

• All 4 ships
• Fantasy BBB turns into Pirates League on Pirate Night
• Reservations required (first come, first serve)
• Cancellation fee of $10 per person if canceled within 24 hours of reservation

Live Shows (take place in the Walt Disney Theater)

 

• Fantasy
• A Fantasy Come True
• An Unforgettable Journey
• Disney Wishes
• Disney's Aladdin- A Musical Spectacular
• Believe
• Dream
• Beauty and the Beast (begins November 6, 2017)
• Believe
• The Golden Mickeys...A Timeless Tribute
• Magic
• All Aboard: Let the Magic Begin
• Disney Dreams...An Enchanted Classic
• Remember the Magic...A Final Farewell (7-nights and longer)
• Tangled, the Musical
• Twice Charmed- An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
• Wonder
• Disney Dreams...An Enchanted Classic
• Frozen, A Musical Spectacular
• The Golden Mickey's

Deck Parties

• Sail Away Celebration/Sailing Away (all 4 ships)
• Pirates IN the Caribbean (Magic/Wonder)
• Mickey's Pirates IN the Caribbean (Dream/Fantasy)
• Club Pirate (Dream/Fantasy)
• Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa, and Friends (Magic/Wonder- select Europe and Alaska sailings only)
• Pixar Pals Party (Wonder-Alaska sailings only)

Movies

Take place in the Buena Vista Theater or the Walt Disney Theater. Include some 3-D movies. Live entertainment before movies in the Walt Disney Theater during premiers. All movies are free. Snacks can be brought in from Cabanas or bought at the snacks counter next to the theater.

Entertainment for Adults Only

Night Clubs

My Thoughts and Experiences

You will find the Pirate Night, Sail Away, Castaway Cay, Character Meet and Greets, and See Ya Real Soon Party blogs in separate sections on the main page.

Shows: I haven't seen a show I didn't like, including the non-Disney entertainment. We have seen all of the Disney shows on the Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy. Our favorite is The Golden Mickey's. The caliber of entertainment, effects, and music is incredible! The audience is full involved with the shows and every show fills up! My suggestion is to get there early to get the seats you want. We personally love the seats on the second level overlooking the balconies. The only downfall is you don't have much of a chance of getting chosen as a volunteer when they ask for audience involvement. We enjoy the magicians, comedians, and Buckets and Boards (seen them twice!). The violinist on Disney Dream is fantastic. I've never seen anyone play the fiddle the way she does! Her name is Evgenia. She plays in the atrium at night during dining hours.

Violinist on Disney Dream: AMAZING!!!

Dancing Photographer on Disney Dream While Daughter Dances in Atrium

Daughter Dances With Disney Photographer in Atrium on Pirate Night

Amazing Violin Music on Christmas Morning on Disney Dream