Disney's Merry time was more humdrum time

Item: Disney Fantasy
Rating: 3.5
Author: jberckes

Disney Fantasy Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

jberckes

Contributor Level: Second Mate

173 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 114

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5

5 Night Very Merrytime Double Dip Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 06, 2021

Ship: Disney Fantasy

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 5540

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 3 years ago

Review summary

Some of the die-hard Disney folks may be upset and counter argue and that's fine. Yet when I cruise with them, there is a level of expectation one has and deserves. I am a huge Disney fan and love cruising. Of the 6 Disney cruises (Of the 21 total binmed with other lines) this was by far the most underwhelming, uninspired, disappointing one. I get the whole health concern and the ship's Captain and crew could not have done a better job...well Port Adventures could have. The Merrytime which I have done before was just basically time. Disney could have put the same type of events we experienced into the Theatre but chose not. A token appearance by both Santa and Mrs. Claus was it. Okay they have the tree, a gingerbread house and atrium decorated and you heard Christmas music. But that was it. The lack of imagination for activites was a bit surprizing. The options were either trivia or more trivia. They did have the same 3 tastings just about every day, and 1 day they did offer craft making so there's that. The scheduling of movie times was at times hard due to trying to get to dinner on time or having to give up relaxing in the sun. If you want to enjoy Disney cruising the way you remember and expect, I may offer waiting until they are ready to do so. Otherwise, there is little 'magic' to expereince with them now.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The wait staff is extraordinary and will do everything you may want and need to have the best dining experience on the sea. The are sincere, warm, friendly, uber professional and being their guests is phenomenal.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

The level of "Merry' in this Merry time cruise was severely lacking. Token appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Pools were fine, movies on big screen wonderful, but just how many games of trivia can one play? It was either that or do one of 3 different tastings if you booked early. Yawn

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Believe is still one of the best Disney shows. The Frozen show was unimaginative, costumes looked cheap, effects did not impress and production was very lacking. The big Merry time event could have been moved to the stage area to get folks hyped about the holiday but Disney chose not to do so. and you got very little holiday spirit. The night time entertainment was a violinist who was very talented and played in the lounge and a magician.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The Cabin steward and wait staff in dining were just so amazing. They really made up for the mediocre activities, shows and reduced events. I do have an issue with Port Adventures. There is no sign anywhere saying you need to book appointments to discuss plans with them via the Disney Navigator. There is one showing hours they are scheduled to be there, but aren't unless someone actually makes an appointment.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

It was extended veradah and always enjoy spending time relaxing under the sun and watching sunsets and the fireworks out there

Ship tip

Expect very scaled down activities, lack of energy and focus more on relaxing beach days

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

1 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

1 out of 5

Been there, done that . Not worth the uncertainty during these times.

Thumbs Up 1

Castaway Cay (Disney Private Island)

4 out of 5

Very relaxing beach, BBQ was good but not over whelming unique, staff again was outstanding

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

moved quickly

10 Comments

izrgreen 3 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to write a review

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jpmato16 3 years ago

Thank you for being honest. Tried the Fantasy for a 7-day cruise in 2018. Enjoyed it for what it was. But definitely didn’t enjoy it enough to justify paying twice as much as a comparable itinerary/cabin on another line like Celebrity or Norwegian.

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cruising2004 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience

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willwork4cruz 3 years ago

I agree if you are going on a Disney Cruise and spending triple what the same itinerary on a much newer ship through another Line charges then you expect more. It sounds like they are doing less than what the big lines are doing now.

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Dvsdog76 3 years ago

We have been on 7 Disney cruises and have number 8 in feb I’m afraid that some of the Disney magic is gone but with that being said I know my service will be top notch!! Atkeast you have cruises with Disney prior to covid

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AuntPinkie 3 years ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

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javawoody 3 years ago

Sorry your expectation was not meet. My expectations have not been meet for the year and half

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picalo 3 years ago

yeah , I'll probably never go on a Disney cruise (no casino) but you've been on 6 and know what to expect. I agree they should go all in on Christmas. Carnival goes all out.

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CruzeFan 3 years ago

Cruising for the foreseeable future will be different from what it was in the past, and may never be exactly the same. Between precautions due to Covid and cutbacks to save money, expectations will need to be changed or most will be disappointed.

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Curt34 3 years ago

Sorry your cruise wasn’t more exciting. Thanks for sharing.

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