theshowmestate

We loved the Fantasy in March. We've cruised the Wonder 3 times and I was worried that the Fantasy would seem a bit crowded, not all all. DH and I really enjoy the Cove Cafe which has been mentioned. I also liked the sun deck area just above the adult area as it was quieter than mid ship by the Goofy pool etc. and my teens could join me there so it was a bit like the adult area for them but not really. They enjoyed Chill Spa and the size and added things to the teen area. DH and I enjoyed the adult areas after dinner. It's a "fantastic" ship. Have a great time.

Yes you can, not sure what or if there's a limit. We usually do one of the water packages. A bit more than what you'd pay in store but it's one less thing for me to carry on and leaves more room for some wine or something.

There's a pretty in depth thread here about 2015 you might check out. I wish they'd hurry up and announce the summer plans for 2015 as one of the rumors in back to the Baltics and I'm soooo hoping that we can do it.

I'd suggest looking at the rooms. Can you change it up to have some balcony rooms with rome across the hall? Inside rooms are less expensive. Excursions can add up as well so make sure you pick and choose wisely whether it be through DCL or independent groups. Get an idea of on board spending before you sail by estimating beverages, spa etc. Consider bringing on a few beverages of your own. I think it's a wonderful idea, sailing under such special occasions with family. It's a trip your son and family will remember for a life time. Enjoy!!!

I'm always the one with a beef about carry ons. We travel a lot (once a month) and would LOVE to be able to put my small, non wheeled carry on in the over head bin but due to people schlepping things the size of smart cars down the aisle we don't. If you carry on, please follow the rules. Folks just think they can travel "carry on" style for convenience and it's getting ridiculous.

Any updates???? I hope DCL releases the info. soon. The European ones are more expensive and take more planning time.

Could it be the other way around, that the Carnival ship was having an issue and the Fantasy lurked around just in case??

No tipping would be bad, it's not their fault.

We've done 2--4 day cruises and 2--7 day cruises On the Wonder and Fantasy. In our quest to cruise on all 4 ships we're doing another 4 night cruise on the Dream in March. I know I'll have a major case of missing my ship. The 4 night cruises seem so short now. I'll live though and hopefully have a 7 day cruise on board the Magic booked before we sail :)

While I haven't cruised on any other line than DCL, I don't feel the need to because of the quality experiences we've had. It does seem with the "experimenting" with ports other than Port C. IE: Miami etc. that a new ship or 2 would be on the horizon but somehow I think DCL is not rushing out there to build new ships. The rumors will always be, they're building, they're not building. We can only wait until something comes from DCL.

You can use Disney gift cards towards your on board account. I do that every cruise. Once I book I add up my wish list of excursions, spas treatments, a little spending in the shops and drinks. I buy $100 under the amount on my list in gift cards throughout the year then use them to establish my account. Anything above that I put on my CC. You'll need to save the gift cards though because if you are due a credit, that credit goes back to the gift cards not to a credit card etc. which is why I put a little under my wish list amount on in gift cards.

Didn't read the article but I'm thinking it would be a bit costly to the ships and that would be passed on to the passengers. To save lives though makes it a tough debate.

We did AK in July of 2011 and loved the cruise. Our DDs were 13 and 15 at the time so I can't quite comment on the younger ones but I'll have to say that it was tons of fun, they loved it and would go back. DCL is primarily a family line so that says it all. We had stellar weather, upper 60s with sun by the end of each day. May/June is the start of the AK cruising season and it will be a bit chillier and maybe rainier. The ports were fun, the excursions great, the on board activities just like any DCL cruise. I think you'd enjoy it. If you can swing it, do a dog sledding excursion. We did and it was worth every penny.

You can start to apply the gift cards to your OBA once you are PIF. We always do a major portion of our OBA using the gift cards. Once you go over the amount of the gift cards, they'll ask for a CC number. I always tally up my shore excursions etc. and put that amount plus a couple hundred more on the account using gift cards then use my CC because if I'm due any credit that will go to my CC not the gift cards.

We're sailing agin next March :) and our DDs will be 15 and 17 at the time and they can't wait. They love the ships. We feel that DCL does a balance of things for us to do as a family, for DH & I to do on our own and things for our DDs to do on their own without the choices being to overwhelming or too many. We all enjoy the shows and I feel I can let our DDs have a little independence on the ships because it's more of a true family atmosphere and no casinos. Granted, we haven't sailed any other line, yet, but for the reasons I've stated we don't feel the need to.

We always do a split between cash and our CC for our on board account. Cash first then the CC for the very reason of potential refunds etc. I'd add up your potential spendings to include excursions and go from there. Have great cruise.

The bike ride is nice and fun but it's not a real long ride which is probably why they only have a few child seats. I think we did it in about 45 minutes with several photo stops. You book it as a CC excursion and then show up when you want to ride. Since you need a child seat or something, you may have to wait until one becomes available as I think it's all first come first serve.

I think they are a no no due to the paint scratching. There are some things you can hang from hangers in the closet for additional storage although I'll have to say comparing our experiences on the Wonder and Fantasy, for whatever reason, we found the storage to be better on the Fantasy than the Wonder and only kept smaller items in the hanger thing. I've gotten a jewelry hanger that goes over a hanger to keep KTTW cards in, med bottles, charges, small things like that which are what usually need the most keeping track of.

Well, this all very interesting. I'm personally hoping for the Baltic and the 7 night deal would seal it in a bit more for me. Keep posting the info. and I hope your sources come through.

Get cruising soon, I have loved your Dream report (we've done the Fantasy and the Wonder and are doing the Dream in March). I've checked out your site for other lines. I feel like I'm on vacation! You're providing quite a service to everyone through your hobby. Happy Sailing!

Great reviews and awesome pics, thanks! I have the Canon Powershot D10 as my underwater camera and want to replace it as the lens fogs quite a bit. Do you eve experience that with the Olympus? The pics you're posting taken with it look great.

That's what I have. You editing is great! What lens did you use for most of your pics? I'm always looking for hints and tips to improve my own pics.

This has been an amazing report. LOVE! all of you photos. What type of camera do you use?

If you don't go over to the Port or Cocoa Beach area upon arrival, I would try to get transportation out first thing in the A.M. The "B-Line" to Port C. can be a nightmare. We have family in the area and are down there frequently. We've been dead stopped on the "B-Line" for an hour or more several times due to accidents. There's no other way to the port so you just have sit and wait it out. Granted, we've had no where to be when this has happened so we can wait it out, however; if I had to be at the port or somewhere else, I'd get a bit nervous. I'd rather get there early and figure out where to wait and what to do vs. calling it close. Just my 2 cents.

I would call and ask as most posters have recommended. It's personal preference, not medical necessity for the particular yogurt/applesauce. If you're wanting to bring something store bought, in individual containers and sealed, I wouldn't see it being a problem. I can't really see those as being different from say individual, prepackage granola bars. If you're doing the tupperware containers, that may be a different story. I'd call and ask and maybe come up with plan B just in case. As for the wine/alcohol, we always bring a bottle or 2 along for in room use.