After a year and a half away, my eighth contract brought me back to a very familiar place – onboard the Disney Fantasy. And honestly? It felt like a deep exhale.
Not only was I returning to one of Disney Cruise Line’s most classic and beloved ships, but I was also back on one of my all-time favorite itineraries: the lush 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean. Longer sailings, tropical ports, slower mornings, and that sweet balance of adventure and routine – this contract felt like slipping back into a life I knew and loved.
Contract Log
Contract: 8
Year: 2024
Ship: Disney Fantasy
Countries Visited: United States – Bahamas – Virgin Islands – Jamaica – Cayman Islands – Mexico
A Little EPCOT Magic Before Embarkation
Before even stepping onboard, contract #8 kicked off with a day at EPCOT – and not just any EPCOT day, but Festival of the Arts. There’s something about wandering World Showcase, snacking on colorful treats, and soaking in creativity that feels like the perfect reset before returning to sea.
It was the ideal pre-embark day: equal parts Disney magic and catching up with old ship friends and calm-before-the-storm energy.
Embark Day, Bestie Edition
Embarking is always exciting, but embarking with your best friend? Next level. From the moment we stepped onboard the Fantasy, it felt like the universe was saying, “Yep – this is going to be a good one.”
Unpacking, exploring the ship again, and settling into ship life with someone who just gets it made those first few days extra special.
Pixar Day at Sea Season
This contract landed right in the middle of Pixar Day at Sea season – which meant themed events, colorful energy, and one very important highlight: the Num Num Cookie.
If you know, you know. And yes, it absolutely lived up to the hype.
Wet Drill Reneweal
I couldn’t believe it had reached the 5 year mark of my life at sea! We mark this special occasion with an exciting morning of safety training lol. Back in the pool to flip a life raft at what us seafarers fondly refer to as ‘wet drill’.
Back to 7-Night Caribbean Life
There’s something magical about 7-night itineraries. You’re not rushing. You’re not counting down immediately. You have time to explore ports and fully enjoy ship life.
Being back in St. Thomas meant hiking that iconic hill again – sweaty, scenic, and always worth it. The views never get old, no matter how many times you’ve done it.
Birthday Celebrations in Cozumel
Celebrating my birthday in Cozumel was one of those pinch-me moments. Sunshine, ocean air, and the joy of marking another year while doing what I love most – working at sea.
One of the biggest highlights? Swimming with dolphins. Equal parts surreal, emotional, and unforgettable – definitely a birthday I’ll never forget.
Destiny Awaits…
This contract was full of those “only at sea” moments – the kind that stop you in your tracks and remind you just how far you’ve come.
One of the most meaningful highlights was a Destiny Keel coin photoshoot, a small but powerful symbol of another milestone in my Disney Cruise Line journey. Could this be a manifestation of ships to come… my destiny?
The Baths in Tortola
And finally, a truly unforgettable port adventure to The Baths in Tortola. Wandering through towering granite boulders, squeezing through narrow rock passages, and emerging into crystal-clear pools felt like stepping into another world. It was breathtaking, grounding, and a reminder of how lucky I am to explore places like this as part of my everyday reality.
Favorite Moments from Disney Fantasy Contract #8:
- 🎨 EPCOT Festival of the Arts before embarkation
- 🚢 Embarking with my best friend
- 🍪 Pixar Day at Sea (Num Num Cookie supremacy)
- 🥾 Hiking the hill in St. Thomas
- 🎂 Birthday celebrations in Cozumel
- 🐬 Swimming with dolphins
- 🍣 Sushi in St. Thomas
- ⚓️ Destiny Keel coin photoshoot
- 🏝️ Exploring The Baths in Tortola
A Familiar Ship, A New Chapter
Returning to the Disney Fantasy after time away felt comforting in the best possible way. Familiar spaces, familiar rhythms — but with new memories layered on top. Contract #8 reminded me why I fell in love with this life in the first place: the people, the places, and the once-in-a-lifetime moments sprinkled in between everyday workdays.
Eight contracts in, and the magic still hits just as hard.
And as always… the sea wasn’t done with me yet 💙⚓️
Read about my first contract working on a cruise ship here!
Disclaimer: Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line I’ve worked for, so I can’t speak of the experience with other cruise lines. All opinions in this post are my own and not affiliated with Disney in any way.
🚢 More Ship Life Posts
Check out more of my contracts from life at sea:
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Jess at Sea 
Leave a comment