Epic Carnival Fantasy Review & PICS/March 23rd, 2012 Sailing

[Mommagocrazy]

I am new to cruise critic and wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this review. Dh and I are taking the kids on their first cruise April 2013. We are taking the Fantasy out of Charleston. Your pictures have convinced me that we must go to Junkanoo Beach.

[bobsfamily]

I am new to cruise critic and wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this review. Dh and I are taking the kids on their first cruise April 2013. We are taking the Fantasy out of Charleston. Your pictures have convinced me that we must go to Junkanoo Beach.

Junkanoo beach is fine during season and when the Bahamian police are around. In past years during off peak times you would not want to go as a single woman or a woman with kids (no male), may not be right but is the way it is. For more info check out the threads on the Bahamas board.

The OP had a great time at Junkanoo, restrooms/vendors around... sometimes not so, just saying.

[LTFRFD]

Great review !!! i will be sailing on the Fantasy in May for the first time. This will be my wife and i first cruise, we are very excited. After your review i am super excited and wish we were leaving tomorrow. I love the pics of your smuggling operation and was thinking of doing the same, but i dont know now. Was thinking of just buying a bottle or two and placing them in my luggage and cross my fingers. one question, when u went to a port and bought rum, was it easy to get back on the boat ? If my bottle or bottles get confinscated i think this is what ill do. Thanks

 

[Danimalrocks]

Great review Nancy. always coold to see the cruise from another person's viewpoint! I'll try to get mine out sometime over the next week.

 

IPutu the cabin steward rocks!

[CruisinChris95]

Great review!! I am also new to cruise critic and my family and I are sailing the Fantasy in August! Can't wait to read the rest of your review!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Sorry I havent updated the rest. I am training a new person at work . Back tomorrow on my lunch break. I am trying to set a good example. :D

[bobsfamily]

Great review !!! i will be sailing on the Fantasy in May for the first time. This will be my wife and i first cruise, we are very excited. After your review i am super excited and wish we were leaving tomorrow. I love the pics of your smuggling operation and was thinking of doing the same, but i dont know now. Was thinking of just buying a bottle or two and placing them in my luggage and cross my fingers. one question, when u went to a port and bought rum, was it easy to get back on the boat ? If my bottle or bottles get confinscated i think this is what ill do. Thanks

 

Have you joined the Roll Call, will be on May 9th also!

Nevermind! I sometimes forget where/what/who I am, see you on the Roll Call!

Edited April 3, 2012 by bobsfamily

[fun!melis]

This is my thread that I had questions on... Not sure you could help but wanted to say your story touched me and tell ya the truth my hubby and I are a ton like you and your sweetie! Glad you had a great time and your reviews ROCK! :D http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=33184516&posted=1#post33184516

[LUVMYGSDOG]

Sorry I havent updated the rest. I am training a new person at work . Back tomorrow on my lunch break. I am trying to set a good example. :D

 

 

Oh gosh, I hate training! Good luck with that and we will all be here waiting.....:)

 

 

Kim

[All4fun&fun4all]

Hey I know that guy

Been waiting for the review. Re-living the memories!!

 

Wifey's already talking about booking a cruise for next year.

 

We are talking about booking another as well. Maybe a 7 day this time. Pfft, the Andrew was already talking about booking one for next month. :rolleyes: I do have to work...right? :p

 

amazing... it is great to see someone that not only did this cruise/review with a great attitude, But to have so many others come on this review and comment so well.

Doing good

 

I agree Bob. I am always a bit hesitant to post much on these boards because things can get so heated at times. But I am glad that people are enjoying our nuttiness. :p

 

All4fun&fun4all,

 

I am TOTALLY enjoying your humorous, pictorial review of your cruise. I have to say...you have certainly made my day reading your fun comments and ROFLO as I was reading it.

 

BTW....just a suggestion for next time...don't post photos of how you plan to smuggle your booze with a photo of yourself before your next cruise. CCL was probably ready for you when you were checking in at the cruise port...cause all cruise lines DO read these post.

 

I always like to make people laugh. We are 2 people who try to make the most out of every situation we are in. Especially now.

 

You have a good point about advertising my smuggling methods. :o I will be more cautious in the future. ;)

[All4fun&fun4all]

Loving your review! We cruised on the 7-day last year on the Fantasy and LOVED it, we will definitely take that cruise again. The ports are a major improvement over the Nassau/Freeport itinerary.

