LittleMissMagic's 2014 Disney Fantasy Western Caribbean Cruise - A Photo Review!

[LittleMissMagic]

O'Gills Pub

 

O'Gills Pub by vshingl, on Flickr

 

We really didn't hang out in O'Gills this cruise. Max and Dad went there once to get a draft beer that had been recommended to them, but they were really annoyed because the bartender wouldn't let them sample the beer before they purchased it (this was the only time that occurred on the cruise). Sure enough, they were both stuck with 22 ounces of a beer they didn't like.

 

O'Gills Pub by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Skyline Lounge

 

Skyline Lounge by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The Skyline Lounge is where our mixology class was held on the first sea day. The concept of this lounge is that the skyline changes, so you always have a different view. The menu features drinks created for each of the skylines that appear - Paris, London, Barcelona, Athens, Florence, Budapest, and St. Petersburg.

 

Skyline Lounge by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The bartenders saw me photographing the lounge and called me over to take their photo! The one on the right is Arthur who taught our mixology class.

[LittleMissMagic]

The Tube

 

The Tube by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The Tube by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The Tube by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Cave of Bathrooms

 

Cave of Bathrooms by vshingl, on Flickr

 

If you are offended by photos of bathrooms, I'd like to strongly recommend that you briefly push that aversion to toilet pictures aside so that you may enjoy the next photograph.

 

Cave of Bathrooms by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The "Cave of Bathrooms" located inside Europa contains the most beautiful bathrooms I have ever seen. The walls are completely mosaic. The stalls are actually mosaic-covered pods that you shut yourself in by pulling a round pocket door. Also, these bathrooms are always sparkling clean. I think as soon as the cast member finishes cleaning all of the bathrooms, she immediately starts back again. Disney Cruise Line easily has the cleanest and most beautiful public bathrooms at sea.

[LittleMissMagic]

Enchanted Garden

 

Enchanted Garden Lobby by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Disney closes their three rotational dining rooms when they are not in use, so I was unable to take a long exposure photo of the interior. However, I did take photograph the entrances to each.

 

Royal Court

 

Royal Court by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Animator's Palate

 

Animator's Palate by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The door to Animator's Palate had been left open, so I crept in. They do, however, cover their table settings with yellow cloth, I suppose so that they do not become infected overnight and they do not have to redo them in the morning.

 

Animator's Palate by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Deck 3 by vshingl, on Flickr

 

The long hallway above connects the aft of the ship on the third deck (Animator's Palate) to the atrium. We called it the 'Puke Hallway' because twice we walked by and there was vomit there that we almost stepped on. I suppose because the hallway is so long, people (well, I hope children) who feel an incredible urge of seasickness while dining in Royal Court are unable to run to the bathroom or a trashcan in time, so they just spew their digested food all over the marble tile which makes for a slippery, disgusting mess in a high-traffic area. Disney does clean it up quickly.

 

Elevator Lobby by vshingl, on Flickr

[LittleMissMagic]

Deck 5 by vshingl, on Flickr

 

This is the hallway on the fifth deck which leads to the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab. Notice that the ceilings are lowered. Disney Imagineers designed it so that the children's areas had low ceilings so they don't feel so small in spaces designed specifically for them.

 

Pepe's Door by vshingl, on Flickr

 

And speaking about designing small, Pepe's cabin door is sized just for him!

[Loonbeam]

I am going to ATTEMPT the night long exposure shots on the Royal this fall. Since we are driving to the port, I am bringing a scary amount of photo gear...

 

So at least you have inspired one person to try!

[surran12]

Your review is amazing! I have been fluctuating between the Reimagined Magic and the Fantasy to take my family on, but with the pictures you've posted I can't think of going on any other ship. THank you for such a marvelous experience.

[the_princess]

Those night shots are fantastic!!! How late did you do this? There are no people at all!

[dbowe5]

Thanks for the great review. My wife really wants to try a disney cruise & it's her40th next year & your review has sold it to me!

[PathfinderEss]

Awesome review thanks for posting it and your great photo's.

