Just off Fantasy

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

We got off the Fantasy this morning. . We're at AKV Kidani now about to nap, but I wanted to report in. I took notes all week for a full trip report to be done when we return home.

In a word, the ship is Fantabulous. Fantasy is truly a magnificant ship with an outstanding crew. The food exceeded are relatively low expectations (some of us are gluten free, others not). The service met or exceeded our high expectations. Serenity Bay was unbelievably perfect. The water was warm (less warm at the family beaches) - shallow for 100 yards out - and crystal clear.

We had cabin 9552 (upgraded from cat. 6 gty to 5A at port for $245). The location was truly perfect. The raised beds make such a difference!

I chuckled during this past week at all of the anxiety expressed on these boards (myself included). I cannot imagine someone having a bad week. And, even a hundred hours of research and planning was still met with surprises and unforeseen issues - all of which were resolved in minutes. My lesson: Hakuna Matata!

One slight disappointment (and I mean SLIGHT) was the quality of the shows. The sailaway show and the brand new farewell show (An Unforgettable Journey) were both ho-hum disappointments. The latter premiered this sailing and was not ready to be seen by guests - evidenced by the miscues and put of nowhere songs without context. Also, while I liked Believe - I think Disney Dreams is far better. Wishes starts slow, but has a good second half. Aladdin was, well, fine.

Also, the guest entertainment was only "good" as compared to some outstaning past performers we have seen.

Still, none of that mattered. It was a great week. I give the trip a 9 out of 10. My 13 year old gave it an 8 (she did not take to the Edge, which surprised us). My 10 year old gave it a 7 -- which is really an 8 or 9 (she also was not interested in the Lab).

More later. And, of course, I am happy to answer whatever questions I can.

Off to nap...

 

[DLW8]

Glad to hear you had a good time - can't wait for your full TR!

Was this an Eastern? Will you be posting your Navigators?

 

[Candy Apple]

How were your servers for those who did gluten free? Each gluten-free and dairy-free cruise we've done has been handled a little differently by each service team, so I'm looking for ideas for our upcoming Fantasy cruise this June.

Were there any GF foods that you really liked and would recommend? Any to stay away from?

 

[tkmom]

We will be leaving next Saturday on the Fantasy Western Caribbean itinerary. I'm looking forward to reading your report. A few quick questions for you.... so far I have only seen navigators for the maiden voyage. (would love you to post some if you have them.) Were you on a Western? I am trying to figure out what nights to choose some adult only time and book the nursery, but I don't know if the comedy shows and adult entertainment will be the same as the maiden voyage which had some big names like Larry the Cable Guy, etc. and those are the only navigators that I have seen.
What did you do in Costa Maya and did you feel like you had enough time there?
Any favorite things to do/see/eat on the new ship that you would recommend? (we have been on the Magic and Wonder.)
Did you buy a photo package? I just called DCL and they told me the CD was $279 but I have seen a lot of conflicting info on this...
Thanks so much! (my son is 4 and my daughter is 2)
Not sure how to add the cute little signature lines that everyone has... this is my first post!

 

[DreamCruiser100]

TKMom, WELCOME!!! You can add cute a cute signature by clicking on the User CP button on the left in the blue toolbar. Then go to signature, then edit and type what you would like. YOu should also check out the Meet thread for your sailing, just go to the main page and click on Cruise meets, then look for your sailing date, there you will find others who are sailing with you, since you only have a week, you better RUN tee hee.....its always fun to see what others are doing on your cruise and if they have any special meets on the ship planned

 

[luvslikepi]

Yay!!! Can't wait to read your report!

 

[lbgraves]

so far I have only seen navigators for the maiden voyage.

I saw pictures of the 4/7 cruise posted in one of the threads asking for the navigators this morning.

 

[MouseGrandma]

Glad you had a wonderful trip.
How crowded was the adult pool area and Satellite Falls? Is the splash pool directly above the adult pool for adults or were there kids there? If there were kids, did it seem to be less "relaxing" on the deck below at the adult pool? Also, how were the hot tubs in the adult area? Full all the time/some of the time? Can't wait for our week on the Fantasy as soon as I retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[scoob2011]

Looking forward to reading your insights once you wake up.
We are booked on the Fantasy in June.

 

[kerrykerr]

Glad you had a great time. We're also going on the Fantasy and are gluten-free. I'd be interested in hearing about which meals at which restaurants stood out for you.

