mackenzie80

CJJ - They have the buffet, Guys Burgers, Blue Iguana Cantina open usually.  But depends on the ship and could be more,  but seems like that is generally what is available.  They are open until boat drill if I am not mistaken.  But you can eat something as soon as on board. Just know it will be busy, lots of people waiting in these areas until their rooms open, with all of their carry-on luggage.  Very crowded!

6 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

The pre-purchase price is their special rate. A discount for buying it online ahead of time. The OP asked if the price would go down when the cruise gets closer. To say no, "it will only go up," is somewhat of a misleading statement. The price won't go up, unless we're talking about Carnival possibly raising the price in the future, but that's beside the point. The pre-purchase price doesn't change, but if they wait until they're onboard, then they pay the higher onboard price. My point was, there's two different prices. You can "oh good grief" all you want, but when someone comes here who's unfamiliar with something, I simply like to make sure they understand what's being said, and if someone says something that could be misleading, it's nice to have clarification.

Still I am correct.  The price will go up once the cruise is here.  Whether there are two prices the pre-purchase or onboard doesn't really matter.  The current price WILL go up.  It will NOT go down because as you said there are two prices.  So I AM correct.  It won't go down, it will go up.  

On 8/23/2019 at 11:45 AM, Organized Chaos said:

 

Yes and no. There are two prices, the pre-purchased price and the onboard price. The onboard price is higher, but neither of them change.

Oh good grief....Technically yes, but the price WILL go up.  There will not be a "special or cheaper" rate.

On 8/21/2019 at 3:59 PM, snorkelman said:

I am 61 days until my cruise and the Carnival website says I can buy the premium wi-fi plan for $14.45 per day.  My wife and I will both need to be able for our laptops to connect to wifi to check email daily for work and possibly upload court filings.  This is a minor inconvenience, but the only way that we can go on the cruise.  We can log on separately.

 

1. Will the current price get any cheaper as the cruise gets closer?

2. Can we just buy one wifi plan and share it over 2 devices?

 

Any tips? (It is on the carnival Victory)

The price will not go down, it will only go up.  You can buy one and share it, but you both cannot use it at the same time.  It also takes forever for documents to upload and send.  So you may have issues with things going out.

My suggestion is you are usually only at sea one day at  time before at a port.  Can you do major uploads on those days instead?  

They are not strict about boarding times from my experience.  I would suggest that they prepay for parking, saves a TON of time by going to the ports website and having that done.

On 8/20/2019 at 3:31 PM, linbobky said:

i have not read all of the posts about the fantasy. we will be on her sept. 16th for a 10 day panama canal cruise and feel real good about the ship. i bet the fantasy will be in tip top shape for this cruise. i like the fantasy size ships. lets hope i am right.

You will have a blast. I have friends on the ship this week and they report not seeing any issues and enjoying themselves immensely.

On 7/7/2019 at 11:14 AM, Saint Greg said:

 

Have you seen what they’ve done to the comedy club on fantasy? Not the entire class...just fantasy. They cut it in half and took out the bar. It’s extremely small. I will not sail on fantasy based on that alone. Now if you’re talking Elation...great. But I have seen Elation go to standing room only. I can’t imagine what fantasy is like.

 

 

Isn't that small.  Few people standing but on my cruises never had anyone complaining they couldn't get in.  And the Bar is on the outside of the comedy room.  And no real need for a bar as there are plenty of cocktail servers taking drink orders.

I am friends with a crew member on board.  We met him on last 3 cruises and have kept in touch.  They said that this was some rogue kitchen staff trying to get a failing score thinking they would get days off if not cruising.

On my cruise they were in the Comedy Club

You will have a blast!  Look forward to reading more!

I was on this cruise with my mother and we had a wonderful time as well! Enjoying your review!

CJMini,

Also keep in mind Mardi Gras is going on during this time.  Keep an eye out for Parades on Embarkation or Debarkation days.  Could cause delays.

Just to update as I was on this cruise. Coming out of Cozumel there was a medical emergency.  The ship had to turn around and head back towards Cozumel so an Emergency Water Rescue could be made.

No-one knew this was going on until the next morning when the Captain made the announcement.  We were told we would be getting into port 4 hours later (Thanksgiving morning).

Everyone was allowed to stay in their rooms until 1:30pm.  And they had all bars open, and served breakfast and lunch.

Disembarkation was chaotic as everyone was trying to self disembark and wanted to go at one time.  Lots of chaos and yelling.  But made it off ship once docked, and made it to car within 30-40 minutes with FTTF.

Have sailed on Fantasy twice this year.  WIll be 3 times in a year come February.  Have only felt movement twice, and both times sea was a big rough.

On 12/9/2018 at 5:39 AM, CJMini said:

We are booked on Fantasy January 21st out of Mobile.  She will have completed drydock on January 20th.  Our boarding passes show a 6:00 pm departure and the choices for arrival appointments begin at 1:30 pm.  There will be no disembarking passengers and the parking garage will be empty.

Able to select the earliest arrival appointment time (1:30-2:00 pm) and we prebooked our parking at the cruise terminal deck parking.