 

I am not surprised about you getting busted with the rum, the security is very tight in Charleston. We brought 2 12-packs soda, and they open both boxes and removed all of the cans to inspect. They then put them back in and taped them shut with duct tape. Good thing we didn't smuggle! WARNING to anyone planning, DO NOT try to carry on anything in Charleston. ;)

 

That 7 day is definitely a thought in the back of our heads for our next cruise. We have been to Half Moon and Grand Turk before but now that I have done some research, there is so much more I would do in Grand Turk this time around.

 

When we brought in the water back in 2010 is was so easy that we just thought it would be equally as simple. We know better for next time. I wont be trying that again...it was so embarassing. :cool:

 

Love the review, and thanks for the pictures!!!

 

Thank you!

 

Hi Hollywood! We are on Jim Isle but have never taken the Fantasy even though we are right here.

 

We don't "lay out" in the sun because of skin cancer. Comparing this ship to Triumph is there a lot of other things to do?

 

Hello Jim Isle. :O)

 

We dont "lay out" that much anymore either. #1 because I am older and wiser and have watched my sister have some melanomas. and #2 because I just can't sit still for that long anymore.

 

We really enjoyed Triumph and since it was a larger ship it seemed like there is definitely more to do. I would pull out my Fun Times but since it was 2007 I doubt it would be helpful. We like Fantasy for many reasons but convenience is the main factor.

Edited April 3, 2012 by All4fun&fun4all

[All4fun&fun4all]

Great vacation and cruise review. You seem like great and fun folks to meet on a cruise.

 

Thank you! We like to think we are fun...or at least mildly inappropriate. :D

 

Great review and great pics. Looks like you guys had a blast.

 

We did! I cant wait to book another. Although, I dont know how many Fantasy reviews I could possibly do that I havent already covered. :p Maybe we need to sail a different class next time. Hmm.

 

Great review! You made me feel like I was there with you guys, again thank you.

 

Excellent. That is exactly what I was going for. :)

[All4fun&fun4all]

We are looking at the 7 day in October. I really, really want to visit Half Moon Cay. But maybe I will look at the December one since the price is better.

 

 

For some strange reason, I drank it anyway.

 

Food comes, conch fritters are horrible. The fish DH had was okay, not great. We were laughing out of control and just wanted to leave this place! Would try Fish Fry again, but not this place! I can't remember the name but would know which one it is by walking past again.

 

Oh, and the day after we arrive home, I come down with the worse cold I have ever had. All I can think is that I got it from drinking the recycled Bahama Mama. Probably not, but that thought would not leave my head.

 

To be honest with you, I would have probably drank it also. :rolleyes:

 

I was a little bummed that we missed Arawak Cay but we really made the most of our day anyway without feeling rushed. But after your experience maybe it was a good thing! :eek:

 

Really enjoying your review and pictures! We're booked for the Dec 8 - 7 day out of Charleston, and have a port hold cabin. Hope you choose this cruise:D

 

We were also looking at that Dec 8th cruise date. You should enjoy your porthole cabin. We loved ours on our 2010 sailing. There was a bit of noise on port days but it made for a great alarm clock so we could get up and moving.

 

Love your reviews! I read your old Fantasy review and am so excited to read this one...especially the photos, as I'm a photographer and thus a total picture whore. (So sorry to hear of your camera's demise). We are cruising her next March and it's the guy's first cruise. Decided on this one because we are in NC and could drive to the port. I really like the smaller ships too!

 

It was a sad day when that camera gave up. I am a little disappointed in how the Iphone pics turned out. I believe that pictures really tell the story on any vacation. Hopefully, I can get my messages across with the blurriness of these dang, darn Iphone pics. :mad:

[Aelsantokie]

I enjoyed your last review and this one as well! Thanks for taking the time to do this, I haven't cruised in over a year (13 months strong!!) and I am having major withdraws. I am counting down until my baby is 6 months old to cruise so thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!

[All4fun&fun4all]

I am new to cruise critic and wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this review. Dh and I are taking the kids on their first cruise April 2013. We are taking the Fantasy out of Charleston. Your pictures have convinced me that we must go to Junkanoo Beach.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! You will learn so much from this website that you may feel like your head is exploding. I am so full of cruise knowledge and learn more and more everyday by reading these boards.

