jedimaster1227 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 (edited) So I had the chance to sail on the Disney Fantasy for the first time a few weeks ago as the guest of a crew member, so while that didn't mean getting to see a guest cabin for myself (no Magic Portholes), I certainly wasn't going to turn down the chance to experience a Disney Cruise at a significantly discounted rate! Experiencing the ship for an 8 day, 7 night cruise in the Western Caribbean, we made port in Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay in addition to several (very enjoyable) sea days. [vine] [/vine] The Disney Cruise Line port entry at Port Canaveral is distinctly Disney with an early exposure to some of what you'll be experiencing while aboard. Very clever! One of the benefits of getting on the ship early is the chance to tour the kid and teen facilities on Day 1, as they are restricted to their respective guests after the ship sails away. Had the chance to demo the interactive floor in the Oceaneer's Club. This game was based on Tron! We all play in a yellow submarine... A yellow submarine... A yellow submarine... I'm sure I would've eaten this up as a little kid! The Toy Story area for the younger kids... The Fantasy has their own version of Imageworks' Rainbow Corridor, and it is all kinds of awesome! Vibe is the teen club on the ship--definitely a much nicer teen area than I'd seen on other ships. They have these individual pods along the wall in which teen guests can plug in their iPods, watch movies and play video games. A seriously cool looking venue! The teen area includes a private deck with a jacuzzi and loungers. As you'll see throughout this photo report, I seriously couldn't get enough of the AquaDuck. For the index. Since I couldn't get into Remy for the cruise (it was fully booked), I asked to be able to walk through the restaurant. See the Remy in the window? Bummed I couldn't dine here this time around, but I'll certainly go for it next time! Remy has some really amazing dining rooms. A better look at the "Hidden Remy." Very French. I want this table. Over in Palo, I want this table too. Little known fact: I love glass art. Another benefit of touring the ship before it sails away is having the chance to check out the Senses Spa & Salon. These heated loungers are amazing! I genuinely considered buying a package at the Senses Spa, but simply ran out of time to go get one for myself. Well, that'd be a great view to have for a massage! The first entertainment offering on the ship is the Sailing Away party. It is kind of a big deal. Of course, Mickey and the gang are on hand to help start the festivities! As we begin sailing away, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center is visible. While I couldn't get into Remy on this cruise, I was insistent on finding a way to get into Palo. I was able to get in on the first night (the one with the least demand for Palo, in case you're planning a cruise on the Fantasy for yourself). Sadly I had to miss Crush night at Animator's Palate to have dinner at Palo, but it was totally worth it! The meal started out with this fabulous antipasti plate! I started my choices off with the appetizer trio including calamari, shrimp and a polenta-stuffed portobello mushroom cap. The portobello mushroom cap ended up being one of my favorite food items I had on the ENTIRE cruise--it was really that amazing! This filet totally justified my desire to come to Palo. Here it isn't just topped, rather doused with warm gorgonzola cheese (poured overtop with a ladle). One of the best filets I've ever had, and definitely the best topping I've ever had on one. Despite my love for the filet, I was conflicted about passing up the chance to try Palo's lobster ravioli (a house recommendation), so I asked for a side serving, and they obliged. Dessert came in the form of the chocolate soufflé, served with vanilla and chocolate sauces. It was AMAZING! Definitely the way to enjoy this one! After dessert, a frozen shot of limoncello is served as a palate cleanser, and it was also great. I ended up spending far more time in The Tube than I expected I would... The venue is seriously impressive with its overhead lighting and its floor screen. There is one piece of Enchanted Artwork on the ship that is actually an interactive game in itself, allowing you to steer a pirate ship in Neverland to collect treasure. It is amazing just how intimate the ship feels at all times. Even when shows are letting out, the huge size of the Atrium prevents the ship from feeling overcrowded. It is a thing of science that they were able to accomplish this! Over in D Lounge, I decided to observe one of the first game shows of the week. Going back to the family-friendly aspect of a Disney Cruise, there are kid-friendly Mocktails available in most venues, to allow the kids to feel like they're enjoying beverages in the bars with their families, sans alcohol. Mirror Mirror features a surprise appearance by Dopey... Also present is