Just off Fantasy (western) 6/6/15

[Snurk71]

Random musings…

Our 3rd cruise (all in cabin 8188 – dead center aft), 2nd on Fantasy, first Western

Serving team was Devendra from India (head), Josh from Philippines (lead), and Santiago from Columbia (assistant). Most interaction we’ve had from a head server (Devendra) – he was very personable. Josh and Santiago were very solid (that’s not a bad thing, and I’m not using Disney’s ‘Excellent’ rating system for my comments) – I’d be perfectly happy to have them again. They weren’t our original team though. First night we were seated at a table for 8 (we’re 3) – which we prefer to dine alone (since it’s the main time we’re together during the cruise). We were even more concerned because one of the seatings was a high chair. The servers said they sat us with that family because they had 2 teens (our daughter is 14). We talked to the restaurant lead (whatever his title is), and got moved to a 4 top. We saw the other family – they did have one teen girl, but the other non-infant looked to be 8-10 years old. So it wasn’t quite the matchup we thought we’d get if we ever were seated with others.

Food – we thought the MDR food was fine to good on most things. We only ate a Cabanas a couple times for breakfast and lunch – wasn’t really impressed by it. We found a new home for breakfast – Enchanted Garden. It has 75% of what’s at Cabana’s, but doesn’t have the stress. We also found ourselves eating at the quick places on 11 more than Cabana’s for lunch-type meals.

Weather – we’ve had perfect weather our other cruises, not so much this one. It rained pretty well in the morning at Cozumel (through lunch), and absolutely poured the entire time at Grand Cayman (up until about the time it was to take off). The sea days were perfect, and thankfully the CC day ended up absolutely perfect too (forecast had been pretty iffy).

Port excursions – we went to Nachi Cocum in Cozumel, which was very nice and we would absolutely go to again (hopefully with better weather). Grand Cayman we planned on going to Royal Palms, but skipped it with the rain. Jamaica we did the Rose Hall zip line (our first time zip lining) – was fun. CC DW and I spent the day at Serenity Bay (it was pretty packed), outside of going over to the main beach to snorkel (we also snorkeled at SB). Thankfully we didn’t come back with a souvenir this time (we both stepped on an urchin last year)

Our daughter is 14, so I don’t have any comments about the kids clubs or character things.

No comments on the shows either – we skipped them all since we’ve seen them.

I think DW and I watched 4 movies. Big Hero 6 (great), MacFarland USA (surprisingly good), Cinderella (OK), and Tomorrowland (didn’t get it). We also dozed through the last hour of Avengers one night.

Adult activities – since DD was off on her own, DW and I did a lot of adult things. Tisa was running the Tube at night (we like her), which we went to every night. Lots of fun activities and shows there for the adults. There seemed to be a lot more adults taking in the Tube than our previous cruises - the place was pretty full every night. We spent the sea days on the adult deck around satellite falls – it’s amazing how calm/quiet that area feels with the main pool area as close (and noisy, and hectic) as it is. We also did a Mixology for the first time – that was fun and we’ll likely do one again (DW got pretty tipsy at it).

We’re booked on one of the Western Star Wars cruises next spring break (already booked before this cruise, so no 10% discount and no OBC). We did book a placeholder - the price is starting to get to me though.

Lastly, our house seems to be rocking with the waves…

Happy to answer any questions I can.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Lastly, our house seems to be rocking with the waves…

Always occurs!!!

 

[ANGRebel]

Agree about Tisa. We were on this cruise, and Tisa brought a lot of life to the Tube. It was packed almost every night (we went there straight from dinner every night). A fun cruise, we had a great time. We also enjoyed breakfast at Enchanted Garden.

 

[chivi50]

We were on the same cruise and I'm still rocking too! I've never had sea legs before!

 

[Snurk71]

Agree about Tisa. We were on this cruise, and Tisa brought a lot of life to the Tube. It was packed almost every night (we went there straight from dinner every night). A fun cruise, we had a great time. We also enjoyed breakfast at Enchanted Garden.

I just saw another post that you were on stage for the hypnotist. Which one were you/can you describe yourself from the show? DW went up too - she sat in the middle of the back row, long strawberry blonde hair. We were the Grease duet on karaoke night if that helps place us.

 

[ANGRebel]

Oh, I remember y'all for sure. I was back row, far left as you look at the stage. I was the guy whose fake baby kept getting hit by the microphone. Ha ha.

 

[OneBadApple]

Random musings…

Our 3rd cruise (all in cabin 8188 – dead center aft), 2nd on Fantasy, first Western

I take it since you booked the same room 3 times, that you love it. We have that one booked for our 10/01/2016 cruise. If you have pictures of the room and/or veranda, I would love to see them.

 

[Snurk71]

I take it since you booked the same room 3 times, that you love it. We have that one booked for our 10/01/2016 cruise. If you have pictures of the room and/or veranda, I would love to see them.

And we have it booked a 4th time for next spring, so yeah - we like that spot. I don't know if I have pictures of the cabin (I think all of the cabins pretty much look the same), or the verandah (there are pictures posted on the Dis somewhere). But the things we like - obviously the extended verandah, but also being dead center with the view going in and out of the ports (I love sitting on the verandah watching us leave CC), deck 8 is great because it's 3 decks up to 11 and 4 decks down to 4 (we always take the stairs), and there is very little foot traffic because of the location.