[cisobe]

Great long exposure shots. I really wanted to do some on the Wonder last year. I lugged 2-3 lenses, my tripod and my 5d3, and remote, but only ended up getting pictures of my wife and son, and pics with the characters. Too much to take in, and do for our first cruise...

 

The architect/photographer in me, was disappointed... We booked a 14 day East Bound Panama Canal cruise for next year. Hopefully I can find some free time to do this then...

[NeuroQueen]

I have read all of your reviews and loved them all. I always look forward to your great fashion sense. I fell like I've seen you grow up over many reviews. Congrats on your graduation and masters program. You are so clever, that door was a masterpiece. Have a great summer and I look forward to your next trip. The pix get better with every review and you had some really awesome shots this time. Disney should buy some of them!!!

[jewel825]

Great review Victoria! Thanks for taking the time (again) to put together such a fun, entertaining review. Now you have me wishing we were going on a Disney cruise! We are big Disney nuts but so far have only hit the theme parks on a regular basis. The Disney cruise line just seems to be in it's own class compared to the others. It's so much more expensive though!

 

Congrats on your graduation!

[LittleMissMagic]

I am going to ATTEMPT the night long exposure shots on the Royal this fall. Since we are driving to the port, I am bringing a scary amount of photo gear...

 

So at least you have inspired one person to try!

 

Yeah!!! You've got this - be sure to share your great shots!

[LittleMissMagic]

Your review is amazing! I have been fluctuating between the Reimagined Magic and the Fantasy to take my family on, but with the pictures you've posted I can't think of going on any other ship. THank you for such a marvelous experience.

 

Thank you very much, and I'm glad I helped you make a decision (a very hard one), though I'm sure that the Magic is beautiful, as well!

 

Those night shots are fantastic!!! How late did you do this? There are no people at all!

 

Thank you! I started on the pool deck around 11PM, but it was between 12AM and 1AM that I shot indoors. There were a few people out and about, but for the most part, I waited on them to get out of the frame before I took the photo.

[CamaCama]

When is your next cruise? I don't see "next one" listed in your signature. ;);)

[LittleMissMagic]

Thanks for the great review. My wife really wants to try a disney cruise & it's her40th next year & your review has sold it to me!

 

A Disney cruise is a great celebration cruise! You will have a wonderful time.

 

Awesome review thanks for posting it and your great photo's.

 

Thank you very much!

[LittleMissMagic]

Great long exposure shots. I really wanted to do some on the Wonder last year. I lugged 2-3 lenses, my tripod and my 5d3, and remote, but only ended up getting pictures of my wife and son, and pics with the characters. Too much to take in, and do for our first cruise...

 

The architect/photographer in me, was disappointed... We booked a 14 day East Bound Panama Canal cruise for next year. Hopefully I can find some free time to do this then...

 

Thank you! I completely understand what you mean about being too much to take in, as I barely scheduled enough time for the long exposure shots that I took on this cruise. Definitely try for it again on your Panama Canal cruise! I've had luck either waking up early in the morning or going out late at night. That way I'm not missing out on any family time, and there aren't as many people out and about on the ship.

 

I have read all of your reviews and loved them all. I always look forward to your great fashion sense. I fell like I've seen you grow up over many reviews. Congrats on your graduation and masters program. You are so clever, that door was a masterpiece. Have a great summer and I look forward to your next trip. The pix get better with every review and you had some really awesome shots this time. Disney should buy some of them!!!

 

Thank you so much! :) These reviews have been almost like journals for me, and it's really interesting (and funny) to go back and read the ones that I wrote years ago.

[LittleMissMagic]

Great review Victoria! Thanks for taking the time (again) to put together such a fun, entertaining review. Now you have me wishing we were going on a Disney cruise! We are big Disney nuts but so far have only hit the theme parks on a regular basis. The Disney cruise line just seems to be in it's own class compared to the others. It's so much more expensive though!

 

Congrats on your graduation!

