Drifting through the British Virgin Islands, I savoured a real taste of local life – a rum punch with far more rum than punch.
After taking in views of Tortola, I was now on a boat trip as part of a port-day excursion during a Disney Fantasy cruise around the Eastern Caribbean.
Talking to Diane from Montreal, a fellow first-time Disney cruiser, I asked how she was enjoying the experience. The grandmother said it was the “happiest” she’d ever felt on holiday. And it had nothing to do with the industrial-strength cocktails.
“It’s such a friendly, happy atmosphere. I love that everyone is so cheery!” she said before adding – a little ominously – “It feels to me like if you’re not happy, then you’re the problem.”
I’d never been on a cruise or to a Disney theme park, but Diane perfectly summarised my own feelings: this must have been what Walt Disney had intended when guests entered his world, on land or sea. A place where happiness abounds – the stuff of magic, wonder, dreams and fantasy.
The 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy is the fourth ship in its fleet, following Magic, whose maiden voyage was in 1998, Wonder, and Fantasy’s sister ship, Dream. We’d boarded at Florida’s Port Canaveral three days earlier, stepping into Fantasy’s mock Art Deco grand atrium lobby, complete with sweeping staircase.
A crew member (they’re known as cast members) welcomed us over the microphone, and everyone clapped. I felt like Cinderella arriving at the ball. At the on-board Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, wannabe princesses can get kitted out with dazzling hair and make-up.
Sadly, that’s only available to under-13s. But on a Disney cruise, there are plenty of opportunities to embrace your inner child. Within minutes of boarding, we met Belle from Beauty and The Beast and Goofy. I must have been overwhelmed because, when we went for lunch, I realised I’d left my wallet – complete with passports – on one of the throne-like seats in the lobby.
This story, of course, has a happy ending – it was returned to me by the time we heard the first few notes of When You Wish Upon A Star on the foghorn to signal we were setting sail.
I was travelling with my mum, who suffers from mobility problems. Although Fantasy’s 25 accessible cabins were all booked, we were given the necessary extras to make adaptations, such as a shower stool and transfer bench.
One of the housekeeping staff had arranged everything my mum might need by the time we got to the cabin, setting the tone for Disney’s personalised service. This attention to detail extends to the decor, with nautical theming throughout our cabin. Mickey is everywhere too, but tastefully so – those iconic ears even appeared on the back of the deckchairs on our balcony.
In the evenings we watched Broadway-quality productions in the Walt Disney Theatre. First up was Aladdin – an absolute treat thanks to a wickedly funny genie and an apt singalong to A Whole New World. There’s also Disney theming at dinner, when guests rotate between Fantasy’s three main restaurants: Enchanted Garden, Animator’s Palate and Royal Court.
Although you change restaurants, servers remain for each table. Freddy and Irish were our servers for the week. They were warm and friendly, and I appreciated the time and care they took with my mum. Enchanted Garden’s whimsical decor matches its name. Designed to look like a Versailles arboretum, complete with fountain centrepiece, it’s a perfect fairy-tale setting.
We enjoyed a superb three-course meal, with dishes including lobster ravioli, spinach and raspberry salad, and cream of asparagus with crabmeat soup. Animator’s Palate pays homage to Disney and Pixar films, and provided probably the most fun I have ever had in while eating out.
We were given pens and paper to create our own Disney character, then saw our hand-drawn figures come to life onscreen. At the end of the “film”, our names appeared in the credits as Disney animators and we were presented with the “Official Disney Animator” seal of approval. Considering how thrilled I was, I can only imagine what the kids
who experience this must feel like.
For something more sophisticated, Fantasy has adults-only restaurants Remy and Palo at an additional cost.
Fine-dining fans will adore Remy, where we had a choice of two five-course menus – American or French – with wine flights. Service was fabulous and sommelier Robert was a fun and engaging wine storyteller.
At Italian restaurant Palo we enjoyed a three-course brunch complemented by mimosas and Atlantic ocean views.
For the all-inclusive regular breakfast, brunch and lunch, Deck 11’s Cabanas buffet restaurant included a seafood counter with fresh crab legs, king prawns and salads.
In the mornings I preferred to visit adult-only hangout Cove Cafe and pay a few dollars for a takeaway cup of freshly brewed coffee to enjoy back on my balcony. Absolute bliss.
Freshly baked cakes, croissants and muffins were available at Cove at no extra cost. Situated on Deck 11’s adults-only area, it also has various drams for whisky connoisseurs to try later in the day.
The main adult pool area was always busy but on port days most people disembark, and we made the most of this at St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
Even after enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we still bagged the best sunloungers. In the afternoon, I managed an hour of sightseeing – but my mum didn’t miss out. From her prime spot in the hot tub, she enjoyed views of St Thomas’s beautiful harbour while making
new friends.
I made my friends at La Piazza on Deck 4’s adult bar area. The circular bar is designed like a carousel, and it was great for striking up conversation over a drink. I met a couple celebrating their engagement, a lady holidaying with her elderly aunt, and a man travelling with his family on his seventh Disney cruise!
Disney played its trump card at the final stop – its own 1,000-acre private island, Castaway Cay in The Bahamas, with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, snorkelling lagoon and huge barbecue buffet area.
Learn more
Fancy earning money when you book a holiday? Thanks to Quidco, you can. After signing up for free, Quidco gives you a chunk of money back every time you spend. If your first purchase is within 30 days of signing up and is £5 or more, you’ll receive cashback on that purchase and a £15 bonus.
There’s an adults-only beach called Serenity Bay but we found enough serenity at the end of the main beach. A few hours swimming and relaxing here felt like holiday heaven. On the last night, we headed back to Walt Disney Theatre for Believe, a show featuring classic Disney hits such as The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book and Colors of The Wind from Pocahontas.
It was a magical trip down memory lane but also bittersweet as it marked the end of our trip. But seeing how happy my mum had been, I knew we both had some delightful new memories to treasure.
Disney Fantasy will spend her first-ever season in Europe in summer 2025, sailing between Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome).
And from late July to September, she will depart from Southampton to destinations including Spain, Norway and around the British Isles. For more information or to book, call 0800 169 0742 or visit disneyholidays.co.uk
Book the holiday
- Disney Cruise Line offers a seven night Caribbean voyage on Disney Fantasy, sailing a round trip from Port Canaveral, Florida, on September 7 for Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Disney Castaway Cay. From £2,496pp including flights from Heathrow to Orlando and transfers. Call 0800 169 0742 to book.
- More info at visitmexico.com visitcaymanislands.com visitjamaica.com
