"Color Fantasy" Photo Review published

[ruderhaus]

Hello everybody,

 

I have just published a Photo Review of Color Line's cruise ferry "Color Fantasy", as well as a photo gallery of the brand-new ship with more than 75 pictures. "A ferry?" you might ask. Yes, indeed, but as soon as you have read about this extraordinary ship and once you have seen the pictures, I'm sure you will understand why her owners call the world's biggest cruise ferry a "cruise ship with a car deck":

 

http://www.ruderhaus.de/color-fantasy-visit/index_e.htm

 

As always, English picture descriptions will appear by pointing the mouse cursor at the full-sized pictures.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Best regards,

 

Raoul Fiebig

[robsvacation]

Raoul

 

Thanks you for the time it took to produce the review of the Color Fantasy. I really enjoy your website and love reading the reviews and seeing the pictures of the ships we never really get to see here in North America. I'm surprised there is so little info I could find on the web on this new ship.

 

I was wondering if you were able to see one of the cabins overlooking the Fantasy Promenade, are they very different from the regular cabins? Also what do you think of the cabins overlooking the main dining hall, that certainly seems like an odd choice to me. Finally, I know this ship travels in cold waters but I'm surprised at the lack of any Balcony Cabins. I suppose this helps ensure people will be out and about on the ship spending money.

 

A very interesting vessel indeed! At only 75K tons they've managed to pack alot of features into her. I think in some ways she's raised the bar even for cruise ships, If a 75K ferry can have a promenade, why not a panamax cruise ship?

 

Thanks again for your hard work on your great website

Rob

[Druke I]

Thanks for the photo-spread.

 

What a grand ferry. I still there would be a market for that type of ship along the West Coast of the US - but our laws would require it to be US registered and crewed.

 

Several years ago, Stardancer tried to make "a living" on the West Coast, and was moderately successful, until merged into RCCL.

[ruderhaus]

I was wondering if you were able to see one of the cabins overlooking the Fantasy Promenade, are they very different from the regular cabins? Also what do you think of the cabins overlooking the main dining hall, that certainly seems like an odd choice to me. Finally, I know this ship travels in cold waters but I'm surprised at the lack of any Balcony Cabins. I suppose this helps ensure people will be out and about on the ship spending money.

 

Hi Rob,

 

sorry for replying so late. I usually try to visit the Cruise Critic boards at least once per week, but I totally forgot about it last week.

 

The Promenade cabins are very similar to the standard cabins, with the exception that when entering, the bed is at the right or left wall rather than in front of you. The same also applies to the outside cabins featuring a queen-sized bed. Those with multiple single beds as well as the inside cabins have a different arrangement.

 

Balconies are still not that popular in Germany, from where obviously quite a number of "Color Fantasy" passengers are. Also, I think it wouldn't be possible to fully appreciate the comfort of having a private balcony, mainly due to the short duration of a one-way trip (19 hours), but also because of the "cold waters".

 

If a 75K ferry can have a promenade, why not a panamax cruise ship?

 

I guess the problem is the required width. "Color Fantasy" is post-Panamax, but only because of her width. Not by far, but then remember that her cabins are smaller than those a US market cruise ship would require, so having a Panamax-sized cruise ship with such a promenade would probably only be possible when not having any ("real") inside cabins, but oceanview and promenade-view staterooms only.

 

Best,

 

Raoul

[Brandis]

Raoul

 

Thank you very much for the photos and the review. We are going on a roundtrip on Color Fantasy in a couple of days. Until now, I didn't find much informations about the ship, just about what can be found on the official homepage.

 

Having cruised on 2 Voyager-Class ships I'm looking forward how it compares to them.

 

Marc

[Mattsudds]

I took a 'Fantasy Cruise' on the new giant of the ferryways Color Fantasy. I'm sure many of us will be trying this ship out over the next few months and all I can say is go for it!Now for the voyage report.

