Fantasy 10/20 and Hurricane Sandy - An Honest Review - The DIS Discussion Forums

megandbrooke · 11-05-2012, 10:36 PM

Since I recieved so much great information from the boards, I wanted to make sure that I paid it forward and provided a quick review of our recent cruise on the Fantasy. Overall, we had a great time, however, I am on the fence on if we would do DCL again. (Please read before you bash me.)

Who we are; Me, DM and DD, 14. We have traveled the world and are use to being on the go, go, go. This may add to our point of view. This is our 5th cruise, 2 HAL, 1 small ship in Egypt, and 1 small ship in China.

Room 5530 - PERFECT!!! If you enjoy sitting on the balcony or sunbathing, this cabin is perfect. The extended balcony has two regular chairs and two loungers. My DD laid out there many hours and would fall asleep. I didnt mind the people looking down on us what so ever. Smoking - people around us smoked and it didnt bother me. In fact, many times I would be out on the balcony and the guy above us would be out there smoking and I wouldnt realize it until he made a noise. Wish every room had the extended balcony!

Dining - Servers were "excellent". They really made coming to dinner a treat! Food - so so.

Ship/Shows/CMs - The ship is beautiful! The shows were great although we did not do the first or last night. Every CM we encountered was great!

Events/things to do on the ship - This is where we thought things were dare I say it...boring. It was hard for us to find something to do together. There were many teen events, adult events, and lots of stuff for the little ones, but there was very few things that me and my daughter could do together. She did not attend the teen club as she said the kids were "all like adults, with facial hair and stuff". She is a young 14. We do everything together. On our previous cruises with HAL, we found many things to do. They had events at least every hour where you could earn prizes, play games, etc. We never found this on Disney. I was surprised by this. Everyone likes to call HAL the "Old peoples ship", however, I think this is not true at all. We were constantly involved with activities on the ship. I thought that 3 (which turned into 4 due to Hurricane Sandy) ship days was to much. The pools were nice and the Aquaduck was awesome! Relaxing on decks 11 and 12 was nice. Midship detective was fun. Overall, there were many times we wished there was something we could go do but there wasn't. Again, we are use to being on the go all this time so this adds to my point of view.

Will be back soon with some great memories, Pirate Night, Halloween Night, Excursions, and our brush with Sandy!

disney1990 · 11-18-2012, 02:55 PM

No bashing from me.

We, too, were on this cruise and never found a lack of things to do - from cooking demonstrations to towel folding. We even played the Detective game several times. Sorry you had a different experience.

Normally, we would have loved the extra day at sea, but with the storm we were unable to sit outside and do the things we love doing.

That said, there is no question that we will be cruising Disney again - as soon as possible.

Joanna71985 · 11-20-2012, 08:33 PM

I was on that cruise! Can't wait to read the rest of your review

GusGus77 · 11-20-2012, 10:46 PM

We were on the Dream while you we're on the Fantasy. we cruise on Fantasy next year. I am interested to hear about your trip- especially with Sandy!

PizzieDuster · 11-21-2012, 05:28 AM

Great trip report.

I have to say, I wish I could read your trip reports for your prior sailings. Egypt, China! They sound so interesting!!! Very cool!

