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

[fantasybride]

Thanks for the link!! Very helpful! Trying to keep it close to $100 a night, so I see there are some good options for that price range :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am glad that people are still enjoying my review. I cant wait to get back onboard in February. (Hopefully)

 

Below is a link for a variety of things to do in Charleston, as well as hotels offering park and cruise specials. Just make sure to verify with the hotel that transportation is indeed included and complimentary.

 

http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/special_offers/packages_stay.html

[All4fun&fun4all]

Thanks for the link!! Very helpful! Trying to keep it close to $100 a night, so I see there are some good options for that price range :)

 

Avoid North Charleston and feel free to ask questions about specific hotels.

[tattoos]

Thanks for writing such a fun review and including lots of photos, tips, and Fun Times. I know it takes a lot of time to write these reviews but they are so helpful to future cruisers, not only the ones who will be sailing on your particular ship but for all cruisers.

 

When you went to Our Lucaya, I believe the area across the street from the casino is the straw market. Do they limit cruise visitors from any areas at the Our Lucaya beaches such as the pools? I have stayed here on vacation and there is a nice beach if you go to the left where you took that photo of yourself with the plane...it has a beautiful pool that meanders down to the beach and ends there with an infinity pool and swim up bar. Maybe you have to pay extra to use this area??

 

Key West has to be my most favorite place I've ever been to. I watch House Hunters occasionally and people are buying homes in Belize, Honduras, Dominican Republic, etc. I wonder if these people have been to the Florida Keys? You can find the most gorgeous homes in the Keys and you are still in U.S. territory and a quick flight from Marathon back home. There are great restaurants/bars/hotels, etc., all the way down on U.S. 1 from Florida City to Key West, one of the greatest road trips you will ever take, stunning scenery. Key West is funky, outrageous, breathtakingly beautiful...it has history, art, architecture, great restaurants and a laid back atmosphere unlike any other city I have been to. You mentioned Fort Zachary Taylor State Park..it is a great place to swim and snorkel, relax on the beach and tour the Fort. There are picnic areas under the shady trees, a snack bar, and outdoor showers and changing rooms. There is an outcrop of rocks a short swim from shore that has good snorkeling. People usually stay in the Duval Street area and there isn't much time to venture off the beaten path when you're visiting for just a few hours but there is a nice bar on the waterfront called Schooner Wharf Bar on William Street, good drinks, live entertainment. Also, Dante's on Caroline Street in the Harbor Marina has a couple of bars, good food including great fish tacos, live band, and a huge pool in the middle of the open air restaurant for all patrons to use free of charge...great place to hang out for a couple of hours. If you have the stamina, a visit to the Shipwreck Museum is fun, it has a 60' lookout tower you can climb, what a great view of Key West and surrounding water from up there!! If you like key lime pie, go to the Blond Giraffe factory on Front Street where you can watch them making pies then buy some (including chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick).

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write a great review!!

 

Rose

[Izzblizz]

This review was awesome! Going on the Fantasy out of Charleston in December. I read it as a lurker, but decided to register just to tell you how informative this review was for a first time cruiser like me!

 

Two questions, since you live in Charleston.

 

We are staying overnight at the Hampton Inn Historic Downtown the night before the cruise, and the Hampton Inn Patriots Point the night after the cruise.

 

Do you know approximate taxi fares to the port from the downtown one, and then from the port to Patriots Point after the cruise?

[scchasgal]

This review was awesome! Going on the Fantasy out of Charleston in December. I read it as a lurker, but decided to register just to tell you how informative this review was for a first time cruiser like me!

 

Two questions, since you live in Charleston.

 

We are staying overnight at the Hampton Inn Historic Downtown the night before the cruise, and the Hampton Inn Patriots Point the night after the cruise.

 

Do you know approximate taxi fares to the port from the downtown one, and then from the port to Patriots Point after the cruise?

 

 

The Historic District one is less than two miles so it will be very inexpensive about three or four dollars. The one at Patriots Point will cost you more since the cab has to go over the Ravenel Bridge to get to the hotel. The cab rates are 2.15 per loaded mile.

