Help needed - 10 Year Anniversary 7-nighter Western Caribbean Cruise

[cashda]

Hello everyone, My name is Dustin and I am currently planning a 7 night western caribbean cruise on the Fantasy. This cruise will be my wife and mine 10 year anniversary and first vacation alone since our first child was born April 2015 (our second was born September 2016, so life currently pretty busy).

I am hoping to use this post as a place to get assistance/guidance/ideas to make this cruise special. We have already booked the cruise with the help of the amazing Teresa Echols. My wife knows we are going on a 7 night cruise, but does not know that I have booked a Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah.

I will be asking questions within this post as I navigate the next year and 3 months. Also please feel free to post any ideas or MUST DO's on the Disney Fantasy or excursions: We are stopping at: Cozumel, Mexico, George Town - Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica and Castaway Cay.

***I KNOW ITS CRAZY TO START PLANNING NOW....BUT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO NOT SPILL THE BEANS TO MY WIFE ABOUT HER SURPRISES...PLUS I'M EXCITED ABOUT PLANNING THIS TRIP***

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Dustin

 

[cashda]

First Question:

Any recommendations which room we should book on the Disney Fantasy, Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah Level? We are currently booked in room: 12512

Thanks for the help!

Dustin

 

[cashda]

Question #2

Is purchasing a cabana on castaway cay worth it for two ppl? Here's my concern/thought process ATM...Being on a 7-day cruise with already spending the uncharge for concierge 1-bedroom...do I save some money and just explore the island and all that it has to offer. If I purchase a cabana...I will feel guilty not spending all day in it because of the additional price.

We have been to castaway cay once on a 3 day cruise, but had the baby with us so could really enjoy our time.

Thoughts?

 

[cashda]

Question #3

Looking to book two “upgraded” meals (brunch/dinner) at Remus and/Palos....What should we choose?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JimGA]

#3 we felt Palo dinner was just average, we did owever prefer the brunch over dinner. I have read that Remy is a must but we have yet to do it.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Hi! We’ve done the western itinerary twice. Once on DCL and once on RC. On Falmouth we did a tubing excursion that was awesome! It was through RC so would have to see if DCL offers it. On our honeymoon we climbed Dunn’s river falls and that was great. I highly
Recommend it, but it is quite a drive from Falmouth.

On Castaway we’ve never gotten a Cabana and always have a great time with no problems finding a spot. Without kids you’ll be able to spend time at the adults only side of the beach which I’ve never been to (jealous over here!).

On Cozumel we really enjoyed Chankanaab (or however it’s spelled). We did a Dolphin excursion but I was surprised how great the snorkeling was there. That was an unexpected treat.

For restaurants I also prefer Palo brunch to dinner. So try that. We like the main dining room though so don’t see a need to upgrade if much. If you’d like to try Remy I say go for it, I hear it’s quite nice, but we’ve never done it.

I hope you have a great trip! Super exciting that you are going to surprise her!!

 

[cashda]

#3 we felt Palo dinner was just average, we did owever prefer the brunch over dinner. I have read that Remy is a must but we have yet to do it.

Thank you so much for the feedback, we are starting to lean toward brunch at Palo’s and dinner at Remy

 

[cashda]

Hi! We’ve done the western itinerary twice. Once on DCL and once on RC. On Falmouth we did a tubing excursion that was awesome! It was through RC so would have to see if DCL offers it. On our honeymoon we climbed Dunn’s river falls and that was great. I highly
Recommend it, but it is quite a drive from Falmouth.

On Castaway we’ve never gotten a Cabana and always have a great time with no problems finding a spot. Without kids you’ll be able to spend time at the adults only side of the beach which I’ve never been to (jealous over here!).

On Cozumel we really enjoyed Chankanaab (or however it’s spelled). We did a Dolphin excursion but I was surprised how great the snorkeling was there. That was an unexpected treat.

For restaurants I also prefer Palo brunch to dinner. So try that. We like the main dining room though so don’t see a need to upgrade if much. If you’d like to try Remy I say go for it, I hear it’s quite nice, but we’ve never done it.

I hope you have a great trip! Super exciting that you are going to surprise her!!

Thanks for all of the insight, really appreciate it!!!

 

[FSU Girl]

I'm sailing concierge in a one-bedroom suite for the first time coming up December 11. It'll be just my boyfriend and me and we have a Remy dinner booked. I can report back after the cruise to give you some insight into what we experience. For a Cabana I personally wouldn't. It's a lot of money and it's nice exploring the island. We went to the adult only beach and had no problem getting a spot and we spent most of the time in the water anyway.

