My Review of the Fantasy July 8th(kindof long)

This review might seem a bit skewed, and I feel that our family is a bit jaded, since we usually cruise every Easter on one of Carnivals newest ships. So please take this with a grain of salt. This is just my opinion.

Embarkation-We arrived in Orlando at 11am, Rusty from Art’s Shuttle met us right off the escalators in the baggage area. He had a sign with my name on it-my daughter thought that was really neat so we had to get a picture of him standing there. We were the only ones on the shuttle and were whisked away to Port Canaveral. He dropped us off right at the passenger loading section in front of the Fantasy at noon. For $25 a piece it was very slick, about the same as renting a car without the hassle! There was only one line for all including those of us that filled out our Fun Pass in advance, but from the time we got into line until we stepped on the ship it took about 20 minutes. My first impression was that it was a much smaller ship than I am accustomed to, the atrium reminded me of the Wyndam hotel with the glass levels.

We found our way to our room E159, on the same level as we boarded, our room was ready despite what we were told at check in,(rooms wouldn’t be ready til after 1pm.

The room had two twin beds, a decent size bathroom (in cruising terms) with a shower. The sink had a big chunk of plastic missing from it though. We booked a guarantee outside and got the highest level 6D. It had a big window, more than enough light in the room. Overall it was a very nice cabin for the two of us. The safe has a combination you can program in, so no need to carry around, or hide a card to use to get into the safe. But didn’t like the fact that we had to carry our sail and sign cards plus a key for our rooms everywhere(I know that’s so petty). Plenty of shelves and drawers for our clothes, and the suitcases fit nicely under our beds. The duvets were wonderfully soft and warm, wish all the ships changed to those.

The Fantasy is laid out like all the Carnival ships, but again everything seemed so much smaller -it felt very crowded with all of the people gathering on the lido deck and in the buffet areas. I liked the Bistro on the Boulevard area, nice comfy loungers to people watch.

Now for the bad:

Unfortunately everywhere we went there were dirty glasses and dishes left around, broken glass and last night’s puke(sorry) on the upper decks. The ship was not very well maintained. It also seemed that alot of passengers forgot their manners on the dock because quite a few would never say excuse me when they bumped into you, or even say hello when we passed them in the halls and elevators. This was not like the Carnival cruisers I know and love. My daughter called it-(NOW DON’T GO NUTS ON ME) the Floating Walmart!

Shows were very nice, great costumes, typical Carnival style! The Universal Lounge didn’t have great viewing for the shows, seemed everywhere you would sit, either a pole or railing would be in the way.

This vacation was designated for relaxation, and quiet time with my daughter home from college. So we didn’t plan much activity. Sun bathing, reading and catching up was our goal. So please pardon my lack of Fun ship activity. I did manage to win a coveted 24kt plastic ship on a stick for coming in1st on the first round of Game Show Mania. It was a lot of fun acting silly on stage.

Food - We were assigned early seating 6:15 in the Celebration dining room. When we went to check out our table we found we were assigned to a table for 10-we had asked for a small table. I didn’t mind, but my daughter wanted to spend some alone time with me since she is now in her 3rd year at college and we don’t see each other much. So we hunted down the maitre’d to ask for a switch if possible. No word from about the table change we ate in the Celebration the first night. Service was slow, no automatic filling glasses with water, and the waiter just plopped down any old bread on our plates, never refilling it. Our table mates were a family from Texas, very nice family! Halfway thru dinner the maitre’d came over and advised us that we were taking up the space of two other passengers, we explained that we didn’t get any notification in our room about a switching of tables, so we were told to stay there-duh! And the next nights to go to our new table.

The following nights we were assigned to the Jubilee dining room, it was a table for 4 and no other couple showed up so we had the table all to ourselves for the rest of the cruise. It was like night and day-our waiter Alexsey and asst. waitress Martina were absolutely wonderful! Very attentive, very funny and personable. The rolls were warm and abundant! The lobster was fantastic, filet done to perfection. All in all the food in the dining room was excellent.

