Disney Fantasy April 16, 2016 7-Day Caribbean Cruise Meet

[CTdaizy]

Hey everybody! We booked this cruise after seeing the summer 2016 prices and destinations. So excited! This will be our third Disney cruise, first was July 2012 on the Magic out of NYC to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral (spent the day at WDW and went to all 4 parks!) then the Fantasy western Caribbean in August 2014, with a stop in Jamaica. Didn't really want to go back on the same itinerary, but with Star Wars on board and April vacation- it makes sense! Traveling will be myself Deborah, DH Steve (SW fan) DS14 Nick (SW fan) and DD13 Alexandra (not a fan!) The kids don't know and we are keeping it a secret for as long as possible!

Also, I can give a little advice on the ports if anyone needs any- the ocean water at Grand Cayman is amazing, by the way!

 

[GarakDS9]

Hey everybody! We booked this cruise after seeing the summer 2016 prices and destinations. So excited! This will be our third Disney cruise, first was July 2012 on the Magic out of NYC to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral (spent the day at WDW and went to all 4 parks!) then the Fantasy western Caribbean in August 2014, with a stop in Jamaica. Didn't really want to go back on the same itinerary, but with Star Wars on board and April vacation- it makes sense! Traveling will be myself Deborah, DH Steve (SW fan) DS14 Nick (SW fan) and DD13 Alexandra (not a fan!) The kids don't know and we are keeping it a secret for as long as possible!

Also, I can give a little advice on the ports if anyone needs any- the ocean water at Grand Cayman is amazing, by the way!

Sounds exactly like our choice. It all started with not booking something for summer 2016. I had just stated to my wife that I didn't want to repeat something again, then she noticed Star Wars. It actually works out nicely because I love the guides we use on GC and Cozumel and an extra sea day.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We just booked this Star Wars Fantasy date. We had a dummy booking from December. I was holding onto it for the summer 2016 itinerary release. The new sailings did not intrigue us enough. My son will be turning 18 the summer of 2016 and really would like to get into the vibe on the new ships one more time. We often sail on our April school vacation period but I checked Christmas and New Year's first then February break but once I clicked on April 16 and DW saw it was a Star Wars cruise, there was no turning back. It will be our first trip as Platinum.

Congrats on Platinum. We have 8 cruises behind us, so 2 more before we make Platinum. But I expect that by the time I get there the parameters for Platinum will have changed and I won't qualify.

 

[ALDSMD]

Hey everybody! We booked this cruise after seeing the summer 2016 prices and destinations. So excited! This will be our third Disney cruise, first was July 2012 on the Magic out of NYC to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral (spent the day at WDW and went to all 4 parks!) then the Fantasy western Caribbean in August 2014, with a stop in Jamaica. Didn't really want to go back on the same itinerary, but with Star Wars on board and April vacation- it makes sense! Traveling will be myself Deborah, DH Steve (SW fan) DS14 Nick (SW fan) and DD13 Alexandra (not a fan!) The kids don't know and we are keeping it a secret for as long as possible!

Also, I can give a little advice on the ports if anyone needs any- the ocean water at Grand Cayman is amazing, by the way!

Would love some advice on the ports seeing this is our first cruise!! We are a family of 5 with DD's being 15,12, and 8. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ALDSMD]

I thought I saw someone say they would take on FE, and I would love to learn more information about it.

Thanks.

 

[GarakDS9]

Congrats on Platinum. We have 8 cruises behind us, so 2 more before we make Platinum. But I expect that by the time I get there the parameters for Platinum will have changed and I won't qualify.

It doesn't seem like Disney distinguishes much between Gold and platinum anyway. I'm most excited about priority boarding. We don't frequent Palo often but probably won't turn down a free visit.

If DCL changes parameters they may include a # of days component.

 

[GarakDS9]

Would love some advice on the ports seeing this is our first cruise!! We are a family of 5 with DD's being 15,12, and 8. Any advice would be appreciated.

7 mile beach on Grand Cayman is considered one of the best in all the Caribbean. We went there with DCL on our first visit. Transportation and chairs included we brought our own snorkels. For an additional cost I rented a kayak. This was before we started straying from ship excursions. Many do this trip on there own by taking a taxi.

Now we go bird watching at most of the ports. We have a guide in both GC and Cozumel.

 

[Dvine99]

Hi everyone!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

It doesn't seem like Disney distinguishes much between Gold and platinum anyway. I'm most excited about priority boarding. We don't frequent Palo often but probably won't turn down a free visit.

If DCL changes parameters they may include a # of days component.

Definitely don't pass up a free meal at Palo. We love both brunch and dinner there. The best lobster ravioli and the soufflé, the chicken parm at brunch, and so much more. Making myself hungry.

