Like many other parents, James and I love seeking out fun places to travel with the kids.
We’ve been to Disney World in Orlando twice in the past two years, and we wanted to do something a little different this summer. Still, the kids campaigned {hard} every day for another Disney vacation. After hearing rave reviews from friends and co-workers, James suggested trying a Disney Cruise this summer.
I’ve only been on one cruise in my life and it was not a pleasant experience. In fact, the things I most vividly recall when I think back to that “other cruise” is claustrophobia, anxiety and horrible cafeteria food. So I was skeptical, but agreed to give cruising another try– and I am here to tell you today that I am SO glad I did.
It’s been one week since our vacation on the Disney Fantasy Cruise ship and I am dying to go back!
So what makes Disney Cruises different?
1. Activities and clubs that even your teens will think are cool.
Disney is so in tune with their guests needs and interests, they created separate “clubs” that appealed for every age – toddler through tween and adult.
Since we were traveling with little ones, upon boarding the Disney Fantasy, our kids had to register for the Kids Club and were given wristbands to check in and out of the highly secured kids club. The wristbands were also able to track your kids anywhere on the boat! Each guest room was supplied with 2 on-board cell phones that your kids (and their counselors) could call at any time. All of this was a huge sigh of relief for this slightly neurotic always worrying Mom.
- “It’s A Small World” [toddlers]
- “Oceaneers Club” [Pre-K thru grade school] This is the one my daughter, Laina (4) spent lots of time playing in. In the center there is a colorful light up dance floor and 103 plasma TV!
Surrounding this party area, there are themed rooms that make kids feel like they are living out their favorite Disney movies. James loved Andy’s Room, Laina loved dressing up in Pixie Hallow… but my favorite was the Monster’s Inc. Scare factory- (Monsters Inc. is my favorite Disney movie).
The Oceaneer’s club has different themed parties and crafts. Laina loved the night that Crush from Finding Nemo came on the plasma and interacted with the kids. She also loved Pluto’s Pajama party- because what’s cooler than being able to wear your Pajamas out to play? She colored a cute pillow case that she is now using at home.
- “Oceaneers Lab” [Grade-school] This is where my son (7) spent most of his time. In addition to games and crafts, there were science labs and “Anyone can cook” cooking classes, as well as Wii challenges, Cup stacking races and a ginormous iPad where my son and his “cruise friends” played air-hockey all night long.
It’s important to note that the Oceaneers club and Oceaneers lab are connected, so my little one in the club could go visit her big brother in the lab- which she often did.
- The Edge [Club area for tweens]
- Vibe [A Lounge/Club area for teens]
Although I didn’t have kids in the tween and teen clubs, I kept an ear on the buzz around the ship when I ran into a teen and tween- and they all seemed to be loving it- visiting the clubs daily- which when dealing with teens and tweens? I found impressive.
Also? Character meet and greets are happening all over the boat all day long.
I love this pic of Laina. She looks so skeptical of whatever Aladin is saying.
The lines can get long for the princess ball and Mickey appearances, but honestly? They move quick and and are NOTHING compared to the lines at the parks.
2. Relaxation and Alone Time For Mom and Dad-
I know all of those above words forming a sentence about a family vacation seems mind boggling, but it’s true.
As much as we do love traveling as a family, there is no denying that typically traveling with kids leaves you with exhaustion that begs a vacation form your vacation- but the Disney Cruise is the polar opposite.
While your kids are having fun of their own, there is a whole section of the ship dedicated to adults-only!
- Adult On Board Entertainment
There was a whole section of the ship dedicated to adult bars and lounges called, Europa.
One lounge more beautiful than the next.
One of my favorites had walls of TV screens that looked like you were looking out into different European cities- If you looked closely you could see moving traffic and people in windows. Every few minutes pixie dust would come down the screen and the city would change.
(I could not take a picture that did this justice- you have to just take my word for it.)
At night there are games lead by the adult entertainment director. Our director was Trevor.
I knew Trevor would hold a special place in the heart of our family vacation when he picked James out of the audience at the Sail Away party to dance on stage (see that moment in our music video recap– its pure awesome-sauce).
Every night Trevor hosted interactive game shows in “The Tube” such as: 80’s music trivia, not-so-newlywed game, and more.
- Adult Only Dining
What parent couldn’t use “date night”? Well thanks to all that kids entertainment you have plenty of time to schedule date night -multiple times if you want!
There are 2 adult-only restaurants onboard the Disney Fantasy, Remi and Palo. Both are no- jeans, no- sneakers or sandals– which personally I like, because I like getting dressed up for date night.
