Carnival Fantasy Review & Pics/ June 5th, 2010 Sailing

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4fun: Thx again' date=' for the swift reply. Maybe Farewell Party was advertised by DH and I were too tired or in the Blue zone (sad to see cruise over) to attend. Now that I know there is free booze, then shoot Yeah, we'll be there!!! for sure.

 

I check my profile/account on CCL. The Holiday is listed on my cruise hx as 4-day (which it was). The Fantasy is listed as 5-days bc we got fogged out of the Mobile port and ended up spending and additional day on that ship. It was suppose to be a 4-day cruise. Lots of unhappy campers on that ship. missed flights, probably AWOL military and the like. For us, it was an inconvenience but not major. We ate like pigs at the trough at the captain's direction. Those poor folks waiting at the terminal had to get hotels for the night... Hate to be the crew that received dem folks.

 

Back to the subject at hand of past-cruise welcome aboard party (PCWAP)... In reading the "eligibility" factor of PCWAP, you have had to been on a 5-day cruise prior to be invited. Were you on a past 5-day cruise??? In any case, being now that we have an official 5-day cruise on our hx, perhaps, we will be invited to the Elation's PCWAP!!! Can only hope.

 

I booked DH and me on the Mexican food tasting/cooking class via ship for its seamless-ness.

 

So agree with you that this board is so helpful. Thx for the dialogue. Powerwalk time now as I spent most of this morning on this board. LOL[/quote']

 

Lets see, our first cruise was a 3 day on Fantasy (2004) and our second was a 7 day on Triumph (2007). However, we got invitations to the Past Guest party on Triumph. Perhaps they have changed the rules around now. You know how these rules ALWAYS get changed around. :rolleyes:

 

I know all about that "blue zone"...I think I am still caught up in it. :(

 

Mexican food tasting/cooking class?? That sounds right up our alley. Whats that all about?

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4fun&fun4all-

 

How do you get your actual pics to post and not a link?

 

I upload my pics to photobucket. I had to pay the extra $2.99 a month for the upgraded version so I could get it to store unlimited pics. After I uploaded them, when I see a pic I want to use I hover over it and a sort of "drop down" selection shows up. Copy the IMG link (the one at the bottom) and paste into the review or reply. I found its good to double space in between to avoid crowding of text vs. pic. Hope this helps. :o

[bigtoeswim'n]

All4Fun: Lookie at me: copy/pasted a pic of the excursion in Cozumel. On the Cozumel POC board this excursion has good reviews. First course one poster said was a margarita. LOL. Sounds like our kind of first course fun.

Mexican Cuisine Cooking & Tasting

 

Description : Have a great time while learning the secrets of Mexican cooking by preparing a full course meal. Duration: 5 Hours.

 

 

This will be our third time to Cozumel. We did the ship's Highlights of Cozumel last time and liked that very well. There is a competitor cooking class on the island (private and cheaper), but you have to catch a taxi to and fro on your own (not hard to do) and remember to get yourself back in time. From what I read, there is unlimited drinks, so I don't wanna be responsible for clock watching and miss the ship. There is a difference, too, on food prep. Private excursion you cut up your own veggies and whatever. On CCL, the ingredients are precut for you, but you get to cook yourself (after instruction of course.) Now that DH and I are empty nesters, we have been having a quiet, sometimes aggressive, competition on who can cook better. LOL Hats down, DH does, but I wanna win some day. I mostly have been cooking stove-top and lasagne when the kids lived here.

 

So, anyway, DH doesn't like water stuff too much as he wants out of the heat. This excursion is indoor/air cond. Also, the beach is right outside the cooking place, from what I read. Sooo, being Foodies, we're signed up. This excursion is limited to about 15, like that too, to avoid cattle-car feeling. Hope this helps.