[swilliams07]

Great review ........ Welcome back

Love the pics:)

[Izzblizz]

The Historic District one is less than two miles so it will be very inexpensive about three or four dollars. The one at Patriots Point will cost you more since the cab has to go over the Ravenel Bridge to get to the hotel. The cab rates are 2.15 per loaded mile.

 

Thank you so much. Notice you are from Charleston too!

 

So, to take advantage of you :), we are in Charleston the 26th of December (sunday) and the 1st of January (saturday). Will most restaurants be open the day after Christmas and New Year's day, or will it be difficult?

[All4fun&fun4all]

Thanks for writing such a fun review and including lots of photos, tips, and Fun Times. I know it takes a lot of time to write these reviews but they are so helpful to future cruisers, not only the ones who will be sailing on your particular ship but for all cruisers.

 

When you went to Our Lucaya, I believe the area across the street from the casino is the straw market. Do they limit cruise visitors from any areas at the Our Lucaya beaches such as the pools? I have stayed here on vacation and there is a nice beach if you go to the left where you took that photo of yourself with the plane...it has a beautiful pool that meanders down to the beach and ends there with an infinity pool and swim up bar. Maybe you have to pay extra to use this area??

 

Key West has to be my most favorite place I've ever been to. I watch House Hunters occasionally and people are buying homes in Belize, Honduras, Dominican Republic, etc. I wonder if these people have been to the Florida Keys? You can find the most gorgeous homes in the Keys and you are still in U.S. territory and a quick flight from Marathon back home. There are great restaurants/bars/hotels, etc., all the way down on U.S. 1 from Florida City to Key West, one of the greatest road trips you will ever take, stunning scenery. Key West is funky, outrageous, breathtakingly beautiful...it has history, art, architecture, great restaurants and a laid back atmosphere unlike any other city I have been to. You mentioned Fort Zachary Taylor State Park..it is a great place to swim and snorkel, relax on the beach and tour the Fort. There are picnic areas under the shady trees, a snack bar, and outdoor showers and changing rooms. There is an outcrop of rocks a short swim from shore that has good snorkeling. People usually stay in the Duval Street area and there isn't much time to venture off the beaten path when you're visiting for just a few hours but there is a nice bar on the waterfront called Schooner Wharf Bar on William Street, good drinks, live entertainment. Also, Dante's on Caroline Street in the Harbor Marina has a couple of bars, good food including great fish tacos, live band, and a huge pool in the middle of the open air restaurant for all patrons to use free of charge...great place to hang out for a couple of hours. If you have the stamina, a visit to the Shipwreck Museum is fun, it has a 60' lookout tower you can climb, what a great view of Key West and surrounding water from up there!! If you like key lime pie, go to the Blond Giraffe factory on Front Street where you can watch them making pies then buy some (including chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick).

 

Thanks again for taking the time to write a great review!!

 

Rose

 

Thanks for all the great info on Key West. We are thinking of going to Dantes because I heard if you purchase a drink they will let you use the pool.

 

Not sure about Our Lucaya to the left. We went to the right. :o Maybe next time we will go left!

 

I really enjoyed doing this review and am happy so many people are still reading it. :)

[All4fun&fun4all]

This review was awesome! Going on the Fantasy out of Charleston in December. I read it as a lurker, but decided to register just to tell you how informative this review was for a first time cruiser like me!

 

Two questions, since you live in Charleston.

 

We are staying overnight at the Hampton Inn Historic Downtown the night before the cruise, and the Hampton Inn Patriots Point the night after the cruise.

 

Do you know approximate taxi fares to the port from the downtown one, and then from the port to Patriots Point after the cruise?

 

Wow! Thanks for enjoying it. Am thinking I will probably do another review if we manage to sail again in February.

 

I see that scchasgal answered your question regarding taxi fares. Supa Dupa!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Thank you so much. Notice you are from Charleston too!

 

So, to take advantage of you :), we are in Charleston the 26th of December (sunday) and the 1st of January (saturday). Will most restaurants be open the day after Christmas and New Year's day, or will it be difficult?

