VWL/Eastern Fantasy Cruise/AKV CL all wrapped into a fabulous b-day trip - Complete

[Pinkocto]

Happy Friday to you as well

Thank you

 

[Pinkocto]

Ok everybody, it is cruising time! As much as I loved reliving the WL portion of the trip it’s the cruise I’m really excited to relive. I had booked this cruise 16 months in advance and it was so exciting that it had finally arrived. We arrived at the port around 1:00. I was a little frustrated that it was so late, my other two cruises we had arrived early and were among the first onboard. The difference is that the other cruises we were leaving right from the airport, this time we were leaving from WDW. I’ll know what to expect if we ever leave from WDW again.

I was so excited to catch my first glimpse of the Fantasy. You can see the ill fated Carnival Dream to the left.









It was actually nice to be a little late arriving at the port. There were no lines to wait in, we quickly checked in and were directed to the Mickey ears. I was so anxious to get on the ship I didn’t take any pictures until lunch. No worries, there’s plenty of them to come. We skipped the embarkation photo and didn’t pause very long to admire the gorgeous atrium. We had a mission to accomplish, and that mission was to get our Rainforest Room passes.

We headed straight up to the spa and the very nice Ann helped us. Even though we told her upfront we just wanted to buy the passes she still started to take us on a tour of the whole spa. There was no time for that, we needed to get to lunch! She eventually understood what we wanted and took us back up to the front desk. I also wanted to book a bamboo massage so asked her about that. She wouldn’t just let me book one, she wanted to know how I knew I wanted one, had I had one before? Just let me book a massage and let me get to lunch! I tried not to show my irritation and explained we had done a spa tour on a previous cruise and I had really been interested in one and regretted not booking it. Finally she was satisfied I knew what I was asking for and said the only available one was for 9:00 the next morning. I also got 20% off for booking the first day which was very nice. Mission accomplished we headed off to drop off our bags in the room.

The spa and our room were about as far from each other as possible which resulted in much needed exercise during the cruise. Our room was open but our steward was still finishing up cleaning. He said it was fine, he’d come back later. Oh no, all we needed to do was drop off our bags and head up to lunch. Mom went out to explore the verandah, which there will be pictures of in a bit. Then we headed up one deck to Cabanas. The location of our room was great and I will try to get it again on future cruises.

I managed to get pictures of all the offerings but did not get name tags. Hopefully you can tell what everything is.













Theses might just be the best steak fries I’ve ever had in my life.

 

[Pinkocto]

At this point I stopped taking pictures and got a plate of food. Everything was delicious.



Moms plate. She really enjoyed everything also.



We got a few desserts. None were wow, and we both agreed we'd probably skip desserts at the buffet next time.









After the desserts I went back for the pictures of the buffet I still needed.



















Mom found this delicious banana bread pudding. Apparently every day the chef does a special dessert and our mind was changed about desserts at the buffet. We'd definitely be back for this.



We both absolutely love Cabanas and were so glad to be back. BBB on the Wonder just wasn't the same. We did hear from a CM that when the Magic dry docks this year that they will be redoing the buffet to be more like Cabanas which will be a welcome change to everyone.

 

[dolphingirl47]

That buffet looks absolutely delicious. I am glad that you managed to get your Rainforest Room pass and the massage sorted out and the discount was definitely worth having.

Corinna

 

[carissa1970]

Do you mind me asking how much the rainforest room pass was? And it sounds like it was pretty easy to get, as well. That is one thing I want to get for sure!

 

[Leshaface]

That's kind of weird that they were so adamant about giving you a spa tour even though you were in a rush to be somewhere

I think you took a picture of literally every food offering!

 

[Pinkocto]

That buffet looks absolutely delicious. I am glad that you managed to get your Rainforest Room pass and the massage sorted out and the discount was definitely worth having.

Corinna

I love the buffet on the Fantasy/Dream, there's so many choices and they're all delicious

The discount was definitely worth it and we were really happy to get the RFR passes.

 

[Pinkocto]

Do you mind me asking how much the rainforest room pass was? And it sounds like it was pretty easy to get, as well. That is one thing I want to get for sure!

I just looked at the receipts, it was $193 for the two if us. I can't remember how much a single pass was though. Go on the first afternoon and I'm sure you won't have a problem. They only sell a certain amount so definitely go as soon as you can.

 

[Pinkocto]

That's kind of weird that they were so adamant about giving you a spa tour even though you were in a rush to be somewhere

I think you took a picture of literally every food offering!

I don't think she understood me very well. I might have been speaking fast because I was excited to be on the ship and it didn't seem like English was her first language.

I failed taking pictures of the buffet the other cruises so didn't want to miss anything

 

[rentayenta]

Your description of just wanting to book your spa treatment is so me! I get so impatient. And thanks for the info on getting a discount by booking a treatment on the first day.

The buffet looks wonderful. Was that salmon with a pesto sauce? The chilled seafood bar looks so good. I love chilled crab. Does the Wonder have a buffet like that?