11-05-2012, 10:36 PM	#1
megandbrooke Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 42	Fantasy 10/20 and Hurricane Sandy - An Honest Review Since I recieved so much great information from the boards, I wanted to make sure that I paid it forward and provided a quick review of our recent cruise on the Fantasy. Overall, we had a great time, however, I am on the fence on if we would do DCL again. (Please read before you bash me.) Who we are; Me, DM and DD, 14. We have traveled the world and are use to being on the go, go, go. This may add to our point of view. This is our 5th cruise, 2 HAL, 1 small ship in Egypt, and 1 small ship in China. Room 5530 - PERFECT!!! If you enjoy sitting on the balcony or sunbathing, this cabin is perfect. The extended balcony has two regular chairs and two loungers. My DD laid out there many hours and would fall asleep. I didnt mind the people looking down on us what so ever. Smoking - people around us smoked and it didnt bother me. In fact, many times I would be out on the balcony and the guy above us would be out there smoking and I wouldnt realize it until he made a noise. Wish every room had the extended balcony! Dining - Servers were "excellent". They really made coming to dinner a treat! Food - so so. Ship/Shows/CMs - The ship is beautiful! The shows were great although we did not do the first or last night. Every CM we encountered was great! Events/things to do on the ship - This is where we thought things were dare I say it...boring. It was hard for us to find something to do together. There were many teen events, adult events, and lots of stuff for the little ones, but there was very few things that me and my daughter could do together. She did not attend the teen club as she said the kids were "all like adults, with facial hair and stuff". She is a young 14. We do everything together. On our previous cruises with HAL, we found many things to do. They had events at least every hour where you could earn prizes, play games, etc. We never found this on Disney. I was surprised by this. Everyone likes to call HAL the "Old peoples ship", however, I think this is not true at all. We were constantly involved with activities on the ship. I thought that 3 (which turned into 4 due to Hurricane Sandy) ship days was to much. The pools were nice and the Aquaduck was awesome! Relaxing on decks 11 and 12 was nice. Midship detective was fun. Overall, there were many times we wished there was something we could go do but there wasn't. Again, we are use to being on the go all this time so this adds to my point of view. Will be back soon with some great memories, Pirate Night, Halloween Night, Excursions, and our brush with Sandy!

11-18-2012, 02:55 PM	#2
disney1990 Wow, it make my heart skip a beat I'm going to miss these when the season ends Lighting the Way to Paradise Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Maryland Posts: 8,747	No bashing from me. We, too, were on this cruise and never found a lack of things to do - from cooking demonstrations to towel folding. We even played the Detective game several times. Sorry you had a different experience. Normally, we would have loved the extra day at sea, but with the storm we were unable to sit outside and do the things we love doing. That said, there is no question that we will be cruising Disney again - as soon as possible. __________________ Life is a Journey – remember to appreciate everyday -- be happy for this moment...this moment is your life

11-20-2012, 08:33 PM	#3
Joanna71985 Characters are my friendsSuper CP to the rescue! I was mostly in Fantasyland Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mickey's backyard (Orlando, FL) Posts: 13,605	I was on that cruise! Can't wait to read the rest of your review __________________ Aug 1998- POR March 2003- HS band trip (offsite) Aug 2003- POR Jan 12-Aug 5, 2005: CP Jan 1-5, 2006: AS Sports (solo) May 24, 2006- Jan 5, 2007: CP Jan 31-Feb 3, 2007: Solo (offsite) March 1-3, 2007: Dad+me (offsite) May 16-Aug 10, 2007: CP Aug 10-12, 2007: GF May 21-Aug 15, 2008: CP Aug 15-18, 2008: AKL March 25-29, 2009 (offsite) Aug 10, 2009-Jan 2, 2010: CP Jan 3-May 14, 2010: CP May 16, 2010~ FT Dream: Feb 12-16, 2012 Fantasy: Oct 20-27, 2012 (East) Dream: Sept 8-12, 2013

11-21-2012, 05:28 AM	#5
PizzieDuster DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,771	Great trip report. I have to say, I wish I could read your trip reports for your prior sailings. Egypt, China! They sound so interesting!!! Very cool! __________________ Disney Wonder - 4/27/03 - 4 Day Disney Magic - 5/8/04 - Western Disney Magic - 6/24/05 - Mexican Riviera Royal Carribean - Explorer of the Seas 4/16/06 Royal Carribean - Freedom of the Seas 4/8/07 Returning to the Magic - 6/29/08 - West Coast Liberty of the Seas - 4/09 Disney Wonder Mother/DD12 Cruise to Nowhere 1/21/11 Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera 1/29/12 Mother/DD13 Cruise (taking Grandma and Nephew DN5 along)

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11-20-2012, 10:46 PM	#4
GusGus77 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 363	We were on the Dream while you we're on the Fantasy. we cruise on Fantasy next year. I am interested to hear about your trip- especially with Sandy!