Completed first Cruise a week ago on the Wish. About to book a week on the Fantasy. Anything I should know before I pull the trigger?

[Disney_David]

We just got back from our first ever cruise last Monday. That was a three nighter aboard the Wish. For anyone that saw that thread. I was a vehement non-cruiser, mid and late 40s. We don’t have kids. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise!!!

I had a trip to the UK planned for late May which just got canceled. So, our calendars have opened up. I put a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard the Fantasy on hold until tonight.

I chose a midship room, same room type as we just did - family ocean view verandah, last room available other than deck 10 (which I didn’t want). I read the reviews on aft potentially having vibrations so steered clear.

Before I pull the trigger…is there anything I should know? Am I being hasty? I used the 10% off btw!!

I also looked at other cruises in case we could find something similar for significantly cheaper or go up a level to concierge for a similar price. I came up empty, and I’m ok with that. We love the Disney product.

Are we nuts? Or should we go ahead and book it?

 

[yowcruiser]

Different ship, different itinerary, different shows and different food. I prefer the layout of the Fantasy over the Wish, but arguably, the quick dining options are way better and diverse on the Wish than the Fantasy. The other area where the Wish, IMO, has a slight advantage is the theming of the dining rooms. We have sailed on the Fantasy 3 times and have always enjoyed it. The rooms are nice, the staff friendly... and in the end, it is still a Disney Cruise.... and on the Fantasy, you'll have a better chance to enjoy one of the adult exclusive premium dining venue.

 

[Calantha]

We just got back from our first ever cruise last Monday. That was a three nighter aboard the Wish. For anyone that saw that thread. I was a vehement non-cruiser, mid and late 40s. We don’t have kids. We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise!!!

I had a trip to the UK planned for late May which just got canceled. So, our calendars have opened up. I put a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard the Fantasy on hold until tonight.

I chose a midship room, same room type as we just did - family ocean view verandah, last room available other than deck 10 (which I didn’t want). I read the reviews on aft potentially having vibrations so steered clear.

Before I pull the trigger…is there anything I should know? Am I being hasty? I used the 10% off btw!!

I also looked at other cruises in case we could find something similar for significantly cheaper or go up a level to concierge for a similar price. I came up empty, and I’m ok with that. We love the Disney product.

Are we nuts? Or should we go ahead and book it?

Totally go for it. The Fantasy is my favorite ship and the seven day itineraries are marvelous for an extended vacation. We did the Wish in January, and it was OK but I can’t wait to get back on the Fantasy in September.

 

[FastPasser.]

Are we nuts? Or should we go ahead and book it?

Hey, if you're set on DCL cruises, the cost is not an issue and you have the time, why would you be nuts? If you're nuts, you're not alone, we're even more nuts.
We've done the Fantasy a bunch of times.

 

[NAB]

The Fantasy is our favourite ship. You wont be disappointed.

7 days much better than a short one on the Wish too! Like someone said different restaurant theming , different shows , totally different layout than the Wish . Totally Disney themed just a bit different. If you were going on the Magic than I would say you would notice the size difference.

 

[Disney_David]

Different ship, different itinerary, different shows and different food. I prefer the layout of the Fantasy over the Wish, but arguably, the quick dining options are way better and diverse on the Wish than the Fantasy. The other area where the Wish, IMO, has a slight advantage is the theming of the dining rooms. We have sailed on the Fantasy 3 times and have always enjoyed it. The rooms are nice, the staff friendly... and in the end, it is still a Disney Cruise.... and on the Fantasy, you'll have a better chance to enjoy one of the adult exclusive premium dining venue.

This is helpful in ways you may not have intended! So thank you!

 

[Disney_David]

Totally go for it. The Fantasy is my favorite ship and the seven day itineraries are marvelous for an extended vacation. We did the Wish in January, and it was OK but I can’t wait to get back on the Fantasy in September.

Perfect!!! You enabler. I love it

 

[Disney_David]

Hey, if you're set on DCL cruises, the cost is not an issue and you have the time, why would you be nuts? If you're nuts, you're not alone, we're even more nuts.
We've done the Fantasy a bunch of times.

Ha! Sold!! How are the adult areas. From the videos online they look better than the Wish.

 

[Disney_David]

The Fantasy is our favourite ship. You wont be disappointed.

7 days much better than a short one on the Wish too! Like someone said different restaurant theming , different shows , totally different layout than the Wish . Totally Disney themed just a bit different. If you were going on the Magic than I would say you would notice the size difference.

That is great to know. Here were the highlights on the Wish for us.

