Our Fantastical Voyage in the Eastern Caribbean! A trip report to remember! 12/6/2014

[ALK$Disney]

Your pre-trip report was very helpful in planning our upcoming Fantasy cruise in spring 2016. We have traveled to FL few times for WDW, RCCL, and other trips. But, never for a Disney cruise out of Port Canaveral. We live in So Cal too so it was very helpful to read your planning. Also this post-trip report was excellent. Thanks.

 

[zimaaaaah]

Great trip report! Thanks for taking the time to write it and include the pictures and video. Hope your cruise in 2016 is just as good!

 

[MIGoofY]

Really enjoyed your TR. Thanks for sharing. We are sailing concierge on the Dream in July for my 40th birthday. So excited for the experience. Your report has me considering sharing my trip to pay the Disney Dreams forward to those who are looking forward to a cruise.

 

[valgal02]

Thanks for sharing

 

[disnygirl55]

Hi Mike! I hadn't been back here on the cruise side of the Dis Boards in a while, since we've been planning planning planning for our WDW trip in 2 WEEKS - so have been over on the WDW side of things!!! But I just read over the last couple of days of your trip. So pleased that you had such a great time, and I'm excited that you are heading back. Another trip report please!!

I don't know if I caught your itinerary (Eastern or Western) for your next cruise - but how funny that we will be in that same stateroom 12506 - we are going on the April 16 Fantasy Western (Star Wars)! We'll leave the light on for you!

Again, wonderful trip report, and I'm glad you caught the "bug" - told you so!!

- Leslie

 

[MrDisneyFan]

Hi Mike! I hadn't been back here on the cruise side of the Dis Boards in a while, since we've been planning planning planning for our WDW trip in 2 WEEKS - so have been over on the WDW side of things!!! But I just read over the last couple of days of your trip. So pleased that you had such a great time, and I'm excited that you are heading back. Another trip report please!!

I don't know if I caught your itinerary (Eastern or Western) for your next cruise - but how funny that we will be in that same stateroom 12506 - we are going on the April 16 Fantasy Western (Star Wars)! We'll leave the light on for you!

Again, wonderful trip report, and I'm glad you caught the "bug" - told you so!!

- Leslie

Thanks and glad you and some others are benefiting from the TR! It is a lot of work but a labor of love so cool to be going on a Star Wars cruise week for you!!

Our next cruise will also be Eastern but ports (except for CC) will be different. Next time will be Tortola and St. Thomas/Johns & CC.

Funny you should mention WDW! My DW and I were just talking about our next cruise in May 2016 and maybe going to Orlando to spend a couple days at WDW before we sail!! I just posted over in that side of the forum getting my research started. I've never looked that closely at WDW and am blown away and overwhelmed! So big and so many options. But another exciting trip to think about!

 

[disnygirl55]

Thanks and glad you and some others are benefiting from the TR! It is a lot of work but a labor of love so cool to be going on a Star Wars cruise week for you!!

Our next cruise will also be Eastern but ports (except for CC) will be different. Next time will be Tortola and St. Thomas/Johns & CC.

Funny you should mention WDW! My DW and I were just talking about our next cruise in May 2016 and maybe going to Orlando to spend a couple days at WDW before we sail!! I just posted over in that side of the forum getting my research started. I've never looked that closely at WDW and am blown away and overwhelmed! So big and so many options. But another exciting trip to think about!

We were originally booked for the 4/23 Eastern, but when we learned of the Star Wars sailing, we switched. It's the best of both worlds: we get to experience a Western, but with the three sea days we love from the Eastern. I don't think I'd be sold on a Western any other way. I already know I'm going to miss St. Thomas in a big way.

If I can help you in any way with WDW, give me a shout via PM - I kind of feel like an expert at this point, and so will you by the time it rolls around. Very good move to start your vacation with WDW - it will not seem like relaxation the way a cruise is. We've done it both ways, and I highly recommend WDW PRE-cruise. If you like to be one of the first on the ship, I recommend not taking Disney transportation, as you will get there early afternoon instead of late morning. We booked a limo or town car after the first experience. I was sad to miss the early boarding. Another option would be to head to Port Canaveral the day before and stay in a hotel your final night. There is a lot to do for a WDW vacation, starting at 180 days out to book your dining - and prior to that, you kind of have to know what your rough plans are for each day. Enjoy the planning!

 

[chitownwdwgirl]

We are cruising conceigre on the Fantasy May of 2016 what is your travel date? This is our second DC but the first time conceigre. We were on the Magic 7 years ago & are so looking forward to the Fantasy!
I loved your TR, lots of things for me to think about!!

