TAK
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2014
- Messages
- 624
We just got back from the Jan 2 - 9 sailing on the Fantasy. A few things to share -- some answering earlier questions posted, some just fun thoughts --
* We're 2 adults cruising, no kids, but we went to tons of activities in the D Lounge this time and had a great time. We like to dance and the Family Dance Parties were a blast. Every time there was adult dancing in The Tube and we went, no one got out on the dance floor. So, D Lounge rocks, imho.
* The mushroom polenta in Palo is still the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. Drool.
* Serenity Bay was beautiful, clean, peaceful and wonderful. No seaweed. Water was warm. The sandbar was easy to get to and fun to hang out in as always. The lifeguards on jet skis were not obtrusive or frequent; they only went out when guests had strayed way out past the red buoys.
As for the much-rumored, much-feared Teen Beach, there was still no sign of it. The cast member I asked, at the bar, laughed and said they hadn't heard about it. It still might be happening, but I didn't see any proof of it while I was there.
* Pandora charms: Tons available, including 3 DCL-only, the ship, the heart with DCL logo, and a drop anchor.
* Pirate night: hats, ears, earrings and patches and such are available in the stores onboard. Full adult costumes are not. Lots of adults in costumes, though.
* Formal night. That debate's been done to death, so not to get into that but, in general, what I noticed, was that most men are in button-down shirts and pants, sometimes jackets, and the occasional tux. Most women are pretty dressed up. Many little girls are in princess glory. Lots of little boys in those tuxedo t-shirts -- how cute is that?
* The adult pool and the Jacuzzi were both open until 11 PM each night.
* Darren was the cruise director.
* Movies showing in the Buena Vista Theatre: Star Wars The Force Awakens (of course), Bridge of Spies, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur. Possibly others I can't remember. There was also one night Star Wars was shown (3 times) in the Walt Disney Theatre.
* The ceiling changes color every night in Enchanted Garden now. When we were on the cruise 2 years ago, it only did it the first night of your rotation.
* They do, in fact, charge for snacks in O'Gills now, and the little buffet that was outside is now gone. (It came out one night only, and the items offered weren't as good as they used to be.) We were a little bummed. We reminded ourselves that they don't care at all if you bring food in there with you, so next time we're there to watch a football game, we'll just hit Deck 11 first.
* Lastly, just from my POV, and your mileage may vary, but IMO, never spend a day at Universal after a DCL cruise. It was jarring.
* We're 2 adults cruising, no kids, but we went to tons of activities in the D Lounge this time and had a great time. We like to dance and the Family Dance Parties were a blast. Every time there was adult dancing in The Tube and we went, no one got out on the dance floor. So, D Lounge rocks, imho.
* The mushroom polenta in Palo is still the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. Drool.
* Serenity Bay was beautiful, clean, peaceful and wonderful. No seaweed. Water was warm. The sandbar was easy to get to and fun to hang out in as always. The lifeguards on jet skis were not obtrusive or frequent; they only went out when guests had strayed way out past the red buoys.
As for the much-rumored, much-feared Teen Beach, there was still no sign of it. The cast member I asked, at the bar, laughed and said they hadn't heard about it. It still might be happening, but I didn't see any proof of it while I was there.
* Pandora charms: Tons available, including 3 DCL-only, the ship, the heart with DCL logo, and a drop anchor.
* Pirate night: hats, ears, earrings and patches and such are available in the stores onboard. Full adult costumes are not. Lots of adults in costumes, though.
* Formal night. That debate's been done to death, so not to get into that but, in general, what I noticed, was that most men are in button-down shirts and pants, sometimes jackets, and the occasional tux. Most women are pretty dressed up. Many little girls are in princess glory. Lots of little boys in those tuxedo t-shirts -- how cute is that?
* The adult pool and the Jacuzzi were both open until 11 PM each night.
* Darren was the cruise director.
* Movies showing in the Buena Vista Theatre: Star Wars The Force Awakens (of course), Bridge of Spies, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur. Possibly others I can't remember. There was also one night Star Wars was shown (3 times) in the Walt Disney Theatre.
* The ceiling changes color every night in Enchanted Garden now. When we were on the cruise 2 years ago, it only did it the first night of your rotation.
* They do, in fact, charge for snacks in O'Gills now, and the little buffet that was outside is now gone. (It came out one night only, and the items offered weren't as good as they used to be.) We were a little bummed. We reminded ourselves that they don't care at all if you bring food in there with you, so next time we're there to watch a football game, we'll just hit Deck 11 first.
* Lastly, just from my POV, and your mileage may vary, but IMO, never spend a day at Universal after a DCL cruise. It was jarring.
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Of course it was us, one other couple, and some other random guy all getting our grove on and not a soul in the place, otherwise. 
