Differences in Dream and Fantasy

[ptcbass]

We have been on the Dream (once) and might be going on the Fantasy in a few months. What differences are there? I know there are difference for the crew but what about difference from the passenger perspective?

Do they have more shows?
How do they do the dining rotation?
What do you do on a sea day (or 3 of them!)?

Thanks!

 

[cwby22]

I know of three things Fantasy has that Dream does not. Fantasy has Satellite Falls (adult area), Aqua lab (for kids) and Muppets are part of Midship Detective game.
As for dining rotation, You will have each restaurant twice and one of them 3 times.
I don't recall if there are added shows for 7 night cruises.
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy on sea days. (for us, it's the extra sea days that make 7 Night cruises so much better.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have been on the Dream (once) and might be going on the Fantasy in a few months. What differences are there? I know there are difference for the crew but what about difference from the passenger perspective?

Do they have more shows?
How do they do the dining rotation?
What do you do on a sea day (or 3 of them!)?

Thanks!

Yes, there are more shows. But only 3 production shows: Believe, Aladdin, and Wishes. There will also be the A Fantasy Come True (welcome aboard), and An Unforgettable Journey (farewell show). Pirate night & one other night will either be an individual entertainer or a movie.

As noted the dining rotation will be 2 times in 2 of the MDRs and 3 times in another. Depending on the itinerary it could be 1231231 or 1231223.

There are lots of activities scheduled on sea days from Mixology & Tasting classes, trivia, games, movies. Here's a link to past Navigators you can check out for ideas of what may be offered:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

The adult area is laid out differently, and there are some different bars/lounges. Décor is Art Nouveau (Dream is Art Deco). Also, the Fantasy has Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. And additional Detective Agency cases.

 

[ptcbass]

Great! Thanks for the information. I have a room on hold but haven't booked it yet. I thought I would give myself 24 hours to get more info and think about it. I am sure we would LOVE it but it is just hard to commit to spending that much money . We are looking at the EC St. Thomas cruise.

How is pirate night different on the fantasy and what night is it? I know I have read about differences but haven't paid them any attention since we would "never" get to go on the fantasy.

Also, we probably don't plan on going to the formal night since we don't want to pack dress clothes. Is Cabanas open on that night? What night is formal night?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Great! Thanks for the information. I have a room on hold but haven't booked it yet. I thought I would give myself 24 hours to get more info and think about it. I am sure we would LOVE it but it is just hard to commit to spending that much money . We are looking at the EC St. Thomas cruise.

How is pirate night different on the fantasy and what night is it? I know I have read about differences but haven't paid them any attention since we would "never" get to go on the fantasy.

Also, we probably don't plan on going to the formal night since we don't want to pack dress clothes. Is Cabanas open on that night? What night is formal night?

Pirate night is the same on the Dream & Fantasy. Family show between the two dinner seatings, and a more pirate-y themed show later, followed by the fireworks.

Formal night is typically the first sea day. I will point out you don't really have to wear formal wear. The only "dress code" for the MDRs is "no swimwear or tank tops for dinner". Beyond that you'll see everything from fancy dress to shorts, even on formal night. There is also a semi-formal night - same thing. Cabanas is open, but it's a sit down table service, not buffet, for dinner.

 

[ptcbass]

Pirate night is the same on the Dream & Fantasy. Family show between the two dinner seatings, and a more pirate-y themed show later, followed by the fireworks.

Formal night is typically the first sea day. I will point out you don't really have to wear formal wear. The only "dress code" for the MDRs is "no swimwear or tank tops for dinner". Beyond that you'll see everything from fancy dress to shorts, even on formal night. There is also a semi-formal night - same thing. Cabanas is open, but it's a sit down table service, not buffet, for dinner.

I didn't know you could dress more casual on a formal night. Thanks for the info! SO much to learn.

 

[algae]

The Fantasy is supposed to be the flagship of DCL. So, they try to make things a bit more exclusive or special on that ship. For example, the higher-end stores will carry special items that are not available on the other ships. They once had a diamond studded tiara for sale on board as well as special Chopard DCL watches and jewelry. Other than the stuff other people have mentioned, though, both ships are largely the same.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The Fantasy is supposed to be the flagship of DCL. So, they try to make things a bit more exclusive or special on that ship. For example, the higher-end stores will carry special items that are not available on the other ships. They once had a diamond studded tiara for sale on board as well as special Chopard DCL watches and jewelry. Other than the stuff other people have mentioned, though, both ships are largely the same.

Since when was the Fantasy designated the flagship? I thought it was the Magic (being as she was the first one).

 

[ptcbass]

I have heard that the Fantasy is more relaxed and people are less hurried. That will be nice.