 

My questions are:

Do you think passengers will arrive earlier than 1:30 to try and park/board?  I am not sure what time Carnival will open the terminal to begin embarkation...I would think the 6:00 pm sail away would affect the opening?

We don’t want to miss the opportunity to park in the covered terminal parking...over flow will be directed to the Mobile Civic Center.  Do you think the parking garage will delay their usual opening time (I’m assuming it’s usually 10:00 am on other cruises which set sail at 4:00 pm)?

 

Just hate to arrive at 1:30 pm and discover there are passengers already onboard...the parking garage full...and DH in a fit when we’re told to turn around and head to off site parking at the Civic Center.

 

What would you do?

 

Thank you in advance,

CJ

 

 

I would suggest arriving 30-45 minutes (12:30-12:45) before your scheduled time.  IF the doors aren't open yet, you will be at the first of the queue.

Make sure to prepay parking, so you can park and hop in line.

If there then Garage won't be full yet, and may miss the big hunk of crowds.

For me, Faster to the Fun is worth it.  You are one of the first on the ship. Can drop off your bags, do a little unpacking.  Then go get food.  Because everything is so crowded we bring our food back down to our room so we don't have to worry about dealing with the chaotic crowds.  Much nicer to be able to relax and non sit there for hours in massive crowds of people with luggage.

I'm rolling laughing at all this!

This is a IR receiver.  Many hotels/cruise lines use it to make all tv's uniformly work for remotes.  It is not a camera.  

17 hours ago, gakawgirl said:

I added  the Value Pkg. planaeverl days ago  but have not done the "shopping cart check-out" yet.  with 4 sea days thought it might come in handy. my question is this: why is it listed under DH name and not mine? I have made all arrangements, reservations, form-filling, CC info etc. not a problem but he will not be using it I am sure. do not want to have to locate him on ship if there is a problem with pass words, security questions etc. 

When you add it to your room you choose who it is being purchased for, could be it is listed for him.  There is no password, just the folio number on card and something else I think (DOB/Year?)

2 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello we have strayed away from Carnival the past three years and now tired of RC, if anybody can answer our questions it be appreciated.  We will be going on the Elation in February.

 

1-  Can you still get caesar salad late night at the pizzeria?

2-  How is the windjammer lunch, I recall it to be not so good on these ships, has it improved in selection/variety and quality?  Do they still have a meat carving each day for lunch?

3-  For the past few years we always got a balcony, this year we got an oceanview, are the rooms warm during the night?

4-  What is there to eat late at night past 11pm?

5-  Is it worth getting the drink package, I recall the glasses on many drinks to be very small compared to what we got on other cruise lines.

Like to hear your pros and cons of the fantasy class ships.

1.  Unsure about the salad

2.  Windjammer lunch wasn't a 5 star meal, but I enjoyed it.  I am almost certain they had a carving station.

3.  Room was always comfortable, you can adjust using the nob in ceiling (Fantasy)

4.  They usually had pizza, and until about 1 hotdogs, hamburgers, and pub type food available.

5.  How many drinks would you drink in a day?  More than 5-6?  Each day?  Then yes, it is worth it.  If you won't hit that, then it would be a waste.

Pro - ship is smaller, so you are able to experience the entire ship, not as crowded imo.

Con - Ship is smaller, so less to do/experience that a larger ship.  However i wasn't bored once!

It has two.

I would suggest the Hub App.  Much easier to use, just make sure it stays open or notifications won't  come through.  $5.00 per person.  Walkie Talkies don't work super well on the ship, and it is so loud many times may not hear them.

Most of the shows are first come first serve.  I would get there early for most shows.  Your time dining gets you seated whenever you like, may be a short wait.  Dress code varies.  I have seen people in dress shorts in the MDR to full length ball gowns each night.  Main thing is no swimming shorts, dress like you would for church or to go out to eat at a decent restaurant, same with elegant night.

FYI for anyone else reading this. "Not supported" is also fancy speak for it could work, but if it doesn't or you have trouble we won't help you fix it. I've had no problem with facebook calls or wifi calling from my cellular device.

Thanks so much for this helpful info! I see you have been on the Fantasy before. This is our first time out of Mobile and on the Fantasy. Any tips you may have for the Fantasy that I should know?

Depending on your check-in time get there a little early. There is a train track right in front of the entrance and it can hold you up 20-30 minutes.

The ship IS smaller, and it IS a bit older. The decor is dated a bit. If you care about those things, just keep that in mine. If you don't care and just love cruising and being on vacation then you will be great.

The staff seem to always go over the top to make you happy. On my Behind the Fun tour our tour guide said that the Fantasy is often used as as a training ship for new staff. So they are always willing to go above and beyong -that is MY take.

Avoid the buffet lines on boarding and grab a guys burger. There tends to be more seating outside too until you can get to your room, unless you get FTTF.

My air in the room was either frigid or around 74. I had a small fan and never had an issue.

I have also seen a few people complain about a smell coming from bathroom. I keep a room spray with me, and spray when I get to room and I have not had an issue.