Edited July 21, 2010 by bigtoeswim'n

[bigtoeswim'n]

All4Fun: Thx for the photobucket info. I often wondered how those things worked. I didn't know there was a monthly charge, but I guess folks don't mind that if you want to share pics to someone who enjoys looking at them. I find most folks in my circle of friends, are not interested in my travel photos. Like a grandparent pulling out this string of pic of the latest new grandchild. Yawn!! So, an online photo program would be nice.

 

Is the process of uploading videos the same??? I have some awesome Alaskan Eagle Preserve rafting trip video I'd love to somehow get to this Argentina guy we met. He's in the video. I'm clueless in Alabama on uploading video. Well, powerwalk time.

 

Have a nice day.

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4Fun: Lookie at me: copy/pasted a pic of the excursion in Cozumel. On the Cozumel POC board this excursion has good reviews. First course one poster said was a margarita. LOL. Sounds like our kind of first course fun.

Mexican Cuisine Cooking & Tasting

 

Description : Have a great time while learning the secrets of Mexican cooking by preparing a full course meal. Duration: 5 Hours.

 

 

This will be our third time to Cozumel. We did the ship's Highlights of Cozumel last time and liked that very well. There is a competitor cooking class on the island (private and cheaper)' date=' but you have to catch a taxi to and fro on your own (not hard to do) and remember to get yourself back in time. From what I read, there is unlimited drinks, so I don't wanna be responsible for clock watching and miss the ship. There is a difference, too, on food prep. Private excursion you cut up your own veggies and whatever. On CCL, the ingredients are precut for you, but you get to cook yourself (after instruction of course.) Now that DH and I are empty nesters, we have been having a quiet, sometimes aggressive, competition on who can cook better. LOL Hats down, DH does, but I wanna win some day. I mostly have been cooking stove-top and lasagne when the kids lived here.

 

So, anyway, DH doesn't like water stuff too much as he wants out of the heat. This excursion is indoor/air cond. Also, the beach is right outside the cooking place, from what I read. Sooo, being Foodies, we're signed up. This excursion is limited to about 15, like that too, to avoid cattle-car feeling. Hope this helps.[/quote']

 

First course margaritas??? Oh dear...sign me up! That sounds like quite an adventure. Not sure how my dish would turn out with unlimited drinks though. ;) Definitely would have to set some sort of alarm on a watch or something to clue me in to get back to the boat. Dont want to become one of the infamous Cozumel runners. :eek:

 

The Andrew is the king of the cooks in our family. He is one of those chefs that will take great care in pre-prep, prep, and finally cooking a masterpiece. Even if it is just tacos. Not kidding. I am so lucky he is such a fantabulous cook. The most I can manage are casseroles. I am the casserole queen.:rolleyes:

 

Maybe we should look into Mexico for our next cruise. I really dont want to travel to a different port but we have been talking about trying to find some of the spots Rick Bayless visits.

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4Fun: Thx for the photobucket info. I often wondered how those things worked. I didn't know there was a monthly charge' date=' but I guess folks don't mind that if you want to share pics to someone who enjoys looking at them. I find most folks in my circle of friends, are not interested in my travel photos. Like a grandparent pulling out this string of pic of the latest new grandchild. Yawn!! So, an online photo program would be nice.

 

Is the process of uploading videos the same??? I have some awesome Alaskan Eagle Preserve rafting trip video I'd love to somehow get to this Argentina guy we met. He's in the video. I'm clueless in Alabama on uploading video. Well, powerwalk time.

 

Have a nice day.[/quote']

 

Ugh, funny you say this. We had a friend over the other night and the laptop went into sleep mode which of course launches a slideshow. Our friend showed an interest (not knowing there are thousands of pics on there) and we began a narration of the stories behind each picture. After awhile he began to get that blank stare. I knew then we needed to stop. :o

 

I dont know if photobucket does the video thing. I could be wrong though. I upload my videos to youtube and in reviews and such just copy and paste the link for folks to click on. Example:

 

Sailaway from Nassau

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/cre8chaos69#p/u/1/szSUTlxsa5c

 

I dont have very many videos uploaded to my account yet.

