Just back from Fantasy Aug 6-13 - with some thoughts and happy to answer any questions

[YayDisney]

we just returned from our Fantasy at sea trip this Saturday. I got so much info from so many of you on this board that I thought I'd offer to answer anything I could assist with.

We went to Cozumel (we did scuba diving), Grand Cayman (again scuba diving), Falmouth (trip out to the Blue Hole with SNL Jamaican tours) and castaway (rigid hull aback snorkeling tour - which I loved for the sand bar portion of it)

We watched all the shows and had second seating.

Had both Remy and Palo brunch. I've not done Remy before and was blown away by the food, the service the ambiance. The whole thing was spectacular. I am also vegetarian so I was a little worried about selection, but did not need to be. It was magnificent. We also did the dinner and loved it as well, though I think we started too late because by the end, I was sleepy and I think it out a tiny damper on the experience. But just a tiny one.

On the other hand, we have done Palo before and thought this trip was horrible in comparison to the experience we had on the Wonder last year. We only did the brunch and found the service to be poor. Our water glasses ran dry several times, my husband's seafood shells plate sat in the table for ever even though the server came several times in between. Our drinks took about half an hour to arrive. I was surprised. Also perhaps we were spoiled by Remy's food but I found the quality of the Palo food to be just ok. I actually enjoyed the food in the MDR more. Maybe I was just annoyed at always having to find my waitress at Palo.

As for the kids, my DS (10) loved the Oceaneers Lab and had a great time. My DD (also 10) did not enjoy it at all. She complained that the CMs were too busy talking with each other to interact with her other than to give quick instructions on the craft and then go back to chatting. She tried several times with no luck so that was too bad. She went up to Edge once but said the kids were really rude to the CM that was running a program at the time and that they just stood up to leave. She just didn't like it so she spent time with us which was great too. I did feel badly though because she really loved the CMs from our last trip and know she was disappointed.

Anyway, the ship was beautiful. The weather was perfect. I miss it already

 

[cheermom2four]

Im wondering if I should add Remy brunch after reading your review. We go on the western caribbean on the Fantasy in a few weeks and only have Palo brunch and dinner reserved. Not sure I can still get remy so may go stand in line when we get to the ship to see if any spots open. We havent done either one so nothing to go by. Maybe I should request a server in Palo LOL (or in this case, make sure I dont have yours )

Is there a lot of stores to shop in Jamaica port area? This is the port we arent doing anything in as everything is just too much traveling with our dd soon to be 5 year old.

We have 2nd seating also. Was it less kids? I've only had 2nd seating for dinner but on the smaller ship. So not sure what to expect on the larger ship.

Sad to hear about the clubs. I'm really hoping DD loves it as we are leaving her in the club while we snorkel in Cozumel on a Disney excursion since she's just not a great swimmer. How many open houses did you have during the days? From previous navigators for Western cruises, seems like one was always in OH mode for 4 hours in the morning and that seems a little excessive (in my opinion only)

 

[scgustafson]

Who were the Cruise Staff team members?

 

[YayDisney]

Im wondering if I should add Remy brunch after reading your review. We go on the western caribbean on the Fantasy in a few weeks and only have Palo brunch and dinner reserved. Not sure I can still get remy so may go stand in line when we get to the ship to see if any spots open. We havent done either one so nothing to go by. Maybe I should request a server in Palo LOL (or in this case, make sure I dont have yours )

Is there a lot of stores to shop in Jamaica port area? This is the port we arent doing anything in as everything is just too much traveling with our dd soon to be 5 year old.

We have 2nd seating also. Was it less kids? I've only had 2nd seating for dinner but on the smaller ship. So not sure what to expect on the larger ship.

