Just off the Fantasy, Eastern. If I can help anyone, I'll do my best! Ask away!

[Neesy228]

I am going in two weeks. Several cruises but first on Disney. We booked a private tour with Bernard's bc they got great reviews. I am guessing the private ones are much better, fewer people and can pick our own time in each place. Question: any important things you packed? or wish you had packed that would have made your trip better?

We booked with them too, for that reason. I did read some of the recent reviews on tripadvisor that were negative and thought to myself "some people are just looking for things to complain about" and ignored those reviews. I sincerely hope that you have a better experience and a wonderful tour!

We've cruised before and travel often, so I've got the packing thing down pretty good at this point. If I think about the random things I pack that most people wouldn't, I would say:
1. plastic ziploc-type bags. They're good for a myriad of things - wet swimsuits, sunscreen that might be a little sticky, seashells collected or if you're my DD - they're an excellent way to organize/collect the 9 million types of confetti they shoot out at the shows/activities on the boat!
2. I pack a small crossbody bag that allows me to keep the few things I need with me, without having my hands full.
3. Larger tumbler style cups for the drink machine. I'm fine with the small cups they provide, but my husband and DS like the bigger cups.
4. If you haven't cruised before (and wont get the castaway club lanyard at check in) bring a lanyard for your children to carry their KTTW cards.

There are probably a long list of other things. My children and husband are constantly saying, "I wish we had...." and I pull it out to their shock and amazement. I don't pack light!

Any suggestions about castaway cay? best place to eat there? sting ray excursion?

There are only two places to eat on Castaway and they serve the same buffet-style meal. It's like a picnic - burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, potato salad, cookies etc. They set up the soda machines and ice cream machines too.

We haven't done the stingray excursion there, but I've heard it's fun! We usually do the 5K, then find some beach chairs for the afternoon. We snorkel and wander around in the clear water, look at shops and eat lunch. We have also rented the water trikes before and those are so cool! The day always seems to go very quickly.

Have a fantastic trip!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We just got off the Fantasy on Saturday. We had excellent weather all week with only some clouds and rain on our Castaway Cay day. It wasn't enough to ruin the day. Calm seas the entire week. Stopped in St. Martin, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway. Travelled with three kids ages 14, 12 and 9. Had AERAERA for our dining. Ate at Palo for brunch. Did pirate night, halloween on the high seas festivities, rode the aquaduck, snorkeled on castaway, did Bernards Tours on St Martin, the skyride to Paradise Point in St Thomas. Saw most of the shows. Saved the navigators for the week. If I can answer questions for anyone, please feel free to ask.

We are planning on the Fantasy again in 2017, last time the sky ride was closed for renovation so will probably do that. For some reason I'm remembering seeing they had a few rides at the top, like a Ferris wheel etc, when I looked on their website yesterday couldn't find anything like that. Is there anything to do at the top of the mtn? Thanks and I can hardly wait to get back on the Fantasy again, happy to hear you had a great trip.

 

[luvavacation43]

We booked with them too, for that reason. I did read some of the recent reviews on tripadvisor that were negative and thought to myself "some people are just looking for things to complain about" and ignored those reviews. I sincerely hope that you have a better experience and a wonderful tour!

We've cruised before and travel often, so I've got the packing thing down pretty good at this point. If I think about the random things I pack that most people wouldn't, I would say:
1. plastic ziploc-type bags. They're good for a myriad of things - wet swimsuits, sunscreen that might be a little sticky, seashells collected or if you're my DD - they're an excellent way to organize/collect the 9 million types of confetti they shoot out at the shows/activities on the boat!
2. I pack a small crossbody bag that allows me to keep the few things I need with me, without having my hands full.
3. Larger tumbler style cups for the drink machine. I'm fine with the small cups they provide, but my husband and DS like the bigger cups.
4. If you haven't cruised before (and wont get the castaway club lanyard at check in) bring a lanyard for your children to carry their KTTW cards.