the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The effect is really neat! The last time I saw this Minnie, I was at the D23 Expo. What a great view to have for breakfast! Cabanas features these awesome sand castle representations of the other Magic Kingdom parks around the globe. Been der. Done dat. Edited August 3, 2013 by jedimaster1227 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted June 28, 2013 Author Share Posted June 28, 2013 (Continued) Been to Tokyo DisneySea but didn't have the chance to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Definitely on my list of must-do's since Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point have been added. Seafood lovers will delight in this sight as I did. Sushi SELFIE! Hehe. The AquaDuck adds so much energy to the upper deck of the ship. I love it! Hi Elissa! Fanciest restrooms EVER! Europa is the section of the ship featuring the adult bars. Skyline is easily the most clever bar concept I've ever experienced. As you sit in the bar, the windows slowly change to reveal skylines from several major cities across the globe. Here's a look at one... Featuring an appearance by the Disney Magic! A subtle but awesome detail, all of the paintings in the hallways in Europa point you in the direction of the different bars. O'Gills Pub is the ship's sports bar, though I didn't spend any time here. Flapper Minnie out meeting guests during Formal Night. My first meal on Rotational Dining (you move each night to one of three different dinner venues, although your staff moves with you) was at Enchanted Garden. The Wedge. The Avocado & Tuna Tower was seriously one of the best things I ate on the ship! More lobster ravioli! Not as good as Palo's but still pretty great! And for my main course, scallops with couscous! I had to try the Sacher Torte! I also had to try the dessert trio... I have no shame. Throughout the evening Enchanted Garden dims to reveal a starry sky. I really love this atrium chandelier! Behind the Guest Services desk are these awesome maps of the world featuring the current locations of the four Disney Cruise Line ships in addition to all of the Disney Destinations (including Shanghai Disneyland)! The ships are actually magnets, so they can be moved to their exact locations each day. One of my favorite pieces of Enchanted Art was the duo of Pirates of the Caribbean frames that actually fight each other like in the ride! Ello Nigel! Cabanas features this awesome tile mosaic depicting Finding Nemo! With Grand Cayman being our first port, I got off of the ship to mooch off of the free wifi at Margaritaville. Never fails! They even have their own pool and water slide at this location! An actual pirate ship! The Buena Vista Theater is home to the ship's movies. Here I saw Oz, the Great and Powerful, Lincoln, The Avengers and Iron Man 3. They even have kid-sized Dolby 3D glasses! Our next dinner was in Royal Court. If you couldn't tell already, I love seafood. I had to see if the French Onion Soup was up to snuff... It was! I had the lamb chops this night and they were spectacular! The dessert menu's presentation is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction... This, as you may recognize is a neatly folded menu, now in operation, waiting for you [to order]. We invite you if you dare to be a glutton [like I am] because in tonight's dinner, you are the star... CHOCOLATE! And the dessert trio featuring a mango cheesecake, creme brûlée and a flour less chocolate cake. And to close, the Grand Marnier soufflé! It was AMAZING! An overview of Royal Court. Sign. How did I get this view? Are they leaving me behind? Where am I??? Find out in the next installment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon8899 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I'm totally a Cunard guy - but only for transatlantic crossings - I don't don't like to hop on and off the ship daily. And I'm not really a fan of round-the-clock noisy animation. The dining rooms look very classy. And I hope the bar has a wider booze selection than visible on the photo... the Sacher Torte looks good - even if it's a round cake if made by Sacher. Better is the Imperial Torte.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKI Jizzman Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Great photos and food! Looks like a fun time. Can't wait for more updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porsmond Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 awesome report, cant wait for more updates. Trying to convince my girlfriend to go on a Disney Cruise as it does look like such a cool ship, will have to show her your report to tempt her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Clinksalot Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Looks great Adam!!! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndoorSurvivalist Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Amazing photos! I'm actually eating a monster burrito from Freebirds right now, and the photos of the food are making me even hungrier! I feel stupid for never really realizing the that staff on the cruise also need to live on the ship. Do you have any photos of what their living spaces look like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
