A new Shimmering Seas Soirée has debuted on Disney Cruise Line ships to commemorate 25 years of sailing. We witnessed the soiree, including a toast and character meet and greets, on the Disney Wish.

Shimmering Seas Sooirée

The Shimmering Seas Soirée happens once per cruise to commemorate Disney Cruise Line’s 25th anniversary. One day of our voyage was dedicated to Silver Anniversary at Sea celebrations, so the soiree happened that night. On sailings with the 25th anniversary fireworks show, the soirée will happen on the last night.

During the soirée, guests meet in the Grand Hall to share a toast and mingle with their Cruise Director, along with special guests dressed for the elegant occasion.

Free cocktails are available for the toast.

The toast is about five minutes long, and then Mickey and friends — in their Silver Anniversary outfits — head out into the crowd for meet and greets. They stay out for about thirty minutes.

Though only Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald appeared on stage for the toast, Daisy, Chip, and Dale came out for meet and greets.

Their anniversary outfits are teal and white with sparkling details.

Mickey and Minnie have new captain’s hats for the occasion.

The characters also appeared in these outfits on the first night of our sailing. If you’re unsure about when to meet the characters in their special Silver Anniversary outfits, ask a character attendant or at Guest Relations.

The soirée is similar to the character meet and greets that usually happen with the Wishing Star ceremony in the Grand Hall on the final night of Disney Wish sailings.

Watch our video of the Shimmering Seas Soirée below.

Shimmering Seas Soirée Video

Silver Anniversary at Sea

Disney Cruise Line is celebrating 25 years of sailing with the Silver Anniversary at Sea celebration on select sailings from May through September 2023. The first Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Magic, began its maiden voyage on July 30, 1998.

Mickey and Minnie are wearing new shimmering teal and white costumes for the anniversary celebration. The rest of their friends also have new costumes.

Guests will be invited to join the ship’s captain and cruise director on one evening of each cruise for a special anniversary toast. They will be joined by Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie in their new Silver Anniversary at Sea outfits and the toast will feature the anniversary’s new theme song.

Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line ever to have a fireworks show at sea. A new 25th-anniversary fireworks display will be featured on some Silver Anniversary at Sea itineraries. The limited-time show features iconic Disney music and a new signature song. The show will be on most Bahamian, Caribbean, and Mediterranean sailings this summer.

A 25th anniversary pre-show is currently playing before the Disney Cruise Line sail away parties.

The anniversary of Disney Cruise Line also heralds the unveiling of a brand-new membership tier for Castaway Club, which recognizes returning Disney Cruise Line guests with exclusive rewards and perks. Honoring 25 years of Disney magic at sea, members will now earn the distinction of Pearl status after 25 Disney Cruise Line vacations. As the line’s biggest fans, Pearl members will unlock new at-home and onboard benefits. Check out the new Castaway Club lanyards and stateroom gifts.

Castaway Club members who sail during the Silver Anniversary at Sea will receive a limited edition 11×14 framed Captain Mickey art print in their stateroom. The artwork is by Disney artist Joe Kaminski.

The Shimmering Seas Collection of merchandise includes a Loungefly mini backpack, Spirit Jersey, and more. Check out some of the 25th anniversary merchandise and the Silver Anniversary pin.

There are also plenty of Silver Anniversary-inspired food and beverage items. Souvenirs include a popcorn bucket and a tumbler.

MagicBand+ will also debut on Disney Cruise Line this summer.

Check out our Disney Cruise Line 101 post, comparing every aspect of the fleet’s ships.

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