There are probably a long list of other things. My children and husband are constantly saying, "I wish we had...." and I pull it out to their shock and amazement. I don't pack light!



There are only two places to eat on Castaway and they serve the same buffet-style meal. It's like a picnic - burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, potato salad, cookies etc. They set up the soda machines and ice cream machines too.

We haven't done the stingray excursion there, but I've heard it's fun! We usually do the 5K, then find some beach chairs for the afternoon. We snorkel and wander around in the clear water, look at shops and eat lunch. We have also rented the water trikes before and those are so cool! The day always seems to go very quickly.

Have a fantastic trip!

THANKS so much. I heard most of those tips except the lanyard. They dont give on on the first cruise? or they do? Got the small bag to wear also.

 

[Neesy228]

We are planning on the Fantasy again in 2017, last time the sky ride was closed for renovation so will probably do that. For some reason I'm remembering seeing they had a few rides at the top, like a Ferris wheel etc, when I looked on their website yesterday couldn't find anything like that. Is there anything to do at the top of the mtn? Thanks and I can hardly wait to get back on the Fantasy again, happy to hear you had a great trip.

At the top is a restaurant and some small shops. Not much, but the view is amazing!

 

[Neesy228]

THANKS so much. I heard most of those tips except the lanyard. They dont give on on the first cruise? or they do? Got the small bag to wear also.

They don't give you a lanyard on your first cruise.

If you've got kids, it's fun to decorate your stateroom door too - and it makes it easier for them to find your room in a long hallway of doors. I decorated our doors and did decorations for halloween inside. Everything has to be held on/up by magnets, but that's easy because the doors and the ceilings are metal.

If I can help you with anything else, just let me know!

 

[MUN]

We were supposed to go to Maho, but it was a bust. The tour guide was pretty much useless, so if there was seaweed, we didn't hear about any of it.



Our entire tour with Bernards was just miserable. We got onto a small shuttle bus with too many people. When we pointed out to our tour guide that we didn't have enough seats, he showed us that there were four "jump seats" that folded down into the aisle that we could sit in. So, we rode four people across effectively blocking the aisle and any exit of everyone behind us. The tour guide was lifeless and imparted little to no relevant information about the island -- and even though there were many children on board the bus, he continuously told off-color jokes and pointed out which sides of the island allowed for legal marijuana use and legal prostitution - even showing us a brothel. We made a few short stops (as in 10 minutes or less) at "scenic overlooks" which conveniently included locals selling random goods. Due to traffic on the island, and poor planning on the guides part, we missed all flights landing at Maho - which was why the majority of people on the tour were even on the tour! It was the WORST experience. When I went back to the tent where we checked in after the tour, no one was available to listen to my complaints or able to offer me a refund. Please, especially if you have children, do pick another tour company. We read the reviews on trip advisor and overlooked the few negatives we read, but really wish we hadn't. It was a big waste of money ($200 for our family of 5!) and a horrible way to spend the day.

Did you tip him?

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

We are planning on the Fantasy again in 2017, last time the sky ride was closed for renovation so will probably do that. For some reason I'm remembering seeing they had a few rides at the top, like a Ferris wheel etc, when I looked on their website yesterday couldn't find anything like that. Is there anything to do at the top of the mtn? Thanks and I can hardly wait to get back on the Fantasy again, happy to hear you had a great trip.

The skyride has some great views, and a restaurant/bar at the top. No rides though.

 

[hoffman1]

Hi! I missed your post the first time I looked, sorry! We did Tour 1 from their website and it was a complete waste of time and money. We were so disappointed in the entire experience. (I can go into more detail if you're interested.) Someone on here recommended Joyce Prince Tours to me too, and I would recommend going with *anyone else* besides Bernards.

I don't have a copy of any menus. My DH gets annoyed if I take pictures food/menus, so tend to steer clear.

