Disney Fantasy Caribbean Christmas 2014. Sailing Dec. 20-27, 2014

[jessicabohn]

OK! Now that our summer trip to Disney is over we can now start to think about the Christmas cruise! I just couldn't wish our summer away but now that we are back, Christmas can't come soon enough!

Just wondering if anyone stays on board the ship while in port? I would imagine that it would seem deserted on port days.

Some do stay onboard in port, and it's very quiet for those who do. However, the ports on this cruise are really good ports, so you really can't go wrong even just getting off the ship and walking around old San Juan for an hour or two, finding lunch somewhere and going back to have quiet time at the pool before everyone else. With St. Maarten, it's a tropical paradise and there are two sides of the island, the dutch and the French side, and the beaches are just awesome there. And Castaway Cay is one place where hardly anyone stays onboard --even the staff-- in fact, the vast majority of the cruise staff work on the island -- it's free to just get off and walk around. But I am sure they will let you stay on if you want to!

 

[jessicabohn]

Folks - Was trying to find out dining rotations and schedules for our itinerary but had no luck. But DCL was more than glad to help. So...

Dining Attire:
Day 1 - Cruise Casual
Day 2 - Formal
Day 3 - Cruise Casual
Day 4 - Pirate night
Day 5 - Cruise Casual
Day 6 - Semi Formal
Day 7 - Cruise Casual

Dining Rotations are as follow:
RAERAER
AERAERA
ERAERAE

I was not able to get when the different menus are other than Pirate night nor what other menus would be available.

PS: I'll cross post to the FB group...

Thanks for posting this! Awesome help without any work on my part!

 

[jessicabohn]

We haven't been on a Disney cruise for about 8 years but love Disney! Can't wait because it's our son's first cruise and will be his first trip to Disney after too. He's 2.5 now so will be just shy of 3. If anyone has tips for the little guys, please share!

On other cruises, we have definitely stayed on board in port, or come back early. it is the best, because you get the pool or other areas mostly to yourself. There's no real relaxing with a toddler, but we'll probably come back for afternoon nap at least two of the days.

As a cruiser who has taken ages 6 months (youngest 5 years ago) to 15 years (our oldest now), I will offer a tip: Take advantage of the Disney nursery and do one adventure as a couple! Yes, you can only 'pre-book' 18 hours for the entire cruise, but people switch their hours like crazy once onboard. Immediately upon boarding, go straight to the nursery and tell them that you would like to do a port adventure when in xyz port and would like them to 'waitlist' you for those hours, in addition to whatever you pre-book. 7 times out of 10 (okay that's a guess because we always got it on port days) you will get it. You will feel guilty at first, but take heart in knowing that the Disney nursery far exceeds any 'day care' you find anywhere else and your little guy will be excited to see rejuvenated parents return. We once returned to the nursery to find our little one being held by Cinderella in full dress... we were in awe.

Next, you can walk to the old San Juan fort (no need to buy a port adventure ticket... it's a 15 minute walk but with a stroller, you can do it easy and then let him run around at the fort.) There is an admission charge but it's not as expensive as buying the tickets on the boat... you don't need a bus to get you there.

Finally, this is a lesser known secret ... so... shhh .... save this for this thread! You can rent free strollers if you go to the guest services desk when you first get there. First come first served so good luck. They do hold a deposit to your room but it is refunded when you return the stroller on the last day of the cruise. And ... you can take it off the boat too! Just don't lose it!

Happy sailing!

 

[jessicabohn]

We are driving and the plan is on staying the night before at PC on one of the hotels that have the 40% off parking at the port promo.

Looking at either the Hampton Inn or the Fairfield Inn in Tittusville. Also, hoping to get tickets for Kennedy Space Center for the day of the return.

Not a clue what we are doing after we come back. DW doesn't want to drive back home but doesn't want to stay in the area. We might swing around Atlanta or go to DC...

We once stayed on the waterfront in historic Savannah on a drive to/from Florida, and loved it so much that we vowed to return and we did! There are tons of shops, restaurants and bars on the waterfront and even a great (more upscale) tapas place in the historic district if dressing up is your thing too.

 

[LovestoSail]

Hello everyone. Just found this forum and looking to see if there will/is a FishExtender group. Thanks.

Rose

 

[Disney Mom 4ever]

Friends, How many folks are in the fish extender these days? I was hoping to begin my gifts but need a count for budget etc. Thanks! Jenn[/QUOTE
You are in the Mickey group for the FE and there are 15 cabins. I'm going to try and send you the spreadsheet once I get home tonight.

 

[carolinamom]

Hello! And happy countdown! We are excited to really start planning this trip. It is our 12 cruise- 4th on Disney, but first CHRISTMAS CRUISE!!!! It is Me, DH, DS (13), DD (10). Also have BOTH sets of grandparents coming- first Disney cruise for both of them! We are interested in the FE for our cabin only as the kids enjoyed it last time.
I have requested to join the FB group -
Looking forward to the next few fun months of planning!