 

Thank you! It sounds like we are actual very similar to you, as we would visit Walt Disney World multiple times a year, but hadn't taken a Disney Cruise since 2000. You might find it helpful to read a blog post that I wrote rating the Disney Fantasy Western Caribbean cruise and analyzing the value - http://www.victoriaonvacation.com/2014/06/DCL-fantasy-rating.html

 

When is your next cruise? I don't see "next one" listed in your signature. ;);)

 

That is because I don't have my next cruise booked, yet! I'm currently in Mobile, Alabama on "business" and I will return to Walt Disney World next week for the Fourth of July. My next cruise will be over the Christmas holiday, but we haven't booked it, yet! There are a few contenders that we'll need to narrow down.

 

In September, I'll move to Los Angeles to start my Master of Architecture degree at UCLA, so perhaps a California cruise in my future!

[chamima]

Hi Victoria

I posted on the Disney board about advice for choosing cabins.

I said that our usual TA (who we love and who gives us good OBC) isn't that familiar with Disney and said they don't discount, but that she can give us her usual good OBCs.

We will be sailing New Years 2015/16 so I don't expect that cruise to be discounted anyways but several people on there seem to feel i need a TA who is more familiar with Disney.

I'm used to doing my own research and not relying on the TA for that.

I think you also do your own research - just curious if you agreed that we need a Disney specialist for this cruise?

(We'll be booking 5 cabins )

Thanks!

Edited June 28, 2014 by chamima

[LittleMissMagic]

Hi Victoria

I posted on the Disney board about advice for choosing cabins.

I said that our usual TA (who we love and who gives us good OBC) isn't that familiar with Disney and said they don't discount, but that she can give us her usual good OBCs.

We will be sailing New Years 2015/16 so I don't expect that cruise to be discounted anyways but several people on there seem to feel i need a TA who is more familiar with Disney.

I'm used to doing my own research and not relying on the TA for that.

I think you also do your own research - just curious if you agreed that we need a Disney specialist for this cruise?

(We'll be booking 5 cabins )

Thanks!

 

We did not book through a TA, but through one of our favorite online cruise booking sites. I did all of my own research before the cruise on the Disney and CruiseCritic message boards, favorite Disney planning sites, and the PassPorter's book, and I felt very well-prepared. I did call to request our dining rotation (ERAERRA) and to link my cabin with my parents' cabin before the cruise. And we booked our Palo reservation and Jamaica excursion on Disney's cruise planning website which is very easy to do.

 

If you're used to doing your own research and want to be loyal to your favorite TA, I see no harm in booking through her - just have a good idea of the type of room and location you want before booking. It will also be helpful booking with a TA since you'll be getting 5 cabins. But for people who are new to cruising or Disney, I do recommend booking through an authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

[LittleMissMagic]

May 17, 2014 - Port Canaveral

 

Disney's disembarkation breakfast is the most organized I've seen. Disney assigns all guests a dining room and time for breakfast on disembarkation day. The time correlates with guests' assigned dining time that week - main seating (6:45 PM) guests eat at 6:45 AM the final morning, while late seating (8:15 PM) guests eat at 8:15 AM the final morning. The assigned dining room is whatever rotational dining room you dine in on the previous night at the same table. What was really neat is that we were also served by our same wait staff, so we had one last opportunity to say good-bye. Guests who do not wish to dine at the assigned time may eat a buffet-style breakfast in Cabanas.

 

We had breakfast (late seating) at 8:15 AM in Animator's Palate. We brought all of our carry-off luggage with us, and our waiters helped us find places to put it so that our bags were out of the way.

 

Farewell Breakfast by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Farewell Breakfast by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Farewell Breakfast by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Farewell Breakfast by vshingl, on Flickr

[LittleMissMagic]

Getting off of the ship was a little bit of a mess. There was a long line, and the atrium was packed with people... and many crying children who did not want to go home (I feel ya, kids!). We were lucky enough to find ourselves behind a family which was good at strategically weaving their way in and out of the crowd, so I feel that we fared better in exit time than other families.

