Earlier this year we were blessed to board the Disney Fantasy for a Western Caribbean cruise. We are avid Disney cruisers and we were particularly interested in this sailing because:
A: We were able to secure a last minute Florida resident rate, and…
B: This sailing was one of the few sailings with the Star Wars Day at Sea!
We are usually early arrivers to the port on embarkation day but this time we found ourselves arriving around 2pm. The lines inside the Disney terminal were average length, actually a bit shorter than we expected in comparison to 11 am when we usually arrive. After only about 15 minutes of wait time we were all checked in and headed to the boarding area. We noticed a long line at the Youth Club Registration area so we avoided that section, planning to register onboard in the Oceaneer Club.
Youth Activities registration in the port can get quite busy so I would suggest just handling it onboard at the Oceaneer Club or Lab.
I love the sleek wave pattern on the ceiling of the Port Canaveral Disney terminal!
The personalized welcome onboard was a treat as always and we were certainly filled with warm anticipation as we strolled into the majestic atrium lobby.
Hubby was a bit overwhelmed with allergy symptoms and wanted to rest a bit so he headed straight to the room with the girls while I stayed in line at the Port Adventures Desk for tickets to the Disney Junior breakfast and Frozen meet up.
The line for Port Adventures was considerably shorter at this time in comparison to other occasions when we boarded earlier in the day.
Another benefit of arriving later was that our room was ready by the time we boarded! Usually the rooms are ready after 1:30pm; when we arrive earlier, we have to lug our carry on bags around with us to the buffet and while we explore the ship. Today we were able to go directly to our stateroom!
ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT DISNEY VERANDAH STATEROOMS IS THAT THEY FEATURE A SPLIT BATHROOM; ONE ROOM HAS THE SHOWER AND A SINK, THE OTHER ROOM HAS THE TOILET AND ANOTHER SINK. THIS IS INVALUABLE WHEN TRAVELING AS A FAMILY AND LIVING IN TIGHT QUARTERS.
We had booked a guarantee stateroom (this means that you are not able to pick your room but are guaranteed a room at least in your given category) and were pleasantly surprised that we were upgraded to a better category of verandah room. Our room was located aft (the back of the ship) but near an elevator bank and stairwell so it was easily accessible to the rest of the ship. We were also just one level below the pool deck and Cabanas buffet so this was a very convenient location!
We headed up to Cabanas for a late lunch (it was now around 3pm) and enjoyed a great meal there. In comparison to our last cruise on the Disney Dream during the holidays 2015 we noted similarities in the menu offerings on both ships. We were easily able to find some of our old favorites on the buffet.
After lunch we went back to our stateroom and our luggage had arrived. We only had about 20 minutes before the Muster (safety/evacuation drill) so I unpacked our suitcases while poor Hubby napped and the girls unpacked their things (my 8 year old had brought her American Girl doll with travel accessories and travel bed so they had PLENTY of setting up to do).
After muster drill, I took the girls down to the Oceaneer Club and Lab to complete registration. There was a bit of line to complete the registration but once we got up to the counter we were attended to quickly; it helped that I had completed the pre-registration during online check-in, weeks before the cruise.
After the kids were registered an outfitted with their magic bands (RFID bands that allow for fast identification and check in) we went inside to explore. It was Open House time at the clubs so parents were welcome to join their kids in the Oceaneer Club and Lab and explore to their hearts content. The girls had fun, making new friends and burning off some energy with the welcome dance party and other activities.
“Welcome” Dance party during the open hours in the Oceaneer Club
We had main seating for dinner (5:45) so we had to rush back up to our room, grabbed hubby and then headed down to Royal Court for dinner. We were placed at a table for four which we appreciated this time as we wanted to spend time reconnecting with just the four of us.
I love the details in the place settings at the Royal Court Dining Hall 🙂
Sooooo…. This was one of the best tofu dishes I’ve ever had that I didn’t cook myself 😉 I really appreciate the wide variety of dishes available on the Disney Cruise menus!
Our wait staff was excellent as usual and the food was really good but we were all beginning to feel really tired. Hubby and our youngest skipped dessert and headed back to the room to snuggle and watch Disney movies. I took my oldest for a walk around the ship; we ended up on the pool deck which was deserted due to overcast and cool weather. We stopped at Eye Scream for (complimentary) soft serve ice cream, picking up two extra cones for hubby and Jazzy.
SILLY SELFIES WITH MY OLDEST AS WE EXPLORED THE SHIP, JUST THE TWO OF US 🙂
We returned to the room with the treats, which were excitedly received. We relaxed for a bit then I took the girls to the main show for the evening in the Walt Disney Theater. It was fun and the kids enjoyed the live musical numbers and the comedic magician whose routine involved 4 kids from the audience; he had EVERYONE laughing, kids and adults alike.
SMILES AND PJS IN THE EVENING SHOW AT THE WALT DISNEY THEATRE
AFTER THE SHOW WE RAN INTO BELLE IN THE ATRIUM AND TOOK SOME PICS. AS YOU CAN SEE MY YOUNGEST WAS ALREADY DRESSED FOR BED BUT DIDN’T MIND GALAVANTING AROUND THE SHIP IN HER NIGHTGOWN LOL
After the show it was lights out at 10pm. It didn’t take long for us all to pass out in our comfy beds. Our embarkation day was a bit different than usual with annoying allergy symptoms and less than ideal weather but we were on a Disney Cruise!!!!! You can only be SO miserable on the Disney Fantasy, right?
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Loved this! Looks like you guys are had a blast 🙂