Just booked for 10/2!!! Tell me all the things!!!

[jktmom]

We just booked a VERY last minute cruise on the Fantasy for 10/2!! I can’t believe we are going!! Tell me all the tips and tricks for cruising now, cruising fantasy, etc!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Here's my random list of thoughts based on the Dream cruise we just completed:

• We rented a car instead of taking Disney transportation. This allowed us to wait in our car for covid test results rather than in the tent. And gave me comfort to know I had control of my situation should the test come back positive (meaning I could get to a hotel to quarantine or just drive myself home; I had a fear of being stranded at the port waiting for Disney to figure out what to do with me).
• There were cabanas available at CC (even though they all showed sold out prior to boarding). So if it is your dream to get a cabana, now might be a good time. On the other hand, our cruise only had 1000 people on it, and the family beach had TONS of available chairs and umbrellas.
• Some of the events reached capacity so if you have your heart set on any certain thing (bingo, trivia, animation, etc), get there early.
• Virtually no line at aquaduck.
• No problems getting some loungers at the pools. Several times we were the only ones at the pool.
• Palo brunch was still wonderful even without the buffet--they brought a sampling of what used to be on buffet to the table and offered to bring more of anything we wanted. We liked that they provided some portion control for us!
• You can reserve the rainforest room for just your group.
• Cabanas is so much more pleasant when the ship is only 25% full.
• Cabanas was open for breakfast on last day, but they didn't make an effort to make this known (they really seemed to push you to the assigned MDR for last day breakfast).
• The fireworks were good! If you have a verandah on starboard side, you can watch from there.
• Yes, they are serious about wearing the masks indoors.
• We had a wonderful time and would not hesitate to go again under the current pandemic requirements.

 

[runswithscissors]

Palo brunch was still wonderful even without the buffet--they brought a sampling of what used to be on buffet to the table and offered to bring more of anything we wanted. We liked that they provided some portion control for us!

Sorry to hijack the thread but can you go into more detail on Palo Brunch? Are they serving the table plates of items that were previously on the buffet and, like before, presenting a menu from which to choose a main entree?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Sorry to hijack the thread but can you go into more detail on Palo Brunch? Are they serving the table plates of items that were previously on the buffet and, like before, presenting a menu from which to choose a main entree?

Thanks in advance!

They did bring a selection of a lot of what used to be on buffet (not dessert though). 3 plates, if I remember correctly. One of pastries, one of charcuterie (same as the old plate they’d serve with dinner except missing the peppers), one of seafood (Jonah crab claws, king crab legs, shrimp, marinated mussels, tuna). They’ll bring more of any of that. Plus order off the menu which was at least very similar to what it was before. Order desserts off the menu.

 

[ThinkTink1]

Yeah!! I will be on that cruise too!!

 

[Lillebelle]

We just booked a VERY last minute cruise on the Fantasy for 10/2!! I can’t believe we are going!! Tell me all the tips and tricks for cruising now, cruising fantasy, etc!

This isn't pandemic or Fantasy-specific but you mentioned in another thread having a 2 year old and I think an older kid as well -- I'd recommend making sure you have a plan for how you're going to handle pool time if you've got one kid that can go in the big kid pool areas and one kid that has to stay in the splash zone. I've seen another family deal with a full-on toddler tantrum because the younger one couldn't follow the older one - you don't want to be that family.

 

[jktmom]

This isn't pandemic or Fantasy-specific but you mentioned in another thread having a 2 year old and I think an older kid as well -- I'd recommend making sure you have a plan for how you're going to handle pool time if you've got one kid that can go in the big kid pool areas and one kid that has to stay in the splash zone. I've seen another family deal with a full-on toddler tantrum because the younger one couldn't follow the older one - you don't want to be that family.

Yep! That very well may be us but we will likely just stick to nemo's reef and the aqua lab as a family with Mom and Dad taking turns with our oldest on the slides. Fortunately we have two days at castaway so we only have one sea day to fill! I have always wondered why Nemo's Reef is so enclosed but maybe it is so the littles can't see what they are missing in the pools. LOL.