March 23, 2013 FANTASY - The Final Inaugural Cruise of the Disney Fantasy

[lbgraves]

to the crew, Lisa and company!

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

Just FYI for any military or federal govt employees on this cruise who might be thinking of staying at the MCO Hyatt the night before the cruise - the Hyatt finally has a govt rate available for the night of March 22. A king or double room is available for $111/night, there are several other types of rooms available as well. Much better than the $200+/night ressie I made a few months ago! Only thing you need to do is show a valid federal govt ID at check in.

We've stayed at the Hyatt a few times before and just love the convenience. Can't believe we're just over 4 months away!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 

[3LVDisney]

Happy Thanksgiving all!!! Booking just opened for Platinum and Concierge guests. I was on right at midnight (eastern time) and got a cabana booked for our Castaway Cay day! I can't wait!!

 

[hbg4]

I missed it. I was shopping at the mall and when I remembered it was already 3am. My iphone wouldn't open the DCL page so by the time I logged on again at 5.30am, all family cabanas were gone. Anyway, the bright side is that the $500 saved can go towards our shore excursions and a nice massage.

 

[Jacob's Mom]

Hi. We are on this cruise, too. Family of three. One son who will be 11 3/4 at sailing. Excited to be on the Fantasy. I booked this cruise the day the sailing open- and guessed wrong on our school spring break...so our son will be missing school. Too good a deal to try to change the dates!

 

[tiggernpooh]

Jacobs Mom - our son will also be 11 3/4 at sailing (Bday - June 8, 2001)!

I am thinking of setting up a cruise meet for the day of sailing - just a get-together at a lounge on the ship the day we sail. We did this on our last cruise and it was a great way to meet other Dis members and for the kids to meet some kids in their age group right away. Do you think you and your son might be interested in a meet?

Anyone else interested in a cruise meet?

 

[Jacob's Mom]

Hi Tigger n Pooh, We can try. I guess it depends what time we each board and where we are. Knowing my son, he will want to eat as soon as we board- and then ride the coaster if the line isnt' too long. When do you arrive in Florida? We are coming in the day before. Not yet sure where we are staying. Jake's b-day is 5/16. He's in 6th grade. What's your son's name? Do you think he will spend time in the younger club or the Tween club? Jacob has always done well in the kid clubs on cruises (Disney and others as well). He is an only child- very social and makes friends easily. (ie: talks too much )

 

[tiggernpooh]

We are coming in the day before and staying at the County Inn & Suites. Sounds like we'll be doing the same thing as you as soon as we get on board - eating then hitting the water coaster. Looking at past Navigators, I think Nate will spend more time in the Edge, but wants to do some of the activities at the LAb also if they have the Piston Cup challenge and Gaga Ball. He LOVED the Lab on our Magic Cruise in 2011. Nate's not shy and makes friend pretty quick, too.

 

[JacksGirlz]

Found airline flights from Portland, OR for around $400 roundtrip so I finally booked.

 

[hbg4]

What a good price.
I'm still seeing airfares RT NY to MCO for $550 to $940 per person. So I'm still waiting.
I cancelled a spring break Disney cruise once when the airfares were this ridiculously high to find that after all that, the airfares dropped.I really regretted it because the kids 17 and under were sailing for free.
Brenda

 

[Wilhelmis4]

Found airline flights from Portland, OR for around $400 roundtrip so I finally booked.

We booked from Portland Oregon less than a month ago and paid 650$ and figured that was a deal. I looked and didn't see the special pricing you found. What airlines are you traveling on? We ended up with Southwest. Nice to know that we will have locals on the ship with us!

 

[lbgraves]

The name of the meet group has been changed to something everyone can enjoy. When a CM asked if we would be returning to the Fantasy, I told her we would be back on the 3/23/2012 cruise. She said how nice -- you are on the Maiden Voyage and will be on the last inaugural cruise. So we are now -- The Final Inaugural Cruise of the Disney Fantasy.

 

[TimmyTown]

I'm thrilled to say that my DW Amanda and DS Nate (13.5 y.o.) are officially joining this cruise. This is our 5th Disney cruise, but first on the Fantasy. We'd booked this cruise last year while aboard the Magic Christmas Western Caribbean cruise, but have finally fully committed to it this past week. We're looking forward to a new ship and slightly warmer temps in the Eastern Caribbean. Also looking forward to San Juan, as we've never been there before. Counting the days before we can book excursions, brunches, etc.

Look forward to joining everyone!

Happy holidays,
Tim

 

[lbgraves]

to the crew!

ETA: GO HOKIES!!!

 

[lbgraves]

After talking about the fact that our gold booking window was going to be last night at midnight with our TA, DCL reps, on FB and even mentioning it to the kids -- I forgot all about it until I saw someone post that they had gotten everything they wanted on FB. ACK!!! So very happy to report that in 10 cruises this is the very first time that I have not done check in at midnight [or 3 a.m. when we use to have to do that before 2007] and it is also the first time that Palo had availability showing or every single day WOW! I finally get on a cruise without a ton of people who booked everything at the 120 day mark!!! This means that there should be lot of options for Silvers. I did not look at the excursions, but if there is something you are wondering about, post and I will look it up for you.

 

[lbgraves]

For those of you participating in the FE, how much time would you like before the cruise for the cutoff of the list signups? Late comers could form their own group with anyone who will have extras and would like to include them in your list. There are currently 25 families in the FE. Individually there are 52 adults and 45 kids. You have the option of doing either individual or family gifts.

If you are not on FB please post your preferred cutoff date from the following choices:

January 1
January 15
February 1
February 15
March 1

Thanks!

 

[jdemwe]

Does anybody know which night formal night will be?

 

[gomagic]

Does anybody know which night formal night will be?

Sunday

 

[Fadog]

Lisa,

We prefer Jan 1 as our gifts take a long time to make. We have already started working on them, but it would be difficult to make them close to our cruise date.

Brian (Fadog)

 

[ao23]

I'd vote for giving people until Feb 15, but it doesn't bother me if it's earlier.

Anne