 

A wet/ snowy Monday in Kiel, pulling into the main station on the DB train one sees something glinting and towering over the harbour in the distance. Could it be - it was the ship herself Color Fantasy. A short walk from the station brings one to Color Line's NorwegenKai terminal, a light airy building with glass all down one side. Thecruise experience begins. Upon checking in you are given your cabin key and a copy of the cruise programme, together with a concertina style map of the ship. The in terminal videos are showing various promotional presentations of color line and the fantasy herself.

Finally boarding beings and you step aboard midships on deck 7 -right into the Fantasy parade, right into WOW. The parade will be familiar to those who travelled on the Silja Serenade/ Symphony, 4 decks high, 160m long. In the centre of the Fantasy promenade a trio are playing jovial cruise type music. Your cabin key also tells you which lifts are nearest, but orientation isn't a problem. There are basically 2 main stairtowers with glass and regular lifts. My Cabin, aft on deck 9 is an outside with the now standard sofa, bed, wardrobe, dressing table, bathroom etc. The now ubiquitous porthole design of window adds an extra nautical feel, as does the silver effect door with porthole numbering. The fantasy has cruise style extras in the cabin, including interactive TV in all, with Pay TV options. A clever credit card slot on the side can be used to pay for the minibar also underneath. Time to go explore - starting right at the top.

Deck 15 contains the observation lounge, observation club and library - yes there is a library, with books (although they do look rather display only). A pianist is playing in the observation bar and it is already popular with cruise passengers awaiting departure. Also on this level is the upper portion of the tower nightclub, where you can dance away in a 'scary Tower of London ' style ambience. The Observation lounge has wood everywhere and an

interesting fibreoptic light display in the roof. The nightclub is an interesting split level place, the tower theme including a dragon model and Knights in shining armor. Personally I got more of a Shrek than shriek vibe here!. Down to Deck 13 and at the front, under the observation lounge is the fitness centre and spa. Clearly modelled on a cruise ship you can run or cycle right next to a magnificent view. Deck 13 is upper sundeck level and the sun decks are huge - but not wooded. PErhaps in keeping with the freezing cold and her

route there is presently absolutely no sundeck furniture. Moving aft and under the funnel is the 50s Diner - the decor works well but the burgers were ugh!, teen planet entertainment space (one of many) and upper level of 'Aqualand'. Aqualand (continues on deck 12) is an indoor waterpark which the kids seemed to love, it has rapids, slides etc and a sort of Indiana jones theme of decor. Moving forward on deck 12 is the huge conference centre, which on both my crossings was fully booked. At the foward end are cabins. Decks 11-8 are also cabins, but the main action takes place on Deck 7 - the

fantasy promenade. This contains, the Fantasy showlounge. This was showing spectacular theatre style shows, with some really talented performers. The audience lapped it up. There are 2 bars in the showlounge and 2 shows per evening to coincide with2 sittings for dinner (cruise style again). The shows were great.This room is used all evening with the houseband belting out dance numbers and showtunes until the Tower disco opens. In a nice touch on the Kiel bound leg the officers are presented to the passengers. The showlounge opens into the forward lift tower where the promenade really begins. There is a fashion shop and a promenade cafe. information / reception and newsagents with cashmachine. Continuing aft there is the Donkey pub where a trio entertain passengers each evening. The Color shop sells clothes and norwegian things - where else can you buy a badly patterned jumper, a hunting knife, a troll AND a fur all at sea. Further aft again is the Pizza parlour and Childrens playroom. Another lifttower and several internet kiosks (which would have been better ina cafe) one continues pas the Tapas bar and Perfume shop to the spectacular dining space. This is effectively 2 restaurants (Oceanic a la carte and Cosmopolitan

gourmet) plus a bad. At the aft end is the spectacular 3 storey glass window affording great views of passing Fjords over dinner. A quick word about the food. I ate dinner in the Oceanic - very good, not bad value at about 20pounds 3 courses inc coffee, and the Comsopolitan - absolutely outstanding. 7 courses, each meticulously explained by the staff who were enthusiastic and knowledgable. This restaurant now takes the prize for best meal I've had at sea so far. Fantastic reindeer, Strawberry cappuccino so good I offered to take the chef home and fantastic attentive but unintrusive service. There is in addition the Grand Buffet which is the traditional