 

[Ilovemycockerspainel]

want to hear to about things on the ship, shore excursions, leaving on the 28th!

 

[jlwhitney]

I also just got off and thought the welcome aboard show was cute, but the farewell show needs ALOT of work, it was like a mix of a reg show and once upon a song (shown on the magic when in transition and on the med cruises). Hopefully they put alot more work into it.

I loved all three main shows

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

I'm exhausted! So, ai cannot answer everything now. I am so sorry. But, in response to some questions about gf dining:

I am embarassed at how much I ate this week. If you are gf, have no concerns about Gf dining onboard. I was able to order anything on the menu (the evening prior) and it was made special without gluten. It was awesome! Standout meals: everything at Remy, of course (the chef preplanned our menu for us - the Wagyu beef alone was worth the upcharge). Otherwise, the Rockford shrimp pasta in one of the dining rooms was the most memorable for me (gf pasta was great - cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce and very nice shrimp); sashimi tuna and avocado (I had a whole salad made with the appetizer); ahi tuna salad another night; amazing mussel soup; and a mushroom soup that was fantastic. (It was especially nice to have soups because usually I have to pass on soup due to the rue base.) Also, I had a good, but not great gf pizza at the Palo brunch.

We ordered breakfast at dinner the evening before - pretty much the same thing each day: gf pancakes (spongy, but passable); gf rolls for lox and cream cheese; gf waffles (for dd); gf donuts (cinammon - really good); and sometimes a muffin (dry, but okay). They also made an eggs julia on gf bread that was good. We usually ate in EG for breakfast and that worked very well.

On Castaway Cay we risked the ribs and chicken (we could have preordered, but didn't want to commit to Cookies to dine). We had no reaction to either one. Our head server gave us gf chocolate chip cookies to take with us to the island - and, of course we had ice cream.

The only bad meal was lunch in Royal Court. We didn't order the night before, and the spontoneity was too much for RC to handle. We had a dry chicken with some sort of potatoe salad. It wasn't worth the calories.

By the way, you can get great gf chicken temders all over the ship (great especially for quick service at Flo's and room service) - and gf pizza at Flo's too. Room service called and said they didn't have any - but, we directed them to Flos and they found them there.

My only complaint was desserts. The "chef's surprise" was always the same crummy chocolate sponge cake with a different sauce. So, we had a lot of Mickey bars instead. Note: even some of the hard ice cream flavors had gluten.

We felt VERY taken care of all week. I think a bonus of our allergy needs was all of our food was hot and tasted very freshly made. (Although, our non-gf tablemates had no complaints either.)

I wil address other questions when I am more awake!

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

Here are some more answers before going to the parks:

- We were on the Western. We knew Costa Maya is not worth getting off the ship from prior trips, so we didn't do so this time. We did Paradise Beach in Cozumel by taking a $14 taxi, paying $2 admission and $12 per kid for the water activities (pool, inflatables, kayaks). It was wonderful. Clean top notch facilities. Kids had a blast. Adults relaxed. In Cayman, we went to Seven Mile beach by taxi ($3 per person). I forgot the location, but it was fine.

- I plan to post Navigators, but it will take some time - and help from a Boardie!

- CD at Shutters is $349 - add $50 for prints of everything too. Or, $149 for a CD and a code to unlock 10 for printing; $249 for 20 unlocks.

- our favorite family activities were Quest (twice) and the Mickey 200. My kids loved family karoke virtually every night. The adults enjoyed the 1015 cabaret shows and dancing a few songs in Europa most nights.

- We ever hit the adult areas. Our friends enjoyed it and said it was not crowded. It never looked crowded when I passed through briefly. By the way, there's a cool window in the floor in the corner of deck 11 adult area - near the hot tub. Stand on it while at sea. What a cool feeling!

More later...

 

[Totoro]

I see you did Remy and have done prior cruises. Any comment on Remy vs. Palo? In your opinion, is it worth the extra money to go to Remy? Thank you.

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

We wrestled with whether to pay for Remy. Based on the reviews here, we opted to try it. I cannot say we regret doing it once, but we will not return. Please don't get me wrong, it's a special experience. The food and service are top notch - but, Palo is excellent too. Remy is just unnecessary in our view.

I know this is a minority opinion - but, I think if you go to Palo, there's really no pressing need to eat at Remy.

