If youโve been following along for any amount of time, you know Iโm a Disney adultโand now, a Disney mom. Give me all the pixie dust, character meet-and-greets, themed treats, and magical moments. Itโs my happy place!
Iโve sailed with Disney Cruise Line before (Matt and I honeymooned aboard the Dream!), but this trip was extra special. For Christmas, my sweet husband gifted me a Disney Cruise of my choosing. My wishlist? Something baby-friendly, low-key, and packed with magic. Enter: the Disney Fantasy, sailing out of Port Canaveral on a five-night itinerary to the Bahamasโwith stops at both of Disneyโs private islands.
We chose to sail over Easter. I know what you’re thinking: soooo many spring break travelers and families with kids. Honestly, the crowds weren’t nearly as bad as I imagined! It might’ve been because the Treasure was also sailing around the same time and for a tad bit longer. Whatever the reason, this trip was the perfect getaway for our little familyโbaby, stress, and all.
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Why We Chose the Disney Fantasy
When planning this trip, I knew we needed something laid-back but still full of fun. The Disney Fantasy checked all the boxes: shorter itinerary, limited travel stress, baby-friendly features, and two stunning stops at Disneyโs private islandsโLookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay. Disneyโs signature service and attention to detail kept things feeling smooth and manageable. Spoiler alert: this trip was worth every penny.
Travel Day Adventures (and a Pro Packing Tip!)
We flew into Orlando International Airport (MCO) the same morning as embarkationโdefinitely a gamble, but we had an early enough flight with lots of buffer time built in. And itโs a good thing, because… one of our bottles of wine broke in our suitcase at the airport. (Yes, Disney Cruise Line lets you bring two bottles per adult onboard. No, I donโt recommend bringing them from home, but we had no way to purchase them upon arrival.)
PRO TIP: Use vacuum-sealed bags for your clothes. Not only do they save space, but they saved our wardrobe from being soaked in wine. Cleanup was a breeze, and not a single outfit was ruined. No wine-stained onesies. No cabernet-scented sundresses. Just a bit of wet suitcase and a funny story to tell. I’m also super grateful I packed diapers in a separate bag. God is always looking out for me!
To keep things simple (and car-seat free), we booked Disney Cruise Line transportation from the airport to the port. The motorcoach-style bus allows lap seating for babies, and not having to wrangle a car seat makes traveling so much easier. It felt like the magic started the moment we landed and touched base with a DCL representative. Bonus: Disney transportation includes priority boarding, and we loved being able to skip the stress of securing transportation on our own with a little one.
And then came one of those moments Iโll never forget: boarding the ship. If youโve never cruised Disney before, they announce each family by name as you enter the grand atrium. Itโs so simple but so magical! Hearing โWelcome aboard, the Scheidt Family!โ as we stepped onto the ship for Gemโs very first cruise? Pure magic.
Life on Board the Fantasy
We opted for a verandah stateroom, knowing weโd be spending a lot of time in the room for naps (or attempted naps). The balcony was lovely, even if we didnโt get to use it muchโVacation Gem was a little too excited to sleep like he usually does at home.
Dining was a highlight. Disney uses rotational dining, meaning you get to experience three beautifully themed restaurants while keeping the same servers each night. The staff was phenomenal (shoutout to Faizal, Garry, and Shelby!)โalways accommodating our family’s needs. Since Gem eats most adult foods now, we just ordered off the regular menu for him. Dinner is a three-course meal and the kitchen prepares food in waves. We learned quickly to ask for a little fruit or bread up front to keep him happy while the main meals were being prepared.
The live shows on the Fantasy are next-level: Aladdin, Frozen, and Disneyโs Believe are Broadway-like productions. We also loved our Pirates in the Caribbean Nightโcomplete with fireworks at sea! Dressing up our little buccaneer and joining in on the fun was another favorite core memory.
And donโt even get me started on Nemoโs Reefโthe splash pad made just for littles. It has a soft, padded floor, perfect for crawlers and new walkers. We tried the Aqualab too (unique to the Fantasy), but itโs more suited for bigger kids, and the water was colder. Nemoโs Reef was 100% Gem-approved!
A Star Is Born: Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash
One of the most unexpectedly adorable moments of the entire cruise? The Jack-Jack Diaper Dashโa crawling baby race held onboard. Only kids in the crawling phase can participate, so we knew this was our only chance. We even rescheduled a champagne tasting so we wouldnโt miss it!
And guess what? Gem won! Yep, our sweet boy took home the title of the shipโs fastest crawler. It was a nail-biter (see video below). People recognized him all over the ship for the remainder of the cruise. It was the kind of sweet Disney moment you canโt plan for, but you never forget.
Ports of Call + Parent Time Thanks to the Nursery
Our itinerary took us to Nassau, Lookout Cay, and Castaway Cay. Each stop was beautiful and special in its own way (more on Lookout and Castaway coming in separate posts!). But one thing that made a huge difference was utilizing the Itโs a Small World Nursery onboard.
Yes, I was apprehensive about leaving Gem for the first time, but the nursery staff was INCREDIBLE. They kept us updated through the Disney Cruise Line app, and when he had a tough moment (or just needed a nap), they were so patient and gentle.
The best part? Because Gem was in good hands, Matt and I got to do some grown-up fun, like a champagne tasting, a mixology class, and a quick ride on the AquaDuck, a water coaster at sea. It was the perfect balance of family time and couple time.
Final Thoughts: Why I Recommend DCL for Young Families
Would I recommend Disney Cruise Line for families with babies? A million times yes.
Hereโs why:
- They provide the essentials (Pack and Play, Diaper Genie, Bottle Sterilizerโcheck) provided you put in your requests early.
- Dining is super accommodating (theyโll even puree food for your baby).
- It feels both adventurous and containedโwhich makes all the difference when traveling with littles.
- The pace is slower and more relaxing than the parksโless stroller dragging, more ocean gazing.
- There are safe, fun spaces for babies and toddlers to play.
- And yes, you can still have adult fun with things like tastings, shows, and date nights.
PRO TIP: Use a travel agent. As a very Type A mama, I normally plan everything myselfโbut my travel agent was amazing. She helped us snag hard to get reservations, book excursions, and tailor the cruise to our familyโs exact needs. Best of all? It doesnโt cost you a thing. Disney pays the agents, not you. Iโll never book without her again!
Thinking About a Disney Cruise?
Whether youโre just dreaming or already deep into planning, here are a few things Iโd recommend having on your checklist:
- Vacuum-sealed packing bags โ lifesaver for luggage (especially if your wine has ideas of its own). Our set comes with its own hand pump, too!
- Portable white noise machine โ for better baby naps at sea.
- Stroller โ great for onboard and port adventures. We took our Uppababy Vista V2 with us. It’s not a lightweight travel stroller by any means, but it folded easily under our stateroom bed and was familiar to us all.
- Baby hats and rash guard โ for splash pad safety and sun protection. Sunscreen is also a must if your baby is old enough!
COMING SOON: A full breakdown of both Disneyโs private islandsโLookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cayโso stay tuned for those magical tropical adventures!
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Got questions about sailing with a baby? Drop them in the commentsโIโm always happy to share what worked for us!
