beaming90 Posted February 14, 2005 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Just got back from our first cruise on the Fantasy! We arrived in Orlando one day early and enjoyed our stay though it was cooler in Florida that weekend then it had been in Kansas City on Friday! (But to make up for it, it snowed several inches in Kansas City on Tuesday!!) We stayed at the Wingate Inn in Orlando and there was nothing to do there. We did find that there was a Chili’s and a Tony Roma (?) restaurant in the area within walking distance but that was all. We had to wait over an hour for the shuttle from the hotel also. But other then that we enjoyed it. The next morning we went back to the airport and did a little souvenir shopping which actually worried us a lot later going through customs (we bought a tiny palm tree plant in the airport and never thought much about it till they told us on the ship that we could not bring any plants back. I asked if we could bring that with us since it said something about a little piece of Florida on the box and was told it was ok, as long as we had the receipt and could prove that we got it in Florida. Of course we did not have the receipt. But we sailed through customs with no problem, so we worried for nothing!!) Anyway, we met up with the Carnival people about 10 am, and were on the bus heading to Port Canaveral by 10:20 or so. We waited in line about 20 minutes outside Port Canaveral and another line inside for about 10 minutes and we were on the ship by 11:30. We were told we could not go to our room till after 1, but we went and set our stuff down by 12:30 and ate lunch on the Lido deck. We walked around the ship and just enjoyed our selves till the muster drill. We had been told to get to our muster station early since my mom couldn’t do the stairs, and we were on our way at 3:30, muster drill was set at 4. They already had the elevators closed at 3:30 and we had to walk up several flights of stairs which was not good for a 74 year old with very bad knees. We were pretty upset about that. We stood around for a long time and never really did much of anything during the drill because we were not on a deck that had to go to the life boats. We were on the deck with the main pool and hot tubs. So we just stood around and looked at each other. When it was finally over we decided to go out on the deck and look around to give everyone else a chance to get off the elevators and in a few minutes we realized we were sailing away. There was never an announcement made or anything, we were just sailing. After about an hour the water became very rough. Many people were sick that night. The ship really rocked a lot. But it was ok. We signed up for the first seating for dinner and they gave us the 8:30 seating, so we were kind of upset about that, because we are early birds and going to a 10:30 or later show was just too late, but we survived it. We didn’t really think too much about this because it was Super bowl night, but no one sat at our table that first night. But no one ever sat at our table! It was just the two of us the whole time. We had really looked forward to meeting our table mates. But we did meet plenty of nice people at breakfast each morning. We did love our waiter Sammy! He was great! And our Cabin Steward though we never learned his name was fabulous too. We packed way too much! The safe in our room was one where you choose 4 numbers to open it so that was nice, instead of having to use a card. We used our phone number which made it very easy to remember. But all that jewelry we packed, we only used once on formal night. This brings up my most negative comment about the whole trip. We decided to pose in front of one of the ship backgrounds for formal night and only chose one. Unfortunately, that picture never showed up!! The one photo we wanted more then any of them. There was one taken of us together at dinner, but if you really want a picture, make sure the photographer takes more then one pose so you get one! We had bought two photo coupons a couple months ago, and with those coupons, we were able to buy 4 or 5 pictures plus an album with a gorgeous shot of the ship in it for less then 2.00 applied to our sign and sail card! So those coupons were great! It was cold and rainy most of the trip so the pre tanning didn’t do much good, and we got lost several times on the ship but other than that it was a great trip and we can’t wait to do another possibly to Alaska. One thing I learned is not to choose a room. Our room (U140) was fine and I am certainly glad we had a window, but we chose it because it was close to the elevators. That did not help us at all. The elevators it was close to were not the ones we needed to use the most. Next time we will do the guarantee OV room and see what we get. I will be glad to answer any questions. It was great and I thank you all for all the help you gave before we went!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cruiser Posted February 14, 2005 #2 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I came off the Fantasy the same day as you came on. It was my 3rd time on the Fantasy and we, like you, had a nice cruise. We also experienced the rough seas and that was a first for us and the Bahamas. The only time the boat didn't rock was when we were tied up at the pier in Nassau. I love the Fantasy and it is one of my favorite ships. I guess the senimental value is more than anything, and it does make for a nice little weekend greataway. