Sailed recently on Carnival Fantasy?

Husband, daughter, son in law, grandaughter sailing may 9th from Charleston, SC. First time sailing out of Charleston and first time on Fantasy. Your thoughts about the Fantasy please.

She's a beautiful ship; we found her to be in great repair, and she's been to a routine dry dock since we sailed her. My few complaints? The pool is small, and it can be hard to see in the lounge depending on where you sit.

The upside? The MDR food was wonderful; Chef's Table was to DIE FOR. The staff was friendly and attentive. The beds are great. Our pictures from our cruise are here if you want to see recent ones. Obviously I thought it was a great cruise as I'm going again 9 months later.

Husband, daughter, son in law, grandaughter sailing may 9th from Charleston, SC. First time sailing out of Charleston and first time on Fantasy. Your thoughts about the Fantasy please.

We sailed aboard her back in October and had a fabulous time! Don't worry! You'll have a wonderful cruise!

:cool:Bill

We sailed on Fantasy (2nd sailing on her) in June 2010. If you are interested there is a picture review in my signature. Just click on the link. ;)

We sailed on her in August '10 - She is a beautiful ship! You will have a great time. The Charleston port was very quick and efficient as well. Everyone was very friendly. I didn't really care for the parking/shuttle situation they have there, but that's a minor point and didn't take away from the vacation at all =)

Have a great time! :)

She's a beautiful ship; we found her to be in great repair, and she's been to a routine dry dock since we sailed her. My few complaints? The pool is small, and it can be hard to see in the lounge depending on where you sit.

The upside? The MDR food was wonderful; Chef's Table was to DIE FOR. The staff was friendly and attentive. The beds are great. Our pictures from our cruise are here if you want to see recent ones. Obviously I thought it was a great cruise as I'm going again 9 months later.

Carolyn, thanks for sharing your pics. We go on the Fantasy 3/12 and I am super excited!!

She's a beautiful ship; we found her to be in great repair, and she's been to a routine dry dock since we sailed her. My few complaints? The pool is small, and it can be hard to see in the lounge depending on where you sit.

The upside? The MDR food was wonderful; Chef's Table was to DIE FOR. The staff was friendly and attentive. The beds are great. Our pictures from our cruise are here if you want to see recent ones. Obviously I thought it was a great cruise as I'm going again 9 months later.

I 3rd that. We are sailing on the Fantasy 11/12/2011 and I cannot wait (wish we didn't have to wait until November to go :().

Just cruised the Fantasy in Jan. We had a great time. I have been on several larger ships, but I like the smaller ones. Very friendly entertainment crew and staff. The food was good and the ship is in great shape. Planning on sailing her again in Feb 11. If you don't want to deal with the parking situation, stay over night at one of the area hotels and shuttle over. We got out of the hotel van and into the port shuttle and were checked in in no time.

She's a beautiful ship; we found her to be in great repair, and she's been to a routine dry dock since we sailed her. My few complaints? The pool is small, and it can be hard to see in the lounge depending on where you sit.

The upside? The MDR food was wonderful; Chef's Table was to DIE FOR. The staff was friendly and attentive. The beds are great. Our pictures from our cruise are here if you want to see recent ones. Obviously I thought it was a great cruise as I'm going again 9 months later.

Loved your pictures. What excursions did you do in Nassau and Freeport??

Just cruised the Fantasy in Jan. We had a great time. I have been on several larger ships, but I like the smaller ones. Very friendly entertainment crew and staff. The food was good and the ship is in great shape. Planning on sailing her again in Feb 11. If you don't want to deal with the parking situation, stay over night at one of the area hotels and shuttle over. We got out of the hotel van and into the port shuttle and were checked in in no time.

The Hampton Inn in Mt Pleasant/Patriots Point has a Park & Cruise that is very reasonable. We are staying overnight (with free parking for duration, shuttle both ways, and breakfast) for not much more than it would have cost us to park 7 days at the port. :) It is just across the bridge from downtown.

The Hampton Inn in Mt Pleasant/Patriots Point has a Park & Cruise that is very reasonable. We are staying overnight (with free parking for duration, shuttle both ways, and breakfast) for not much more than it would have cost us to park 7 days at the port. :) It is just across the bridge from downtown.

How much does parking cost at this port?

Sailed on the 2nd cruise out of Charleston as well, only problem with it is since its a such a small ship, if the waves get big you can feel it rocking.

How much does parking cost at this port?

Parking is $15 per day and you have to pay as you go into the parking facility. The Carnival website also says that they only accept cash, personal checks or traveler's checks.

We board the Fantasy on April 2nd - can't wait!

Parking is $15 per day and you have to pay as you go into the parking facility. The Carnival website also says that they only accept cash, personal checks or traveler's checks.

 

We board the Fantasy on April 2nd - can't wait!

