A couple questions about Eastern Caribbean on Fantasy

[ToyStory3]

We haven't sailed for a couple years on DCL and I feel rusty, so looking for some help while I get reacquainted with all of the information I've apparently forgotten. We are looking at a September Eastern Caribbean trip in 2020. Here are my questions.

• For the Eastern itinerary - which side of the ship would you recommend for the best views in the ports? I'd especially love to have a great view while in St. Thomas. It's been on my bucket list for a long time.
• What's the difference between a deluxe verandah room and deluxe family verandah room?

Thank you!

 

[TestingH2O]

Can't answer the first question since our Eastrrn didn't include St Thomas.

For the staterooms, the deluxe family is bigger and sleeps 5. The other sleeps 3-4 depending on which exact room you book.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Both times to St. Thomas, we were starboard side to the pier. Great view of Havensight and the eastern side of the island, but on the port side, there was a better view of the harbor and the distant Charlotte Amelie

 

[cedricandsophie]

I always prefer port side but either side is fine, you will want to be out on deck when coming in and going out of all ports anyway so you can get an overall view on both sides from the front of the ship. Also we have been on 30 plus cruises, most on Disney. You don’t really need a verandah and can save quite a bit of money. You always think you will spend so much time on it but we have found it’s good for a few minutes at a time and drying out swimsuits. We started getting ocean views a few years ago and haven’t been sorry.

 

[71 Truck]

On our last cruise, in St Thomas the ship was oriented with the port side to the pier. I am not sure if they always dock this way.


Most of the pictures I took were from the outside deck.

 

[Cfry06]

We have been to St. Thomas 2x, once on each side. Both times we were docked like the picture above. We preferred Starboard side as you have full view of the water/ harbor area, and we could watch the various water craft as well as some sea planes land/ take off! Beautiful views of the island too. We love St. Thomas!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When we were in St. Thomas:


Whether the ship docks one side or the other can depend on whether they need to do any work on one side or the other, or if there's a life boat drill scheduled for one side or the other.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

A deluxe verandah room: sleeps 3 to 4, is 246 sq. ft. including verandah, room configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4).
A deluxe family verandah room: sleeps 4 to 5, is 299 sq. ft. including verandah, room configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed (in most) and upper-berth pull-down bed (in some). The room is just a bit longer (about 3 feet - the width of the wall pull-down bed).
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships/fantasy/staterooms-verandah/

 

[MomOTwins]

Just because you mentioned you are rusty, just wanted to remind you that September is peak hurricane season in the eastern Caribbean, so just be prepared!

There is one other differences between family verandahs and regular verandahs on the Fantasy, in addition to the size and bed configuration--the room family has a large round tub with rainfall shower, compared to the rectangular tubs in the other rooms. It's a small improvement for adults--just a bit more spacious and pleasant--but the extra bath space was a lifesaver for us when it came time to bathe three kids.

 

[SuperDry]

Be aware that not all family veranda rooms are made the same. The ones on Deck 5 on the Fantasy and Dream are not really family rooms: they are standard rooms with the extra 3 feet added to the veranda, but with the inside size of the room and the bathtub being of the standard configuration. They used to be classified as standard rooms (with extended veranda) until a few years ago, when they decided to classify rooms by "total square feet, including veranda" instead of the in-room amenities.

 

[fredandkell]

Just because you mentioned you are rusty, just wanted to remind you that September is peak hurricane season in the eastern Caribbean, so just be prepared!

There is one other differences between family verandahs and regular verandahs on the Fantasy, in addition to the size and bed configuration--the room family has a large round tub with rainfall shower, compared to the rectangular tubs in the other rooms. It's a small improvement for adults--just a bit more spacious and pleasant--but the extra bath space was a lifesaver for us when it came time to bathe three kids.

Oh my gosh, THIS. September is the pits for hurricane anxiety. See this thread.