Can a sick mother, an exhausted father, and 3 kids that are bubbling over with excitement have a great vacation? If you are thinking no way, you probably would be right. Except, this time we were traveling Disney-style which means top-notch entertainment and loads of fun for everyone (including already exhausted parents.)
As you know last week Lamar and I kicked off a promotional tour for our movie Still Standing. We had an eventful week that included a media tour to promote the first Screening in Washington, DC. After, hosting two screenings/shows on Saturday, March 24 in DC, we packed up the kids and all of our belongings and headed down to Port Canaveral, Fl as we were lucky enough to be invited to a special three-night preview cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy, the newest ship in their fleet.
The Disney Fantasy is the fourth ship in the Disney Cruise line. And some of it’s unique features include longer itineraries, the AquaLab (an 1800 sq ft water play area), Europa (A European themed area on deck 4 with clubs, pubs and lounges for adults only), and the Animation Magic show during dinner at the Animator’s Palate.
Karl Holz, President Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations, said that Disney took the feedback from the Disney Dream (which is sister ship to the Fantasy that launch last year) and
“they tried to top themselves.”
And indeed they did! From the moment that we stepped onto the ship, we stepped into an experience. The 3 deck atrium of the ship is simply breath taking. You probably need to take one day alone just to tour the ship to see the lavish art nouveau designs and architecture.
We kicked off the first day of the cruise with a party on Deck 11 that included champagne for the adults and plenty of partying for all!! Check out our girls getting down to the Cha Cha slide…..how low can you go!!!
We also played mini Golf on Goofy’s Sports Deck.
And dinner was truly an experience! On the first night we got a chance to experience “Animation Magic” in the Animators Palate dining room. I wish I was a foodie, so that I could describe to you how delicious the food was. I almost fell out of my chair after the server poured butter all over the plump succulent lobster tail that I ordered. And as greedy as I am, that was not even my favorite part of dinner.
After we were seated, we were asked to draw a character on our placemats. Our pictures were taken in the back where Disney’s animation magic was performed. And then towards the end of dinner, Mickey Mouse led a parade that included all of the guests’ drawings marching and dancing across screens around the room. Joe Lanzisero, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President, Creative, said:
“There is nothing more exciting (as an animator) than seeing the moment when you see your drawings come to life.”
And for a brief moment during dinner, hundreds of guests (adults and children) were able to feel that excitement of seeing their drawings come to life.
By day two, I was starting to feel achy and hot (with a temperature.) So what I thought was a minor sinus issue turned out to be a lot more. But since Disney had so many places to keep the children entertained, I was not worried. When the ship docked at their private island in the Bahama’s, my husband and I were able to check the kids into the Scuttles Cove, the children’s program area for a day of fun. Then, hubby and I headed over to Serenity Bay, the adult beach, where we relaxed in the sun, drank fruity drinks, and partook in the delicious barbequed lunch!! We really got some much needed rest and relaxation on that beach.
This was the first cruise for our two youngest daughters. When I asked our five year old what did she think of her first cruise, she said:
“It was every thing I expected!”
The kids truly enjoyed their time on the cruise. And even though mommy was not feeling well, they had plenty of fun in Disney Oceaneer Club which is a kids club that provides a wide variety of activities. I asked the kids to tell me what they were doing while in the kid’s club and they said: “Mom if we tell, then we will have to kill you!!” They were just kidding of course. But needless to say, they wanted to be in that kid’s club more than they wanted to hang out with their parents. They were also happy to meet their favorite characters and princesses while on the ship.
Whether you are in the parks or on the cruise ship, Disney is going to provide top notch customer service. Everyone on the ship greeted me with a smile and was so welcoming and helpful. They were in-tuned to my needs and could tell I was not feeling well. I asked Karl Holz, President Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations, what’s the secret to ensuring that so many employees provide excellent customer sat and he said: “it starts with respecting the employees.” They not only respect the employees, they also value their input (as the employees were asked to provide input as they were building the ship.) Well whatever they do”…it definitely works. From our stateroom host, Alan, to our personal dining room staff that served us each night, every employee we encountered left me with a smile!!
On the last day as we pulled back into Cape Canaveral, I saw another ship from a different cruise line. I frowned up my face and I told my husband;
“After being on this Disney ship, I could never go back to that other cruise line.”
He just laughed at me (and probably thought yeah right in his mind.)
BMWK family – Have you been on a Disney Cruise yet? Which one? Would you consider going on one? My family does a family reunion on a cruise every year? Have you ever done a family reunion on a cruise?
Disclosure – Disney paid for the entire faimly to attend this preview cruise so that we could review it. However, all opinions in this review are my own!!