Just back from a week on the Fantasy with my wife and two boys (8 & 1.5). The biggest complaint was that the week went way too fast!
We had a great time on a completely sold out ship! The only times it felt crowded was debarking at Castaway Key and a few "peak" times at the pools. Had a similar experience last year on the Allure with 6,000 on board. Both ships do a good job of not feeling full.
Let me get the few minor complaints out of the way since 99% of the trip was amazing!
A design flaw in that to get to the pools from the rear of the ship you have to go through Cabana's. This can get a bit busy during meal times with pool people mixing with buffet eaters. Should have made a pathway to get by Cabana's without going in.
Cabin was 10162 in the rear of the ship. Loved the big balcony overlooking the rear of the ship, but did not enjoy Cabana's staff moving chairs and tables every morning before 6am. Also quite a bit of vibration when docking in ports. I would book the room again however for the location and view out the back.
Ate in the dining rooms 6 of 7 nights. Went to Palo the other night. Palo was fantastic! Definitely go hungry because the food is good and plentiful. The $20 is worth it just to get away from the kids and noise in main dining rooms for a night. Food put it over the top!
Our 8-year old spent quite a bit of time in the Oceaneer club. Many times I would go to pick him up and he would ask to stay longer. Disney has hit a home run with this one. The counselors do a great job and I don't know how they have the energy to do this every day for months on end!
Also tried the nursery a few times with our 1 and half year old. Same deal with great counselors and the $6 an hour is a bargain to get some free time with the wife!
Didn't do a lot in the ports of St. Martin or St. Thomas. Took a water taxi into town in St. Martin and a taxi into town at St. Thomas. Both right there at the port. Bought a few pieces of jewelry and some alcohol which we finished in a few nights back on board. Love that Disney lets you bring alcohol on board. Another reason to go Disney!
Saw most of the shows and as always, Disney does a great job with these. Do not miss Aladdin or Wishes. Both were fantastic. Disney knows how to tug at the heartstrings of the parents. My wife and I both teared up at times during most of the shows!
Did see Brave on board in 3-D. It played one night in the main theatre and numerous other times in the Buena Vista Theater. Also had the Avengers playing, but we never got around to it.
Pools crowded at times, but not overly. Never had a problem finding a chair to put our stuff in. Rode the Aquaduck many times. Shortest lines seemed to be around 5pm or so when early diners were getting ready. At that time line was about 5 minutes long at most!
Character appearances numerous as always and we were usually able to get a picture with a short wait. If there is someone you particulary want, just get there 5 or 10 minutes before signing time starts to make sure you make the cut. They will cut lines off after a certain time. If you really want to "clean up" with pictures and autographs, go the goodbye celebration party in the atrium on the last night. Starts at 10:15pm and most of the characters and princesses are all there for about 30 minutes. My son got pictures and autographs with pretty much everyone there.
If you are even considering going on another Disney cruise in the future, book a "dummy date" trip so that you can get the 10% discount and $200 stateroom credit. It will only cost you a deposit of about $200 to hold it and you get it back if you cancel before the cancellation date.
All in all we had a great time and are already looking forward to our next Disney cruise.
If anyone has a question, please fire away!
We had a great time on a completely sold out ship! The only times it felt crowded was debarking at Castaway Key and a few "peak" times at the pools. Had a similar experience last year on the Allure with 6,000 on board. Both ships do a good job of not feeling full.
Let me get the few minor complaints out of the way since 99% of the trip was amazing!
A design flaw in that to get to the pools from the rear of the ship you have to go through Cabana's. This can get a bit busy during meal times with pool people mixing with buffet eaters. Should have made a pathway to get by Cabana's without going in.
Cabin was 10162 in the rear of the ship. Loved the big balcony overlooking the rear of the ship, but did not enjoy Cabana's staff moving chairs and tables every morning before 6am. Also quite a bit of vibration when docking in ports. I would book the room again however for the location and view out the back.
Ate in the dining rooms 6 of 7 nights. Went to Palo the other night. Palo was fantastic! Definitely go hungry because the food is good and plentiful. The $20 is worth it just to get away from the kids and noise in main dining rooms for a night. Food put it over the top!
Our 8-year old spent quite a bit of time in the Oceaneer club. Many times I would go to pick him up and he would ask to stay longer. Disney has hit a home run with this one. The counselors do a great job and I don't know how they have the energy to do this every day for months on end!
Also tried the nursery a few times with our 1 and half year old. Same deal with great counselors and the $6 an hour is a bargain to get some free time with the wife!
Didn't do a lot in the ports of St. Martin or St. Thomas. Took a water taxi into town in St. Martin and a taxi into town at St. Thomas. Both right there at the port. Bought a few pieces of jewelry and some alcohol which we finished in a few nights back on board. Love that Disney lets you bring alcohol on board. Another reason to go Disney!
Saw most of the shows and as always, Disney does a great job with these. Do not miss Aladdin or Wishes. Both were fantastic. Disney knows how to tug at the heartstrings of the parents. My wife and I both teared up at times during most of the shows!
Did see Brave on board in 3-D. It played one night in the main theatre and numerous other times in the Buena Vista Theater. Also had the Avengers playing, but we never got around to it.
Pools crowded at times, but not overly. Never had a problem finding a chair to put our stuff in. Rode the Aquaduck many times. Shortest lines seemed to be around 5pm or so when early diners were getting ready. At that time line was about 5 minutes long at most!
Character appearances numerous as always and we were usually able to get a picture with a short wait. If there is someone you particulary want, just get there 5 or 10 minutes before signing time starts to make sure you make the cut. They will cut lines off after a certain time. If you really want to "clean up" with pictures and autographs, go the goodbye celebration party in the atrium on the last night. Starts at 10:15pm and most of the characters and princesses are all there for about 30 minutes. My son got pictures and autographs with pretty much everyone there.
If you are even considering going on another Disney cruise in the future, book a "dummy date" trip so that you can get the 10% discount and $200 stateroom credit. It will only cost you a deposit of about $200 to hold it and you get it back if you cancel before the cancellation date.
All in all we had a great time and are already looking forward to our next Disney cruise.
If anyone has a question, please fire away!
