All Things Fantasy

[Pinkfloydfan]

We were on this same cruise. We loved Shorty! She was everywhere, and so was Wally. They both made it a point to interact with everyone. She asked everyone during the Welcome Aboard show to holler out "Hi Shorty" when we saw her, so that's what we did, and she always came right over to talk to us. I find myself saying "Ciao for now":D

 

I rarely ate in the buffet - I usually had Mongolian for lunch, my DH had a reuben from the deli, or a burger. This is the first cruise I didn't have pizza. It seemed to me they had more entertainment during the evenings, so that could be why Lido seemed empty. Plus we had some chilly, very windy nights.

 

We thought the entertainment was great! Loved the Hypnotist show, the comedian/juggler, and both of the musical shows. They had a great band playing 70's/80's music on Promenade several of the nights. We also saw the comedian a couple times.

 

The food was very good in MDR, but we had 6pm seating, and it was very slow most nights. Our waiter had way too many tables to take care of. Some nights other tables were ordering dessert and we hadn't even gotten our food yet. The tables were also packed together which made it very hard for the waiters to move around. Most nights we didn't get out of there till after 7:30. We tried the brunch once but our food was cold, and just ok. I prefer the omelette station on Lido which were made fresh. We are early risers and the brunch didn't start till 8:30.

 

I never paid attention to the bars on Lido - there were plenty of waiters walking around taking orders.

 

We had FTTF and that was worth it's weight in GOLD. Just being able to walk on the ship and go directly to our cabin to put our carry ons away before lunch was worth it! Our luggage actually beat us to our cabin. We were on the first tender to HMC, and it was nice being able to use the Platinum line for guest services. We will definitely use FTTF whenever it's available.

 

Our next cruise will be on the Liberty, but we will be back on Fantasy after that. We really love that ship. All in all, we thought it was our best cruise ever!

COJO1956, Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Did Jim go to the casino? We are cruising the Liberty again in May to see Music Boardwalk you will love it. alot more to do than on the Fantasy and different ports also:) Pink

[COJO1956]

COJO1956, Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Did Jim go to the casino? We are cruising the Liberty again in May to see Music Boardwalk you will love it. alot more to do than on the Fantasy and different ports also:) Pink

 

He did go to the Casino and it wasn't pretty:eek: Wish you were going on our cruise! We are looking forward to new ports, and Liberty will be our first big ship and balcony;)

[bobsfamily]

Bob, you are so right! This crew is absolutely fantastic! There were several first-timers with me 2 wks ago and they couldn't get over how everything was like clockwork, especially in the dining room, and how nice and friendly the crew was.

And SOON we will be able to enjoy their wonderful service again!

[NCTribeFan]

I'm wondering if Zelia will be our Casino Hostess in May. She's another of my favorite Fantasy people.

[bobsfamily]

I'm wondering if Zelia will be our Casino Hostess in May. She's another of my favorite Fantasy people.

She told my wife she was getting married in Dec. but may be back after a vacation. Maybe, maybe not BUT we will see in 88 days!

[Nikki in NC]

Wish I could go back with you all in May. I asked DH the other day if we could book our next one with some tax money and he said not right now.....I got mad and didn't speak to him for the rest of the night! I'm still a little p.o.'d!

[Cricket551]

Ive spend the past few days reading all 61 pages of this board!!! I feel like I know a few of you personally and absolutely loved readed every post, well except maybe two, but whatever!!! Hubby and I have a cruise booked on the October 11 date, very very excited. We have been on one other back in 08on the Valor, wonderful trip not sure why it took so long to book again, hope to make more a habit of it! Ive taken notes and learned so much from this board!! We are booked in V28 any thoughts on that area? I think (hope) we got a good deal, but whatever thr case am super excited only a little over 200 days !!! Again thank you all for this wonderful information happy cruising:p

Edited February 9, 2014 by Cricket551

[JustCruzinSC]

Does anyone out there know why the coast guard had to pick someone up on our Fantasy sailing this past week? I believe it was Wednesday Feb 5? I never heard what actually happened?

[GMayberry]

Does anyone out there know why the coast guard had to pick someone up on our Fantasy sailing this past week? I believe it was Wednesday Feb 5? I never heard what actually happened?

 

I have been wondering the same thing. We sail out on her next Thursday (2/21)

[NCTribeFan]

Well, I will NOT be taking my 7th Fantasy cruise in May. Just moved to Pride. But I will sail her again, hopefully before the end of the year, if I can squeeze in three cruises again in 2014.

[GMayberry]

We leave on her this Friday at 4pm. Does anyone have any idea how long after leaving port it will be warm enough to jump in the pool? Im sick of all this snow!! :D

[Jamman54]

We leave on her this Friday at 4pm. Does anyone have any idea how long after leaving port it will be warm enough to jump in the pool? Im sick of all this snow!! :D

 

I was on the 2/11 sailing, and it was 30 degrees as we sailed from Charleston. There were people (mostly kids), in the hot tubs, and some of them actually jumped in the pool!!! Brrrrrrrrrr!!!! The next morning it was 72 degrees and very comfortable.

[OnTheGo1202]

We have only recently become avid cruisers. It started as one a year, then two, now 4 this year.

 

We cruised on the Fantasy and became fairly close with Zelia. She was the best thing about our entire Fantasy experience. She really treated us well. She was thrilled that week because she was going home for 3 months. At that point she wasn't sure which ship she would come back to, but she thought it would be in early March.

 

We made one huge mistake just before sailing on the Fantasy and that was sailin on the Breeze 2 months prior. We went from the largest and newest to literally the smallest and oldest. It was difficult not to compare.

 

Overall we weren't impressed with the Fantasy, but any day on a cruise is better than a day at work.

