We took the time to interview Michelle Hartland Managing Director after she returned from her first Disney cruise. She spent 7 nights on board Disney Fantasy cruise ship cruising the Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral. How did you find cruising on a Disney Cruise Line?
Fantastic! I was a little concerned there would be too much “Mickey Mouse” however I was pleasantly surprised. I found everything about the ship to be different and unique, from the carpet to the curtains everything had a hint of ‘Mickey’ and so tastefully done. I did enjoy watching the children participate in all the activities without the huge numbers you get a Disneyland.
There were approximately 1,500 children on board of all different ages that were attracted to different activities at different times.
Disney has really put a lot of effort into catering for all age groups even the mum, dads and grandparents making this a prefect generational holiday. I could not believe during the Pirate Night and Fireworks the decking covered the main two pools and created a spectacular outdoor entertainment area for everyone to enjoy the Pirate show on the outdoor big screen and the most amazing fireworks display I have ever seen.
Yes the pools are shaped into Mickey ears.
How did you find the dining on board?
Wow!! Each night we got to experience a different restaurant, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court and Animator’s Palate. I loved the Royal Court, it was so elegant and princess like – fit for any Royal Family! Animator’s Palate WOW WOW WOW! I don’t want to say too much…… Enchanted Garden was just as it sounds, a magical experience.
The kids had the time of their lives, I never knew dining with children could be so fun. Throughout each restaurant rotation our waiters came with us. Even the bread was presented in a beautiful princess carriage, dessert was a chocolate coated Mickey Mouse ice-cream on a stick or you could have the Mickey Mouse sprinkles on a bowl of ice-cream.
These are just three of the many options available from room service, buffets, signature restaurant to food by the pool.
What type of cabin were you in and how was your cabin experience?
We had a balcony cabin interconnecting with the grandparents which gave us an extended balcony of approximately 5-6 metres long and a door between the cabins on the odd night that we needed a baby sitterJ .
I loved our cabin! It was spacious, the toilet and bathroom were separate, the bath was a real bath but ½ size great to fit two kids in, the toiletries were all Mickey Moused labelled and I souvenired a soap because it was too cute, big queen bed with a luxurious bedding and a thick block out curtain you pulled across to separate the room.
The television was on a swivel so you could position it either side of the curtain with 24 hour Disney channel and Disney movie channel. There was bunk beds for the children and on the roof was Tinkerbelle who lit up at night-time.
The coffee table was a big wooden toy box that you could fill with the kids toys whilst on board. The sliding door to the balcony had a double lock which staffed locked when they made your room up at night that is your extra child safety lock as it was up high and out of reach.
Then of course there is the beautiful desk area with loads of cupboard and draw space, we were so comfortable Disney have thought of everything for a families experience on their cruise ship perfect.
What was the entertainment and facilities like on board?
Kids club – this was the biggest kids club on a cruise ship I have ever seen. It took up the middle portion of the ship. You checked in at one end and literally checked out at the other, it was a good distance apart.
They had a full activity room purely decked out as Andy’s room from Toy Story, they had a Princess area full of dress ups, computers set up with age appropriate games inside a space ship, two separate areas were the staff interactive with the children with games, activities and character visits.
They had a big common craft/messy room that turned into the meals area where they served main meals so you were not restricted to set drop off/ pick up times like other ships. Every child is issued a tracker for the duration of the cruise which cannot be removed but sets your mind at ease when you lose your child!
Each day there was a matinee and evening show, they were 5 star Disney productions- the ones you pay hundreds of dollars for! There was also a movie theatre with the latest Disney movies playing regularly.
Shopping and the art work were just incredible, no other explanations required!
Tim and I did however treat the girls to a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where they experience a full makeover having their hair, makeup and nail done Princess Style. They were given a tiara, wand and were able to select a princess outfit to keep. They were fussed over and then got to go for a photo shoot with all the Princesses.
Mummy cried while the girls had the best day of their lives. Kid’s water playground, swimming pools and of course the best water slide at sea kept Tim and girls occupied for hours on end.
To sum our experience up, from the second we stepped onto the ship and they welcomed the Hartland Family to tears when we have to leave this was the most magical experience of my 22 cruises I have ever had.
Fun Facts
Disney Fantasy
Started: March 2012
Number of beds: 5,336
130000 tons
14 Decks
1250 staterooms
Comfortably accommodate: 4000 passengers and 1450 cast and crew
Length 1115 feet
Max width 125 feet
Currency On board: USD
Power: US sockets
Shopping and the art work were just incredible, no other explanations required!
This cruise sounds like an absolutely wonderful experience! Great article and great memories shared:-)