 

[mmouse37]

39 DCL cruises and celebrated several anniversaries onboard. We always try to do Palo brunch or dinner. Remy is not for me...I don't want to spend 3 hours eating a meal.

Most of our cruises had a visit to Castaway Cay and never felt the need for a Cabana, especially when traveling with just my husband.



Just celebrated our 38th anniversary on the Magic our of NYC (but no Palo because we decided to bring our 2 year old granddaughter to help us celebrate)!

MJ

 

[cashda]

I'm sailing concierge in a one-bedroom suite for the first time coming up December 11. It'll be just my boyfriend and me and we have a Remy dinner booked. I can report back after the cruise to give you some insight into what we experience. For a Cabana I personally wouldn't. It's a lot of money and it's nice exploring the island. We went to the adult only beach and had no problem getting a spot and we spent most of the time in the water anyway.

Have fun on your cruise and if you find time, please report back on rely AND your thoughts and take aways from concierge. I'm starting to lean towards saving the money and just enjoying the island. THANKS!

 

[cashda]

39 DCL cruises and celebrated several anniversaries onboard. We always try to do Palo brunch or dinner. Remy is not for me...I don't want to spend 3 hours eating a meal.

Most of our cruises had a visit to Castaway Cay and never felt the need for a Cabana, especially when traveling with just my husband.

View attachment 282132 View attachment 282133

Just celebrated our 38th anniversary on the Magic our of NYC (but no Palo because we decided to bring our 2 year old granddaughter to help us celebrate)!

MJ

Awesome, thanks for the advice! We have experience Palo at dinner, so maybe do brunch at Palo and then experience Remy just to say we have tried it. On the longer cruises, is there a restaurant we should skip eating at twice?

 

[cashda]

39 DCL cruises and celebrated several anniversaries onboard. We always try to do Palo brunch or dinner. Remy is not for me...I don't want to spend 3 hours eating a meal.

Most of our cruises had a visit to Castaway Cay and never felt the need for a Cabana, especially when traveling with just my husband.

View attachment 282132 View attachment 282133

Just celebrated our 38th anniversary on the Magic our of NYC (but no Palo because we decided to bring our 2 year old granddaughter to help us celebrate)!

MJ

MJ - since you are a regular on the Disney Ships, do you have any tricks/tips that could make our anniversary cruise extra special?

 

[piglet1979]

Hello everyone, My name is Dustin and I am currently planning a 7 night western caribbean cruise on the Fantasy. This cruise will be my wife and mine 10 year anniversary and first vacation alone since our first child was born April 2015 (our second was born September 2016, so life currently pretty busy).

I am hoping to use this post as a place to get assistance/guidance/ideas to make this cruise special. We have already booked the cruise with the help of the amazing Teresa Echols. My wife knows we are going on a 7 night cruise, but does not know that I have booked a Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah.

I will be asking questions within this post as I navigate the next year and 3 months. Also please feel free to post any ideas or MUST DO's on the Disney Fantasy or excursions: We are stopping at: Cozumel, Mexico, George Town - Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica and Castaway Cay.

***I KNOW ITS CRAZY TO START PLANNING NOW....BUT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO NOT SPILL THE BEANS TO MY WIFE ABOUT HER SURPRISES...PLUS I'M EXCITED ABOUT PLANNING THIS TRIP***

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Dustin

Teresa booked our cruise too. She is awesome! I don't have any advise for as this will be our first cruise. We are also going the 7 night Western on the Fantasy.

 

[mmouse37]

MJ - since you are a regular on the Disney Ships, do you have any tricks/tips that could make our anniversary cruise extra special?

Dustin, honestly if you are going concierge I am sure that would put the cruise over the top already!!! If you want to try Remy go for it. It also never hurts to have it noted on your reservation that you will be celebrating your anniversary....also let your servers know...they usually do something. I have never cruised concierge but I would let your concierge hosts know as well that you were celebrating!

We love to hang out at Satellite Falls on the Fantasy (if you didn't hang at the concierge sun deck). We also like to have a drink at Skyline Bar, Ooo la la. I feel like every Disney cruise is special!!! We like all the MDR's but my least favorite is Enchanted Garden (and I don't know why) and the MDR's are such a subjective thing. What I may like you may not and vice versa. I do know that trying to make everything "perfect" for someone else could be a recipe for disaster if things don't live up to your expectation! Make your plans and then roll with it!

