Disney Fantasy--The Newest Disney Ship

Last week Disney Cruise Line announced details about their newest ship that is still in construction, the Disney Fantasy.  The Fantasy is set to sail in March of 2012 and will offer 7 night sailings in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

The Fantasy will be the sister ship to the Dream, just as the Magic and Wonder are sister ships—similar in size, design, amenities, etc.

While the Fantasy will have similar offerings as the Dream, including the Aqua Duck—click here to read more—the Fantasy will have elements that will make her unique.

What do Mickey Mouse, Ariel, and Donald Duck all have in common?  The three have had their likeness bronzed in a statue and take center stage in a Disney ship atrium lobby.  Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse will now joint his exclusive group as her likeness will be featured in the atrium lobby of the Disney Fantasy.

Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse will be reminiscent to the 1920’s and 1930’s and luxury ocean liner crossings, similar to what Walt Disney and his family experienced on the sea.

Another new feature offered on the Disney Fantasy will be a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.  The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is where youngsters can be transformed into a princess or prince.  Currently, Disney guests can find Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and Disneyland.  Never before has there been a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the sea.

And to make this Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique even more special, on days/nights when the entire ship celebrates Pirates IN the Caribbean deck parties—click here to read more, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will transform into a Pirates League where anyone can be transformed into a Pirate, complete with make-up, costume, and accessories.  The Pirate League can currently be found near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Magic Kingdom.  Again, this is the first time a Pirate League has been offered at sea.

While we have never experienced Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or Pirate League on land, this sounds so inviting that we may be tempted to try it, when we have the opportunity to sail on the Fantasy.

A new restaurant, the Royal Court, will be on board, most likely taking the place of the Royal Palace on the Dream.  The Fantasy will also have an Animator’s Palette restaurant, which is on all the Disney ships, but with a twist as guests will be able to get in the act on the animation with specially designed placemats.  Technology at work here!

I know there are other cruise lines out there with new ships, big ships--even ships with similar names to the Disney ships.  And, while we personally have not sailed on those other cruise lines, we have heard the stories. . . stories of hidden charges, stories of lack of service, or lack of amenities.

One story came from my mother-in-law, who was sailing one of those other cruise lines with her daughter.  They were in Grand Cayman and were set to take the tender back to their ship.  Not only was their tender line incredibly long, but she noticed that the Disney Cruise Line guests had a towel drop, food, and water at their tender line.  So, without even sailing on Disney, she could tell there was a difference in service just based on what she saw in port.

Another story comes from a friend and her husband who are also Disney fans—both land and sea.  Their son used to work for Disney and he and his wife decided to cruise on another cruise line.  They encountered a tropical storm while sailing which closed the activities on deck.  The mom commented that there must have still been plenty to do—thinking of Disney cruises and all the activities on board.  The son commented that no, there weren’t plenty of other activities—just the bars and casino—then reminded his mother that this was not a Disney ship.

So, with the addition of the Fantasy to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney has done it again and will plan to pamper and amaze their guests!