printersdevil78 Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 This looks awesome! The Disney ships have really taken a giant step forward since I sailed with them a decade ago. So was the Disneyland sandcastle smaller than all the others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I gained 5 lbs looking at all the pics of food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flippero95 Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I'm loving the 'behind the scenes photos' and dessert love! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I just had seafood and chocolate for dinner, but your food looked much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Why do I get the feeling the ship is still being cleaned after Adam's time on the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 How is it that Joey Ray has not commented on these food pictures yet?!? dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I'm here! And yes, the food pictures were absolutely AMAZING! Thanks for the report Adam. It's been a while since I've been on a Disney Cruise and your report, especially the food pictures, makes me absolutely want to do one very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) I feel stupid for never really realizing the that staff on the cruise also need to live on the ship. Do you have any photos of what their living spaces look like? Since the crew quarters are in a "backstage area" I wasn't allowed to take any photos there. But to be honest, they were very similar to the guest rooms, minus the magic portholes. Glad you guys are enjoying this so far! I've got plenty more to share... When we last checked in, I was in a strange port... It turns out that this was all planned. And I was in Costa Maya. Apparently in Costa Maya they have a really big tiger problem... Apparently CrocoSaurus moved here after the end of his battle with Mega Shark. The port of Costa Maya features a neat resort area that gives way to a transportation hub to get to any of your excursions. Though I decided to skip out on the excursions myself... Here is what I did instead. See those pools? That's where the swim-with-the-dolphins experience is. Seriously folks, save up and visit Discovery Cove during your next trip to Orlando. There really is no better way to swim with the dolphins! One whole yard of relaxation juice... Rock Shrimp Ceviche for the win! Shrimp tacos for the double win! I am now a resident of the nation of Disney Cruise Line. I wave my flag proudly. Okay, so the ship didn't leave me in Costa Maya. Luckily I didn't see this as it sailed away. Next up was a Key Lime Margarita at La Piazza! After the port I had time to try out the Midship Detective Agency. This is easily, the most awesome interactive game Disney has made yet! I was told that the Muppets game alone has 6 different endings! The Enchanted Art frames are also host to many of the Midship Detective Agency game stations. The story goes that the Muppets' props have gone missing, and you as the detective must scour the ship to find out who took them. Some of the clues are found physically on the ship as opposed to being found digitally in the frames. My favorite Enchanted Art. Steamboat Willie starts steering and whistling for a brief moment... Back to hunting for clues! Here you use your Midship Detective Agency card to collect all of the meeps. No joke! Gonzo! A most elegant hidden Mickey! Another hidden Mickey! Pepe has his own room on the ship, and his door is plastered with clues. Two things: I'm on my Wave Phone. Wave Phones are the working (free--two per room) phones to be used while on the ship to keep in touch with other guests in your party. I'd never seen or heard of this on any other cruise line, so I was definitely impressed, especially because you can both text and call while on the ship (and on Castaway Cay). The other thing: I'm calling Pepe from my Wave Phone to get more clues. Animal! Not only is there a hidden Muppet Vision shout out but... BearQuil. Hiya Bryan! Bork! Bork! Bork! You get to interrogate Muppets that you think might have stolen the props. This one was innocent. Once you've found the culprit and the props, you get to set off fireworks. As George from Rush Hour 3 said, "Case closed." Over in The Tube I was able to see the night's variety act, a juggler who had previously been on America's Got Talent. He juggled on a unicycle... Then he juggled on a very tall unicycle! Time for dinner in Animator's Palate... I've been waiting for this experience for far too long! Part of what makes the second meal at Animator's Palate so incredible is Animation Magic, an interactive show featuring guests' drawings, like this. Can you guess who I attempted to draw? This should be a clue. Time for more