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A Disney Cruise Shakedown Onboard the Disney Fantasy!

7th November 2025

Last week, I was lucky enough to experience an exclusive 2-night shakedown sailing onboard the Disney Fantasy! This special cruise was exclusively for Disney Cast Members and travel agents — a chance for the ship’s crew to get in tip-top shape before the Transatlantic sailing departing Southampton on 3rd November.

The Disney Fantasy has recently undergone dry dock refurbishment and is looking absolutely stunning, ready to welcome new guests onboard!

First Impressions

Sailing from Southampton, we boarded the ship and were immediately blown away! This was our first time visiting a large cruise liner in person, and it did not disappoint. When you step aboard the Disney Fantasy, you’re greeted with applause and your family name announced — a truly magical welcome that instantly makes you feel special.

Our stateroom was mid-ship on Deck 8, a perfect location close to the elevators, offering easy access to the decks above and below.

Safety First

Before the fun begins, all guests must attend the muster drill, which covers essential safety procedures in the unlikely event of an emergency. Once completed, we were free to explore the ship — and what an adventure that was!

Exploring the Magic

We were advised to download the Disney Navigator App, which made it easy to view daily activities and character meet-and-greets. Throughout the day (and well into the evening), Disney characters wander the ship for impromptu encounters — plus there are plenty of scheduled times to stop and take photos, just like at a Disney Resort on land.

We met so many characters during our short time onboard!

There are multiple kids’ clubs for children aged 3 and up, all included in your cruise fare, plus a nursery for younger children (for an extra charge). Our little boy is 2, so we didn’t use the nursery, but there was still plenty for him to enjoy — including unlimited ice cream on tap!

And as if that wasn’t magical enough, while exploring the decks we were lucky enough to spot a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the ship!

Dining Experiences

Over our two nights onboard, we dined in two of the ship’s three specially themed restaurants. Each evening, you keep the same waiter and table number — a lovely personal touch.

Our favourite had to be Animator’s Palate, an incredible interactive dining experience for all ages. When seated, you’re given a sheet of paper to draw your own character — which later comes to life in an animated show near the end of dinner! Seeing our drawings come to life on the big screens while the restaurant danced along to themed music was unforgettable.

And the food? Absolutely outstanding — some of the best we’ve ever had!

Show Time

After dinner, we headed to the Walt Disney Theatre to watch a Broadway-style show: Frozen! Without giving too much away, it was pure Disney magic — interactive, spectacular, and beautifully performed. A must-see for anyone sailing onboard!

Final Thoughts

There’s so much more I could say, but I’d be typing for days! This experience has truly opened a new door for us — a perfect introduction to cruising. I’m certain this won’t be our last Disney Cruise!