 

Bobsfamily is correct. The time of year we went must have been perfect because there were tons of people walking around and we werent bothered at all. But that may have something to do with my boyfriend being 6'2" and tattooed. ;) We would definitely return there. I really loved having music and drinky drinks right in front of my lighthouse.

 

Great review !!! i will be sailing on the Fantasy in May for the first time. This will be my wife and i first cruise, we are very excited. After your review i am super excited and wish we were leaving tomorrow. I love the pics of your smuggling operation and was thinking of doing the same, but i dont know now. Was thinking of just buying a bottle or two and placing them in my luggage and cross my fingers. one question, when u went to a port and bought rum, was it easy to get back on the boat ? If my bottle or bottles get confinscated i think this is what ill do. Thanks

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our review. I am glad you are enjoying it. First cruise huh? Oh, you are going to get so hooked!

 

As far as putting it in your checked luggage; why not give it a shot. The worst that will happen is you will get a notice to come to the "naughty room" where they will make you come down to get your luggage after they take out your libations.

 

I really cant comment on the ports...I would like to but I wont...just in case you are a spy. ;):p

 

 

 

 

Great review Nancy. always coold to see the cruise from another person's viewpoint! I'll try to get mine out sometime over the next week.

 

IPutu the cabin steward rocks!

 

Thanks Dan! It was great meeting you two. I look forward to reading your review. :)

[All4fun&fun4all]

Great review!! I am also new to cruise critic and my family and I are sailing the Fantasy in August! Can't wait to read the rest of your review!

 

Thank you! I will be finishing up over the next few hours.

 

This is my thread that I had questions on... Not sure you could help but wanted to say your story touched me and tell ya the truth my hubby and I are a ton like you and your sweetie! Glad you had a great time and your reviews ROCK! :D http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=33184516&posted=1#post33184516

 

I answered a few questions for you. If you have any more questions then please feel free to ask away.

Thank you for the compliment. I love writing these reviews and cant wait be back onboard so I can write another one. Wait...I need to finish this one! ACK!

 

Oh gosh, I hate training! Good luck with that and we will all be here waiting.....:)

 

 

Kim

 

Thanks for your patience. I think I am all caught up on comments now. Luckily, today the new girl is quasi-on her own so I may be able to post a few things before lunch.

[bobsfamily]

We are talking about booking another as well. Maybe a 7 day this time. Pfft, the Andrew was already talking about booking one for next month. :rolleyes: I do have to work...right? :p

May 9th has a few spaces left, Come join us!

 

Bobsfamily is correct. The time of year we went must have been perfect because there were tons of people walking around and we werent bothered at all. But that may have something to do with my boyfriend being 6'2" and tattooed. ;) We would definitely return there. I really loved having music and drinky drinks right in front of my lighthouse.

When the police are around, plenty of other cruisers it's not bad... it goes thru periods. We may check it out in May. The real problem is when there is no police presence. Like I say go over to the Bahamas board and check out some comments from "ScubaGirl". She lives in Nassau and give you a first hand account that week. And YES having a large man about helps a good bit. Sometimes the restrooms are closed and no vendors... if so I would not stop.

 

All4 you are doing a great job... remember work first, play later!

[All4fun&fun4all]

So, back to the review and onto the Iphone Pics. My apologies that this series of pictures will be a bit on the blurry side and not as crisp. Oh, and if you have any suggestions for a new (relatively inexpensive) camera please suggest away!

 

We managed to get back onboard without incident and stopped by our cabin to drop off our souveniers and backpacks with plans to head back up to home base.

 

Funny story from the previous day: There was a guy walking around, taking a poll as to what he should do with his hair. The choices were mohawk, fauxhawk, shaved bald, leave it alone or (the Andrew's suggestion) clown hair. We found him on lido when we got back from Nassau. The result?

 

 

Awesome! Next, I decided to try something I had never tried on a Carnival ship. I really wanted a cheeseburger. Weird that I have'nt tried one before, isnt it? I walked over to the Grill to find it already closed. BOO! I didnt realize just how late it was and the Grill closed at 6pm. Oh well. The buffet appeared to be open and I got this plate of greenbeans and "stuff".