Lido deck food was miserable for both breakfasts and lunches. Food was dried out and not very appetizing. Selection was very poor. One thing that really bugged me was no individual syrups or cream cheeses at breakfast, everyone had to use a communal pitcher or bowl. We then decided to eat every meal in the dining room, everything was fresh and tasty.

Nassau- we decided to just do a little shopping and take in the Atlantis Hotel. We didn’t pay to go thru the aquarium, we just walked around to the restaurant that had about 5 big viewing windows. Saw a lot of fish, stingray, sharks etc. Couldn’t imagine paying $30 to go thru the” Dig”, save your money and do what we did. Lost $$ in the casino, and paid thru the nose for a pina colada and diet coke at one of the bars.

Debarkation was a breeze, got up at 6:30, had breakfast in the dining room, got our bags out of our rooms by 8am and carried our luggage off the ship by 8:30. Took the Budget shuttle to get our car and on our way to Orlando by 9. Couldn’t have been easier.

All in all it was a very relaxing cruise. Though I prefer to stick with the newer bigger ships, it was a nice getaway for my daughter and I. Any questions feel free to fire away!

Hi Suzie, my husband and daughter wanted to bring the duvet home with us. I said no. We did not notice the dirty stuff laying around like you did. I personally prefer dining room food to Lido Deck food also. Buffet food always seems to upset my stomach. In fact the only stuff I ate from the buffet was a salad, some fruit, and a dessert or two.

We loved the ship and had a great time. I posted a long review. Sorry we didn't stick around to take your cruise too. We actually had such a great debarkation that we were able to get an earlier flight home. We were off the ship before 8:30 and on our way to the airport using the Carnival transfer by 8:40

Hill6-

I think I saw your husband dragging the duvet behind him as we pulled up to the ship-lol. Did you find the ship overly crowded? Which do you prefer, the bigger ships or smaller?

According to the cruise director we had 2,568 people on board and it did not feel all that crowded. We have been on the Triumph and Glory and at times those seemed crowded. The casino always had seats at the tables. Last year on the Glory the casino was always jammed (unless we just had a bunch of gamblers on that cruise). I think I may like the smaller one a little bit better.

Hmmm I need to figure out another cruise and sooon. The Legend keeps beconing my name. My mom has sailed on her once and has her second cruise booked on her and my mother in law just came off of her and loved her too. Need to check out the Spirit class then I can give a true decision which one I like the best.

we're going on the Miracle March 27th, come join us. Glad you had a good time on your cruise. I was afraid that my review would come across more negative than positive. I dont think any cruise we take can be a bad one, again like they say "A vacation is what you make it". Maybe it was that I missed hubby and my son too much-NOT!!! lol

Have a great weekend!

We are going on Fantasy 8/8 and I sure hope our trip is more like Hill6. It will actually ruin my experience if the ship is dirty and there is throw up on the decks. It will make my 9 year old throw up too. Maybe all of us. That is gross. This is my first cruise and if it is like that, it will be my last. I was hoping for lots of families on this cruise since it is summer vacation. Not lots of wild young people who are drunk all the time. We'll just stay in the room the whole time if it's like that and I will be all the more thankful I went on and got the suite!

Also, I work at Wal-Mart and was hoping to have a vacation from it!!!!!!!:eek:

SuzieQ I would love to join you on March 27th but my job does not permit any vacation from January to April (I am an accountant). That is the Easter break cruise. My daughter is going away that week with her friend on a trip that may be a little better than a cruise. They are doing 4 nights in Kona Hawaii and 4 nights in California. I will be vacationing with all of you in spirit.

wow hill- i would hide in your daughters suitcase if i were you-lol!

soon2bcruising-you will have a blast-remember a cruise is what you make it. you will be hooked on cruising after your first one-

my best advise is read up as much as you can,tuck all that info into the back of your brain, be aware of the bad, but be open to the experience and form your own opinions, they are the ones that matter.

Happy cruising!

Suzie I would love to hide in her suitcase for that trip. We have tried telling her that when we finally make it to Hawaii it will be without her. She said no fair because we would be going to different islands than her. But unfortunately I need to stay her and work 10 hour days during the week and an 8 hour Saturday.