Let me know if I can help with anything else! Have a great trip!

We used Joyce Prince Tours last month. I booked her from the glowing reviews I had read. She was just ok. I probably would not recommend her. She took personal phone calls and seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of us so she could meet up with some friends that were in town.

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Do you recall what movies were showing in the theatre ... we're on the upcoming Nov 7th sailing ...

 

[Neesy228]

Do you recall what movies were showing in the theatre ... we're on the upcoming Nov 7th sailing ...

Cinderella, Ant Man, Inside Out, Big Hero 6, Tomorrowland, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Monkey Kingdom and DS and I went to the midnight premier of Bridge of Spies - it was very good.

 

[Trera]

Any suggestions about castaway cay? best place to eat there? sting ray excursion?

You will enjoy Castaway Cay. The food choices are Cookies and Cookies Too and they both serve the same food. Hamburgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, fish and lots of sides and a few desserts.

All you can drink sodas and ice cream just as on the boat.

 

[MickeyinMd]

Us too! We had a grand time, except for the brief rain at sail away that pushed the party to the lobby and had us scrambling to Deck 11 to wave goodbye to everyone at Jetty Beach. Halloween on the High Seas was a HUGE hit for us; we dressed up and had a grand time!

We had an amazing time on this cruise as well. I was bummed that I came in 2nd behind Ace Ventura for 'Funniest' in the adult costume contest though. I would have sworn Carlos and I would have taken top prize! Oh well.

 

[MagicMe]

I am also just off the Eastern Fantasy from last week and I too did the Bernard Tour. I chose Bernard because I used them in 2012. I traveled with my elderly Mom and they were fantastic. We stopped at the iquana farm and other spots before ending at Maho beach. The driver was great and took extra care with my Mom. Totally disappointed that they don't have the iquana farm right now. Their website says it's under some kind of construction but it's said that since early 2014 (we stopped at St. Maarten on the WBTA that year) and I don't think it would take that long to re-open! So looking back I'm thinking that has to be a lie. I was also disappointed that they no longer meet inside the port area. I would never have been able to walk that far with my Mom. I was not happy with their check-in process especially when they tried to charge me full pricing (hello - you can't reserve unless you put a deposit down)!! He tried to tell me I owed $120 (3 people) but I had the paperwork and email on my phone showing I only owed the $105 so he said they would make the adjustments on their paperwork. Everything seemed more disorganized this time. Then there is the actual tour this year - horrible and not worth the $. Yes there were circumstances beyond the drivers control with traffic and a lot of ships in port but he never gave us the option of changing the itinerary to ensure that we made it to Maho beach to see the larger planes. When I was with my Mom we made it there fairly early but missed the take off. He gave us the option of skipping it or waiting an extra hour for a flight due in. We all elected to wait but honestly it wasn't near as crowded as it was last Tuesday!! The other thing that I disliked at Maho was that I don't think he could park any further away than he did - seriously! As far as the actual information given on the tour, he pointed out obvious things and one of the things he didn't touch on much were the numerous statues and their meanings in the round-abouts.

I had recommended them previously but will no longer consider them or recommend them.

 

[MagicMe]

One thing I forgot to mention regarding Castaway Cay - there is also a place to eat at Serenity Bay (the adult only beach).

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Thanks for the info about your cruise! We are on the Fantasy in January. Sorry that Bernard's tour wasn't good...

 

[runskyhy]

@Neesy228 I was on the same cruise - same dining rotation too!

LOL. We were on this same cruise with this same dining rotation and I think we were on your Bernard's Tour bus, @Neesy228... Was yours a 9AM tour time, Group #1, with a driver named, David, and a completely full bus but not enough water for everyone on the bus?

We were supposed to go to Maho, but it was a bust. The tour guide was pretty much useless, so if there was seaweed, we didn't hear about any of it.

