Our Disney Fantasy Cruise

I am finally getting back to reality this week from vacation and a quick work trip to Vegas. I apologize for the lack of posting this week. As promised, I am going to dedicate this post to pictures of our trip! We had such a great time and would recommend a Disney cruise to anyone and everyone, whether you have kids or not.

These first few photos are some HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos that I took while on the trip. What is HDR you ask? The easiest way to explain it is that I take 3 quick pictures of the same object at 3 different exposure settings (my camera allows me to auto set up my exposures. I use -2, 0 and 2). Then you upload them to an editing software (I use Photomatix) and it will layer the 3 photos on top of each other to give it a real nice enhanced effect. I will post a tutorial maybe later, but for now here are some of my favorite HDR photos I did real fast. Please note: I am by no means a professional photographer and do not put these pictures up claiming I am. This is just a fun hobby.

I forgot to take an HDR photo of the Fantasy ship so this is from our last cruise on the Disney Dream.

 

Isn't she adorable?! I LOVED that this was the main lobby statue!

 

The lobby bar was a perfect subject for an HDR photo because of the lighting.

 

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island.

 

We went to see the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya and they were truly amazing. I don't think I've ever seen something that old!

 

 

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Now on to some other photos from our trip. These aren't even close to all of them, but figured it was a good sampling of our trip!

 

 Large portholes big enough to sit in and nap or read a book are everywhere on this ship! Even some rooms have them!

 

 This deck always reminded me of the scene from Titanic where Rose takes a stroll on the deck to ask about the life boats. I love the design of Disney ships because they model them after the Transatlantic ships like Titanic with the large portholes and wooden deck chairs.

 

 In Costa Maya they fly the Mexican flag and then the Disney Cruise Line flag.

 

I couldn't get a good picture with Ariel for the life of me! This blurry one will just have to do. 

Me and the boss.

 

On the Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya! 

 Christopher taking a rest during our tour of the ruins.

 

 The Aqua Duck is the only water roller coaster on a cruise ship. I road it 6 times!

 

 The top deck at night is so pretty all lit up!

 

 At the start of dinner one night we were told to draw little characters. During dessert they animated them to music and made them a cartoon! Mine is the 3rd one from the left!

 I love these giant lizards!

 

 Our cabana while we were at the private beach as part of our excursion.

 

 Disney is the ONLY cruise ship that does fireworks! Of course they do! Pictures don't do it justice.

 

 Found Jack Sparrow on Castaway Cay!

 

 

That's all I have for now, but feel free to leave comments with any questions you may have. I will try to post about the FE gifts we got next week. It was definitely a success and I would recommend it to anyone, but especially if you have kids. It's super exciting to find treats every time you go to your cabin.