 

 

I say "stuff" because I dont actually remember what it is that I got. HEY! Dont judge me...I just left Senor Frogs! It was tasty (I think?).

 

The Andrew stopped by the buffet and came back with this

 

 

We ended up carrying it around with us for the rest of the evening. We stopped short of naming it.

 

Before we knew it, it was time for sailaway. Here are a series of pictures that actually turned out pretty good all things considered.

 

 

 

[All4fun&fun4all]

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed sailing out of Nassau at this time of day (7:00pm). We have never left at this time of day in the past and I believe that it was definitely the most beautiful of sunsets as we pulled away.

 

This time around, I was the one that spotted the pilot boat. He pulled up on the opposite side than last time. Check both sides at sailaway if you want to catch him.

 

 

 

It still amazes me how he climbs off the ship while it is still moving. Now THAT is talent.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Beautiful sunset leaving Nassau. (Ignore my offending pointer finger)

 

 

Lido deck at sailaway. The clouds were simply stunning.

 

 

At some point the Andrew was stopped by what he described as a "hot chick" (one of the photographers). She then posed him in what turned out to be one of the most hilarious poses for pictures I have ever seen. Sheesh, what a guy wont do for a "hot chick". I went to the gallery and made THIS lovely purchase.

 

 

Back to lido where Kate and Jim were minding our eggplant

 

 

More sunset pics

 

 

LOVELY!

 

 

Around this time we realized that perhaps we should make our way to dinner service. I forgot to put on the flash for this dinner service and boy oh boy...you may not get much from this round of food porn.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Ready for our next to the last dinner service.

 

 

Our waiter chastising the Andrew. Where is your filter??

 

 

Lobster Bisque (this was very tasty but very heavy)

 

 

Spinach Artichoke Dip (this was also very good but I was a bit thrown off by the chips...they looked like Santito's)

 

 

Caesar Salad (crisp and fresh...even this late into the cruise!)

 

 

Fried fish and shrimps (I normally dont eat fried food but this wasnt dripping in grease. It was super! Wish I had some malt vinegar though)

 

[All4fun&fun4all]

The Andrew had Flat Iron Steak again (perfectly cooked medium rare)

 

 

And Chateaubriand (Spectacular. Cooked to perfection)

 

 

I hope you enjoyed that section of scrambled porn.

 

We heard the announcement for SHOWTIME over the intercom system and the Andrew sprinted out of the dinner service so fast that I saw smoke coming from his heels. He ABHORS the showtime at dinner so he usually bails. He left so fast that he left behind most of his Chateaubriand! So, I had a couple of bites and watched a little portion of Showtime. I guess it really just isnt my thing.

 

Getting low

 

 

I stopped back by the room before heading up to home base. Turn down service and a towel animal every night so far.

 

 

Up on lido deck it appears that the Fun For All Deck Party was in full swing. Conga line! Look out!

 

 

There was a Mexican Buffet that evening as well but we were so stuff packed from dinner that we couldnt think about another bite. I had just enough room for a Classic Cruiser. (Cost: $10.06) Photobomb-ish by James

 

[travellink]

Really enjoying your new review and the pics. Sorry your camera died, but on our local news last night there was a story about a company in Virginia that sells used camers , so I thought you might be interested in checking them out....used cameras dot com. Your camera phone pics turned out to be very good by the way. Glad you and The Andrew had a good cruise and thanks for sharing!:)

[vaca_queen]

Great review!!

 

Question about the Port in Charleston. How is it coming along? Loved sailing out of Charleston and want to do it again soon.

[All4fun&fun4all]

The Andrew ordered several more Fosters beers (Cost: $7.76)

 

Then this guy started to bust a move with a bucket on his head. There is video....somewhere. I really was impressed!

 

 

Laughter with new friends. There was a TON of laughter on this cruise. I swear my belly hurt for days afterward.

 

 

Then someone (ahem) learned how to open the windows on lido

 

 

We saw another Carnival ship passing us in the opposite direction. Maybe the Ecstacy headed back to Nassau? I wont bother posting a picture because it just really looks like a white dot on a black background.

 

This group of folks needed to have a group picture taken

 

 

So we all obliged...with all their cameras.

 

 

Then this started happening which I believe may be a work of art under construction? I dont know.