Share a recap of Disney Cruise #7! Disney Fantasy to Nassau and Lookout Cay. Check out all of my top Disney cruise tips in this post.
Hello friends! Happy Monday! How are you doing? I hope you have a wonderful start to the week. The kids are on spring break (thank goodness) and we’re looking forward to planting all the things – the weather has been lovely – and spending time with friends in the pool. We wanted to go on a big trip but P said she was “out of town” (is there such a thing?!) but after giving her a few days to relax we’ll probably head to San Diego for a night or two.
Today I wanted to do a review of our last Disney cruise. It was lucky number 7 and it was incredible. I never thought I would become a *cruise person*, but here we are. I love it. It’s a great opportunity to explore parts of the world with your kids without having to lug your stuff to multiple hotels. You’ll have the same hub every evening, with entertainment, food and lovely accommodation on board. Disney cruises are one of the reasons we’ve taken our kids to such amazing places since they were little, including Italy, France, Greece, the Bahamas a few times, Mexico and Alaska, and the Disney islands of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.
This cruise was short and the perfect length to take in their rodeo break.
Disney Fantasy Cruise Nassau and Lookout Cay
Embarkation day:
We flew out of Port Canaveral, which was a pretty easy flight. Since we arrived at the port quite early, we boarded the ship and immediately went to the pool to enjoy a buffet lunch and swim. During this time the pool is not full so the kids can slide on the water slide a few times while we enjoy a drink of the day. 😉
We did the muster exercise, the Sail a Wave party, and then enjoyed exploring the ship until dinner.
To be honest, dinner the first night was bad. Usually meals are pretty good, but this one was borderline inedible. I had the duck, which is already a strange choice, and it’s like the duck was cooked in water. I was a bit worried for the rest of the cruise, but the rest of the meals were up to the usual standard. (Luckily there is also room service and quick bite options on the pool deck. We had some late night fries and burgers that night.)
The first night’s show was Aladdin, which the pilot and P gave up to play the detective game instead. Liv and I enjoyed the show. The ghost was hilarious.
Nassau:
Day 2 was in Nassau and we planned a trip to Atlantis. The last time we were in the Bahamas we went to Atlantis and the kids loved it. It’s a beautiful property with so much to do: tons of slides, the best lazy river, pools, beach, bay, etc. It was very easy to spend the whole day there.
It’s also worth mentioning that Atlantis has significantly improved its food offerings! I was able to get a great gf bowl with rice, jerk salmon and some yucca chips.
I also got a pineapple with rum on the beach, which was magically refilled a few times. 😉
This evening’s show was Frozen and it was the best cast I’ve ever seen. I think every parent groans a little inwardly when they have to hear “Let it Go” for the billionth time, but this Elsa version gave me goosebumps. I almost cried. It was that good.
The girls liked the show so much that they went to the late show again. The pilot and I had dinner alone, which was strange but nice.
Cay Viewpoint:
It was our first visit to Disney’s newest island: Lookout Cay. They have a big bridge to get to the island to protect the coral reef. It’s a short walk (about 7-10 minutes) with great views.
The water was PRIMARY: crystal clear and bright blue, and the beach had soft pink sand. There are some offerings on the island including a kids club, character interactions, shows, etc., but we just spent the day in the water, had our buffet lunch, and snorkeled.
(I forgot my Rx snorkel mask but brought these Rx goggles that allow me to be a fun mom and still see)
Day at sea:
Our last day was at sea and I love a day at sea. Normally we sleep in, enjoy breakfast,
Go to the gym, go bingo, the kids might hang out by the pool or go to the kids’ club, and it’s just so nice and low-key. There are cruises that look like 13 nights at sea and we have to take one! Everything you need is really on the ship.
This night was also Pirate Night with a fun pirate show on the pool deck and fireworks.
Liv and the pilot skipped this game, but P and I had a lot of fun.
Eating Gluten-Free on a Disney Cruise:
Disney is incredible when it comes to food allergies. I always realize that P and I are not allergic, but they treat sensitivities as allergies (very serious). Everything for food allergies is prepared in a separate kitchen. If you know you want something special, order it the night before from your waiter in the main dining room.
Almost everything can be made gluten-free, including the famous Mickey Churro Waffles.
Last time we were on the Dream they were just OK, but this time they were GOOD. Hot, soft, fresh, incredible. Warm, gluten-free rolls await you every evening for dinner.
Disney Cruise Outfits:
For cruises, I usually bring something comfortable during the day, especially since I might be working out. That’s why I’ll be wearing Lululemon and a Disney hoodie or sweater on the ship. In the evening I wear a dress and either a light jacket or a dress with sleeves for dinner because it’s always a bit chilly at night.
Farm Rio Dress / Flabelus Flats
Farm Rio romper by RTR / same flats
Farm Rio dress / same ballet flats
My FAVORITE suit/button placket
I also brought this suit and wore it with denim shorts on Atlantis Day. It’s my favorite “mom suit” – comfortable, flattering, and covers my butt while I slide and build sandcastles with the crew.
On trips I change it up depending on where we’re going, but if it’s a beach day I’ll just wear my suit with denim shorts and a cover-up, or if it’s not swimming or beach I’ll wear a dress or a set with sneakers (like Vejas or Sambas).
Are Disney cruises worth it?
This post is in no way sponsored or gifted (I wish haha) but if you are considering a Disney cruise with your family I highly recommend it. Even if you’re not a *Disney person*, they really have it all when it comes to entertainment, hospitality, ports of call, and cleanliness. I have to say that in my opinion the quality of the food in the main dining rooms has declined in recent years. It’s definitely not as good as our first few cruises.
We didn’t try any other cruise lines because we were happy with Disney. As the kids get older, we may explore a few other options – I’ve heard great things about Royal – but we’ll definitely stick with Disney too.
Last week they released this commercial that really impressed me, but it’s good:
So tell me, friends: Have you taken a Disney cruise yet? What did you think?
Are there any cruise ships you would recommend with older children?
xoxo
Gina
More:
Disney Wonder Baja Cruise
Disney Magic Bahamas and Castaway Cay
Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise
Disney Dream Italy and Greece Mediterranean Cruise
Disney Wish Cruise to Castaway Cay and the Bahamas
Review of Disney Fantasy: Spain, Italy and France
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