Welcome to the Fantasy

Disney Fantasy is a sister for cruise ship Disney Dream, and there’s little more than a year between them, so it would be reasonable to assume they are almost identical, right?
Wrong.
Seen from quayside, they might be almost indistinguishable – apart from the gold-embossed name on the side and the figure of Dumbo at the stern instead of Sorcerer Mickey Mouse.
But inside there’s a host of differences. Some were born out of the experience of what worked best on Dream and what wasn’t quite perfect; others have been made to adapt the ship for longer cruises. It may sound odd to British passengers accustomed to lengthy ocean voyages, but the week-long itineraries for Fantasy are at a different pace from the three and four-night holidays which Dream operates.
Step into the triple-height central atrium (above), where each and every family is welcomed by name at the start of a cruise, and the differences become apparent immediately, even in their unfinished state (below).
Where Dream’s decor is inspired by the linear symmetry of Art Deco, Fantasy’s is based on the flowing forms of Art Nouveau. The central chandelier and the swirling colours of the carpet evoke a peacock’s shimmering tail feathers, and the hues of blue and pink are followed through in hand-picked slabs of polished Carrara marble.
At the foot of the grand staircase stands a bronze statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse, looking like she stepped straight of a liner in the 1920s, complete with parasol and steamer trunks – perfect for picture opportunities.
“This is our opening scene; it’s a big creative statement,” said Bob Zalk, senior show producer for Disney Imagineering (great job title!). “The atrium is a massive entertainment space, where we meet and greet our guests. We can do shows in here, and they love to gather here before dinner or going to the theatre.”
On the upper floor of the atrium, space which is used as meeting rooms on Dream has been transformed into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a treasure trove of fancy dress costumes for potential princesses who – if a proud Dad is prepared to stump up the cash – can also come here to get make-up and manicures applied. On pirate nights, the boutique transforms into a hoard of tricorn hats, bandanas and eye patches for budding buccaneers.
NEXT: What’s new in Fantasy’s restaurants and out on deck.