smorgasbord, which seemed to have an extensive selection - and was included at breakfast time in the cabin price. The deck below contains the Grandbuffet and tax free shop. This again demonstrates the peculiarities of the clientele with a substantial meat section, they even offer to sell you a freezer/ fridge bag to take it all home. This floow also contains a largeish

casino and the lower reaches of the showlounge. Deck 5 contains the exhibition area (basically seems to be an upper vehicle deck), a drivers lounge and some cabins. Deck 3 seems also to have the ships jail in case things become too much fun.

 

The promenade itself is entertainment architecture in a shipboard setting. Just like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the ceiling lighting changes through moods and seasons during the evening. In the morning it is bright and glowing with occasional echoes of birdsong. The ship has a relatively substantial art collection - you can buy a guide in the info kiosk. There are pieces inspired by the NOrthern lights, Color, various other things. Reportedly some 3000 works onboard, weighing in at over 15 tons. Each stairway is themes, with

the aft set being color themed. Each stairway also has plasma TVs which alternate between displaying opening hours and a map of the ships location. This map - together with a bridge cam is also available on TV in the cabins, as is the possibility of booking excursions and making dinner reservations. Color Line have a no announcement policy, 1 announcement being made 45 mins prior to arrival to warn you of the outside temperature at the destination.

 

The ship is no great beauty externally and looks slightly odd viewed close up when you realise that the hull is 2m wider at each side than the superstructure. She has a curve at the top and as the legendary Queen might have said, she is a 'fat-bottomed girl'. She has a particularly odd stern doow which consists of a ramp and a sort of flap which lock over the top 1/10th. However the hull colour works well and slightly hides her enormity. The observation lounge is a particularly fantastic space, but being so high up is very susceptible to motion of the ocean. Not much felt on this tip though

fortunately.

I spoke at some length to the Maitre 'd of the Cosmopolitan restaurant. He said the ship is way ahead of expectations for bookings etc. So far they are achieving 97% cabin occupancy and already they have over 40,000 booking for this ship alone in July. The conference trade appears to be booming too. Color Line have already signed the letter of intent for a sister but there seems to be a distinct possibility she will actually be bigger, based upon

the first few months of the Fantasy.

 

So overall my verdict- Finally cruiseferry means something. This ship has all the features expected in a modern cruise vessel, but also something more. Her crew are really proud of the ship and enthusiastic about her. The passenger crowd onboard were mostly minicruisers. Never before have I been on a ferry where people actually dressed for dinner - including some who went Black Tie!. Everywhere people were posing for photos (with their own camera - no ships photographer). There is a cruise host too. How relaxing.

Everything from the food, entertainment, including of some facilities etc, it just exudes class.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Thanks all for the updates about Color Fantasy. We have just returned from a 2-week journey in Europe which included a 7-night cruise on the Sea Princess followed by a 2-night mini-cruise on DFDS Seaways Crown of Scandinavia followed by a 1-night crossing on TT-LINE Peter Pan.

 

When planning our trip I tried to include the Color Fantasy in our plans but with the conversion to U.S. Dollars I felt it was very expensive and that didn't even include meals. But I am glad the ship is an early success and it is quite close to a real cruise ship in facilities.

 

A disappointment with the DFDS cruise was that they were charging extra for so many things. For example, to use the pool or sauna was an extra charge; to watch a movie in the cinema was an extra charge. I don't recall that Silja Line charged extra for these things when we sailed on the Silja Symphony a few years ago.

 

Most Americans don't realize that a ferry journey in Europe is very much like a cruise ship, except there is a car deck. But rarely is a car required. It's a great way to get from city to city overnight and much more relaxing than a train.

 

BobK/Orlando