Sad to hear about the clubs. I'm really hoping DD loves it as we are leaving her in the club while we snorkel in Cozumel on a Disney excursion since she's just not a great swimmer. How many open houses did you have during the days? From previous navigators for Western cruises, seems like one was always in OH mode for 4 hours in the morning and that seems a little excessive (in my opinion only)

I would say Remy and Palo are so different, it's incomparable. Many people here have commented that Remy was too uppity for their taste. I am not a huge fine diner, and we did not feel out of place or like they were looking down at us at all. I felt totally pampered and delicious ! I think you should try to add Remy if you are up to doing two sea day brunches and are ok with the slightly higher cost ($55 per person) - I didn't care for the Grill area and never tried an MDR for lunch, so I was happy to have the brunches on the sea days. Palo food wasn't bad it's just I was expecting magic like the last Palo I experienced and like I said, it was just OK. Our server was very cheerful but just didn't know how to handle the three tables she had. She seemed to lavish the 4 people next to us with attention and then just disappear. So even if you get her, you might get lucky I didn't do dinner so I don't know if it was better for dinner. More than likely, you can still get Remy if you go when you board. I had to make some schedule changes at Remy and they had plenty of openings for brunch even though the website said sold out.

I learned from the driver we hired in Jamaica that the port in Falmouth was built by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. It is really very nice and seems to be pretty new. Looks like Disney World's Epcot version of a little town. There are many stores and little kiosks. We didn't look around too much since we had already bought stuff, but there was a Harley Davidson Store, a DQ (I thought that was funny) and many souvenir stores. I think you can definitely shop your heart's content there.

As to the kids in Second Seating, we saw many kids younger and older than mine - I am sure there are more in main dining, but there were plenty at 8:15.

I think the younger kids fare better in the CLub and Lab than my DD age. I did notice there were too many open houses for my taste as well. That results in all the kids on one side and I thought it was a little too much, but my DS was perfectly fine. I think your DD will be great and I also think that many people get off in the ports, so it won't be overly crowded while you are snorkeling.

Enjoy!!!

 

[YayDisney]

Who were the Cruise Staff team members?

Natalie was the Cruise Director. I know Brett was in the Tube and I think the D Lunge main host was Andy. I can't remember her name, but there is a girl from New Zealand I believe, she is really funny. . . we had her on the Wonder as well last year. Brown hair and light eyes, about 27-30 years old.

 

[Dug720]

I have never used "uppity" regarding Remy's food, but as someone who does not eat fish, snails, or mushrooms and now has a gluten intolerance, it would be very challenging for them to put anything together for me, especially at brunch which as I understand it is pretty much a fixed menu.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the report! We will be on the same itinerary next week so this is great info for me!

 

[YayDisney]

I have never used "uppity" regarding Remy's food, but as someone who does not eat fish, snails, or mushrooms and now has a gluten intolerance, it would be very challenging for them to put anything together for me, especially at brunch which as I understand it is pretty much a fixed menu.

I hear you. I don't eat fish, snails, mushrooms or asparagus. I thought it would be a big waste that I was prepared to sacrifice because my husband is very adventurous with food and I thought he would like the experience. The first day when I was making the changes after we boarded, I told the front desk at Remy about my dislikes (except I didn't know asparagus would be on the menu, so I didn't say anything about that) and I was very very pleased with their accommodations. They started me off with a vegetable ratatouille, which was phenomenal. Then I believe we had sweet corn emulsion/soup/puree (mine just didn't have the seafood or caviar), then the fried egg battered in panko (amazing) to enjoy then plain risotto (because I didn't like asparagus - they had to make it up on the spot because that is their fall back for no mushroom) There was nothing plain about it, it was wonderful. I can't remember what followed that course, it could be the champagne pairing was getting to me at that time anyway, I kept the menu and can report if you want later, but it was amazing and the next night when we went for dinner, the Chef came out and commented on the challenge (in a super nice way ) and told us it was interesting to have to move around what are ordinarily staple flavors for vegetarians for me not once but twice. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed both experiences far more than I thought - a treat! not a sacrifice at all.

 

[scgustafson]

Natalie was the Cruise Director. I know Brett was in the Tube and I think the D Lunge main host was Andy. I can't remember her name, but there is a girl from New Zealand I believe, she is really funny. . . we had her on the Wonder as well last year. Brown hair and light eyes, about 27-30 years old.

Thank you, especially for knowing who a Cruise Staff team member would be and not telling me your servers' names.

 

[SonyaShay]

Glad to hear of someone else using SNL Jamaican Tours. We used Lindsay in June 2015 and have highly recommended him ever since!!

 

[kevdad]

Can you tell more about your experience with SNL? We went to Blue Hole with a different company last year and were very pleased but wouldn't mind trying something different next year. Thanks!