Have a good time.

MJ

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Remy is not our cup of tea (although I agree everyone should try it once to see if it is theirs). I prefer Palo by far.

Remember to tell all the CM's you deal with on the first day. They will probably fit something nice in for you during the cruise.

There are a few nice romantic couples packages at senses. We did the couples massage once - it was very nice; you get some alone time in a private Jacuzzi with chocolate strawberries and wine. Not much more romantic then enjoying chocolate covered strawberries and wine in a private Jacuzzi overlooking the ocean on a cruise ship.

 

[cashda]

Dustin, honestly if you are going concierge I am sure that would put the cruise over the top already!!! If you want to try Remy go for it. It also never hurts to have it noted on your reservation that you will be celebrating your anniversary....also let your servers know...they usually do something. I have never cruised concierge but I would let your concierge hosts know as well that you were celebrating!

We love to hang out at Satellite Falls on the Fantasy (if you didn't hang at the concierge sun deck). We also like to have a drink at Skyline Bar, Ooo la la. I feel like every Disney cruise is special!!! We like all the MDR's but my least favorite is Enchanted Garden (and I don't know why) and the MDR's are such a subjective thing. What I may like you may not and vice versa. I do know that trying to make everything "perfect" for someone else could be a recipe for disaster if things don't live up to your expectation! Make your plans and then roll with it!

Have a good time.

MJ

Great advice about making it perfect! I need to keep that in mind the next year while I plan and make sure I don’t lose the fun in the process and set too high of expectations. THANKS!!!!

 

[cashda]

Remy is not our cup of tea (although I agree everyone should try it once to see if it is theirs). I prefer Palo by far.

Remember to tell all the CM's you deal with on the first day. They will probably fit something nice in for you during the cruise.

There are a few nice romantic couples packages at senses. We did the couples massage once - it was very nice; you get some alone time in a private Jacuzzi with chocolate strawberries and wine. Not much more romantic then enjoying chocolate covered strawberries and wine in a private Jacuzzi overlooking the ocean on a cruise ship.

I haven't even though about spa packages....time to do some research but I like the idea of spending the money there instead of on a cabana on CC

 

[mevelandry]

Hello everyone, My name is Dustin and I am currently planning a 7 night western caribbean cruise on the Fantasy. This cruise will be my wife and mine 10 year anniversary and first vacation alone since our first child was born April 2015 (our second was born September 2016, so life currently pretty busy).

I am hoping to use this post as a place to get assistance/guidance/ideas to make this cruise special. We have already booked the cruise with the help of the amazing Teresa Echols. My wife knows we are going on a 7 night cruise, but does not know that I have booked a Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah.

I will be asking questions within this post as I navigate the next year and 3 months. Also please feel free to post any ideas or MUST DO's on the Disney Fantasy or excursions: We are stopping at: Cozumel, Mexico, George Town - Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica and Castaway Cay.

***I KNOW ITS CRAZY TO START PLANNING NOW....BUT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO NOT SPILL THE BEANS TO MY WIFE ABOUT HER SURPRISES...PLUS I'M EXCITED ABOUT PLANNING THIS TRIP***

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Dustin

Congratulations on your 10th year.

For Grand Cayman, I would recommend booking a pass in a hotel or a cabana in a beach club like Royal Palms (the beach is fantastic in Cayman so I would definitely stick to GC for a beach day). The cabs are easy to get and very affordable.

Not sure when you are leaving but if you are in the season and love nature/animals, I would highly recommend a "Save a sea turtle experience" excursion. I've done it and it was by far one of the most special experiences of my life and I recommend it.

I haven't been in Falmouth, just Ocho Rios so I can't help with that but Jamaica is beautiful so I would definitely book an excursion there.

 

[mevelandry]

Question #2

Is purchasing a cabana on castaway cay worth it for two ppl? Here's my concern/thought process ATM...Being on a 7-day cruise with already spending the uncharge for concierge 1-bedroom...do I save some money and just explore the island and all that it has to offer. If I purchase a cabana...I will feel guilty not spending all day in it because of the additional price.

We have been to castaway cay once on a 3 day cruise, but had the baby with us so could really enjoy our time.

Thoughts?

While a cabana is not necessary to have a nice day in CC, I would highly recommend booking a cabana in Serenity Bay. They are less expensive than on the family beach and give you access to some equipment and bikes.