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise with it being your first and I hope you are able to sail again very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaming90 Posted February 14, 2005 Author #3 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I should add that disembarkment went fast and relatively pain free. We were in the third group to get called, and I would say we were on the bus and on the road to Orlando within a half hour or so. Had a 12:40 flight and got to the airport by 10 or so. And I want to add that we both got the patch from our Drs. And I hated it! I didn't get sea sick, but it affected my eyes so bad that by the 2nd day I had it on I couldn't read anything at all. All letters and small pictures were very blurry. I took it off on Monday morning! Bought Bonine on the ship and was fine. My mom put her first patch on Friday night and took it off Sunday night and put a new one on that night (I think she should have waited till Monday night to change it) and by Monday morning she was completely out of it. She kept asking me when we were flying off the ship, and if we were taking the bus to Freeport and what hotel we were staying in Nassau, and just generally very strange questions and couldn't remember anything. We now know that it was probably an OD of the patch meds. So be careful with it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaming90 Posted February 14, 2005 Author #4 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I loved the ship and the people on it! It was beautiful. I am so glad I got to do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonCruiser Posted February 14, 2005 #5 Share Posted February 14, 2005 I loved the ship and the people on it! It was beautiful. I am so glad I got to do it! Thanks for the review.Just so you dont think Fantasy did something wrong, they dont announce that the ship is sailing away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaming90 Posted February 15, 2005 Author #6 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I was wondering about it, there was only one or two other people outside and I always pictured the Love Boat sail away, even though I knew it wouldn't be exactly like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KandiceA Posted February 15, 2005 #7 Share Posted February 15, 2005 we're sailing on the fantasy for our first cruise ever- and our honeymoon- on March 13th- just looking at shore excursions now- what did ya'll do? recommend it or not? I really want to do the dolphins, and FI wants to go parasailing (in freeport? i saw somewhere- $60 pp?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaming90 Posted February 15, 2005 Author #8 Share Posted February 15, 2005 In Freeport we did the glass bottom boat at 35.00 a person. It was nice, saw several sharks and barracudas. Lots of colorful fish. In Nassau we did the dolphin encounter at 109 per person. It was the most awesome experience and I really have to say the highlight of my trip! :D It was well worth it for me. We did both through Carnival. If I was to do it again, the dolphins weren't till one or 1:30 and I would have gotten a taxi to Atlantis for the morning. But it was fun no matter what!There were a lot of honeymooners and weddings on our cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankersbabe Posted February 15, 2005 #9 Share Posted February 15, 2005 we're sailing on the fantasy for our first cruise ever- and our honeymoon- on March 13th- just looking at shore excursions now- what did ya'll do? recommend it or not? I really want to do the dolphins, and FI wants to go parasailing (in freeport? i saw somewhere- $60 pp?) We went with Stuarts Cove and snorkeled for about $35 per person in Nassau. Great excursion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSUcruiser Posted February 16, 2005 #10 Share Posted February 16, 2005 Would you recommend the Glass Bottom Boat for a family. We are sailing in March and I was thinking of doing the Glass bottom, but I haven't found any reviews. How long was the trip and was it easy to see the fish..etc? Thanks for your help. These excursions really add up when you multiply the price by four people, so I want to get all the info I can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KandiceA Posted February 16, 2005 #11 Share Posted February 16, 2005 wow- thanks! 1 more question- did you book before your cruise because of the limited space? or did you just wait and do it once you boarded? I was thinking of booking the excursions before we left- like in the next week or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiac Posted February 16, 2005 #12 Share Posted February 16, 2005 We have been on the Fantasy and it was GREAT! Port Canaveral is ALWAYS easy to get on and off ships (much better than Miami and Ft. Lauderdale). This ship has been "refurbished" and is a great get-a-way for us. We are planning on cruising her again soon. (Perhaps in March.) I am glad to hear you had a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cruiser Posted February 17, 2005 #13 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Would you recommend the Glass Bottom Boat for a family. We are sailing in March and I was thinking of doing the Glass bottom, but I haven't found any reviews. How long was the trip and was it easy to see the fish..etc? Thanks for your help. These excursions really add up when you multiply the price by four people, so I want to get all the info I can! I've done the Glass Bottom Boat and I would not do it again. We took the boat out close to Athol Island, which is about a 25 minute ride. There were so many people on the boat that we had to go to the bottom of the boat in shifts. Our total viewing time was about 10 minutes and there wasn't that many fish and the glass was so scratched and old that it made everything appear somewhat foggy. We then had to wait until everyone got their time of viewing so the trip ended up being about 1-1/2 hrs. long, but only 10 minutes of viewing time. Not worth it to me. In my personal opinion, your money would be well spent somewhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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