[sammee]

We have only recently become avid cruisers. It started as one a year, then two, now 4 this year.

 

We cruised on the Fantasy and became fairly close with Zelia. She was the best thing about our entire Fantasy experience. She really treated us well. She was thrilled that week because she was going home for 3 months. At that point she wasn't sure which ship she would come back to, but she thought it would be in early March.

 

We made one huge mistake just before sailing on the Fantasy and that was sailin on the Breeze 2 months prior. We went from the largest and newest to literally the smallest and oldest. It was difficult not to compare.

 

Overall we weren't impressed with the Fantasy, but any day on a cruise is better than a day at work.

 

May11, will be our 3rd cruise, this time on the Fantasy, can't wait, we tried the fascination in 2009 but Charleston is a shorter drive. 1st cruise was the Explorer out of Bayonne in 2007 but even with the short travel time, we cannot justify the price, besides we love going to Charleston, it'll be 2 trips in one.

[cruise_gal21]

May11, will be our 3rd cruise, this time on the Fantasy, can't wait, we tried the fascination in 2009 but Charleston is a shorter drive. 1st cruise was the Explorer out of Bayonne in 2007 but even with the short travel time, we cannot justify the price, besides we love going to Charleston, it'll be 2 trips in one.

 

We're cruising May 11th as well! Come join our roll call if you want to. Less than 3 months now! We can't wait! :D

 

Sent from my LG-L38C using Forums mobile app

[sammee]

We're cruising May 11th as well! Come join our roll call if you want to. Less than 3 months now! We can't wait! :D

 

Sent from my LG-L38C using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks I will, my head is swimming hunting for best rate hotel/parking etc. Looks like I have to get on the phone Saturday and make a phone call. We're interested in Patriots point, we've stayed there twice before, but they don't mention the shuttle anymore.

[cruise_gal21]

Thanks I will, my head is swimming hunting for best rate hotel/parking etc. Looks like I have to get on the phone Saturday and make a phone call. We're interested in Patriots point, we've stayed there twice before, but they don't mention the shuttle anymore.

 

We'll be staying there on our first night because you can't beat their nightly rate, but booked the Radisson in North Charleston for the night before the cruise just for parking and included round trip shuttle at a great price. Trip Advisor has a lot of mixed reviews on the Radisson, which has me concerned, but since it's only one night and not an extended stay we decided to stick with it. This will be our first visit to Charleston, so that's why we wanted a couple days stay before the cruise. Two vacarions in one, like you said :p

 

Sent from my LG-L38C using Forums mobile app

[bobsfamily]

booked the Radisson in North Charleston for the night before the cruise just for parking and included round trip shuttle at a great price. Trip Advisor has a lot of mixed reviews

Personally I wound not leave my car overnight much less 5 nights in that area. Not a very nice area after dark...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54171-d224294-Reviews-Hampton_Inn_Suites_Charleston_West_Ashley-Charleston_South_Carolina.html#REVIEWS

 

Above might be a better option.

[sammee]

I am very concerned with some of the reviews. That's why I'm calling, and if they don't do shuttle, I'll get the name of some cabs or take the dive and pay the port parking.

 

3 Years ago we had a nightmare Rodeway in No. Charleston. 15 minute stay and we were gone. It looked like a scene from a horror movie, couldn't get out of there fast enough. That's how we ended up at Patriots point.

 

There's some nice places downtown Charleston, but they are either pricey or not available.

 

Lesson learned, besides tripadvisor, follow up with bedbugreports.com

[mamajules]

This past October we stayed at Red Roof Inn in Mt Pleasant. $65 for the park-n-cruise. No shuttle. Arranged with Charleston Green Taxi to pick us up and take us to the port - $20. Nice hotel and parked car directly across from entrance. Just caught one of the cabs at the port upon our return $18. Had breakfast morning of cruise at a nice little local coffee shop and picked up last minute things before the taxi picked us up. Would stay there again.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[willpickup]

Just got back from Feb 21st fantasy cruise. Stayed at Hampton Inn on sessions way Mt. Pleasant. Very nice accommodations. Round trip car service provided by showtime. Lots of dining options nearby. Parking lot seemed very safe. Would definitely stay there again.

 

Had them drop me off at 1030am we were on the boat very fast at around 1115am luggage was at our room by 200pm while others were in line waiting to park. Carnival said not to arrive till 1pm. But as usual it paid off to ignore them.

 

Leaving we chose the self debark option we left room at 630. Stood in line on boat for about 15 minutes was outside of customs getting ride back to hotel before 700 am.

 

YMMV

 

Happy cruising!

 

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[thegoodlife247]

If you choose to do self debark what time do you and your belongings need to be out of your stateroom on the last day?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[twentyknots]

Each deck has a different time designated for debarkation. They start with lower decks and work up, sometime around 7:00-7:30. Just be sure you can carry all your luggage unassisted off the ship and into the customs area. Depart times will be televised in your cabin. I don't think it's a strict requirement that you leave the ship at the designated time. We are usually on an upper deck and our designated departure time is around 8am, but we go to breakfast in the dining room around 7:30 and leave the ship when we finish. We leave our luggage in the cabin until after we've had breakfast. By the time we're ready, many self-assist have left. I asked the guest services if this was okay and was told it was.

[Elliek27]

Has anyone ever taken the catamaran/stingray excursion on the Fantasy? We are thinking about doing it but I'm worried it will not allow us enough time to do other things in Nassau. Thanks

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[thegoodlife247]

Thank you twentyknots. That is exactly what we were hoping to do.

 

I know there is a thread dedicated to charleston but I wanted to ask if anyone here has suggestions on a great breakfast place to eat downtown the morning of the cruise. We only live a few hours away and will be driving in that morning. Thank you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app