Disney's Fantasy Cruise
This Blog post in partnership with DisneyCruise Lines as always all opinions are of my own.
Hi Babes,
It's been a minute, but your girl is back and better than ever, and you are going to be seeing a lot more of me on the blog this year. I said to myself that in 2020 I would focus more on what I love, and that is bringing fantastic content to all of you, so here we are.
If you are new to the blog, you might not know that I am a Disney lover. I love everything and anything, Disney. I mean, I can't even count how many times I have been to Disney World, so when Disney contacted me to set sail on their Fantasy Cruise ship, your girl geeked out. The last time I traveled on a cruise was almost four years ago, and it was on the Disney’s Dream Cruise. I was excited about this cruise because not only was it longer than the previous journey I went on, but also knowing that the kids are older and would grasp the magic of it all made me that much more excited. If you are thinking about cruising with Disney, keep reading because I'm taking you through our experience and what to expect.
Cruise Accommodations
Let's start with the cabins. When talking to people that have never been on a cruise, one of the biggest concerns is feeling like they are in tight spaces or that they are stuck on a boat. I have to say the first day was a bit rocky but not bad at all. Disney Fantasy's cabins are among the largest compared to any ship at sea and for a good reason. Most cruisers are families, and with an average family being of 4, it gives guests enough space to enjoy while at sea. I love that Disney took the time to think about space when creating these cabins. From the pull-down bunk bed to the ottoman that serves as a tray and storage, the details were on point. Even the height of the bed so luggage can fit perfectly under. I did not once feel like I was cramped in and loved the curtain divider for privacy from the kids. Each cabin comes equipped with a safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, 22-inch LCD TV, and a pair of rechargeable "Wave Phones" that I will share a little later why these are a lifesaver when cruising with kids. The bathrooms are a split-bath setup, which I think is clutch during the times everyone is getting ready. One bathroom has a bathtub/shower and sink, and another with a toilet and sink. This setup allowed my mother and I to get ready simultaneously. Disney-branded toiletries include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and lotion. The only suggestion I have for the rooms is to have the USB ports next to the bed; these are located on the dresser by the TV. We had a cabin with a verandah balcony that features two chairs and a small table, deck lights, railings covered in Plexiglass, and childproof locks setup high so the kids cant reach. Please keep in mind depending on what you request and pricing, there are different size cabins for your needs. There are 25 staterooms equipped for passengers with disabilities. Overall the cabins were up to my standard, and you guys know I can be bougie at times. I loved all the details that were put in, like the embossed mickey bed linen. Disney never fails to add special touches. Our room was located on deck 10 which I think was perfect because we were able to avoid the elevators to go to deck 11 where we hung out the most. The elevators tend to be very busy so keep that in mind when choosing your room location. I also loved sitting on our room balcony and watching the sun set, it really is a beautiful sight to see. We also loved Andrea, she always made sure to create a cute towel Animal for the kids and she was so friendly.
Picture courtesy of Disney cruise
Food
One thing about Disney is they know how to feed their guests. There are plenty of options if you are hungry and I promise you won't be disappointed. Each night of your cruise, you and your personal wait staff will "rotate" to one of the three themed restaurants onboard the ship. The staff on the Fantasy ship are beyond amazing. We loved both are waiters Clifton and Henry they were on point with everything. There are two dinner seatings each night of your cruise. Dinner is served at 5:45 pm (Main Seating) and 8:15 pm (Second Seating). We had a 5:45 pm seating, which was perfect for us as our children are younger. Once onboard the ship, check the dining tickets that can be found in your stateroom for assigned seating time, restaurant schedule, and table number, you can also find this on your room keys. You can select a seating time, depending on availability, when you book your cruise. What I love about this rotational dinner is that you have the same servers and table numbers. This allowed my children to get comfortable with the staff, and by day two, the staff knew what we all liked making dinner run smoothly. Check out the restaurants and other dining options below.
Bread Pudding
Pecan Tarte
Animator's Palate (Deck 3 aft): Animator's Palate, my favorite of all the dining experiences, and is a dinner-only venue. Guests experience "Undersea Magic," which guest get to interact with characters like Crush from Finding Nemo and "Animation Magic" Try your hand at drawing your very own character—and then watch as your creation becomes part of the show, dancing alongside Mickey and other guests' drawings.