[CruzinCassie]

All4fun...

Your review was fantastic. We are scheduled to sail her (for the third time:D) in Sept. This is a trip with the hubbies so they won't pout too bad when the girls go on the Dream in May.

I have one question that you already may have answered and I could have missed it. If so, I apologize. I have been reading your review in pieces and I could have missed a page.

When you disembark, do you pick up your luggage at the port, as in before you get on the shuttle to go back to the parking deck. And if so, if you are catching a cab or a shuttle back to your hotel to pick up your car, are you picked up at the Port or must you take the shuttle back to the parking garage and be picked up there? I am trying to decide whether to just park at the Port or do a Stay and Park at one of the hotels. I normally have all this done months before but there has been so much going on I have totally dropped the ball!

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4fun...

Your review was fantastic. We are scheduled to sail her (for the third time:D) in Sept. This is a trip with the hubbies so they won't pout too bad when the girls go on the Dream in May.

I have one question that you already may have answered and I could have missed it. If so, I apologize. I have been reading your review in pieces and I could have missed a page.

When you disembark, do you pick up your luggage at the port, as in before you get on the shuttle to go back to the parking deck. And if so, if you are catching a cab or a shuttle back to your hotel to pick up your car, are you picked up at the Port or must you take the shuttle back to the parking garage and be picked up there? I am trying to decide whether to just park at the Port or do a Stay and Park at one of the hotels. I normally have all this done months before but there has been so much going on I have totally dropped the ball!

 

When you get off the ship and go back into the terminal there will be numbers on the floor that match your debark zone number. Your luggage will be there on the floor. It was kinda strange not having the luggage carousel like at the airport. :cool: Oh well. Our fine city is doing the best they can I suppose. I am pretty stoked at how quick embarkation was. And debarkation wasnt that bad either. So, yes you get your luggage before you encounter any shuttles.

 

As far as how they get you back to the parking area....I am unsure. We took a cab from my apartment and honestly, it looked confusing to navigate the parking areas at the port. I am very glad we didnt drive. IMHO, I would do the Stay and Park. I hear they are planning some changes in the next few years to the port and until they do, I would suggest stay and park. It just looks confusing. Maybe someone else on here who parked at the port may be able to help better. Sorry. :o

 

If you have any hotel ideas, you can run them by me and I will check them out for you. :)

[All4fun&fun4all]

Ok, I am on a mission. To all my key west folk...does anyone know who this artist is?

 

 

I really want to let him know how much his artwork means to us and perhaps send a little something to him/her? On June 5th he was near Hemmingway House. We have our painting hanging on our wall in our showcase room. We are people who appreciate art. Andrew said that growing up his family would house travelling artists in his home in Akron and his father still is involved in artwork in Tucson and we would love to give an artists name with our displayed art. Thanks!

Edited July 25, 2010 by All4fun&fun4all

[bigtoeswim'n]

Fun4all: That is a nice and very interesting picture. Maybe post this pic and request on the Key West forum or the forum that has Key West postings!!??

[All4fun&fun4all]

Fun4all: That is a nice and very interesting picture. Maybe post this pic and request on the Key West forum or the forum that has Key West postings!!??

 

Great idea!!!! Thanks!

[amillard222]

All ready posted questions for you but I was looking in the forums and just thought I would say congrats....your review has almost 22,000 views and 335 replys....too awsome it was a great review...only 57 days till we cruise on the Fantasy:D

[All4fun&fun4all]

All ready posted questions for you but I was looking in the forums and just thought I would say congrats....your review has almost 22,000 views and 335 replys....too awsome it was a great review...only 57 days till we cruise on the Fantasy:D

 

Isnt it amazing! I am so pleased that so many people have viewed and commented. We are in shock! :D In a good way of course.

 

I am so jealous of you. I cant wait until I can say "I cruise in X amt of days" again.

