@Haley R I know you are so excited for your first cruise. My first words of advice are.... Don't sweat it - and don't try to do it all - just have FUN! There is so much to do and so much to see. The first time DH and I were on the Fantasy (previous cruises were on the Magic) we spent hours just exploring the ship. We were still finding things on day 5 of the 7 day cruise. I didn't notice anyone mention that you can look at past cruise navigators online, and they will give you an idea of some of the things that
might be available on your cruise. They can be found on the Disney Cruiseline Blog - here...
Personal Navigators just choose the tab for the Fantasy and start exploring.
Be sure you make a notation on your reservation with the cruise line that you will be celebrating your birthday. And go to guest services and ask them for a Birthday (I'm Celebrating) button to wear.
If you like coffee - treat yourself to a coffee or 2 (or more) at the Cove Cafe on Deck 11 or Vista Cafe on Deck 4. You get a coffee card they stamp for each coffee drink, and you can get a free drink (I think it is your 7th is free).
If you or DH are beer drinkers you can purchase the beer mug. After you buy it (it comes empty) you can get it filled with 20oz of tap beer for the price of 16oz. When you are done - you turn in the mug and take a token card to carry around. The last night of the cruise, turn in your token for a fresh clean mug you can take home.
Do you like jog/walk for exercise, or do 5K races? They have a free 5K on Castaway Cay. You can find out about it at Guest Services. It is informal, but you do get a medal when you finish. When I am on the ship I LOVE to get up and exercise (not when I am home)... I walk the walking path on deck 4 - it is so nice to have the ocean passing by with the breeze - it relaxes me and is so refreshing.
My favorite thing is to turn off my cell phone and disconnect from the "real world" for a week. I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders, and I can just do whatever I please. And we also enjoy getting to know the crew. DH and I have been on the Fantasy 5 times over the last 3 years and we actually spend a lot of time chatting with Cast Members who we met on past cruises. Last cruise we saw all of our servers with the exception of 1 from our past 7 cruises. It was like catching up with old friends.
Fun different things to do... visit Deck 5 walk past the Oceanears club and search for the "little door" You'll know it when you see it. From midship head aft past the club... you can't miss it.
If you find yourself with some extra free time (LOL)... there is the Midship Detective agency game (deck 2 by Enchanted Garden I believe is where it starts) Last cruise we were with friend and we started but go side tracked after our first clue and never went back to finish. I am going to try again next trip. If you are not sure just look for kids walking around with cards staring at pictures on the walls and ask them. They will tell you what to do.
You are going to have an AWESOME time! Please be sure to come back to this post when you get home and let us know what you did, and what YOU LIKED BEST. Have a spectacular time and enjoy your birthday.