 

I am not really sure about the restaurants after Christmas or New Years since I am typically eating with mom and dad on those days. :o

 

Scchasgal? What say you??

[jobell]

Love, love your review. so detailed and fun. The hubster and I are looking to cruise the Fantasy in January, so this is very helpful. If we do go, this will be our 2nd. Our first cruise was on the Dream in October. Amazing ship, amazing experience.

 

Are there whirlpools on the serenity deck as well?

 

Cheers.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Love, love your review. so detailed and fun. The hubster and I are looking to cruise the Fantasy in January, so this is very helpful. If we do go, this will be our 2nd. Our first cruise was on the Dream in October. Amazing ship, amazing experience.

 

Are there whirlpools on the serenity deck as well?

 

Cheers.

 

Thats funny because we just determined that we are going to sail the Dream in Sept 2011. The Fantasy is a great deal smaller than Dream although I find that it makes it so much more intimate. We are going to book a cove balcony room. Did you guys have one of those? Did you write a review for your Dream sailing? I just began my research on Dream so now I am throwing myself into it. I do it every cruise.

 

If you have any other questions, dont hesitate to ask. I may have Dream questions for you! :)

[scchasgal]

I am not really sure about the restaurants after Christmas or New Years since I am typically eating with mom and dad on those days. :o

 

Scchasgal? What say you??

 

Yes restaurants will be open. I just checked and Magnolia's, 82 Queen, Peninsula Grill are defintely open. High end stuff but if that is what you are looking for :D

[wallygator69]

Hey,

 

Loved your review great job.

 

What's up with North Charleson> We are staying at the Marriott below for one night and then one right near the port using rewards points.

 

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chscn-courtyard-charleston-coliseum/

 

Should we stay elsewhere? Is it that bad. We would be in the hotel by 9 pm or so.

 

Thanks again for your great posts and helpfulness to all the folks who you replied back to. Nice!

 

Thanks,

 

Wally

[All4fun&fun4all]

Hey,

 

Loved your review great job.

 

What's up with North Charleson> We are staying at the Marriott below for one night and then one right near the port using rewards points.

 

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chscn-courtyard-charleston-coliseum/

 

Should we stay elsewhere? Is it that bad. We would be in the hotel by 9 pm or so.

 

Thanks again for your great posts and helpfulness to all the folks who you replied back to. Nice!

 

Thanks,

 

Wally

 

Hey there Wally. Thanks for enjoying my review. Cant wait to do another one!

 

The coliseum area should be just fine! There is a Tanger Outlet and various restaurants close by. It is close to the airport but tucked away nicely from the bad areas of North Chuck. They really are trying to get North Charleston away from their bad reputation. Some areas are just progressing faster than others. You have chosen well. ;)

 

Let me know if you have any questions. I am on these gosh darn boards all day in preparation for our next cruise.:o

[cruisechick1964]

Hello just wanted you to know loved reading your reviews. We will be leaving Charleston Feb 23 for a 6 day cruise to the Bahamas. My question is....a little private but....how do i say this if you take your own alcohol aboard in Charleston do you fill water bottle then or what ;)or pack in suitcase, LOL Me and hubby are brainstorming here this is our third cruise but first on Carnival. Thanks

[All4fun&fun4all]

Hello just wanted you to know loved reading your reviews. We will be leaving Charleston Feb 23 for a 6 day cruise to the Bahamas. My question is....a little private but....how do i say this if you take your own alcohol aboard in Charleston do you fill water bottle then or what ;)or pack in suitcase, LOL Me and hubby are brainstorming here this is our third cruise but first on Carnival. Thanks

I am glad you enjoyed the review. I was actually entertaining going on that Feb 23rd cruise but unfortunately there will be no cruise in our future any time soon. Our house burned down 2 weeks ago. Lost everything. Really just sucks in general.

For your question, you are allowed to bring on a 12 pack of water. We experimented for months to find a shrink wrapped 12 pack with sport bottle lids that could easily be wriggled out of the shrink wrap, filled with rum, and then placed back inside the shrink wrap. Nestle Pure Life water worked best for us.