It's kind of a joke in our family now, someday when we can't get 8188 we'll probably get lost or try to break into 8188 from habit.

 

[OneBadApple]

the extended verandah, but also being dead center with the view going in and out of the ports (I love sitting on the verandah watching us leave CC), deck 8 is great because it's 3 decks up to 11 and 4 decks down to 4 (we always take the stairs),

Those are the reasons, why I picked that stateroom.

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks for the report! My husband and I will be sailing this itinerary in a few weeks.

You said you and your wife spent every night in The Tube - what were some of your favorite activities there? Trying to get an idea of what will be offered...thanks!!

 

[Snurk71]

Thanks for the report! My husband and I will be sailing this itinerary in a few weeks.

You said you and your wife spent every night in The Tube - what were some of your favorite activities there? Trying to get an idea of what will be offered...thanks!!

The non-Disney main theatre acts do an adults only show in the tube too. While the act is a little different, we're only interested in seeing a ventriloquist one time (for example). So we skipped the main theatre acts and just watched the adult shows for the juggler, ventriloquist, and hypnotist (I could probably watch a hypnotist act twice or of the 3).

Quest might be our favorite activity (scavenger-type game). But we also enjoy match your mate (twist on the newlywed game), karaoke night, they've done the 80s music trivia in the tube on all our cruises. The other "staples" are Pop (match game game show), majority rules, and some form of a gender war.

The tube events usually start at 10 or 10.15 and go until 11-12 depending on what all is going on that night. Then the DJ takes over and it's dancing until 2.

 

[Iris1974]

Quest might be our favorite activity (scavenger-type game). But we also enjoy match your mate (twist on the newlywed game), karaoke night, they've done the 80s music trivia in the tube on all our cruises. The other "staples" are Pop (match game game show), majority rules, and some form of a gender war.

The tube events usually start at 10 or 10.15 and go until 11-12 depending on what all is going on that night. Then the DJ takes over and it's dancing until 2.

I'm really interested in the Quest game. Could you tell more about it. Thanks.

 

[Snurk71]

I'm really interested in the Quest game. Could you tell more about it. Thanks.

I don't want to share too much - so I don't spoil any of the fun. It's a game where teams (usually 4-8 people, so you team up with couples around you) have to present things to the host - the faster your team presents the more "points" you get. For example, the host might ask for a key card or a piece of ice. Each team has a "runner" that takes the item with their team# sign to the host and she calls out the order.

I'm purposefully not going to tell you any of the real/good stuff as to not spoil the fun.

They do a family version in D-lounge too. But I haven't been to it to know what kinds of items the host requests.

 

[Iris1974]

I don't want to share too much - so I don't spoil any of the fun. It's a game where teams (usually 4-8 people, so you team up with couples around you) have to present things to the host - the faster your team presents the more "points" you get. For example, the host might ask for a key card or a piece of ice. Each team has a "runner" that takes the item with their team# sign to the host and she calls out the order.

I'm purposefully not going to tell you any of the real/good stuff as to not spoil the fun.

They do a family version in D-lounge too. But I haven't been to it to know what kinds of items the host requests.

That sounds like so much fun. Can you bring a small bag full of random things just incase they call something in the bag? I understand you not wanting to give it away, but could you answer the bag question I asked? Thanks.

 

[Ariel484]

The non-Disney main theatre acts do an adults only show in the tube too. While the act is a little different, we're only interested in seeing a ventriloquist one time (for example). So we skipped the main theatre acts and just watched the adult shows for the juggler, ventriloquist, and hypnotist (I could probably watch a hypnotist act twice or of the 3).

Quest might be our favorite activity (scavenger-type game). But we also enjoy match your mate (twist on the newlywed game), karaoke night, they've done the 80s music trivia in the tube on all our cruises. The other "staples" are Pop (match game game show), majority rules, and some form of a gender war.

The tube events usually start at 10 or 10.15 and go until 11-12 depending on what all is going on that night. Then the DJ takes over and it's dancing until 2.

Sounds fun! Thanks!!

 

[Snurk71]

That sounds like so much fun. Can you bring a small bag full of random things just incase they call something in the bag? I understand you not wanting to give it away, but could you answer the bag question I asked? Thanks.

Yes, you could bring a bag. I don't know how helpful it would be though - might be needle in a haystack chance. I'd just take a purse.

You'll understand after you do it - trust me.

 

[CrawfordMomof2]

I take it since you booked the same room 3 times, that you love it. We have that one booked for our 10/01/2016 cruise. If you have pictures of the room and/or veranda, I would love to see them.

We had that stateroom booked, and ultimately changed staterooms. If you want you can look up disney dream 8188 on youtube, and there is a short video.

 

[Iris1974]

Yes, you could bring a bag. I don't know how helpful it would be though - might be needle in a haystack chance. I'd just take a purse.

You'll understand after you do it - trust me.

Thanks Snurk71. It sounds like a really great time.

 

[OneBadApple]

We had that stateroom booked, and ultimately changed staterooms. If you want you can look up disney dream 8188 on youtube, and there is a short video.

Thanks, I will try that.

 

[pixiedustrehab]

Ha! Too funny -- it's like a hypnotist show reunion on here. We were on the cruise as well and my husband was the one in the navy blue shirt that got booted off the stage first for not holding his balloon high enough.