 

[monikahoneycutt]

103 days! But who's counting!! Haha. Hopefully you will be in the Donald group. We need people. Christina Ramos has been amazing organizing the groups !

 

[kcarrillo]

As a cruiser who has taken ages 6 months (youngest 5 years ago) to 15 years (our oldest now), I will offer a tip: Take advantage of the Disney nursery and do one adventure as a couple! Yes, you can only 'pre-book' 18 hours for the entire cruise, but people switch their hours like crazy once onboard. Immediately upon boarding, go straight to the nursery and tell them that you would like to do a port adventure when in xyz port and would like them to 'waitlist' you for those hours, in addition to whatever you pre-book. 7 times out of 10 (okay that's a guess because we always got it on port days) you will get it. You will feel guilty at first, but take heart in knowing that the Disney nursery far exceeds any 'day care' you find anywhere else and your little guy will be excited to see rejuvenated parents return. We once returned to the nursery to find our little one being held by Cinderella in full dress... we were in awe.

Next, you can walk to the old San Juan fort (no need to buy a port adventure ticket... it's a 15 minute walk but with a stroller, you can do it easy and then let him run around at the fort.) There is an admission charge but it's not as expensive as buying the tickets on the boat... you don't need a bus to get you there.

Finally, this is a lesser known secret ... so... shhh .... save this for this thread! You can rent free strollers if you go to the guest services desk when you first get there. First come first served so good luck. They do hold a deposit to your room but it is refunded when you return the stroller on the last day of the cruise. And ... you can take it off the boat too! Just don't lose it!

Happy sailing!

Thanks for the ideas, Jessica! And LOVE that story about Cinderella

 

[JennandJaryd]

Hope you saw Christina's message about the FE list in our FB group.

Error double post

 

[JennandJaryd]

Welcome. Just to let you know ALL FE groups are being done through the FB group. Not sure if you have joined yet, but when you do please read the pinned post and send your into to Christina Ramos to upload it.

I really don't think it is fair to say all fish extender groups must be done on facebook. I don't use facebook for personal security reasons. I started up the FE over a year ago until someone asked to take it over from me.

Christina said she has my info and will update me when ready but I just did not find your post very inclusive.

The disboards are about bonding on a similar interest, no?

 

[KathyTX]

Please read the sticky posts on this forum related to redirecting posts to other sites. DIS group activities should be communicated here on the DISboards and be transparent and inclusive of all DiS posters, not redirected to some other FB page.

 

[PrincessesRUs]

Hi All,

Late joiner here. I just booked this cruise for myself, my (will be by then) 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son. This will be our 3rd Disney cruise and 1st on the Fantasy.

It will be our first Christmas away from home - and we're looking forward to an escape as I recently lost my mother to cancer. Felt like we needed to get away...

I requested to join the Facebook group and getting to know you all. Would love to hear suggestions on excursions and activities.

 

[JennandJaryd]

Hi All, Late joiner here. I just booked this cruise for myself, my (will be by then) 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son. This will be our 3rd Disney cruise and 1st on the Fantasy. It will be our first Christmas away from home - and we're looking forward to an escape as I recently lost my mother to cancer. Felt like we needed to get away... I requested to join the Facebook group and getting to know you all. Would love to hear suggestions on excursions and activities.

Welcome. I am sorry for your loss.

I am so excited. Can't stop buying stuff...ugh

 

[JennandJaryd]

Just want to tell everyone that there is a cabana left on Serenity beach. I can't book it as I will have kids with me.

 

[beachgirlnmnts]

We did our first cruise on Christmas 2007 on Wonder. I sent everyone in our family gift cards and off we went on our trip. We felt we would try 4 days incase our kids did not adjust to sea life. They never liked characters. The mouse at Chuckie Cheese put my daughter under a booth for the whole party. Not the case with the Big Cheese, Mickey! They loved it! We were hooked.. We booked on board for the next cruise for the following Halloween on the Magic (7day 2008) and have been cruising every year since. At Christmas the smaller ship goes all out. Mrs Claus reading stories on Christmas Eve, milk and cookies for Santa. They made it snow on Castaway Christmas Morning. All wonderful memories. I hope you have a fabulous time!

 

[JennandJaryd]

There are so many verandahs open past paid in full. I wonder if they will drop the price or do VGT?

 

[JennandJaryd]

Did anyone else sign up for the fish extender and have you heard from the organizer?

Is anyone interested in doing our own since they moved the previous one to facebook only apparently?

 

[princessjm]

Hello! We booked on the cruise a couple months ago, and i just found this website.
This is our first cruise for our family and we are excited!!! It will be me, husband, daughter 6 1/2yrs, and son 1 1/2.
Are we too late to join the fish exchange?
Some people mentioned fb page. i searched on fb, but didnt show up.
thanks!

 

[princessjm]

I found the fb page link from earlier posts and just requested to join.
So excited!