MBMGWM Posted August 4, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 4, 2013 My wife & I are going to be in the Charleston, South Carolina area for Thanksgiving this year, and thought we might try to pick up a quick, inexpensive cruise while we were there. Looks like the Fantasy is about the only ship cruising out of there these days. We cruised on Carnival a couple of times back in the 90's, but have sailed on other lines since then. No knock on Carnival, just worked out that way, plus we like to try various lines. Anyway, if you've sailed on the Fantasy recently, what's she like these days? Is the 5-day itinerary to the Bahamas that she's doing now a good one? We've been to Nassau before, but never Freeport. The price seems pretty good, and the timing (the cruise we're looking at departs the day after Thanksgiving) is perfect. Any "inside cabin ($239) vs oceanview/porthole cabin ($299)" strong opinions? Any particularly good/bad cabin locations or decks? Any "insider secrets/tips" about the Fantasy that can't be picked up just by reading the usual descriptions or reviews? Thanks, G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tandemcruzr Posted August 4, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Our first cruise was on the Fantasy, 2002 I believe. Most recent was a 7 day this past January. Ship is in good shape. Staff super friendly. Really enjoyed the Serenity area, one deck below Lido aft. Our preference is either an OV or a balcony. Would not book a balcony on the Fantasy class ships. They are too small for us. Our itinerary was Nassau, HMC and Freeport. We missed HMC due to high seas (0 for 2 for us). Nassau - we walked to Junkanoo beach and then on to the Fish Fry area. Had delicious lunch at Twin Brothers Seafood and Steaks. Back in town, we had drinks at the Iguana Cafe Roof Top. Freeport we went into Port Lucaya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMGWM Posted August 4, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Thank you for the information! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Serenity area. It seemed like a lovely spot from the pictures. I've heard about the Fish Fry area and would like to try it. Was it a long walk from the ship? M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elustriah Posted August 4, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 4, 2013 We just got back from a cruise on the Fantasy. We had a nice time. Nassau we went to a public beach and Freeport we took Pat and Diane's Snorkeling / Deserted Beach (Lunch) tour and had the best day of our whole trip. We snorkeled for a couple hours and then went to a deserted beach where the waters were super calm, warm and gorgeous. They fixed lunch (bbq chicken, fresh conch salad etc.) if you drink alcohol bahama mama's were included. It was an awesome time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsfamily Posted August 4, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Fantasy generally gets great reviews with the occasional bad one. We live about 15 minutes from the port so she is always a good getaway option. Never had a bad time, always nice crew. Did it last May and am going on her Sept. 1st. of this year. We have done the Nassau/Freeport so many times that it's the ship and being away that is good for us. Depending on you level of spending I would consider an OV. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1874672 The above will give you some choices for places in Nassau. Be aware that downtown people make their living trying to sell cruisers anything and everything. I would avoid street vendors and do NOT take anything from them as although they say it's free, you will be hounded until you pay for it. Freeport used to have nothing at the port and the only real option was to take a shared (or personal but expensive) cab at $5(may have gone to $7) each way to Port Lucaya. Recently the port area has grown and now has a Senor Frogs and many other bars, eateries, straw market, booze store and other shops. If not concerned with a beach to swim at or a casino you can do a lot right at the pier. Port Lucaya can be fun when it's your first time. There are other options, head over to the Bahamas section for all kinds of info. I would say YES!:D to going on her. Plus as you stated, it's the only game in town. Have a wonderful cruise! Here is another site that might help with Charleston: http://www.charlestoncvb.com/visitors/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tandemcruzr Posted August 5, 2013 #6 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Thank you for the information! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Serenity area. It seemed like a lovely spot from the pictures. I've heard about the Fish Fry area and would like to try it. Was it a long walk from the ship? M. 20 minutes to the beach. Stop and have a drink. Another 10 minutes to the Fish Fry area. