Alex's Birthday

Alex and Bethany flew into Orlando late afternoon (after yet another flight delay) and J. R. picked them up at the airport. We made a quick pit stop at Chick-Fil-A for lunch and arrived at the rental house in Clermont. After eating lunch and talking for awhile, we played a round of the Cards Against Humanity Absurd Box and the Family Box.

J. R. had snagged a dinner reservation at Boma so we drove over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to get our fill of African-inspired food, and of course, more than one Zebra Dome.

Port Canaveral

We got up early and drove to Port Canaveral. We knew we were going to be early but wanted to account for traffic so we planned for breakfast at the port. Janie found the Water's Edge Cafe near the terminal and it was a good choice. The breakfast was good and the service was excellent and we were able to sit and stare out at the water until it was time to head to our dock.

After driving the short distance to the Disney dock, we started the COVID testing process. First we dropped off our luggage and then paid for parking and joined the car line. We were directed into the first level of the parking deck where our passes were scanned and we were handed our test kits. Alex and Bethany had to provide proof of recovery since they had COVID-19 previously. After taking our tests, we were directed to the second floor of the parking deck to park and wait. An excruciating 50 minutes of phone refreshing followed until we received our "Cleared to Board" message.

A short walk later, we were checked in for our cruise and headed through security and then through the 'mouse ears' and onto the Disney Fantasy, finally!

Welcome Aboard

The kids wanted to take a photo so Janie and J. R. were welcomed aboard our ninth Disney cruise. The ship was already decorated for Christmas and we were directed to stand on a dot in the atrium. Soon Mickey and Minnie greeted us from the stairs and there was a small song and dance. Then we were directed down the hall to our muster location. For some reason, we were directed to the front of the ship even though our muster station was deck 4 aft. We finally found it and took the required photo in the app and we were done with that part of the process.

Lunch

Next up was lunch in Cabanas. Unlike Celebrity, everything at the buffet here was hands off. The servers had the plates and served whatever you liked and then handed the plates down the line. This meant waiting in line behind people even if you didn't want something from that area. Janie and J. R. got some shrimp and crab claws and found a table by the window. Alex and Bethany soon joined them and got some food of their own and we sat and ate and talked about our plans for the cruise.

Very Merrytime

Bethany wanted to change our dining rotation so we went down to Guest Services. While she addressed that, we took some photos of the holiday decorations, including the huge gingerbread house in the lobby.

Sailaway

Our rooms were not ready until 3PM, a major departure from Celebrity, who had the rooms ready when we boarded at 12PM. We wandered the ship for awhile until Janie spotted the Dole Whip stand and had to have a rum and Dole Whip. J. R. went for a Re-fashioned at the Cove Bar in the adult area before heading down to our room to wait on our verandah for sailaway since they were not doing the huge sailaway party on deck.

Around the Fantasy

We explored the ship a little, since it was J. R. and Janie's first time onboard and a chance to Alex and Bethany to remember all the guest areas they were never allowed to be in. Janie and J. R. went to the Tube for a bit of 70s Music Trivia, which was not their strong suit.

Frozen

The evening's entertainment was Frozen the Musical. Disney was supposedly being strict on social distancing, separating each party by at least three seats. Then when the show was about to begin, two women came in and sat one seat away from J. R. and took off their masks. This was typical for the cruise - a lot of security theater but no real enforcement of the Disney rules.

Animator's Palate

Janie wanted to make sure we ate in Animator's Palate and Bethany wanted Royal Court so since we were doing Remy on the second night, we had our rotation changed so we were in AP the first night. J. R. is not a fan of this version of AP with Crush and friends as he prefers the classic black-and-white from the Magic and Wonder. Our servers were very attentive, particularly to Bethany's allergies.

Whiskey Tasting

The ladies didn't want whiskey so Alex and J. R. booked a whiskey tasting for themselves in Skyline. We started with a Jack Daniels Sinatra then a Four Roses and finished with Connemara and Macallan Terra. J. R. preferred the final two while Alex, of course, favored the Irish Connemara.

The Tube

Bethany and Janie went to the Tube for drinks and "Match Your Mate". Bethany's friends tried to get her and Alex selected but she refused, a little concerned about answering the questions in front of his parents. Alex and J. R. joined them after whiskey tasting.

One Day Down

Alex and Bethany went off to spend some time with old cruise friends while Janie and J. R. grabbed a soda and retired to their room and their towel animal.