 

[Pinkocto]

Your description of just wanting to book your spa treatment is so me! I get so impatient. And thanks for the info on getting a discount by booking a treatment on the first day.

Oh I was really getting annoyed. She asked if I knew it was a deep massage and could I deal with a deep massage...maybe I wanted another kind of massage... ARG!

There's always some kind of discount the first day, and then throughout the cruise there were other ones.

The buffet looks wonderful. Was that salmon with a pesto sauce? The chilled seafood bar looks so good. I love chilled crab. Does the Wonder have a buffet like that?

I think it was salmon wrapped in bacon, it looks like pesto but I can't remember. The Wonder's buffet is perhaps half the size and the layout is much different. We went to Parrot Cay on embarkation day on the Wonder and there were lots of delicious choices. I can't remember for the life of me if there was the seafood spread. We didn't look into Beach Blanket Buffet so I'm not sure what was up there. I'm hoping Corinna chimes in, I think she'll know.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think it was salmon wrapped in bacon, it looks like pesto but I can't remember. The Wonder's buffet is perhaps half the size and the layout is much different. We went to Parrot Cay on embarkation day on the Wonder and there were lots of delicious choices. I can't remember for the life of me if there was the seafood spread. We didn't look into Beach Blanket Buffet so I'm not sure what was up there. I'm hoping Corinna chimes in, I think she'll know.

On the Wonder, Parrot Cay and Beach Blanket Buffet have exactly the same buffet. They have Peel and Eat Shrimp for the embarkation buffet, but that pretty much is it seafood-wise. They may have a hot fish dish, too. The biggest difference and the reason why we go for Parrot Cay is that you get seated first and then you head for the buffet so you can leave your carry on at the table. At Beach Blanket Buffet you go through the line first and then have to find a table. Juggling a tray and the carry on is not my idea of fun.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

After lunch we excitedly headed back to the stateroom to get a better look at where we would be staying for the next week.

The Aft elevators that we frequented regularly. I just loved the carpets.





Hallway to our room



We had arrived!



It had a different layout than a regular room because it was on the back curve of the ship.



I started taking pictures right away before we got our stuff everywhere.











Then out to the verandah, the glorious verandah!





Back inside, these are a little different angle so I’m posting them, sorry if this is picture overload.





We loved the closet area, so much room.



We received another CC backpack. I kept the one from last trip, so this one was mom’s.



Some goodies inside



The only complaints about the room was there was no curtain which is convenient when changing clothes, and you can hear some noise from Cabanas when they’re cleaning or moving things around. Otherwise it was a perfect stateroom and I will definitely try to get it again.

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Wow, that 's some veranda! Never be sorry for a lot of pictures, they are great! Thanks for sharing.

 

[franandaj]

I'm starting to get so excited! Even if my buffet will not be as grand as the one on the Fantasy, I can't wait to do an embarkation buffet on the ship! Your room looks great! It looks fairly spacious, and that verandah is awesome!

Well at least you have a definite Disney cruise in the near future. I'm just playing with dates, which usually means, there's probably no trip happening. Even now, i'm trying to plan a short 2 day trip Disneyland to get my fix and even that's difficult to do.

Oooh! Oooh! When are you going? I should come out and we can have some drinks together, or do you guys do that on your trips?

 

[rentayenta]

On the Wonder, Parrot Cay and Beach Blanket Buffet have exactly the same buffet. They have Peel and Eat Shrimp for the embarkation buffet, but that pretty much is it seafood-wise. They may have a hot fish dish, too. The biggest difference and the reason why we go for Parrot Cay is that you get seated first and then you head for the buffet so you can leave your carry on at the table. At Beach Blanket Buffet you go through the line first and then have to find a table. Juggling a tray and the carry on is not my idea of fun.

Corinna

Thank you for explaining this. So Parrot Cay will be my sit down and BBB is the buffet on the Wonder? I don't want to juggle our carry one and a tray of food.





Great update Pam and you're making me question our Navigator's Verandah. We'll be AFT on our cruise. I'm a view junkie. I'm thinking of changing but DS really likes the idea of the Navigator's. What to do??

 

[Leshaface]

Oooh! Oooh! When are you going? I should come out and we can have some drinks together, or do you guys do that on your trips?

As of now, i'm looking at May 18-20th. My mom wants to come to help watch the baby (aka wants to be with the baby) so i'm trying to work some dates out. DM had plans for that weekend so if we don't go that weekend, it may be the weekend before Mother's day, the 4-6th. I need to hurry my butt up and figure it out either way!

Now that we didn't renew our AP's, tickets are so expensive! We're actually thinking about getting the Premier passes the next time we go to WDW.

I'll let you know what dates and then we can hopefully meet up for a drink or two!

 

[Leshaface]

Your verandah is massive! So much space and so neat and clean. Hope you got to enjoy that verandah on your trip

 

[disfanforlife]

Great report! LOVE your pictures. Can't wait to read more.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Wow!! What a verandah!