 

[Joel0917]

Another vote for more info on our hole. I was looking at Courtney tours for it.
Was it just your family
How long total time
How long at blue hole
How much
Gratuity?

 

[YayDisney]

Thank you, especially for know who a Cruise Staff team member would be and not telling me your servers' names.

I am not sure what you meant to write here. But if you are asking for the server's name, it was Lumilla (who was wonderful). The assistant server was Dinesh (also great) and the head server was Rui I think.

 

[scgustafson]

I am not sure what you meant to write here. But if you are asking for the server's name, it was Lumilla (who was wonderful). The assistant server was Dinesh (also great) and the head server was Rui I think.

I was thanking your for telling me the names of actual cruise staff team members, as when I ask most people who the Cruise Staff team members were, I often get a list of their server names instead.

 

[YayDisney]

As for the Blue Hole

Another vote for more info on our hole. I was looking at Courtney tours for it.
Was it just your family
How long total time
How long at blue hole
How much
Gratuity?

I corresponded with Courtney Tours for it too - They were very helpful with the emailing back and forth and many questions. I ended up with SNL really because he was the first to respond and so I just stayed with him.

It should have been just my family and that is what I had paid for and what we agreed on. When we arrived, Lindsay asked me whether I would mind allowing another couple to come with us. He stressed to me that I should not feel any pressure because he knew I wanted it to be a private tour. However, he thought he would ask. Apparently, the couple had signed up for a shared tour with his company but the other people canceled. He emailed them several times to let them know that the shared tour would have to be canceled as a result of the other people canceling, but because they were on the cruise, they never got the email and just showed up. He told them he would ask me and let me decide. I was hesitant at first because my kids are shy and I thought we would lose the flexibility if we decided to do something different at the last minute. He assured me that they would go along with whatever we decided. In the end, we decided to say yes because otherwise they would not have been able to go and the van was more than big enough for us all. It turned out they were the nicest couple. We all got along great and I was glad I said yes. I would have felt really guilty If I had said no and they didn't get to go just because we wanted to be alone in a car. Lindsay also refunded me part of the money because it wasn't a private tour after all.

Total time was from about 9 am to 4 pm. The drive to the blue hole is about an hour - he says 90 minutes, but its less. Then we were at the blue hole for about 90 minutes to two hours.

The total I paid to SNL was 215 I think. That included the entrance to the Blue Hole, which is 20 per adult and 10 per child. He then refunded me 40 or 50.

We gave the two Blue Hole guys that worked with our family $30 tip for their time. At one point, they carried my kids across rocks, made them feel safe at all times and generally took wonderful pictures for us and took great care of us. I had no idea what to tip but someone here suggested $10 per guide. I felt these guys went above and beyond so we gave them a little more.

After the Blue hole we went to a souvenir shop and then to a leisurely lunch and then drove back. I think you can arrange this however you want and if we had added stops along the way, I know he would have accommodated us. I really highly recommend him - but again, the other tour place Courtney Taylor seemed very nice as well -

 

[YayDisney]

I am not sure what you meant to write here. But if you are asking for the server's name, it was Lumilla (who was wonderful). The assistant server was Dinesh (also great) and the head server was Rui I think.

Ohhhh ha ha ha - I think I have spent too much time on this Board and am finally getting the hang of the lingo. You are welcome.

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for your report! Did you happen to save the navigators? I would love to see ones from a recent cruise, either here in this thread, or if you could send them to www.disneycruiselineblog.com?

 

[YayDisney]

Thanks for your report! Did you happen to save the navigators? I would love to see ones from a recent cruise, either here in this thread, or if you could send them to www.disneycruiselineblog.com?

Yes I did! Just for this. I also kept the Remy menus because the one they had on the blog was from last year I think. I just need to find time to scan them in and send them to the blog, but it's on the horizon of "things to do"

 

[Flossbolna]

Yes I did! Just for this. I also kept the Remy menus because the one they had on the blog was from last year I think. I just need to find time to scan them in and send them to the blog, but it's on the horizon of "things to do"

Wonderful! Thank you so much! I am also looking forward to the Remy menu!

 

[meliscan]

What was the Castaway Club gift?