Cruising Critics – where everyone can be a critic

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When you step aboard a Disney cruise ship, the magic begins. On March 3, 2012 at 4 p.m., Disney Cruise Lines’ fourth ship, the Disney Fantasy, embarks on her maiden voyage out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The Disney Fantasy’s first sojourn includes a seven-night Western Caribbean journey to ports in Key West, Florida, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico and Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay. If you miss the first journey, there are plenty of other opportunities for fun at sea. Disney Fantasy sails year round out of Port Canaveral with seven-day, Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Fantasize about size? The 14-deck Disney Fantasy is approximately 40 percent larger, two decks taller and offers 1,900 more staterooms than Disney Cruise Lines’ first two sister cruise ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Disney Fantasy accommodates 4,000 passengers and 1,450 cast and crew members in 1,250 staterooms. Both Fantasy and her sister ship, Disney Dream, are the same size – 1,115 feet long by 125 feet wide with a 130,000 ton weight– but Fantasy features its own magic-making design. If you have ever wanted to see a replica of a golden-age 1930s cruise liner, the Disney Fantasy delivers. The three-deck atrium calls to mind the lobby of the Titanic, with a spiraling staircase, Art Nouveau design, sophisticated furniture and grandiose murals. As you walk across the marble and stone-inlay floor, passing the fluted columns and grand piano, you will be transported to a time of whimsical sea travel. In true Disney fashion, a Minnie Mouse statue adorns the center of the floor, complete with 1930s-style vintage travel gear. Above the statue, a stained glass and crystal bead chandelier draws your eye upward to a colorful green, blue and yellow ceiling mural. The 1930’s design continues throughout the ship, including the décor and furniture in your lavish stateroom. While the design of the Disney Fantasy may be draped in the past, the technology aboard the ship is 21st century. Many of the staterooms provide split bathrooms – a first in the cruise line industry. The two-deck Walt Disney Theater, on decks 3 and 4, hosts live musical shows, such as Alladin and an all-star Disney review, in true Broadway fashion. For the younger crowd, the two-deck Buena Vista Theater, on decks 4 and 5, shows first-run, digital 3-D films on an extra large, Dolby surround-sound screen. Other onboard delights include seven pools on Decks 11, 12 and 13 and full-service spas and fitness centers on Decks 11 and 12. Fantasy’s six onboard restaurants offer culinary and showstopping delights. The Enchanted Garden on Deck 2 has tea-cup style booths and a changing layout from meal to meal, while the Animator’s Palate, on Deck 3, showcases an animated character dinner show. For couples traveling sans children, the adult- and reservations-only Palo and Remy Restaurants, on Deck 12, feature Northern Italian and French cuisine paired with a romantic ocean view. For a lighter dining experience, try the pool-style Cabanas Restaurant for breakfast and lunch, or the Cinderella- and Snow White-inspired Royal Court, which serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner while the restaurant rotates – literally – on Deck 3. Fantasy is a ship for cruisers of all ages, but young guests will be especially delighted with the onboard, kid-centered atmosphere. Pre-teens will love the AquaDuck funnel water slidee, which leads to a lazy river, as well as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which is a princess and prince-style kid’s salon. Tweens will appreciate some space in the teen-exclusive D Lounge and Edge, while little ones will want to play dress-up and other supervised activities in the Disney Oceaneer Club, or try their hand at the interactive Muppets Adventure Game. Whether its the 1930s-style décor, the state-of-the-art extras or an onboard appearance by your favorite Disney character, the magic of the Disney Fantasy will endure beyond the final port call.

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After 2 days of being on this massive ship I can say it does not live up to the hype.

As much of this blog is geared to families with young children there are a few things to know.

First off, the water slides you are told your kids can go on before you book – they can't. That was a major decision point in picking this boat. Try explaining this to a 4 year old boy.

The food is not better than any other Ncl ship. It is the same boring breakfast and weak at best. The buffet offers none of the higher priced foods like veal and is dull at best. The 2 pay restaurants were both weaker than the sister ships, the Pearl, they Sky and the Dawn.

I will do a full dinning review in a few days.

The entertainment has lived up to the expectations. They are packed however and people are being told they may not see some shows at all. We have had a nearly impossible time doing a character breakfasts and my rewards status on NCL goes gold after this cruise, having taken 3 voyages in 2010.

They clearly are charging for everything on this ship you may expect for free like pizza, orange juice and coffee.

This blog is being written at this early hour has the seas are rough and the walls creaking so i can't sleep but gladly my 4 year old can.

Look for a further additions to this review but my first call is save the money and take the Pearl if you want to cruise NCL.

Pictures will follow when I am land based. Checking out from onboard the NCL Epic where we are off to a disappointing start.

Did you know when booking a Cruise with 4 people in a cabin ( this is mainly infants and little ones) it may actually be cheaper to buy 2 different cabins? You take one nicer cabin and 1 being the cheapest inside cabin you can find. Just one more interesting Cruise tip.