Disney Cruiselines Announces Special ‘Stem-to-Stern Holiday Events’!

The holidays are right around the corner and Disney Cruiselines has a lot in store for cruisers planning to sail on one of their 4 ships!

Starting early November, Disney Cruise Line adds sparkle to each ship during Very Merrytime Cruises, with traditional “turkey day” fanfare, Christmas feasts, “snow flurries” and New Year’s Eve galas. But the best part might just be relaxing on deck instead of shoveling snow.

During these voyages through the new year, special stem-to-stern holiday events include:

New for 2014 there will be a “Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic” in the atrium lobby on the first night of the cruise, where Disney characters lead holiday carols and the lighting of the glittering, three-deck-tall tree.

New for 2014 DCL will hold a “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the atrium lobby, where guests celebrate the arrival of the guests of honor—Santa and Mrs. Claus—when a seemingly simple snowman is magically transformed into jolly old Saint Nick himself. This evening of glamour and holiday enchantment is made complete when a very special princess joins the party and causes a flurry of “frozen” fun as a magical snowfall overtakes the atrium.

For the first time there will be Dickens-inspired characters and carolers carry the spirit of the holidays throughout the ship while singing holiday classics, sometimes with the help of favorite Disney friends.

Family holiday activities including building gingerbread houses and meeting Santa Claus.

Youth holiday crafts such as decorating stockings and gingerbread men cookies, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

Holiday storytellers sharing tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, plus a story just for Disney Cruise Line guests about the magical feeling of the holidays on a ship.

“Deck the Deck Holiday Party,” a tropical celebration with Disney friends leading games such as hula hooping and limbo under oversized candy canes, along with dances for the whole family like the “Yuletide Slide” and a conga line around the pool.

“Til We Meet Again” features a special holiday edition of Disney Cruise Line’s cheerful farewell on the final night of each cruise with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew in an engaging musical finale led by Mickey Mouse.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast, that will include visits from Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in traditional Thanksgiving attire, and a special turkey towel animal in their stateroom upon turndown. The big Thanksgiving NFL football games will be broadcast live on the ships’ outdoor, jumbo LED screen—Funnel Vision—located near the family pool.

On Christmas morning Santa Claus and his elves will have a surprise for all the kids at the atrium lobby tree. Guests will also enjoy caroling from the crew choir plus a special musical performance from the children and a traditional Christmas Dinner will be served that night in the dining rooms.

Christmas services will be held on Christmas Day with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Hanukkah services will be held each day, Dec. 16 to Dec. 24.

When the ships stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, during the holidays, the celebration continues with “snow flurries,” a decked-out Christmas tree, Disney character meet-and-greets and holiday island music.

For an extra sprinkle of holiday joy, mini Christmas trees decorated with ornaments, red berries, mini carnations and a bow topper, in addition to special holiday-themed gift packages and treat baskets, are available for purchase prior to the voyages for stateroom delivery. Plus, during the holiday cruises, Disney Cruise Line’s holiday merchandise collection, along with the ever-popular Disney Cruise Line ornaments, will be available onboard in the gift shops.

To ring in 2015, voyages include a special New Year’s Eve party, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.

To celebrate the holidays, the Disney Magic sails seven-night Western Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 28; the Disney Wonder sails four- and five-night Bahamian and Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9 to Dec. 30; the Disney Dream sails three- and four-night Bahamian cruises departing Nov. 10 to Dec. 29; and the Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 8 to Dec. 27.