5-Night Fantasy Feb 2025 - New Empty Nesters

[Sydnerella]

We have not been on the Fantasy since 2016 with kids and we are going now in Feb 2025 as empty nesters.

Curious about what the new (or old) shows they run in the theater and what changes have occurred over this near decade! We are excited to enjoy the Adult pool area, rainforest room, and Cove Cafe more this trip - perhaps a mixology if offered and Palo brunch if we can get it.

I recall a gameshow Match your mate - when and where do we find that? It was funny. Any tips on the evening options are appreciated. We are chill but appreciate humor, relaxing in a cool setting and a enjoying a good specialty beer or cocktail.

A bit worried about the flies I have seen in vlogs from Lookout Cay - even one published 11 days ago! I have yet to see what the adult beach is like their - or at CC truthfully since we were on the family beach the last time.

 

[auntlynne]

In many ways, the cruise experience is very similar. Or I am like a frog on the stove who started in cold water and the heat is slowly increased. Your longer break may leave you thinking there are a lot of changes. (Although it might just be little things). But a lot of life is different 8 years on. And the phrase, “since Covid” seems fairly common to me.

I found the Personal Navigators from a recent Fantasy 5-night cruise to the Bahamas with two beach days on Disney Cruise Line Blog.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...al-with-2-stops-at-castaway-cay-july-20-2024/

Match Your Mate is still going. This cruise had it on Night 2. Location: The Tube, which would be the same location in the adult District over the years.

This is the new paper Navigator. Double-sided. There is an app, but I find this easier to use. This is from the above website link. (Definitely more clear there).

 

[auntlynne]

Alcohol tastings are very popular now. I don’t remember their being so sold-out in the past (nor so many offered)!

You may find a nightly Happy Hour offer in most lounges at night. And there is the Daily Drink offer at a discounted price.

Palo Brunch is also extremely popular - and sold out. If you can’t book it pre-cruise, check once onboard. They do limit the number of two-person reservations. Once onboard, they may be able to give you a larger table.

Rainforest Room: good possibility to get a length of cruise pass. Maybe single day pass offered onboard. We got full-cruise passes a year ago on a 7N cruise, which had more Sea Days (so I would expect more demand).

 

[auntlynne]

Lookout Cay (LC) Adult Beach : I have only seen photos, but I am confident in my assessment thanks to photos and personal experience.

The adult and family beaches at LC are essentially one beach, separated only by space. They share the same open beachfront that you did not experience at CC’s Family Beach. There you had that rock wall that created a lagoon-like swimming area.

The difference between adult and family areas at LC is the presence of children. I can’t tell which one this is.

But notice a lack of loungers. There are more behind the photographer, up a slight hill. I think you were used to more at CC.



Putting both sections next to each other seems to make great use of this large, light-pink sand section of Eleuthera.



Serenity Bay at CC (my photos):



Notice the buoys in the left. That ended the guest swim area.






These are very representative of my multiple visits here. A very shallow, extremely clear bay with no significant tidal pull nor waves. (Notice there is no foam at the beach edge.) You can go very far out before you are chest-high in water.

++++++

Note: you can use floats at CC, but not at LC - any kind.

I have not read about concerns having adult and family beaches close. There is a dedicated Serenity Bay dining area.

 

[auntlynne]

Walt Disney Theater shows as below. Still two nightly times to accommodate the two dinner seatings.

Dinner menus can also be found on the website. This 4N had the three standard rotation meals, a first-night and Pirate Night menu.

No Captain’s Reception nor Castaway Club reception for these shorter cruises.

 

[auntlynne]

And dress is probably more cruise casual than you previously experienced. Sundresses. Chinos (even bermuda shorts) and shirts are de rigueur for dinner.

You also have the option for Remy, including brunch. Possibly dessert only. Also Prima Notte in Palo, a wine and “tapas” experience on Boarding day.

The adult sun deck and Satellite Falls are places I have not utilized, but you will have the opportunity to explore without the kids.