Enchanted Garden (Deck 2 mid): This restaurant is home to custom-glass flower lights, white trellises, ornamental posts and—at the center—a delightful 7-foot tall cascading fountain featuring a stone Mickey Mouse. You will feel as if you are were walking by the beautiful hills of France. '“During your dinner, the restaurant's ceiling changes from a blue daytime color into the golden red of a setting sun, transforming finally into a constellation of twinkling stars. Additionally, flower light fixtures "bloom" and decorative wall sconces fall away to become folding fans, wall paintings project a dusky illumination, and the centerpiece fountain is surrounded with shimmering light.”
Royal Court (Deck 3 mid):
“Modeled after classic Disney animated films, including Cinderella, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.”
“Decor includes custom lighting fixtures modeled after Cinderella's coach, handcrafted mosaic tile murals of the Disney princesses with their princes.Chandeliers, chair backs round marble-cased columns mimic after those seen in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and, throne-style chairs have been recreated from Disney's Cinderella.”
Palo (Deck 12 aft; $30 per person for dinner, $59 with wine pairing; $30 per person for sea day Champagne brunch): This is an adults-only restaurant, which was a perfect little getaway on the ship. The lobster ravioli was beyond delicious. The ambiance set the mood right with floor to ceiling windows. I truly enjoyed the experience here and would highly recommend if you are looking to stop in and enjoy a night away from the kids.
Cabanas (Deck 11 aft): Other dining spots include Cabanas, also on Deck 11, a massive buffet with a beach theme. Seating is indoors or out, whichever you prefer. We ate here every morning before starting our daily activities. The food was just as good as the sit-down dinners.
Flo's Cafe (Deck 11 mid): Flo's Cafe is a setup of three different walk-up food service windows, located on Deck 11 in the pool area. Luigi's Pizza offers plain, pepperoni and barbecue chicken pies, as well as a vegetarian option and a rotating daily special. The Tow Mater Grill offers burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, sausages, and chicken fingers, all accompanied with french fries. Fillmore's Favorites offer made-to-order sandwiches, paninis, wraps, salads, and fresh fruit. Ayden loved the Chicken fingers here.
Cove Cafe (Deck 11 forward): This tiny bar and cafe in The Cove adults-only area offer free light bites and for-fee coffee beverages.
Eye Scream (Deck 11 mid): Eye Scream is where passengers will find free self-serve soft ice cream in chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and a twist of each. Cups and cones are available. Guests can enjoy this from 11 am to 11 pm I think we all ate our weight in this ice cream.
Vista Cafe (Deck 4 mid): The Vista Cafe serves up complimentary snacks like pastries and cookies, as well as coffee beverages for a cost. This is where my mom got her coffee every morning.
Sweet on You (Deck 11 aft; a la carte): Sweet on You is designed after a vintage ice cream parlor that sells prepackaged sweets, loose candy by the pound, packaged macarons, and much more. There are 16 ice cream flavors and 20 different flavored gelatos. You can even add some fantastic toppings like coconut shaving, fruit loops, and more.
Frozone Treats (Deck 11 mid; $3.95 for a small, $5.25 for a large): Just next to Eye Scream's free soft-serve, you'll find this spot. Available combinations blend yogurt as well as bottled beer is also available here.
Room Service: Room service offers items like pizza, hamburgers, etc.(no Fee)
The ship has many fun things for you and the family to enjoy. I'll repeat it; you don't feel like you are on a boat because there is so much for you and the family to do. Disney cruises bring magic to everyone onboard, from solo cruisers, children, teens, adult couples, and families. We were able to get personal tours of areas like The Disney Oceaneer Club, which boasts rooms like...
Andy's Room: Alife size room that mimics Andys room. This was my sons favorite room.
Star Wars: Command Post: Kids can connect to legendary spacecraft via an interactive "holotable" and combat First Order Stormtroopers face-to-face!