1. Aladdin show - favorite thing of the entire cruise
2. Palo (we did that 2 nights out of 3)
3. Castaway Cay
4. Theming of the ship
5. Rainforest spa was a hit with the wife
6. Watching the ocean go by from the balcony, or the adult area

I enjoyed Marceline for the options, we had some nice drinks in Bayou, on the beach and at the Cove.

If we hit those highlights I’d be very happy

 

[Disney_David]

One more question…get the protection or not? (~$475). I would never do that with any other trip, I can typically cancel hotels last minute and take flight credits for a canceled flight. But I like to err on the side of caution as you never know what may happen.

I should check my credit card and see what insurance I have, but I’m thinking less emergency, more an important meeting came up I couldn’t miss (which honestly, is unlikely to happen).

 

[FastPasser.]

From the videos online they look better than the Wish.

IMO that's correct.

 

[Disney_David]

Booked it. And I added the protection. I get unlimited PTO, but I never take more than a day or two away from work, even when I’m on vacation. It’s become habitual not to tear myself away.

Sad. When I lived in the UK, I’d squeeze every second out of my vacation. I had 32 days + federal holidays on top. We’d fly back from the US, land at 6 and go straight to work.

Living in the US for nearly 10 years has knocked that out of me! Maybe not for the better!

As usual, I am humbly, and eternally grateful for the wise and encouraging words from y’all. I’m very excited!!!

 

[FastPasser.]

One more question…get the protection or not? (~$475).

I see you got the insurance. We do but some cruisers don't. $475 seems high though.

 

[Disney_David]

It’s a set 8% with Disney’s “own” insurance.

 

[randumb0]

One more question…get the protection or not? (~$475). I would never do that with any other trip, I can typically cancel hotels last minute and take flight credits for a canceled flight. But I like to err on the side of caution as you never know what may happen.

I should check my credit card and see what insurance I have, but I’m thinking less emergency, more an important meeting came up I couldn’t miss (which honestly, is unlikely to happen).

You can purchase travel insurance from a third party source for much less

 

[Mommb]

Ha! Sold!! How are the adult areas. From the videos online they look better than the Wish.

I haven't been on the Wish, but I very much enjoyed Europa, the adult bar area on the Fantasy, on my cruise in January. Most nights there were 2 or even 3 live performers at venues right near each other, so if you didn't care for one, you could go listen to another. If you did find a performer you liked, you could attend future performances, sometimes in a different venue for variety. I don't drink alcohol, and never felt pressured to order anything (which may be the same as on the Wish). The adult area on the pool deck was rarely crowded.

You can purchase travel insurance from a third party source for much less

This is true. A difference between booking through DCL versus getting a policy separately is that if your claim is denied because of a non-covered reason (such as a work crisis), you can get a credit for 75% of the lost cost to use on a future cruise within the next year. You can get "cancel for any reason" coverage from other insurers, but there is an additional cost, and it may be available for only a short time after you make your initial payment. If you're still before your final payment date, it's up to you whether the time involved to research other insurers is worth the cost savings. (DCL insurance can be cancelled up until the time when cancellation penalties begin.)

 

[FastPasser.]

It’s a set 8% with Disney’s “own” insurance.

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I didn't realize it was based on a percentage of the cruise fare, which I guess makes sense. Our fares are always highly discounted so that's why the insurance has been much less than $400.

 

[Disney_David]

I haven't been on the Wish, but I very much enjoyed Europa, the adult bar area on the Fantasy, on my cruise in January. Most nights there were 2 or even 3 live performers at venues right near each other, so if you didn't care for one, you could go listen to another. If you did find a performer you liked, you could attend future performances, sometimes in a different venue for variety. I don't drink alcohol, and never felt pressured to order anything (which may be the same as on the Wish). The adult area on the pool deck was rarely crowded.


This is true. A difference between booking through DCL versus getting a policy separately is that if your claim is denied because of a non-covered reason (such as a work crisis), you can get a credit for 75% of the lost cost to use on a future cruise within the next year. You can get "cancel for any reason" coverage from other insurers, but there is an additional cost, and it may be available for only a short time after you make your initial payment. If you're still before your final payment date, it's up to you whether the time involved to research other insurers is worth the cost savings. (DCL insurance can be cancelled up until the time when cancellation penalties begin.)

Thank you!!! Very helpful!!

This cruise is for end of May, so it’s already past the final payment date. I’m ok purchasing it this time. It was the last room mid ship so I moved on it quickly. I’d probably drop protection for future cruises, or go with a 3rd party.

 

[Erica1016]

I would have also said to go for it, but you already did. We love the Fantasy and are also on the Eastern Caribbean sailing May 13!

 

[Disney_David]

I would have also said to go for it, but you already did. We love the Fantasy and are also on the Eastern Caribbean sailing May 13!

I’ll have to check in and get tips! Have fun!!!!