 

[Candy Apple]

I'm exhausted! So, ai cannot answer everything now. I am so sorry. But, in response to some questions about gf dining:

I am embarassed at how much I ate this week. If you are gf, have no concerns about Gf dining onboard. I was able to order anything on the menu (the evening prior) and it was made special without gluten. It was awesome! Standout meals: everything at Remy, of course (the chef preplanned our menu for us - the Wagyu beef alone was worth the upcharge). Otherwise, the Rockford shrimp pasta in one of the dining rooms was the most memorable for me (gf pasta was great - cooked perfectly with a delicious sauce and very nice shrimp); sashimi tuna and avocado (I had a whole salad made with the appetizer); ahi tuna salad another night; amazing mussel soup; and a mushroom soup that was fantastic. (It was especially nice to have soups because usually I have to pass on soup due to the rue base.) Also, I had a good, but not great gf pizza at the Palo brunch.

We ordered breakfast at dinner the evening before - pretty much the same thing each day: gf pancakes (spongy, but passable); gf rolls for lox and cream cheese; gf waffles (for dd); gf donuts (cinammon - really good); and sometimes a muffin (dry, but okay). They also made an eggs julia on gf bread that was good. We usually ate in EG for breakfast and that worked very well.

On Castaway Cay we risked the ribs and chicken (we could have preordered, but didn't want to commit to Cookies to dine). We had no reaction to either one. Our head server gave us gf chocolate chip cookies to take with us to the island - and, of course we had ice cream.

The only bad meal was lunch in Royal Court. We didn't order the night before, and the spontoneity was too much for RC to handle. We had a dry chicken with some sort of potatoe salad. It wasn't worth the calories.

By the way, you can get great gf chicken temders all over the ship (great especially for quick service at Flo's and room service) - and gf pizza at Flo's too. Room service called and said they didn't have any - but, we directed them to Flos and they found them there.

My only complaint was desserts. The "chef's surprise" was always the same crummy chocolate sponge cake with a different sauce. So, we had a lot of Mickey bars instead. Note: even some of the hard ice cream flavors had gluten.

We felt VERY taken care of all week. I think a bonus of our allergy needs was all of our food was hot and tasted very freshly made. (Although, our non-gf tablemates had no complaints either.)

I wil address other questions when I am more awake!

Sounds great! We've been on the Magic and Wonder and never had GF donuts or muffins. DS14 will be thrilled! It will be nice to be able to get some GF foods at the quick serve places. Hopefully, the chef will learn some new desserts before we go in June. Maybe I'll bring him a few of my recipes that he can whip up for us!

 

[Had2disneycruz]

We were on the Fantasy the week before you. So glad you enjoyed your trip! It is painful when the trip is over, don't you think? We need another vacation to get over the exhaustion! We never stopped...too much to see on the ship!

We paid about $36pp for the Seven Mile Beach excursion...and you paid $3 to get a taxi there....hmmm....live and learn for the next time!!!

 

[♥sassy♥tink♥]

We were on the Fantasy the week before you. So glad you enjoyed your trip! It is painful when the trip is over, don't you think? We need another vacation to get over the exhaustion! We never stopped...too much to see on the ship!

We paid about $36pp for the Seven Mile Beach excursion...and you paid $3 to get a taxi there....hmmm....live and learn for the next time!!!

We are sailing in July, and have the same excursion booked... read their $3 cab ride too! Was the excursion nice? Beverages, beach chairs, time at the beach? There is something about "not worrying" that makes me want to keep the excursion, but the cab ride saves $$$ with a family of 4! Thanks!!

 

[Hygiene99]

We were on the Fantasy the week before you. So glad you enjoyed your trip! It is painful when the trip is over, don't you think? We need another vacation to get over the exhaustion! We never stopped...too much to see on the ship!

We paid about $36pp for the Seven Mile Beach excursion...and you paid $3 to get a taxi there....hmmm....live and learn for the next time!!!

also 7 mile beach is only 5 miles long.

We wrestled with whether to pay for Remy. Based on the reviews here, we opted to try it. I cannot say we regret doing it once, but we will not return. Please don't get me wrong, it's a special experience. The food and service are top notch - but, Palo is excellent too. Remy is just unnecessary in our view.

I know this is a minority opinion - but, I think if you go to Palo, there's really no pressing need to eat at Remy.

Been to Remy twice.... no reason to return.