Disney Fantasy Cruise!

Hello Friends

I wanted to start my new blog with a post about my most recent sailing on the Disney Fantasy this month. Actually, I have been on three Disney cruises in the past 15 months and each has been a totally different experience – and each one was great!

This sailing was a week out of Port Canaveral on the Disney Fantasy.  Unlike the other sailings I have had on Disney recently this one was just two adult women – no kids, grand kids or husbands – just us! I wasn’t really certain if there would be enough to keep two adults happy on a Disney cruise despite my recent experiences since those have all been centered around my kids and granddaughter. But I had nothing to worry about!

I was struck again by the strategic precision of the Disney Magical Express transportation process. Nothing could be easier. Our bags were swept away and returned to us in our cabin without the slightest issue. The ride was fun and comfortable. To be sure, you can find less expensive transfers from Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral but none as seamless as the Disney Magical Express. The transfer is currently running $39 per person each way, so a family of four could certainly save money using the other available transportation but for two women traveling alone it was perfect!

The embarkation process was effortless and quick and we were even able to snag an upgrade to a larger balcony cabin for a discount at the pier! On board we were announced and greeted with staff applause (which never ceases to make me smile!). Our cabin was ready, clean and well appointed. The 4D Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Veranda was on deck six above the life boats. The veranda was rather small, with only room for two chairs and a small table, but it turned out to be adequate. The cabin was furnished with a queen bed, a twin size sofa sleeper, a twin pull down berth and a twin Murphy bed. Plenty to accommodate kids but we appreciated the little extra space the cabin afforded.

Since our cabin changed when we upgraded at the port our luggage was a little slow to find us, but our cabin steward ensured that everything would be delivered quickly. This cabin has two separate bathroom areas, one with the commode and a sink and the other with the shower and another sink. That made getting ready each day really easy. The shower was really ingenious. It was a small round tub/shower with a rectangular appendage that served as a seat and shelf area. That little bit of extra space kept the shower from feeling too small and families with small children would have appreciated the small tub as well.

Our sailing includes Cozumel, George Town Grand Cayman, Falmouth Jamaica and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. The ports were the usual profusion of jewelry and gift shops with some restaurants thrown in. Falmouth was a nice surprise with the shopping area being a small, pleasant rectangle of shops with a central area that was literally steps from the ship. The weather on our trip was absolutely perfect!

We both took advantage of the spa on board. I had a Fire and Ice Manicure that was replete with four or five oils that made my skin feel A-MAZING! My friend took advantage of a port day to have a slate of services that started with a massage and ended with a blissful stroll back to the cabin a few hours later.

A TIP – book your spa appointments on port days when the spa is less busy and they are likely to have specials that stretch your vacation dollars. This is true for most every cruise line.

The adult pool area (Serenity Pool) was quite small but there were plenty of lounge chairs most of the  time and a good mix of sun and shade areas.

Disney has a program that takes you on a dining room rotation each day. The actual venue for each evening is printed on your cabin card so it is easy to remember. Your server, and your table mates, rotate with you each evening. We had dinners in the Royal Court, the most formal of the dining rooms, the Artist Palate, a great venue where the artwork on the walls comes alive and drenches the room in color and the Enchanted Garden, a peaceful garden setting where the ceiling light fixtures open like flowers during dinner! Dinners were a pleasant surprise for two women who typically eat all our cruise meals in specialty restaurants. The food, selections and service were all good. Special requests were handled with a smile and our table servers remembered our preferences after day one. Small touches like a Cinderella carriage for a bread basket got oohs and aahs from all the ladies at our table.

We had table service for breakfast each day and it was good but the menu never changed. Despite that there were plenty of choices and the DCL Express breakfast was great. The only disappointment at breakfast was that getting coffee refills was tough. I suspect they don’t want you to sit too long!

Dinner in Palo was worth the extra $40 charge. Our waiter, Rob, was attentive and helpful with the Northern Italian menu. Service included a lovely array of antipasto items an entre and dessert. I had the vegetarian portobello, spinach and polenta dish that was superb. Dessert was a heavenly chocolate souffle that had to be the best I have ever had. Cocktails were great, too!

Although we avoided much of the child centered activity, like character meet and greets, the music in the atrium was wonderful every evening and kids would pile out into the center atrium and dance delightedly, which was a joy to watch. The balconies and chandeliers in the atrium are really beautiful. My pictures below don’t really do them justice.

We did hit the Disney theater on board for a 3D showing of Avengers Endgame (and I cried again!) and we went to watch the show one night but missed the final show, which was a shame. Their shows are always the best at sea.

A TIP – if you plan to attend the shows and you like popcorn invest in one of the small plastic carry tubs that they fill with popcorn at the concession stands. They will refill it for free for the length of your cruise.

Well, if that didn’t convince you that a Disney cruise is a great getaway for adults this will! One day we worked up our nerve and took the plunge on the AquaDuck!! It is a 765 foot long water coaster that takes you on a 4 deck drop, around the ship and even off the side. You ride in two person rafts that start on deck 12 (it’s a hike up there, though, be warned). If you can keep from closing your eyes and screaming like a little kid (I didn’t) you get a great “tour” of the ship while splashing, swirling and floating along. It was totally exciting and a real highlight of our trip.

Check out the Bahamas and Caribbean sailings of the Disney Fantasy this summer, but if you want a bit of a more adult experience, go when the kids are in school.

A TIP – all Disney sailings are priced more attractively during off times when children are not on summer break, spring break or holiday break. The prices really jump during the winter holidays, too!