Celebrating Our Anniversary at Sea!

On of the many reasons for our grand summer vacation was to celebrate our anniversary.  We were celebrating 12 years with our 12^th trip to Walt Disney World, our 6^th Disney Cruise, and our 2^nd trip to Universal Orlando.  I love it when the numbers work out that way!

Our official anniversary date is July 20 and we were on board the Disney Fantasy enjoying the ship and all the amenities as it was an “at sea” day.  It also happened to be Formal Night on the ship.

We spent the day meeting Disney Princesses at the Princess Gathering, meeting the ship’s officers at the Castaway Club Reception—click here to read more, and also meeting Anna and Elsa.  After a full day, we dressed up for dinner.

There were many photo opportunities before dinner including meeting some very festive Disney characters.

The guys look so handsome in their tuxedos!  The husband grabbed the boy’s sunglasses as we were heading out of the stateroom—excellent idea, honey!  The sunglasses gave him a prop as he posed for multiple pictures.  Other families looked at us with smiles and nods.

Our rotational dinner schedule had us dining at Animator’s Palate and the restaurant was wearing its under the sea theme so we knew Crush, along with other friends of Nemo, would be joining us for dinner via the large and small screens throughout the restaurant. 

When dessert arrived, our wait staff presented us with a special dessert, hats to wear (made out of cloth napkins) and Disney Cruise Line buttons to wish us a Happy Anniversary.  It was very special and memorable.

We have celebrated our anniversary at sea three times now and can’t think of a better way to celebrate any special occasion.  If you need a reason to take a Disney Cruise, that is!

Meeting Captain Marco on the Disney Fantasy

Captain Marco and the Williams Family Men

Every Disney ship has a crew and the leader of each one of those crews is a Captain.  We were fortunate to meet the Captain of the Disney Fantasy on two different occasions during our sailing. 

The whole family with Captain Marco

Captain Marco, from Italy, greeted guests at the Castaway Club reception, held on the first “at sea” day of our itinerary.  Gold level and Platinum level Castaway Club members receive a special invitation to the reception. 

An official photo with Captain Marco during the Captain's Gala

Also, Formal Night featured a special Captain’s Gala, complete with photo opportunities, live music in the Lobby Atrium, and free drinks.  A Cast Member takes your family name prior to meeting the Captain, and introduces you.  He remembered us from the Castaway Club reception.

A third opportunity to meet the ship’s Captain is also available on the last “at sea” day (or second opportunity depending on your Castaway Club level) and that is the Captain’s signing event—click here to read about a Captain’s signing from a previous cruise.

We were not able to attend the Captain’s signing as the husband and I were having a champagne brunch at Remy.  Disappointed by the overlap of plans and activities, a Cast Member, Denval, sprinkled a bit of Disney magic for us.

Denval was working in the Art Gallery when I went to purchase a piece of art to represent and commemorate our Disney Cruise Line vacation.  I found a great piece and when paying, I explained to Denval that we would not be able to attend the Captain’s signing due to our Remy reservation.  Denval said that was not a problem and HE took our art work and had the Captain sign.  Denval even delivered the art back to our stateroom later that day!

Captain Marco has reason to be proud of his great crew of Cast Members like Denval!  The Disney Fantasy has been voted the cruise ship with the friendliest customer service and I couldn’t agree more. 

Being able to meet and get to know the crew during your cruise brings on an added layer of fun.  Just ask the boy who reconnected with Trent, the assistant cruise director who we met while on the Disney Dream, and who hosted the tree lighting ceremony when the boy was Holiday Prince of the Sea—click here to read more.

Formal Night on the Disney Cruise Line

Isn't it fun to get dressed up for dinner? Guests sailing on a Disney Cruise of seven nights or longer will experience one formal night. On two of our three Disney Cruises, we have experienced two formal nights. And, it is kind of fun to get dressed up for dinner!

The first task may be figuring out what to wear. For the guys, that is easy. I just click on cruiselineformal.com and order their tuxedos, shoes, socks, etc. You can also call or fax to place an order. The basic tuxedo package comes with the jacket, pants, two shirts, and all the accessories, including cuff links! Shoes are an add on as are socks. The measuring instructions are on the web-site, which is all they need for the order. The tuxedos will be waiting for you in your stateroom upon arrival. You sign saying you have received your order and then be prepared to return the garments on the last night of your cruise to your stateroom hostess. I say EASY! (And because there are two shirts, on semi-formal night, the tux is worn again without the tie). Cruiselineformal.com can also rent various suits and ladies evening attire. Their selection varies by cruise line.

Next would come selecting something for me to wear. OK, for those who know me, I hate to pay full price for anything. The husband knows the one shirt I paid full price for. . . that's how much it pains me to not purchase something on sale. So, to find a formal dress, I went on-line. Typically, formal dresses, also known as "special occasion" dresses go on sale twice a year--just after the winter holidays and just after prom/wedding season. One site I recommend is onestopplus.com, which combines several retailers into one web-site. Something to consider during purchasing is how well the garment will pack and travel. And, I take the dress out of the suitcase upon arrival so that it can hang up until formal night.

For girls, formal night can be an excellent time to wear a Disney Princess dress or costume.

Even more than any other night on board, the ship's photographers are out in full force! We have had our photos taken in our restaurant for the evening (see top photo), in front of the Mickey at the help icon in the Lobby Atrium, with the Captain, and with Disney characters, also dressed in their finest. Click here to read more about photography services on board.

Here we are with Captain Thord. When you greet the Captain, you will be announced by your family name. What an honor!

Minnie was also in her formal gown, as the Golden Mickey's was on the agenda for the evening.

Having experienced two formal nights on board, I can tell you that the ship hums with vitality that evening. Everyone is dressed up and in the spirit of the evening. The shops on board display special jewels and gems that are not for sale any other time during the cruise. Special menus are prepared for the evening in the restaurants. It is an exciting time!

While it made me a bit uneasy at first to know we would have a formal night, it was relatively easy to take care of the details. And, after the details were taken care of, it was all about the fun!