After sailing with all 5 Disney cruise ships, there's only one I'd consider traveling on again

Lauren Mack

September 7, 2024 at 7:34 a.m.·4 min read

My family and I have sailed on all five Disney Cruise Line ships, but Disney Fantasy is my favorite.
I love the Fantasy-exclusive venues, including a vintage-themed ice cream shop.
Disney Fantasy also has five European-inspired nightclubs, lounges, and bars.

My family and I have sailed on all five Disney Cruise Line (DCL) ships. Although each ship offers a unique experience, there's only one I'd consider traveling on again: Disney Fantasy.

The ship, which debuted in 2012, has 14 decks and some of my favorite onboard activities, including the AquaDuck water coaster and five adults-only lounges.

Here are some of the reasons I'd travel on Disney Fantasy again.

Disney Fantasy's size is just right.

A huge Disney cruise ship docked. — Disney Fantasy can hold up to 4,000 passengers.Lauren Mack

The 1,115-foot-long Fantasy is larger than the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, which are both 984 feet long and have 11 decks.

However, Disney Fantasy's separate family and adult areas make it easy to be entertained in a sea of up to 4,000 people. I love relaxing with a handful of guests in the cozy cafés and nooks or sunbathing in solitude.

I love the Fantasy-exclusive venues.

Statues of Mickey and Minnie sharing a milkshake on a red metal table in the "Sweet on You" ice-cream shop. They are sitting on red metal chairs with hearts on the backs. — Disney Fantasy has a vintage-inspired ice-cream shop called Sweet on You.Lauren Mack

Each DCL ship has exclusives you won't find on other ships in its fleet, including restaurants and adults-only lounges.

For example, Disney Fantasy has Sweet on You, a vintage-themed ice-cream shop and confectionery inspired by classic Mickey Mouse shorts.

Other exclusives on Disney Fantasy include a Bvlgari shop and a trio of nightlife spots: Italian-style La Piazza bar, British nightclub The Tube, and French Champagne bar Ooh La La.

There's more aquatic fun on Disney Fantasy than most DLC ships.

A pool at night with a Mickey Mouse design in the middle, surrounded by lounge chairs and a large screen with the words "Disney Fantasy." — Disney Fantasy has both freshwater pools and splash areas.Lauren Mack

Disney Fantasy has seven freshwater pools and water-play areas, including three family pools, two adult pools, and two splash areas. The only ship with more pools and water-play areas is Disney Wish, which has 10.

One of my favorite activities is the AquaDuck water coaster.

A cruise-ship pool surrounded by blue lounge chairs and a transparent-tube water ride. — The AquaDuck is a 765-foot water coaster.Lauren Mack

The AquaDuck, which is only found on this ship and Disney Dream, is a 765-foot water coaster that propels passengers in two-person rafts through a massive transparent tube.

The ride includes open-air portions that offer views of the ocean and a stomach-dropping four-deck drop.

The adults-only lounges have unique European themes.

An elegant Champagne-themed bar with brown and gold chairs. — Ooh La La is an adults-only lounge themed around Champagne.Lauren Mack

Disney Fantasy has five European-inspired nightclubs, lounges, and bars located in one area called Europa. The Tube is a London Underground-themed venue, Ooh La La is themed around Champagne, O'Gill's is an Irish pub, and La Piazza has an Italian feel.

I also love the quiet but mesmerizing Skyline bar, which features changing "windows" of famous city skylines.

The Europa theme seamlessly flows from one venue to the next, and I love having the ability to barhop in one specific area of the ship.

I'm a fan of the ship's more subdued dining experiences.

A fountain with Mickey shooting an arrow on the top, located in an elegant restaurant. — I like that most of the restaurants on Disney Fantasy have subtle Disney theming.Lauren Mack

Some Disney fans may prefer entertaining dining experiences, but I appreciate the more subdued dinners on Disney Fantasy.

I don't have children, so I appreciate being able to enjoy the Disney vibes without sitting through the over-the-top dinner dramas found on other ships.

I love visiting restaurants like the princess-themed Royal Court and the French-garden-themed Enchanted Garden. My favorite, however, is Animator's Palate, which celebrates Disney animation and is on every ship except Disney Wish.

I love relaxing in the Rainforest inside Senses Spa.

A waterfall wall leading into a spa. — The Rainforest features aromatherapy showers, a steam room, and a sauna.Lauren Mack

I always purchase a pass to the Rainforest within Senses Spa, which features aromatherapy showers, a steam room, and a sauna.

However, the Rainforests on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are the best because they each have two whirlpools set on a secluded ocean-view verandah. It's arguably the quietest, most relaxing part of the ship.

Overall, Disney Fantasy is my favorite ship — for now.

The top deck of a Disney cruise ship, with a hot tub surrounded by blue lounge chairs. — Disney Fantasy is my favorite ship because it has the most appealing adults-only options.Lauren Mack

Right now, Disney Fantasy is my favorite ship because it has the most appealing adults-only options. From one of the best Rainforest set-ups to Europa's quintet of bars and lounges, I love spending time on this ship.

However, this could change with Disney's newest ships, Treasure and Destiny, set to embark on their maiden voyages in December 2024 and November 2025, respectively.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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