Four Nights of Open Bar Ecstasy! A Pictorial Review.

[DarthGrady]

Standard balcony room cont.

 

 

 

You can see where they welded in hull plating to cover the old window holes. This was done when they cobbled the new balconies onto former ocean view rooms. The new balconies totally ruin the formerly clean look of the Fantasy Class ships IMO.

[DarthGrady]

A standard extended balcony room, aft facing.

 

Metal that was once the exterior hull gives the balcony an odd look.

 

 

The balconies on this deck have a nice overhang above. Not so great for someone wanting sun.

 

For some unknown reason CCL decided not to allow guests to use the wrap around section of aft balcony. Those two vents didn't seem to be doing anything dangerous. Including that wrap-around section as part of one of the cabin balconies would have been a money maker in theory. The aft-wraps on the newer ships are priced at a premium. It seems like they could have done that here.

[DarthGrady]

The Lido buffet, not well covered in the original review:

 

 

 

The Pizza and Deli counter

 

[DarthGrady]

I hope you folks will forgive me one more rant.

 

This was my first time in one of the Verandah Deck "suites", to say that I was underwhelmed would be a tremendous understatement. I can't even fathom how CCL can sell these as suites with a straight face. Especially since the ship now has standard balcony rooms. The only benefit to booking one of these rooms that I could find was the couch. A small couch and a bit more room, that's it! Everything else was either equal or inferior to the regular balcony cabins. In these "suites" you get a regular sized bathroom (no tub or double vanity) and a tiny not-even-close-to-private balcony.

 

 

 

You can't even sit in the chair facing forward due to the balcony being so small.

 

The view from the balcony. Anyone below on Lido Deck or on the observation deck above the bridge can easily see onto these balconies.

 

[DarthGrady]

Obstructed view balcony room:

 

 

 

The only suite I've ever seen with a regular sized bathroom

 

The wonderful view from the balcony. I guess the upshot is that you have your own lifeboat in case of an emergency.

 

 

[DarthGrady]

The Formalities shop on the Promenade

 

 

 

 

Sail and Sign kiosks have been placed in the lobby and on the Promenade for guests to check their accounts

[DarthGrady]

Earlier in the review I mentioned that CCL modified the Fantasy Class ship's discos several years ago. This is area was once part of the dance club and is now used for meetings. Another example of space being used totally inefficiently. I rarely ever see the meeting space being used for anything, but the night club is full every night. Not the best of ideas IMO.

 

I tried to do a panorama to show how the areas line up

 

Dancing waiters at our luncheon

 

 

The video arcade

[DarthGrady]

Club O2, the teen club

 

 

 

 

The gift shops

 

Jewelry shop

[DGP1111]

Thanks for posting the great pictures (as always), Darth! :)

 

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The view from the extended balcony

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Sarah Palin may be able to "see Russia from her house" . . . but I can see my stateroom from your stateroom. :)

Had one of the aft port Navigator's (balcony similar to the Dream-class coves), and was probably on it shortly afer you took this picture during your site tour that morning.

 

 

 

This was my first time in one of the Verandah Deck "suites", to say that I was underwhelmed would be a tremendous understatement.

 

You can't even sit in the chair facing forward due to the balcony being so small.

 

Holy crap!!! I've seen those numerous times from the Verandah observation area, but it's my very first time to see this perspective. Ick!!

 

I know one time at sailaway on Carnival Inspiration I was on the observation deck and a couple in V-1 asked me to take their picture. There were able to hand the camera to me, since it was that close. No privacy whatsoever . . . but your picture(s) add even more life to the situation.

 

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[DarthGrady]

The dancers working on their new show.

 

Circle C, the tween club

 

 

 

Completely unrelated to cruising, but did anyone else know that peacocks roam wild in the neighborhoods near the port? We were driving around looking at properties for sale and there they were. We counted at least 30 just in one neighborhood!

 

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for posting the great pictures (as always), Darth! :)

 

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Sarah Palin may be able to "see Russia from her house" . . . but I can see my stateroom from your stateroom. :)

Had one of the aft port Navigator's (balcony similar to the Dream-class coves), and was probably on it shortly afer you took this picture during your site tour that morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Holy crap!!! I've seen those numerous times from the Verandah observation area, but it's my very first time to see this perspective. Ick!!