 

If you think of any more questions let me know. ;)

[All4fun&fun4all]

Fun4all: That is a nice and very interesting picture. Maybe post this pic and request on the Key West forum or the forum that has Key West postings!!??

 

Thanks for the idea bigtoes! I found out almost immediately it is Scott Robert Gruppe who painted the picture.

[fromthebus]

Hey, its the Andrew. I am on Cruise Critic now. Look out! :D

[amillard222]

Welcome Andrew:D Your other half is a pretty awsome reviewer;)

[shonjon]

How is the Best Western in MT. Pleasant? Is it a safe place to park your car?

[All4fun&fun4all]

How is the Best Western in MT. Pleasant? Is it a safe place to park your car?

 

Very safe shonjon. Mt. Pleasant is a very nice area. If you need any pics of the rooms I will be happy to check them out for you to see if they are clean. I work in Mt. Pleasant and have checked out hotels for other CC members. :)

[shonjon]

Very safe shonjon. Mt. Pleasant is a very nice area. If you need any pics of the rooms I will be happy to check them out for you to see if they are clean. I work in Mt. Pleasant and have checked out hotels for other CC members. :)

 

Ok thanks that would be great.

[amillard222]

Got another question for ya:) I booked our hotel for our cruise and was wondering what you thought about it. I booked the snooze and cruise package at the Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston/West Ashley

 

Any info would be great....Thanks so much for all your help, you are a life saver :D

[All4fun&fun4all]

Ok thanks that would be great.

 

I wasnt able to get there today to check out Best Western for you. Sorry. I pulled out my back and am laying on the couch but should be back to work tomorrow.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Got another question for ya:) I booked our hotel for our cruise and was wondering what you thought about it. I booked the snooze and cruise package at the Hampton Inn & Suites Charleston/West Ashley

 

Any info would be great....Thanks so much for all your help, you are a life saver :D

 

Hampton Inn and Suites in West Ashley is a great location. Right next door is one of our favorite sushi/hibachi restaurants. There is a Food Lion and CVS within walking distance as well as a pretty nifty bar called Halligan's. The bartenders can be a little moody but the atmosphere is good and sometimes they have live bands. You are also about 5 minutes from the mall. I live in West Ashley and grew up there and while some areas are sketchy, that one is not at all sketchy.:D

 

Let me know if you want me to get some pics for ya.

 

Oh, and double check with the reservations specialist because I have heard here and there on these boards that transportation to and from the port is not included. Best to be sure!

Edited August 3, 2010 by All4fun&fun4all

[shonjon]

I wasnt able to get there today to check out Best Western for you. Sorry. I pulled out my back and am laying on the couch but should be back to work tomorrow.

 

Sorry to hear about your back. Hope you get to feeling better.

[sc_cruizer]

Do you know if the Fantasy has a desk to purchase future cruise certificates? We are planning on doing this cruise in May 2011 and would love to purchase one of these if they are available.:)

[amillard222]

Hampton Inn and Suites in West Ashley is a great location. Right next door is one of our favorite sushi/hibachi restaurants. There is a Food Lion and CVS within walking distance as well as a pretty nifty bar called Halligan's. The bartenders can be a little moody but the atmosphere is good and sometimes they have live bands. You are also about 5 minutes from the mall. I live in West Ashley and grew up there and while some areas are sketchy, that one is not at all sketchy.:D

 

Let me know if you want me to get some pics for ya.

 

Oh, and double check with the reservations specialist because I have heard here and there on these boards that transportation to and from the port is not included. Best to be sure!

 

Thank you so much. I have been wanting to try hibachi for a long time now so it looks like it will be a good time to do it when we get down there. I did call Hampton to ask about how the transpertation works and they do shuttle us to the port when we leave and also pick us up when we get back. I think that the website said it is only 6 miles from the port, so if anything goes wrong we will be close enough to call a cab. Again thanks so much for all the help:) (excuse my spelling...lol unless I am writting a formal paper I dont spell check)