You do need to make reservations for both of these restaurants and I recommend making these reservations well ahead of your trip– Just like dining at Disney World- they book up quickly!
- Remi ($75/per adult) Formal
- Palo ($20/per adult) Semi-formal
James and I dined at Palo. The food was delicious, the atmosphere romantic and the view from the top of the ship? Breath taking.
Oh, and if your husband forgets dress pants there is a handy dandy rental service where he can rent dress pants for $25. Albeit, Tuxedo pants, but hey! It gets you in.
Turns out this is also useful if your husband forgets about formal night . Not that I know anyone who did either of those scenarios {eh hem}.
3. Roomy Staterooms With A View
80% of the Disney Fantasy has a balcony view! When we booked, we booked at the VGT level– which basically means we took a risk of getting a {gasp} partial view and paid less for a deluxe suite with bunk beds for the kids. We ended up getting a fabulous view, but truthfully- there is so much to be seen- you aren’t often in the room, so if I’d recommend the gamble on the VGT rate (They only pop up occasionally from what I hear, so check the website often).
The other thing I loved about the room? Split bathrooms! One bathroom had toilet and sink and the other had shower/tub and sink.
And that shower? It’s a rainfall shower- better than some hotels I’ve stayed at- for real!
4. Dining Disney Style
All of the food was amazing and freshly cooked. Even at their all day buffet by the pool where they served fresh wraps and sandwiches.
For dinner, Disney Cruise line has what they call “rotation dining”. Which means like other cruises you always have the same table number and servers but unlike other cruises- you are always experiencing a new atmosphere.
The Disney Fantasy has 3 fantastic restaurants.
–Animators Palate where you get to interact with Crush from “Finding Nemo” one night, and animate your very own drawing another. This was by far our family’s favorite.
–Royal Court which will make you feel like your dining in Cinderella’s castle.
–Enchanted Garden that has beautiful ambiant lighting that changes from day to night and and overhead flowers that bloom. You feel like you are in Pixie Hallow.
5. Pirate Night & Fireworks
Every night there are amazing Broadway-level type shows being put on. We went to and loved ALL of them. But above all- the Pirate show was our favorite.
All of the Disney Cruises have a Pirate Night – that everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) on board takes part in. A Pirate accessory package on board is $35, but if you plan ahead you can bring your pirate gear from home. The Bippity Boppity Boutique on board also has a pirate package that includes face painting.
The Pirate Party onboard takes place on the main deck- where they cover the pools and everyone gets to enjoy a pirate show and fireworks at sea. Disney is the only cruise line that does fireworks at sea, and it is a sight to be seen!
6. Cast Away Cay
Disney’s private island, Cast Away Cay was the highlight of the trip for all of us. It is the ultimate vacation island. It’s not over crowded. No one is chasing you down trying to make a deal over tanzanite earrings (Yes, that happened in Cozumel)
Just like the Disney cruise ship , the island is kept immaculate.
Mermaid towel from WhirlyGirl on Etsy {click for Etsy Shop}
In addition to many family activities, such as: an ocean slide, snorkeling, parasailing, and tubing… there is also a kids club, teen get-away and an adult only beach.
My son is still talking about his time snorkeling where he not only saw tropical fish (or as we call them Nemo-fish), but hidden Disney gems on the ocean floor, such as a Mickey Statue and a “shipwreck”.
For lunch, you are treated to a beachside BBQ, chock-filled with burgers, corn on the cob, mahi-mahi and soft serve ice cream!
It was such a nice relaxing day with the family. My only wish for this cruise was that we could have had just *one* more day at Castaway Cay.
7. Pepe’s Door and The Mid-Ship Detective Agency
If Castaway Cay (and the onboard Aquaduck) was the highlight of this trip, it was only rivaled with Pepe’s Door. What’s Pepe’s Door you ask?
Well, onboard you can participate in a mystery game with the Midship Detective Agency. You solve the mysteries through interactive pictures located all over the ship.
On our first game, we did a Muppet mystery which led us to “Pepe’s Door”- a small pint-size cabin door located by the Oceaneers club. My kids became obsessed with it. They were dying to know how to get in (you can’t)… and I heard many MANY kids talking about this famous door though out the cruise.
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I really could go on and on about this trip. There are SO many things that I loved about it, but lets be honest? No one wants to read a 2,000 word post – so I will stop at 7. I will tell you that we already booked our next one!
[ See our music video review of The Disney Fantasy here.]
If there is anything you’re curious about that I forgot to mention, feel free to ask me questions in the comments section and I will be sure to answer (based on our experience).