We just returned from the Fantasy last Friday and they were accepting check/credit cards to pay for the parking even though the website says differently.

How was your cruise? We will be on Fantasy in July. I am a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous) about all I have been reading about so much smoke in the public areas of this ship. I don't smoke, but I'm usually not freaked out about smoke (although I guess I not used to it in public places around here). But the things I have been reading about people having to leave certain lounges due to smoke is making me nervous. :confused:

Has anyone sailed the Fantasy with a family of five? We are trying to figure out if we can realistically fit in one room next Feb for our first cruise. It would be me, my dh, dd 12, ds 10 and dd 8. Or would it be better to just get ajoining rooms.

Thanks

Amy

How was your cruise? We will be on Fantasy in July. I am a little nervous (okay, a lot nervous) about all I have been reading about so much smoke in the public areas of this ship. I don't smoke, but I'm usually not freaked out about smoke (although I guess I not used to it in public places around here). But the things I have been reading about people having to leave certain lounges due to smoke is making me nervous. :confused:

I also have heard complaints about the smoking issue on the Fantasy. I do not smoke nor am I sensitive to the smoke. However, we do not go in the lounges where there is smoking permitted so I really cannot comment on those places. The lounge in the back of the ship where they have the comedy club is non-smoking. However, you do have to pass thru a smoking section to get to it. My husband (he quit smoking several years ago and is very sensitive) noticed smoke in that lounge while we were waiting before they closed the doors. The ventilation was good in there and it quickly went away. Also, I noticed heavy smoke in the piano bar when it was open. However, we met there on the morning of our Behind the Fun tour and you could not smell the smoke at all. On our cruise I never did see anyone smoking on the Lido deck except on the smoking side. So, I guess it is subjective to your sensitivity but I would have to say it never bothered me – even in the casino.

This was actually our third time on the Fantasy. We were on her when she was in New Orleans and again just in September of 2010. We went that time with friends and this time with our two daughters and their husbands and two grandchildren – I guess you could say we really like the Fantasy. We had a great cruise. We went mainly this time to offer babysitting services as needed.

If you have any other questions, I will try to answer them.

How was the Behind The Scenes tour? I think my DH would really enjoy that!

We just returned from the Fantasy last Friday and they were accepting check/credit cards to pay for the parking even though the website says differently.

Good to know - thanks!

How was the Behind The Scenes tour? I think my DH would really enjoy that!

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The price was $55.00 each and we signed up at the Shore Excursion Desk shortly after getting on the ship. The tour was on the last sea day and lasted 2 1/2 hours. We went to the galley, the laundry, the crew's dining room and their lounge/bar area, behind the stage, the engine control room, and the bridge (there were other places as well). We met the Captain and had a group picture taken with him on the bridge. We were given the opportunity to ask questions in the different areas we visited. We each received a ball cap and a lanyard when the tour was over. When we returned to our room, there was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, 2 muffins, and some cookies. We also received a copy of the group picture. This was very enjoyable and informative and well worth the $55.00.

She is probably my favorite ship so far. I sailed on her right before she went into dry dock for her Evolutions of Fun upgrade and again shortly after. I loved her both times. She looks like a new ship now, and we loved the Water Works on the back of the ship. You will love it...I'm sure.

That is exactly what I needed to know! We will definitely want to do that tour! Sounds like a great experience.

Has anyone sailed the Fantasy with a family of five? We are trying to figure out if we can realistically fit in one room next Feb for our first cruise. It would be me, my dh, dd 12, ds 10 and dd 8. Or would it be better to just get adjoining rooms.

Thanks

Amy

My suggestion - get connecting cabins - worth it just for the extra bathroom.

My suggestion - get connecting cabins - worth it just for the extra bathroom.

Totally agree, we were just two in an oceanview and we kept bumping into each other. This class of ship in the insides and oceanviews does not have a seating area in the cabin so it is cramped.

PS OP we sailed her for Christmas this past year and loved it. Was our seconds time on her the last time prior to evolutions of fun and we got her a week or two after drydock so she was sparkling.

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The price was $55.00 each and we signed up at the Shore Excursion Desk shortly after getting on the ship. The tour was on the last sea day and lasted 2 1/2 hours. We went to the galley' date=' the laundry, the crew's dining room and their lounge/bar area, behind the stage, the engine control room, and the bridge (there were other places as well). We met the Captain and had a group picture taken with him on the bridge. We were given the opportunity to ask questions in the different areas we visited. We each received a ball cap and a lanyard when the tour was over. When we returned to our room, there was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, 2 muffins, and some cookies. We also received a copy of the group picture. This was very enjoyable and informative and well worth the $55.00.[/quote']

Did you rush directly to the Shore Excursion desk? I really want to do this tour, and I want to make sure I get a spot....I understand the openings are limited. What time did you board?