food photos! Prosciutto with melon... And some perfectly cooked ahi tuna with seaweed salad. The infamous popcorn soup was really good! This veal was great! It is almost time for Animation Magic to begin! Notice the restaurant has taken on a new, colorful look. A dessert trio to try the best of everything... And per Robb's adamant recommendations, I got a Mickey Bar, which was definitely better than the ones in the parks! Edited July 1, 2013 by jedimaster1227 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share Posted July 1, 2013 (Continued) Alright, here we go! Dance, Dreamfinder! Dance! The show does amazing things with guests' drawings, putting them right into some of the best dancing scenes from Disney's many animation classics. Look at Dreamfinder, being all fancy, dancing with Donald! He does the luau quite beautifully. Characters dancing out a scene from Pinocchio! They even have shadows! They've got no strings on them! And like any good show, there are credits to all involved. I got off of the ship briefly to get some authentic Mexican cuisine at La Choza... Authentic fajitas for the win! Hit up La Choza the next time you're in Cozumel. It is worth it! Back at sea for the evening... Tonight is Pirates Night! The entire event is known as Pirates in the Caribbean. The night starts with a rousing pirate party with Mickey and the gang... Always one to make an entrance! Mickey's Pirate Academy teaches the crowd the basics of being a pirate. The show is then hijacked by Captain Hook and his band of pirates. But after Mickey and his pirate crew (that includes you) prove they have what it takes to be a pirate, he is forced to leave. Moving back to food... There was this awesome crab cake! And this delicious pork! And another dessert trio for good measure. Back over at Pirates in the Caribbean, it is time for the main show. The show features Captain Jack Sparrow and an enchanted gauntlet. Along the way we see a rowdy group of pirates attempt to steal the gauntlet for themselves. But in the end, Jack wins and gets the gauntlet. He points to the sky to see what it does... What does it do? Find out next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) That on board phone idea is genius. Hope that catches on with other cruise lines! Really enjoying this report. I need to save up to go on one of these ships. The food looks too good to not experience. dt Edited July 1, 2013 by Meteornotes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBpony414 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Really enjoying this TR! I've never sailed Disney but it looks like a lot of fun and the food looks seriously delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PalmTree55 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 On both Oasis Class ships for RCCL they have phones like that for rental. They use iPhones and are 15$ per phone. Anyways, fantastic TR, I love DCL, and can't wait to sail on a Dream Class ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Coleman Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 I need to quit looking at food porn at lunch time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepoint4life23 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Man, this really makes me want to go on a Disney Cruse. one quick question how much is beer, wine and mix drink on the boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_RN Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Great trip report!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
805Andrew Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Cool TR of the Disney Fantasy. When I finally do a cruise, DCL is on the top of my list. No Klassy Karnival Kruise for me. And it must be a Caribbean cruise for me, no LBC to Mexico cruise for me. The food choices look really good too, and I'm glad you took advantage of the seafood options, being a seafood lover myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 The detective agency game looks amazing and the fact you used the already awesome phones to get clues is just awesome. I have never really been too interested in cruises but this report is very much changing my mind. How long did the detective game take? -Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollercoasterbuff Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 This looks awesome. Been investigating pricing and whatnot. I want to go... and go big when I do. So I am wanting one of the ocean view rooms with veranda. Looking at docking off from one of the ports in Florida and doing the Caribbean cruise 7 nights like what you have done. Hoping for early next year to make it happen. The ship looks absolutely beautiful. I really appreciate all the photos and information you are sharing because it does help people like me who are looking into actually doing it in the near future see what all there is to see and do on board!! Cyrus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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