Disney Fantasy cruises have activities and adventures for every age group and interest. There’s so much for everyone to experience on these memorable sailings. If you’re planning a cruise on Disney Fantasy, here are seven tips to help you get the most out of your vacation on both land and sea.
1. Reserve popular events in advance.
Disney Fantasy cruises offer a wealth of unforgettable experiences. While planning your voyage, knowing the “My Disney Cruise” area on the Disney Cruise Line website is important.
On this page, you can learn more about the many experiences, shore excursions, and activities available on your cruise and decide what you’d like to do. Check ‘My Cruise Activities’ to see what’s offered.
Popular activities and excursions can sell out quickly, so it’s important to reserve them in advance on the Disney Navigator app.
These include events such as the Princess Gatherings, Frozen Meet and Greets, Character Breakfasts, appointments at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, dining reservations at Palo and Remy, and It’s A Small World Nursery babysitting hours for little ones.
If you haven’t had a chance to pre-book these activities before sailing, check as early as possible after boarding on embarkation day to see what might still be available.
For families, booking these Disney cruise activities ahead of time is crucial to ensuring everyone gets the most out of their vacation.
Don’t forget to schedule meet-and-greets early to maximize time spent with characters, especially for first-time cruisers.
Parents should also be aware that Disney Bahamas cruise tips suggest planning for character experiences early in their trip to avoid disappointment.
2. Connect with characters by phone.
Parents and others can arrange free character phone calls in advance for an even more enriching Disney cruise experience.
These fun pre-recorded calls are a great way to excite the whole family about their upcoming Disney Fantasy cruise before leaving home.
There’s a limit of two calls per reservation, and character phone calls are available only for guests in the United States, Canada (excluding Quebec), and the United Kingdom.
Trip Report: Aboard Disney Fantasy in Port Canaveral
For more information, simply review the “Free Character Call—Request Call” section of your cruise confirmation page on the Disney Cruise Line website.
From there, choose your desired character and follow the directions to schedule your call.
3. Enhance your memories with character autographs.
Disney Fantasy guests can create their personalized souvenirs free of charge with character autographs.
Autograph books are popular, but guests can also get creative. Feel free to bring your own t-shirts, pillowcases, and other items to be autographed and get personalized signatures during Character Meet and Greets.
Some guests even come with picture frame mats for characters to sign, which can then be used to make their framed Disney Fantasy cruise pictures even more special.
4. Make friends with your Personal Navigator.
Disney Cruise Line’s daily Personal Navigator is an important key to maximizing your Disney Fantasy cruise experience.
If you plan to use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, download it on your smartphone before leaving home.
In addition to providing detailed cruise information, the Navigator app allows you to send messages to family and friends sailing with you once you are onboard the ship.
Character Meet and Greets on Disney Fantasy occur at set times in designated spaces and spontaneously throughout the cruise.
Check your Navigator to find scheduled times, and then arrive at the spot 10-15 minutes in advance to maximize your experience.
Lines for character greetings are often relatively short on port days, so spend extra time on the ship on one or two days to maximize your character interaction opportunities.
In addition, don’t miss the Open House events in the Oceaneer Club and the “See Ya Real Soon” character farewell show. They’re truly memorable.
Parents will find the Personal Navigator especially useful for planning family-friendly experiences and exploring key Disney cruise activities.
For instance, this tool can help families find quieter times to meet characters or attend the Oceaneer Club’s Open House events.
This is just one of the helpful Disney cruise advice tips to make your time on the ship more enjoyable for the whole family.
5. Relax over dinner.
Cruise ship dining should be leisurely, so take the time to enjoy your dinner. There are several evening dining options available on Disney Fantasy.
Disney uses a rotational dining system. Passengers will be assigned to three different onboard dining rooms (Enchanted Garden, Animator’s Pallet, and Royal Court) depending on the schedule.
Parents can enjoy relaxing dinners as well. Families confirmed for second-seating dining can take advantage of the Dine and Play program, allowing parents to check their children into Disney Fantasy’s Youth Clubs without leaving the dining room.
Once seated, parents can simply let their server know that their children will participate in the Dine and Play program.
Kids will receive their meals first while the adults enjoy the full dining experience.
Counselors will arrive in the dining room about 45 minutes after the seating begins to sign the kids into their groups in Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab and escort them to the areas, allowing parents to relax and enjoy their dinner.
Book a meal at adults-only Palo and Remy for the ultimate dining enjoyment. The experience is truly exceptional and well worth the additional cost.
6. Get a great spot for fireworks.
One of the coolest entertainment events on Disney Fantasy is Pirate Night, complete with fireworks and a huge “Pirates in the Caribbean” show.
Disney Fantasy’s fireworks can be easily seen from Decks 11 and 12, but top viewing spots fill up early. Deck 12 starboard is the best and most popular place to see the fireworks.
Arrive about 45 minutes in advance to claim a prime spot.
7. Fully explore Castaway Cay.
Popular Castaway Cay has been named the “Best Cruise Line Private Island” by multiple travel publications.
Castaway Cay is exclusively available to Disney Cruise Line guests. With its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, It fits many vacationers’ images of a picture-perfect Bahamian island.
There’s much more to Castaway Cay than just beaches, however. Check out all the great activities and shore excursions at this port of call.
One of the best ways to explore Castaway Cay is by bike. The island features a network of paved bike paths, allowing guests to easily reach remote beaches and lookout towers.
Various adventures are available here, including diving, fishing, snorkeling, and other exciting activities.
When researching Disney Bahamas cruise tips, focusing on excursions that suit all family members is essential.
Activities like snorkeling or biking along the paved paths provide fun for both kids and adults.
For those seeking adventure, Disney cruise advice forums often suggest trying the shore excursions at Castaway Cay for a memorable family experience.
Nancy Schretter is the Managing Editor of the Family Travel Network.