 

Port Canaveral by vshingl, on Flickr

 

We grabbed a porter to help us with all of our bags. The line to get through customs was long, but it moved fast. Check at the customs desk was perhaps the easiest I've been through. The customs officer didn't even look at Rachel's passport! He just quizzed Max and Dad about their alcohol (and he did Max with us, even though it's supposed to be one family at a time), and we were good to go.

 

Port Canaveral by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Port Canaveral by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Carnival Sunshine by vshingl, on Flickr

 

We were back in port with the Carnival Sunshine.

 

Disney Fantasy by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Good-bye, Disney Fantasy!!! (Also, I wish I had a photo like this with my car!)

 

Disney Fantasy by vshingl, on Flickr

 

While we were sad to leave the Disney Fantasy, we weren't finished with Disney magic, yet!

[LittleMissMagic]

Magic Kingdom

 

We hadn't planned a day at Walt Disney World when we planned our cruise. While it would have been great fun to take off a week and a half and do a land and sea vacation, we really didn't have the time. We were, however, getting off the ship on a Saturday which gave us a free weekend, so the thought of going to Disney World after the cruise had certainly crossed all of our minds.

 

I think it was the second or third day of the cruise when Rachel said that this felt very Disney, but she didn't feel like she was quite there, yet. She needed to go to Disney World. So she proposed that after we leave the ship, we drive to Disney World and visit a park, then leave around 9 PM and drive through the night back home to South Carolina (Rachel and Max needed to be back on Sunday because Rachel was attending work training, and Max had to move to Columbia for his summer co-op rotation).

 

Rachel, Mom, Dad, and I are Disney Annual Passholders. Since activating them in October for our birthday/Food & Wine festival celebration, we also visited Disney World for New Year's. In October, we were among the first groups of people to test Disney Magic Bands, so we've had a good bit of experience using My Disney Experience and FastPass+. Max, however, has not been to Disney World since they have eliminated paper FastPasses and switched to FastPass+. While we already had Magic Bands and park tickets, Max was going to have to buy his one-day pass when we arrived. I was a little nervous about how it was going to work with my family using Magic Bands and Max having a one-day, one-park pass.

 

Our park of choice was the Magic Kingdom which is perhaps the worst to purchase tickets at because you have to do so at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and there are so many other people there to purchase and pick up their park tickets. I waited in a ridiculously long line with Max for half an hour so that he could buy his one day, one park pass. There really should be an express line for one day, one park passes because they take no time to sell. You should be able to purchase them out of a kiosk or something, even.

 

Rather than paper FastPasses, Disney World now allows guests to make three FastPass reservations in advance (click here to learn more about FastPass+). As soon as Max got his ticket (which was around 11:30 AM), I scanned it into my My Disney Experience app using the "Link a Ticket or Pass" scanner feature. I had already created a profile for Max, so after the ticket scanned, I was able to match it to his profile. On the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom, I got us FastPass+ reservations for Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean (because Splash Mountain was unavailable at the time). I was surprised at how easy it was to add FP+ reservations the day-of, immediately after purchasing a ticket.

 

So my advice for those purchasing tickets at the park or the day of use:

 

1. Download the free "My Disney Experience" app in advance.

2. Go ahead and log into the app and create an account.

3. Make a profile for yourself and everyone in your traveling party.

4. As soon as you get your tickets, have the MDE app open and be ready to scan in the ticket QR code and link each ticket to the profile of each family member.

 

Train Station by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Cinderella's Castle by vshingl, on Flickr

 

Now, I hate to do this to you, but I'm not going to continue posting our Magic Kingdom day on here because I don't want to get too off-topic from our cruise review. If you would like to continue reading about our day at the Magic Kingdom, please visit the complete post on my blog!

 

Link to read more -

 

Day at Magic Kingdom using FastPass+

[poohtaz]

Amazing pictures! Just stunning. How lucky you were there was no one around

[LittleMissMagic]

Amazing pictures! Just stunning. How lucky you were there was no one around

 

Thank you! But I don't consider it luck - more like patience. Getting photos without people is easy if you choose to photograph at a time when not many people are populating public areas and are willing to wait for people to leave. Also, with long exposures, if someone is moving fast enough, they can walk right through the frame and never be captured!