Per Carnival rules they require the sodas/water etc to be in your carry on. I put mine in a small suitcase with wheels.

You will LOVE Carnival!!!

[MMillere]

I am glad you enjoyed the review. I was actually entertaining going on that Feb 23rd cruise but unfortunately there will be no cruise in our future any time soon. Our house burned down 2 weeks ago. Lost everything. Really just sucks in general.

 

Sorry to hear, yes it really does suck, we lost our house in NY in 1986 shortly before moving to Charleston. Take your time and review your inventory list several times BEFORE submitting it to the insurance company. I still look for things we "used" to have :-(

 

Take care

[lovermonkey]

Thank you very much for the review. We are going to the same places that you went too and can’t wait. But we will be on the Triumph in April, instead.

Got a kick at how you were hiding from the marriage ceremony. I went thru a rough divorce so I know what you are talking about. Not sure if I ever will do it again but the girl I am with now seems a lot better than the other.

Thanks again.

[lilnan]

great review!

[cruisechick1964]

I'm so sorry to hear about your house burning down . Was hoping after reading the reviews that you might get to sail again on this date. My hubby is super excited because he's a big Carolina Panther fan and since we have booked we were told this will be their fan fare cruise. We went on our first cruise in November 05 on Norwegin Cruise lines out of Charleston 7 day cruise to Mexico and Keywest . Last year in July we flew to Honolulu Ha and did the 7 day cruise on NCL to all the islands in Hawaii for our honeymoon and we loved it and NCL . So we are excited to get to do the carnival cruise and the Bahamas . We are only about a 2 and half hr to 3 hrs from Charleston so it's very convenient for us . All of your information is going to help us out so much so thanks they are three couples going all together and we have told the other two to read your reviews as well . Again thanks so much

[All4fun&fun4all]

Sorry to hear, yes it really does suck, we lost our house in NY in 1986 shortly before moving to Charleston. Take your time and review your inventory list several times BEFORE submitting it to the insurance company. I still look for things we "used" to have :-(

 

Take care

 

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately we had no insurance which makes this whole thing 10 times worse. :(

[All4fun&fun4all]

Thank you very much for the review. We are going to the same places that you went too and can’t wait. But we will be on the Triumph in April, instead.

 

Got a kick at how you were hiding from the marriage ceremony. I went thru a rough divorce so I know what you are talking about. Not sure if I ever will do it again but the girl I am with now seems a lot better than the other.

 

Thanks again.

 

LOL. We always joke about "I love you too much to marry you". I was married for 12 years before I got together with Andrew. The divorce wasnt too terrible but that little piece of paper certainly does change things. Made enemies of friends. I would rather just hang out with Andrew and maybe if I have to change his diapers when he is 80 years old...perhaps I would consider marriage again. :p

[All4fun&fun4all]

great review!

 

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[All4fun&fun4all]

I'm so sorry to hear about your house burning down . Was hoping after reading the reviews that you might get to sail again on this date. My hubby is super excited because he's a big Carolina Panther fan and since we have booked we were told this will be their fan fare cruise. We went on our first cruise in November 05 on Norwegin Cruise lines out of Charleston 7 day cruise to Mexico and Keywest . Last year in July we flew to Honolulu Ha and did the 7 day cruise on NCL to all the islands in Hawaii for our honeymoon and we loved it and NCL . So we are excited to get to do the carnival cruise and the Bahamas . We are only about a 2 and half hr to 3 hrs from Charleston so it's very convenient for us . All of your information is going to help us out so much so thanks they are three couples going all together and we have told the other two to read your reviews as well . Again thanks so much

 

Thank you. Even though we lost the house and everything in it, I am so thankful that Andrew heard the smoke alarm and got out alive. He was transported to Augusta Burn Center and was in ICU for a couple of days. So, now he is staying with me at my apartment while he heals and we try to figure out what to do next. Having no insurance really screws things up as far as rebuilding goes.:(

I hope you enjoy your cruise and I ask that you raise your glass and send a toast in our honor. I am glad all the info was helpful and if any of you guys have any questions just let me know.