 

[MinnieMouse28]

Mike - thank you so much for writing a wonderful TR. It was so much fun reading it. I had one question. We were looking at booking concierge level on the Fantasy, but based on what I have read, only concierge guests have access to those rooms. You mentioned early on that you participated in FE (organized through FB). Is that correct? If so, other FE participants were able to get to your room? We are doing research for our first cruise and participating in a FE gift exchange is a must for us.....at least for me . Thanks!

 

[VbChristy]

Thanks, it has been therapeutic in a way. Bitter sweet to write the report and even look back over it now.

I'm in a little shock at the moment. We just booked for May 2016!

Hi there. I've been reading your trip report and enjoying it. Which cruise did you pick for 2016? Did you pick concierge again? My family is cruising in a one bedroom May 7 th on the fantasy

 

[cheermom2four]

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this TR!!! I cant wait to be on the Fantasy in Sept 2016 but dang it seems so long to wait.

 

[MrDisneyFan]

We are cruising conceigre on the Fantasy May of 2016 what is your travel date? This is our second DC but the first time conceigre. We were on the Magic 7 years ago & are so looking forward to the Fantasy!
I loved your TR, lots of things for me to think about!!

-chitownwdwgirl - We will be on the May 7 sailing, woohoo!

Mike - thank you so much for writing a wonderful TR. It was so much fun reading it. I had one question. We were looking at booking concierge level on the Fantasy, but based on what I have read, only concierge guests have access to those rooms. You mentioned early on that you participated in FE (organized through FB). Is that correct? If so, other FE participants were able to get to your room? We are doing research for our first cruise and participating in a FE gift exchange is a must for us.....at least for me . Thanks!

There are no problems for guests to access the FEs hanging on doors in the concierge areas! Only the concierge lounge is restricted by card access.

Hi there. I've been reading your trip report and enjoying it. Which cruise did you pick for 2016? Did you pick concierge again? My family is cruising in a one bedroom May 7 th on the fantasy

We're on the same one and yes, we picked a 1 bedroom again! See you there!

 

[we3travellers]

Just read your entire report and am inspired to book concierge! Also read most of your PTR and was pleased to see the ages of your children. My DS just turned 8 and will be 9.5 when we cruise August 2016. He is an "old" 8 and I fear that he will not embrace the magic as I hope. We cruised on Holland America when he was 6 and he loved it, but like you said about NCL, kids club had limited hours and not many kids. I'm hoping the difference in kids clubs and the ability to let him feel he has more freedom will seal the deal! Nice to see older kids enjoy themselves so much!

 

[DisneyDiva84]

Wow what an incredible TR!

We are heading out on our very first DCL cruise in September on the Fantasy! I'm a HUGE planner and this gave me so much detail! THANK YOU! I'm so glad you had a great time. Sorry that Kate had a rough day but at least it didn't last long. We are sailing with our 2 and a half year old son. He loves characters. I do have a question. Was Snow White on your trip? I've seen various reports where she is and then where she isn't. Avery loves her and Ariel so our fingers are crossed. Also, I see you saw Mirror Mirror. Did Dopey meet after? Or was he just a part of the show? Again, Avery loves Snow White and especially the dwarfs, he sings Heigh ho constantly! I'm worried if I take him to the show he will want to be all over him lol.

Thanks again!

 

[MrDisneyFan]

Wow what an incredible TR!

We are heading out on our very first DCL cruise in September on the Fantasy! I'm a HUGE planner and this gave me so much detail! THANK YOU! I'm so glad you had a great time. Sorry that Kate had a rough day but at least it didn't last long. We are sailing with our 2 and a half year old son. He loves characters. I do have a question. Was Snow White on your trip? I've seen various reports where she is and then where she isn't. Avery loves her and Ariel so our fingers are crossed. Also, I see you saw Mirror Mirror. Did Dopey meet after? Or was he just a part of the show? Again, Avery loves Snow White and especially the dwarfs, he sings Heigh ho constantly! I'm worried if I take him to the show he will want to be all over him lol.

Thanks again!

Hi, thanks for reading and glad it was helpful! No, we did not see Snow White on the trip Ariel was there though. I think Dopey was part of the show. My wife brought our daughter, I wasn't there for mirror mirror. But we don't have any photos of her and Dopey so I don't think he was meeting people after the show. Have a great time!!

 

[Jessicandice]

Thank you for all the information. This was absolutely wonderful.

 

[VallCopen]

Enjoyed reading!!! Thanks.

 

[Alex Aymar]

Love all the details glad your family seemed to have a good time thank you for the information