Unless they have "Special" merchandise that doesn't cost much we won't be looking. I do have the Fantasy Dooney bag that I got off the Dream. I love it! We also picked up a CC tervis tumbler and Christmas ornament. Other than that we might just get a shirt or two. We hope to just be able to enjoy the cruise without spending so much this time - If I can have a little self control.

I was wondering what special request I might need to put in. For example on the Dream we had a request in to sit by ourselves for dinner and I requested a dining rotation. Other than that I am super glad everything is basically done for us. If we would have booked WDW I would be tring to figure out what days we were going to what parks, ADR's, Fast passes, etc... I am so glad a cruise isn't like that. Now I just need to learn a lot about St. Thomas too.

Thanks for all the info! I knew I could rely on ya'll to help out

 

[algae]

Since when was the Fantasy designated the flagship? I thought it was the Magic (being as she was the first one).

That's what we were told by GS and the CM's in the stores. Of course, I can't verify the claim, but that's what we were told from multiple CM's. Maybe I'm not using the term flagship quite right, but the Fantasy is supposed to be the "more exclusive/high-end" ship in the fleet.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's what we were told by GS and the CM's in the stores. Of course, I can't verify the claim, but that's what we were told from multiple CM's. Maybe I'm not using the term flagship quite right, but the Fantasy is supposed to be the "more exclusive/high-end" ship in the fleet.

Hmmmm, sounds like the CMs onboard the Fantasy have a high opinion of their ship.

Typically, the flagship of a line is the first one.

However, Commodore Tom is the Captain of the Fantasy, so maybe that's why they feel the Fantasy is the flagship.

I suppose it doesn't really matter.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Great! Thanks for the information. I have a room on hold but haven't booked it yet. I thought I would give myself 24 hours to get more info and think about it. I am sure we would LOVE it but it is just hard to commit to spending that much money . We are looking at the EC St. Thomas cruise.

How is pirate night different on the fantasy and what night is it? I know I have read about differences but haven't paid them any attention since we would "never" get to go on the fantasy.

Also, we probably don't plan on going to the formal night since we don't want to pack dress clothes. Is Cabanas open on that night? What night is formal night?

We were on the Fantasy 2 months ago...our servers said that only about 60% of the passengers on average in the dining rooms dress up for formal night. We saw a huge range of attire that night. So if you don't want to get dressed up, still come to dinner.

 

[ptcbass]

My family was glad to hear this. They really didn't want to take formal attire with us or worry with it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Hmmmm, sounds like the CMs onboard the Fantasy have a high opinion of their ship.

Typically, the flagship of a line is the first one.

However, Commodore Tom is the Captain of the Fantasy, so maybe that's why they feel the Fantasy is the flagship.

I suppose it doesn't really matter.

When we cruised HAL several years ago, the Westerdam was considered the flagship. Not because she was the firstborn of the fleet, but because she was the newest and the best at the time.

 

[Dug720]

When we cruised HAL several years ago, the Westerdam was considered the flagship. Not because she was the firstborn of the fleet, but because she was the newest and the best at the time.

Sorry...having cruised her to Alaska this past summer, that makes me laugh. Clearly times have changed now...I hope. I wasn't really considering HAL again, but dear lord. If that is their "flagship" there is no hope for them.

(Actually I think now it's the Nieuw Amsterdam (or however they misspell New) now. Not positive, but I think so.)

 

[robin19871]

Hmmmm, sounds like the CMs onboard the Fantasy have a high opinion of their ship.

Typically, the flagship of a line is the first one.

However, Commodore Tom is the Captain of the Fantasy, so maybe that's why they feel the Fantasy is the flagship.

I suppose it doesn't really matter.

The Fantasy is considered DCL's flagship because it carries Captain Tom. Also because it is the biggest and finest... The Magic was considered the flagship back in the day but no longer.

 

[ptcbass]

The Fantasy is considered DCL's flagship because it carries Captain Tom. Also because it is the biggest and finest... The Magic was considered the flagship back in the day but no longer.

I hate to ask but who is Captain Tom and why is he so special (over the other DCL captains)?

 

[Dug720]

I hate to ask but who is Captain Tom and why is he so special (over the other DCL captains)?

He is a Commodore.

 

[ptcbass]

He is a Commodore.

Interesting! So does he also oversee the other Disney ships or do they answer to him (if needed)?

 

[Snurk71]

Hmmmm, sounds like the CMs onboard the Fantasy have a high opinion of their ship.

Typically, the flagship of a line is the first one.

However, Commodore Tom is the Captain of the Fantasy, so maybe that's why they feel the Fantasy is the flagship.

I suppose it doesn't really matter.

Nautical ly speaking, the flagship is the ship carrying the Lead/highest ranking officer.

Generally speaking, it's the best whatever of the lot. For example, what is considered WDW's flagship resort? It's not the Ct or Poly (the first ones), it's the GF because that's the one considered the best.