Fantasy questions

[thinktink87]

FWIW, in line with others, I have done 3 in the fall - actually, all October - and only had issues once... the ever famous Sandy. We're sailing in September again this year. It hasn't deterred us.

 

[GioCruise]

We did Fantasy Western Cruise Setember 28,2013 - we even got caught in Tropical Storm Karen and had one night of super rocking seas....But it added to the excitement. Many people did get sick my family was one of them - BUT it didn't ruin a single minute of our fun! And our room attendant and everyone on the ship for DCL took great care of everyone. We missed the fireworks it had to cancel but honestly every single day was sunny and bright and beautiful and the seas were the calmest! We are doing it again this year on the Fantasy on 9/26. Weather is predictable and big storms can be seen in advance so anything monumental will be avoided and that just means Safety First and in the event of some icky weather you might miss a port. To answer your question in short it is a great time to go! And we are looking forward to doing halloween on the high seas....just call me Princess Leia!

 

[GioCruise]

I was on the Fantasy during Hurricane Sandy. It was by far the scariest event I've ever been through. Hitting fifty+ foot waves in our forward cabin was terrifying. My poor kiddo was terribly sick. Our stateroom host who has been sailing for ten years said he had never been through anything like it before. If at all possible I would advise avoiding October. That being said, the rest of our trip was lovely!

Sandy was terrible on land so I can only imagine it from the ship! Yikes!
We had an experience with A tropical storm but Sandy was Superstorm so that couldn't of been fun

 

[DisMama5]

Love the feed back guys! Helping so much

 

[Devoosha]

I can add my 2 cents We did Fantasy Eastern in September of 2013...and Fantasy Western (stopping at those same ports you will be) in mid-October 2014. Neither time did we have issues with hurricanes. There was a tropical storm far to the east when we were on the Western cruise, which kicked up the waves a little bit...there was noticeable rocking the one night. And we did go through a pretty amazing storm one night. To be honest, it was just plain awesome to sit on the balcony and watch the lightening strikes on the water around Cuba...one of those unforgettable moments in life! It's always a risk to travel in the Caribbean in the fall...but more than likely you will be ok!

 

[VbChristy]

This info has been extremely helpful! Thank you sooo much! Maybe we will lean towards late August/early September instead, if we keep forward with this idea. Thanks again!!!

Does anyone know the the Halloween stuff starts onboard, I noticed it said on dates in September and October sailings but didn't say when. Just curious

Problem is that is the WORST hurricane time. What about mid- late November, early December. I am pretty conservative and think you are safe by early November.

 

[MelInAZ]

This is a great link for hurricane originations & tracks by time period: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

 

[tinkerone]

October is our favorite time to cruise and (touch wood) have not had any issues yet. I know we have been lucky and I hope the luck keeps up as we have two more weeks coming up this October. fingers crossed.

as to those ports, they are the exact same ones we did last October. I absolutely adore Jamaica but only because we have stayed on the island a lot! just going for the day, unless you have something planned theres not a lot to do. the port area is nice but to go beyond the gates can get scary, at least that has been my feel. love walking around the Cozumel port area. grand cayman I can take or leave.
now this is just my thoughts and you should not read to much into them. everyone is different and we all like different things. go to trip advisor and check out what there is to do in each port and read the reviews. if you find a port isn't to your taste, stay on the ship and enjoy it without the masses.

congrats on your wedding.

 

[DisMama5]

We are considering end of May or June now also because of shh high risk for fall.

Mid to end of August is also in the line up for choices now also but I realize that is just as much as a risk as fall for losing ports etc.

It's such a huge price jump from sept to May :/

 

[Devoosha]

Late September and October also benefit from having the awesome Halloween celebrations onboard. We love those! So much fun!

 

[DisMama5]

Late September and October also benefit from having the awesome Halloween celebrations onboard. We love those! So much fun!

We really wanted to do that on board the Halloween stuff if we did the fall. Esp in Orlando after the cruise also. When exactly does that start?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Normally DCL have it posted on their website.

Currently says

Sail Dates

Ship Sail Dates
Disney Magic TBD
Disney Wonder TBD
Disney Dream TBD
Disney Fantasy TBD

But it will start in September.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/holiday-cruises/halloween/?int_cmp=INS-intDCLtoDCL-halloweendream

 

[ubish00]

We did cruises late November in 2013 and 2014 and have another booked the same time this year. Love that time as it's usually their first or second MerryTime Cruise. We have cruised or vacationed in the Caribbean mid to late November for quite a few years and have never had a problem.

 

[Prose]

We have done both the Eastern and the Western on the Fantasy in late October, and have had great weather both times. It rained a little at night, but otherwise warm and pleasant.

 

[DisMama5]

A thought came to mind about fall sailings... Is it warm enough to swim on the "days at sea" in the fall? I've never cruised before so in my mind I would assume it being cool out at sea in September?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

A thought came to mind about fall sailings... Is it warm enough to swim on the "days at sea" in the fall? I've never cruised before so in my mind I would assume it being cool out at sea in September?

Our cruises last Sept/Oct were certainly warm enough to use the pools

 

[ubish00]

The weather is fine in November too. The pools are full on the sea days and we usually go to the beach on port days.

 

[DisMama5]

The weather is fine in November too. The pools are full on the sea days and we usually go to the beach on port days.

That's what we plan to do also, we want to do beach days at the ports we visit. Did you research and do your own beaches and use local transport? Or did you use a beach excursion set up choice from the ship?

 

[Crystal O_o]

There is a 8A room available on the September 19th fantasy that you should snag up! These rooms are amazing and I have been trying to get one for my cruise date for months now.

This is what they look like, like a mini suite.
http://www.thephotographerswife.com/disney-dream-stateroom-5522-category-8a/

 

[Cptnkirky]

We cruised on the Fantasy (eastern) mid Oct 2013. It was a pretty perfect cruise. No storms during our days. There was a small rain storm that hit CC the days before we arrived, which caused the temps to drop a little, so it was about 75 when we arrived there, but to me that was perfect! We are cruising this year in Sept and taking the chance, but will just go with it and know things could change.
Also, we cruised during the halloween cruises. It was the first year of having them and very minimal on the Fantasy. It was cute, but we didn't do much with it and wouldn't have missed it. My LO was only 13 months and having a "rough time" the night of trick or treating so we missed out. I would much rather do MNSSHP.
You will have a great time either one you choose, the ship is beautiful and CMs are great!