 

[Lisa Lewis]

The Lewis Family is super Stoked be be sailing along on this Star Wars Cruise!!
It will be me Lisa (42), DH Jeff 45, DD Abby 7 & DS Gabe 5! We can't Wait!!

 

[lbus42]

Hi everyone!

Nice to meet you

 

[Garbarino2001]

Hello Everyone!
This will be my family's first Disney Cruise and we are very excited! It will me Amy (37), DH Charlie (43), DS Matt (9) & DD Alyssa (7). We are very interested in participating in a FE group for this cruise...been "cruising" Pinterest for some cool ideas.

 

[Queueball]

Hi Everyone!

DW Vivian and I booked while onboard the Wonder for the just completed WBPC cruise. She's more the Trekkie than the Warrior, though.

Roy

 

[GolfcartMinnie]

We are booked and just found you here! Is there a FB group for us yet?? 5 cruising, want to join FE group for sure!!!

 

[rtgsmith]

Hello! We can't wait for our Star Wars cruise!!!! We would love to participate in the FE events. This is our 2nd cruise but the 1st time doing FE's.

 

[rtgsmith]

Hello again. I was wondering about FE's. What kinds of gifts do people give? where do i find information like this? how much do people spend? do they give something every day or just once? Thank you for any information you have. I would like to get started on my gifts now if i could. I just don't know what to start or look for.

 

[disnygirl55]

Hi everyone! Yes, there is more conversation happening elsewhere, including a FE signup. I think we're doing groups of 15, and you can sign up for as many groups as you would like - however, I'm not running the signup list, so you can ask more specific questions when you find the rest of the group. For those who want to participate only on the DIS, I'm certain that you can begin a FE signup here as well. We want everyone to be able to participate, of course!

In past cruises I've been on - there was a variety of gifts, and a variety of different spending levels. Some people give one gift per cabin, some people give separate gifts just for the kids - I've done it both ways and had fun every time. Some people really go all out, and give a gift during multiple days. So as you can see, there are no rules. Some of the gifts we've enjoyed are: refrigerator magnets, sun visors, key chains, mints, movie candy, sundae kits, post-it notes, beach bags, gifts from someone's home town, bottles of alcohol (make sure to inform your FE group if you would prefer not to get them), a large decorated paintbrush to sweep sand from our feet after a beach day, toys, stickers, glow sticks, picture frames, journals... oh, my. I could go on and on.

I think too many people worry that they are not spending enough money on gifts, and others feel like they put a lot of time and effort into their gifts and get very little in return - so you need to enter into the FE exchange in the spirit with which it is meant - a super fun activity that makes you feel a part of a group. Also, delivering gifts is a GREAT way to see the ship! I'm guessing that we will see lots of star-wars and beach themed gifts, given the theme of the cruise. I'm not very "handy", so I'm trying to find something a little unique to purchase for my group - probably Star Wars themed.

 

[rtgsmith]

I just realized I didn't introduce myself.

Hi everyone! I'm Tabatha, 38 from central FL and my family consists of my husband, Rick (39) and our daughter Gabriella (7).

We went on the Disney Fantasy 7 day cruise to St. Maarten & San Juan this past December, 2014 and it was absolutely amazing.

My husband had a mini conniption when I told him I booked our first cruise and how much it cost, but after the vacation had begun, his attitude had changed.

When all was said and done, he told me it was the best vacation he had ever had in his life and wanted to do it again, but maybe a 5 day next time.

Then Disney made the Star Wars announcement and he was allllll about the 7 day cruise again! He has to be the biggest Star Wars fan I've ever known in the history of ever.

I've already begun making some fun Star Wars things on the computer and can't wait to get on board and hit the waters again!

 

[ALDSMD]

Does anybody have any recommendations on which port adventures to do or not to do? Whether to go thru Disney or others? Is there a place on Disboards to see reviews on port adventures? Thanks.

 

[disnygirl55]

Does anybody have any recommendations on which port adventures to do or not to do? Whether to go thru Disney or others? Is there a place on Disboards to see reviews on port adventures? Thanks.

I have never been on a Western Caribbean, but here is what we are tentatively planning to do, based on some reviews I've found:

Cozumel - 12-Metre Regatta (should be fun now that our son is old enough to do this!) I've also read good things about the snorkeling in the caverns, but that doesn't appeal to us as much. Someone else said taking a cab to Paradise Beach, which is American owned, from what I hear, and they have water toys and beach chairs for a very reasonable price. This will be my back up if the Regatta is cancelled.

Grand Cayman - this was a little tougher, but from the reviews, I think we'll do the Deluxe Stingray City snorkel. Nothing else excites me in Grand Cayman.

I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else is planning on!