Our very first Halloween on the High Seas was in October 2017, sailing out of New York on the Disney Magic. The kids were so small. Looking back at those photos now, I'm so glad we went when we did.
Disney celebrates two seasons at sea: Halloween on the High Seas in the fall, and Very Merrytime Cruises for the Christmas season. Here's what to expect from each.
Halloween on the High Seas
- The pumpkin tree. A spooky tree in the atrium comes alive with glowing pumpkins at a big lighting party.
- Decorations everywhere, including jack-o'-lanterns glowing around the ship.
- Halloween characters. Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas are a highlight, and the regular characters dress up too.
- Costumes all week. Guests dress up throughout the sailing, not just on one night.
Very Merrytime Cruises
From mid-November through December, the ships are decked out for Christmas, with holiday decorations, festive entertainment, seasonal treats and characters in their holiday best. Sailing on Christmas itself is a magical experience, and it means nobody at home has to cook the turkey.
The weeks before mid-December are often a great value for a Merrytime cruise. You get all the holiday magic without peak Christmas-week pricing.
My tips
- Pack costumes or themed shirts for every day you want one, not just the big night. People dress up all week.
- Decorate your door. Magnets only, no tape. Walking the hallways to see everyone's doors is half the fun.
- Get to the tree lighting early. The atrium fills up fast.
- Watch for Canadian resident rates. Several fall and holiday sailings have been included in Canadian offers, and Canadian Thanksgiving weekend can line up nicely with an October sailing, saving you a vacation day.
Book early
Holiday sailings are some of the first to sell out, especially around Halloween night, Christmas and New Year's. If you'd like to spend a holiday at sea next year, now is the time to start looking. Find the sailing here, send it to me, and I'll check it for your family, booked through me of course.