I know one time at sailaway on Carnival Inspiration I was on the observation deck and a couple in V-1 asked me to take their picture. There were able to hand it to me, since it was that close. No privacy whatsoever . . . but your picture(s) add even more life to the situation.

 

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My thoughts exactly Don. I always knew they were small; but actually standing on one was pretty surprising, and not in a good way. :eek:

[DarthGrady]

After our tour we met some family at Grills which is on the canal. I got some shots of Carnival Ecstasy and Disney Fantasy as they left port.

 

 

 

 

[alreadypacked]

The dancers working on their new show.

 

 

 

Completely unrelated to cruising, but did anyone else know that peacocks roam wild in the neighborhoods near the port? We were driving around looking at properties for sale and there they were. We counted at least 30 just in one neighborhood!

 

 

 

I am not a native Floridian, but 10 years ago when I first relocated to FL, the apartment complex I moved to in Ft Lauderdale had them a plenty. I too, was surprised. Now the house we bought (near a canal) has only ducks that drop "bombs" on our pavers LOL.:eek:

[angel24_ga]

Thanks for the review. We are going on an 'open bar' cruise in a few months. I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me :D

 

1. Were shots or shooters included?

2. Were energy drinks included?

3. Anything you asked for that was denied?

 

We are cruising on a 7day on Liberty and can't wait!

[PH8]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Completely unrelated to cruising, but did anyone else know that peacocks roam wild in the neighborhoods near the port? We were driving around looking at properties for sale and there they were. We counted at least 30 just in one neighborhood!

 

Have you seen them at ABCD(the kennel)??? :eek:

 

 

Love all the pics........thanks.......

[laumicmah]

The Lido buffet, not well covered in the original review:

 

 

 

The Pizza and Deli counter

 

I LOVE the buffet layout on the Fantasy Class ships. Very open and easy to just grab a salad or whatever.

 

Thanks for posting...love the review.

[jamona2311]

Love the review and thanks for posting the extra pics. that was so fun. we leave tomorrow for our Thursday Ecstasy cruise. So excited!:D

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks for the extra pictures. Very cool! I agree with your observations 100%. LOVE the look of the pool area with the palm trees, but can't get used to seeing life boats suspended there. Looks very "dated" but I am sure it is still a very nice ship. Most of us are used to the newer glitzier ships! That tiny balcony.....:eek: I would NOT be amused! :mad::mad::mad: Seems it would be a good balcony for a solo cruiser. :confused:

[wrigley80]

Thanks for all the additional pictures

[crewsweeper]

Nice work Grady...great review showing that guys can cruise and have fun too! But why park at the Radisson if you weren't staying there? Or even if you were? The Park N Cruise over on Banana River Drive (or some such) just before the last bridge from Merritt island is mucho cheap and they shuttle without losing people's cells. And yeah, yeah you have to get up early if you drove from home on cruise day which means no late nights at Snowbirds.:p

[Dixie24]

How do you go about booking an open bar cruise? How many people do you need in a group to have it? Thanks.

[golfb4cruzing]

I remember coming back from. Cruise and commenting on the razor sharp toilet seats. I was charred like a 2 day hot dog on the grill. Glad about new seats. LOL

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for the review. We are going on an 'open bar' cruise in a few months. I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me :D

 

1. Were shots or shooters included?

2. Were energy drinks included?

3. Anything you asked for that was denied?

 

We are cruising on a 7day on Liberty and can't wait!

 

1) I never tried to order a shot, so I can't help you with that one. It is supposed to include any bar menu drink up to around $12.

 

2) Yes, I was able to order Rockstars with it, no problems.

 

3) No, they got me everything I asked for.

[DarthGrady]

How do you go about booking an open bar cruise? How many people do you need in a group to have it? Thanks.

 

You have to have a group with enough cabins, but I don't know the exact number. All members of the group have to purchase the package. The open bar package has to be approved by their groups department, and I have heard that they don't always grant it.

[DarthGrady]

Have you seen them at ABCD(the kennel)??? :eek:

 

 

Love all the pics........thanks.......

 

I haven't, they have peacocks there?