Everything you need to know about Disney Fantasy and its visit to Liverpool

The magic’s coming to Merseyside with the arrival of Disney Fantasy, the second of two Dream class Walt Disney cruise ships.

It’s bound to attract a crowd of spectators to the Pier Head and the city’s Cruise Port, so if you’re planning to head down there, or you want to learn more about this spectacular vessel and when it’s coming, here’s everything you need to know…

When is Disney Fantasy arriving in Liverpool?

This magnificent ship is arriving in the city on Thursday, September 11.

How long is it here for?

Sadly just a day. It’s due to arrive at 7.30am and depart at 4.45pm.

Why is she here?

Disney Fantasy is in Liverpool part way through a 7-day British Isles Cruise going from Southampton on September 8, and calling at Cork, Liverpool, Greenock in Glasgow and Portland before heading back to Southampton, its other home port alongside Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida.

How big is Disney Fantasy?

The ship is 1,115 ft (approx. 340m) long with a beam, or width, of 121 ft (approx. 36.8m), and a height of 216 ft (65.8m). Its total size is 130,000 gross tons.

How old is it?

Disney Fantasy was built ready for its maiden voyage in 2012 and underwent a refurbishment in 2020.

How many decks are there?

There are 14 decks and 1,250 staterooms. Disney Fantasy has a crew of 1,458 and capacity for 4,000 passengers.

There are 10 dining venues and 11 lounges, bars and clubs, three swimming pools and seven outdoor Jacuzzis.

What’s the entertainment like on board?

Passengers can enjoy everything from dazzling stage shows to over-the-top deck parties, all aimed at the entire family. In the lavish Walt Disney Theatre, there are spectacular Broadway-style shows (two of which are exclusive to Disney Fantasy): ‘Frozen, A Musical Spectacular’; ‘Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular’, and ‘Disney’s Believe’. There are also movies shown in there as well as up on deck by the family pool and in the Buena Vista Theatre, a cinema with plush stadium-style seats that screens first-run movies and digital 3-D films.

Once each cruise, there are Pirates In The Caribbean celebrations and an interactive show featuring Jack Sparrow culminates in a fireworks spectacular choreographed to the dramatic musical score from the films. It also includes a swashbuckling deck party, a family-friendly bash with music, stunning visuals and special effects.

Deck fun

Like all Disney cruise ships Disney Fantasy has separate pools for children, families and adults, along with AquaDuck, a 765-foot long twisting-and-turning water coaster; AquaLab, an interactive water playground; Nemo’s Reef, a special splash-and-play area for little ones, and Goofy’s Sports Deck, featuring a nine-hole miniature golf course and sports simulators.

Enchanted dining

There are themed family restaurants on board Disney Fantasy and guests rotate through the restaurants each night: Royal Court, an exquisite dining room focusing on Disney’s princesses; Enchanted Garden, inspired by the gardens of Versailles, and Animator’s Palate, a Disney Cruise Line signature restaurant. Dinner might be served twice at Animator’s Palate, but the show accompanying the meal changes with one, Animation Magic, seeing guests’ own drawings dance on screen with Disney characters, and in another, Undersea Magic, the restaurant is transformed into a magical watery world and there’s a special appearance by Crush.

Two adult-exclusive restaurants are Palo, specialising in modern Italian cuisine, and Remy, a romantic dining experience serving French-inspired food.

You can meet your Disney heroes

Mickey Mouse and his pals make regular appearances throughout the ship and cruise, especially at experiences like the Royal Court Royal Tea.

Nightlife for the grown-ups

Disney Fantasy’s Europa area has clubs and lounges reflecting the night spots of Italy, France, Ireland and London. La Piazza lounge homes in on the Italian cocktail culture and has a bar inspired by a carousel, Venetian masks and a classic Vespa; Skyline is a metropolitan ‘sky bar’ with changing views of European skylines; O’Gills Pub is a lively Irish bar; Ooh La La serves Champagne and a Parisian feel, and The Tube is a vibrant club influenced by swinging London.

And that’s not all!

The Senses Spa & Salon provides a range of treatments, massages, manicures, and pedicures, and there’s a rainforest-themed aromatherapy steam room and sauna. There’s a ship fitness centre too, with state-of-the-art equipment and personal training sessions, as well as classes in yoga, Pilates, aerobics and more.