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Sentimental Senior and Family Photographer based in Glen Allen, VA

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We’ve only been home three days, but I’m already planning on when we can take our next cruise! This trip was many things to us. It was something for us to look forward to after so much sadness in our family last year. It was my gift to my husband for his 40th birthday, just 5 days after his mom passed away. The dates of the cruise just happened to fall during my 40th and the week before Noah’s 13th birthday! This vacation also came after a personal slew of painful health issues I experienced since prior to Thanksgiving, including a surgery just 3 weeks before leaving. It was a trip we were really blessed to go on and one I will certainly remember forever!

Now, if you aren’t a Disney fan, I’m terribly sorry. Haha! But truly, even if you aren’t, Disney just knows how to do a cruise right. I’ve been on other cruise lines, heard from multiple other cruisers, and have a travel agent mom who are all in agreement. When it comes down to what makes a cruise better than others, I believe it’s the cleanliness, the food, and the accommodations. Disney just steps the service up a notch in all categories. A lot of what deters people from cruising is the scare of illness. Being a germaphobe nurse, I completely understand. But Disney thinks of everything! There are crew members opening doors for you in all of the restaurants, they direct you to sinks to wash your hands, hand out sanitizing wipes, and are always cleaning the public areas such as the self-service drink and 24-hour ice cream stations. The kids clubs have the same cleanliness and hand washing requirements, which is the most effective way to stop the spread of illness.

The accommodations on the Disney Fantasy are gorgeous and spacious. The public areas are opulent and decorated with the most plush of fabrics. Every place I stood or rested was comfortable, even the portholes! Our stateroom was comfortable for all three of us. Disney boasts some of the largest guest accommodations in the cruise line industry. I really miss their bedding and pillows and Noah loved sleeping on the pull-down bunk bed!

The dining areas are not only spotless, but the food is abundant and delicious! Mass food production for 4,000 cruisers has to be a huge task but Disney does a wonderful job! There are five full service restaurants and a double-sided buffet area. Two of the full service restaurants are for adults and are booked by reservation only.

A cruise wouldn’t be complete without a “Drink of the Day” and Disney has two! One alcoholic and one non-alcoholic. Noah loved the fruit punch at the Captain’s Reception.

Animator’s Palate was my favorite full service restaurant. The decor was classic Disney and the interactive animation features were so fun!

Sweet on You is a dessert shop with ice cream, gelato, candy, and baked goods.

Our itinerary included Tortola, St. Thomas, and Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Tortola

In Tortola, we went as far as the marina but then took a boat to Virgin Gorda to explore Devil’s Bay and The Baths. I may have twisted my ankle on the downward hike to Devil’s Bay, but it was worth it!

St. Thomas

In St. Thomas, USVI we wanted to have some time to shop and head to the beach. We grabbed a taxi to Magen’s Bay, which was our favorite beach of the trip! The water was so clear and calm.

The taxi ride provided amazing views and some of my favorite images.

Once we returned from St. Thomas, the ship was transformed for “Pirates IN the Caribbean” night. The costumes of some of the guests were incredible. The dinner menus were pirate-themed and a deck party concluded with spectacular fireworks.

Castaway Cay

The last stop of the cruise was at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. This place was spectacular and there’s a reason it’s won best private cruise island! We had a barbecue lunch and spent most of the time on the beach and snorkeling. Most of the island is untouched except for the guest areas and beaches on the south end. Castaway Cay is located in the Abaco Islands, south of Grand Bahama Island and east of Ft. Lauderdale.

Our cruise featured a Star Wars Day at Sea, which I’ll admit, none of us are huge Star Wars fans. The ship was “taken over” by Star Wars characters during the day and the menus were galactic themed.

Here are some of the official cruise photos, which I highly recommend purchasing the USB in advance of your trip!

I can’t end this post without sharing the biggest surprise of all. My mom is a multi-Disney Cruise veteran and a travel agent specializing in Disney. She wanted to join us so badly for this trip, but sadly she told us there were no travel agent staterooms available. To my surprise, she showed up just as we were welcomed on the ship! We had such a wonderful time with her and my step-dad and were so glad they could be there with us! Want Sheri to plan your Disney Cruise? Contact her for absolutely FREE Disney planning expertise!

Disney is currently building two additional ships with the first scheduled to sail in 2021. We’d love to be one of the first aboard one of the new ships! See ya real soon, Mickey!

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" Laura was easy to work with, flexible, and so artistic. Working with her was a great experience..."

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"Laura went out of her way to make sure my daughter felt comfortable and to ensure we captured this milestone perfectly. Our photo gallery was exquisite and delivered to us so quickly..."

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