Everything you said about this tour was exactly how our group interpreted it as well. I was extremely disappointed as I had convinced my whole party of 8 that this was a good tour based on previous reviews and it turned out to be a complete waste of time. We arrived at the white tent on time and we had to wait in a crowded tent (or hot sun) for over a half hour while a half dozen tour guides just stood around chatting while dozens of passengers who had already checked in just stood around. There was obviously no planning on the tour companies part that morning.

I knew there was only one road on this island and another tour company told us on a previous visit to the island that an accident can cause huge delays, so I wasn't upset by missing Maho arrivals - it happens but the continued disinterest of the tour company's representatives was ridiculously unprofessional. I approached the driver in Marigot, inquiring if we'd make it to Maho for the noon arrivals after the traffic delay, he shrugged his shoulders, mumbled 'prolly not' and abruptly walked away from me. I asked the question politely, not with any anger or concern as if to complain, so there was no need for such unprofessional behavior.

I agree that the continued jokes about gambling and prostitution over the speaker system with children in the van did not make this a family-friendly tour. Furthermore, the cooler in the van ran out of water bottles before we even got to Maho beach and while the driver tried to make a joke or two on the way back to the port, it was too little too late. While it sounds like this is probably not the norm for Bernard's Tours, I won't use their services again.

The rest of the cruise was absolutely magical. Our dining staff was stellar and all the other cast members we interacted with were extremely friendly and helpful. Castaway Cay is always amazing and this visit was no different. We were told at Guest Services that there were over 3500 people onboard and 200 more than the previous week so the cast members were probably kept very busy but they were definitely on their game for voyage. A fantastic cruise!

One thing I forgot to mention regarding Castaway Cay - there is also a place to eat at Serenity Bay (the adult only beach).

I find it interesting that they don't advertise the Serenity Bay BBQ on the navigators. Do you think they do that to keep the crowds down?

 

[Neesy228]

LOL. We were on this same cruise with this same dining rotation and I think we were on your Bernard's Tour bus, @Neesy228... Was yours a 9AM tour time, Group #1, with a driver named, David, and a completely full bus but not enough water for everyone on the bus?

The rest of the cruise was absolutely magical. Our dining staff was stellar and all the other cast members we interacted with were extremely friendly and helpful. Castaway Cay is always amazing and this visit was no different. We were told at Guest Services that there were over 3500 people onboard and 200 more than the previous week so the cast members were probably kept very busy but they were definitely on their game for voyage. A fantastic cruise!

Oh my goodness! YES! I can't believe we were on the same bus! We were the people who were sitting in the aisle fold down seats. My younger DS and DD got regular seats. All three kids were bored to tears and mad at me for booking the tour. It was hard to blame them! And after missing any of the action at Maho, all I could tell them was that I screwed up. What a lousy experience.

But I agree that the rest of the trip was wonderful. We had a great time on the ship and a wonderful day in St Thomas and Castaway. The whole crew was pleasant and kind - especially to my children.

What a small world!

 

[TheForceIsWithMe]

Did lots of people dress for the Halloween night? It's too bad that experience sounds so short because my kids are already excited to dress up. Did people on your cruise wear costumes to dinner in the MDRs following the trick or treat thing in the atrium? At least if people stay in costume through the evening that makes it fun to walk around the ship.

 

[Expatriat]

I find it interesting that they don't advertise the Serenity Bay BBQ on the navigators. Do you think they do that to keep the crowds down?

Probably not crowds in general. I'm guessing it is most likely so all the kids would not try to go over there to check it out.

 

[Quellman]

Did lots of people dress for the Halloween night? It's too bad that experience sounds so short because my kids are already excited to dress up. Did people on your cruise wear costumes to dinner in the MDRs following the trick or treat thing in the atrium? At least if people stay in costume through the evening that makes it fun to walk around the ship.

Lot of people dress up for the halloween night! People will wear them to dinner and to the various events. Other may choose to change out of them later on.