MARVEL Super Hero Academy: Your little gamers can interact in portals to unleash their inner strength, becoming an Avenger.
Pixie Hollow: In this forest setting, kids can play dress-up, work on individual craft projects, and use kid-friendly computers and listen to stories. Annabelle loved this room the most.
The club is perfect for dropping your kids off during those adults-only activities; just bring your wave phone, and staff can contact you if any issues arise. Kids can also join in on events below.
Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends: Mickey Mouse and company stop by to play some games with the kids.
Woody's Round-Up: Kids can enjoy games, storytelling, singing, and dancing.
Doctor Strange: Defy the Dark Dimension: "Join Doctor Strange as he teaches his young apprentices the ways of the Mystic Arts."
Connected to the Oceaneer Club the Disney Oceaneer Lab offers activities for kids who are a little older.
"Animator's Studio: Create original hand-drawn art and learn to sketch your favorite Disney pals.
Craft Studio: Unplug from technology! Creative types can channel their right-brain brilliance into a real masterpiece at this hands-on arts-and-crafts studio.
Media Room: Kick back, watch Disney movies, and play video games in this spacious play area, which also hosts numerous activities throughout the day.
The Wheelhouse: Using large LCD screens and navigation simulators, captains-in-training can steer their very own Disney ship through the Caribbean Sea!"
EDGE
This area of the ship is designated specifically for your tweens. Disney created spaces for tweens, so they feel like they have their own space.
"Movable modular furniture, cushy beanbags, and different areas invite tweens to make space their own, while color-pop lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows create a stimulating atmosphere for creative play, under the supervision of helpful Disney counselors. Portholes and wallpaper printed with geometric Mickey heads lend a further splash of whimsy. Periodically, you can even see riders on the AquaDuck waterslide whiz by!"
"Edge is a haven for electronic fun, including:
A colorful, illuminated dance floor for tween dance parties
Karaoke machines for lively sing-alongs
A separate room with a gaming console and flat-screen TV
Photo booths for picture-taking fun
Tablets for gaming"
Vibe
Part nightclub, part sundeck, this area is only for teens; I'm not even cool enough to get an invite in: Parents have to call in, so their teen can come out. This gives teens the freedom to enjoy some time alone away from the parental units.
Entertainment/Recreation
Theater
What I love about the stage shows is the fact that all ages can participate. Usually, you would not see a 2yr old in a theatre, Disney cruise ships allow your children to get the experience of the theatre, and it is magical to watch them enjoy the shows. The shows I loved on board were "Disney's Aladdin -A Musical Spectacular," and Frozen- A Musical Spectacular." Each show has state-of-the-art technology and classic Disney Magic that is sure to wow you and your kids.
Guests can catch a wide variety of free Disney shows/movies on demand in their cabins or in the Buena Vista Theatre, which features movies still in theatres; we were able to see Frozen 2 again. Guests can view movies, sporting events land music videos at the pool on deck 11. It truly is an experience to watch a movie under the stars cruising on a ship.
Recreation
Little ones can try out Mickey's Slide; a short corkscrew water slide held up by a colossal mickey hand. . Right next to this slide is Mickey's Pool, which is shaped like Mickey's head; this is the area my kids loved the most. Up one deck is the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster Two-person rafts fly through a transparent tube that wraps around the whole pool area, at one point swinging out 13 feet off the side of the ship, 150 feet above the ocean. Annabelle and I had fun on this slide and if you have a GoPro make sure you have head gear as you cant bring it on the slide. There is also a 42-inch height requirement. for Aqua Duck. On Deck 4, there are shuffleboard courts and a jogging track for all you avid runners. On deck 11 is Nemos Reef for your little ones that are not potty trained. Deck 13, Goofy's Sports Deck, features a basketball court, Goofy's Mini-Golf (a nine-hole course), and golf and sports simulator machines; this area was filled with teens. Decks 11, 12, and 13, we saw mostly sunbathers, and if you are looking for an Adults-only sun deck area, you can find this at the Quiet Cove (Deck 11) and Satellite Falls (Deck 13).
Character Meet and Greets
So one of the big selling points for Disney cruises is the Character meetups. This is a great opportunity for you to meet your favorite characters without the long line wait times. We spent no more than 10 minutes for any character meet and greet, so for me. This was worth the cruise.
You will see Mickey and friends everywhere onboard, to random sightings on Castaway Cay and in the atrium. You can also schedule character meetups to ensure your child gets to meet their magical friends. Annabelle and Ayden enjoyed meeting all their favorite Disney pals.
Themed Days/nights
The one thing I can tell you about a Disney cruise is the entertainment will leave you wanting more. In addition to nightly theatre shows, movies, and character experiences, there are family dance parties, trivia, and karaoke. The first time I cruised with Disney, I knew nothing about how detailed and dedicated cruisers can get. Guests bring magnets for their doors and even exchange pins throughout the cruise. You will find that guest get into the Pirate party and dress the part, don't worry if you don't bring a pirate outfit; there is a shop on Deck 11 for you to shop for all family members for one of the most popular nighttime activities "Pirates in the Caribbean" deck party. The day starts with an a sing-along early in the evening for little ones called "Mickey's Pirates in the Caribbean," followed by a live-action show that features Jack Sparrow rappelling off the funnel. The night us topped off with Disney's "Buccaneer Blast" fireworks.
Disney Fantasy also now offers Star Wars Day At Sea.
Though I am not a Star Wars fan, it was fun seeing those who dressed up as their favorite characters and enjoy the daily activities and amazing fireworks . Throughout the day characters from the movie would surprised guests and acted out scenes as if we were in the film. If you are a Star Wars Fan this is a must as they really go out throughout the day.
Disney Fantasy Stores
The guest services desk and pretty much all the stores are on Deck 3 midship. To plan your in-port adventures, visit the Port Adventures desk on Deck 5. For paintings, try the Vista Gallery on Deck 2, just outside the Enchanted Garden. Shutters, the photo gallery is on Deck 4, next to the portrait studio. Throughout your time on the boat, your key is requested as photographers take your pictures; “essential tip” try to go the day before last because it does get packed to pick up your photos. Head to Mickey's Mainsail for Disney-branded toys, souvenirs, and apparel. Sea Treasures Sells clothing, jewelry, and duty-free alcohol and cigarettes. Head to Whitecaps for high-end items and also daily amenities. I forgot to pack wipes for Ayden, so I picked some up some while onboard. Some passengers felt seasick and also were able to pick up some medication on board. There are also stores like Tiffany & Co. Bulgari (Deck 4) for high-end jewelry.
Disney Fantasy Amenities
Each deck has a laundromat with an iron. You can purchase detergent as well. I suggest going in the morning vs. before dinner when there is a line for the iron. As far as wifi, you can or head to the Cove Cafe, a wifi hot spot, which has laptops you can use for an additional fee. Disney Fantasy offers a Connect@Sea program in which you pay for the data you use instead of per minute. Sample rates start at 25 cents per megabyte and increase depending on what you do online. Packages range from $19 for 100 megabytes, the medium package at $39 for 300 megabytes, and the large package at $89 for 1,000 megabytes.
There is so much more that the Disney Fantasy has to offer. The fact that I didn't even put a dent in all that this cruise has to deliver speaks for itself. There are bars/lounges on the cruise, activities that I didn't get to enjoy. I talked with repeat cruisers that said they experience something new each time they board any of Disney's fleet. Overall I give this cruise an A+. Disney offers everyone of all ages something to do; the food and staff are exceptional. Parents get to enjoy the alone time while their children have the time of their lives. The ports are beautiful. The port excursions offered are so much fun for the whole family, and I plan on doing a full blog post on the port excursions. When cruising with Disney, you genuinely feel the Disney Magic. With Disney cruises its like you are getting three trips in one a cruise vacation, a caribbean vacation and a Disney vacation. My family had the best time lounging by the pool, meeting characters, dancing and just truly enjoying our time together. I plan on sharing in two separate post all about the Castaway Cay and the port excursions we went on. There is a lot more to the Disney Fantasy Cruise that I didn't share, so if you have any specific questions, please comment below, and as always, thanks for reading.
Peace & Love,
Lissette