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamawsnest Posted August 5, 2013 #7 Share Posted August 5, 2013 I was on Fantasy 2 years ago and will be on her again in November. Nassau is just meh after all my trips there. Loved Freeport as we did snorkeling at Paradise Cove/Deadman's Reef. Book on your own and ride the same van(s) as those who paid Carnivals double price. Guaranteed to be back on time to the ship, beautiful beach, good food and drinks. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordanaire Posted August 5, 2013 #8 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Sailed on the Fantasy 3 weeks ago and all that I will say about her is...GO FOR IT! A great ship, fabulous crew, exciting activities and delicious food! You can't go wrong picking this ship! :cool: Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All4fun&fun4all Posted August 5, 2013 #9 Share Posted August 5, 2013 We live in Charleston and love Fantasy. We have sailed on her 4 times, with 3 of those times departing from Charleston. All of our sailings have been amazing. Our most recent sailing was December of 2012 (7 day to Grand Turk, HMC & Nassau). We went on the 5 day itinerary (Freeport & Nassau) in March of 2012 and had a great time, although time flew by. I can always find something fun to do in Nassau. Last time we walked to Arawak Cay (Fish Fry) for lunch at Twin Brothers and then hopped on a jitney that ended up back near Senor Frogs. In Freeport we have taken a shuttle to Our Lucaya but next time we are planning to go to Dead Man's Reef. I am sailing on Fascination in October on a girl's cruise but I plan on taking my oldest child next year on Fantasy for his first cruise. We saw they recently added Little Stirrup Cay to Fantasy's itinerary so I may be choosing that one. There are links in my signature to reviews I wrote on our last 3 sailings on Fantasy. There are tons of pictures as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMGWM Posted August 6, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Thank You for your replies - - enjoyed them all, as well as the linked reviews. I think we'll probably pull the trigger and go! G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannago35 Posted August 6, 2013 #11 Share Posted August 6, 2013 We cruised the Fantasy a few years back (short review on my signature) and loved it, it was our first cruise and we immediately got hooked. Cruising on Dream in October. We didn't do anything organized, just explored on our own. I "think" Atlantis is in Nassau :confused: We took a water taxi over there, walked through some of the shops and then walked to the free beach next to Atlantis. We had the best day! Great weather and drinks, rented two chairs and just relaxed. Hubby did a great two-hour waverunner excursion in Key West (he booked it at the port not on the ship) and I shopped and relaxed some more :) For the life of me, I can't recall what we did in Freeport - that's not to say we had a bad time there, but we didn't do an excursion so that may be why. Definitely shopped lol. We really enjoyed the Fantasy as well. We were on the Empress deck and it was the perfect location to get us everywhere quickly and easily. Didn't take us long to learn the layout of the ship and shortcuts to get from place to place. We'd definitely do the Fantasy again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webecruizin Posted August 6, 2013 #12 Share Posted August 6, 2013 My wife & I are going to be in the Charleston, South Carolina area for Thanksgiving this year, and thought we might try to pick up a quick, inexpensive cruise while we were there. Looks like the Fantasy is about the only ship cruising out of there these days. We cruised on Carnival a couple of times back in the 90's, but have sailed on other lines since then. No knock on Carnival, just worked out that way, plus we like to try various lines. Anyway, if you've sailed on the Fantasy recently, what's she like these days? Is the 5-day itinerary to the Bahamas that she's doing now a good one? We've been to Nassau before, but never Freeport. The price seems pretty good, and the timing (the cruise we're looking at departs the day after Thanksgiving) is perfect. Any "inside cabin ($239) vs oceanview/porthole cabin ($299)" strong opinions? Any particularly good/bad cabin locations or decks? Any "insider secrets/tips" about the Fantasy that can't be picked up just by reading the usual descriptions or reviews? Thanks, G. Do note that the porthole room is considered an inside (inside price) just something to think about. we have stayed in each (inside, porthole,oceanview and balcony) and we usually grab the portholes before they sell out and they do sell out rather quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All4fun&fun4all Posted August 6, 2013 #13 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Do note that the porthole room is considered an inside (inside price) just something to think about. we have stayed in each (inside, porthole,oceanview and balcony) and we usually grab the portholes before they sell out and they do sell out rather quickly. I love the portholes as well. That was probably one of the BEST tips I have ever picked up from the CC forums. That and the over the door shoe holder for all your toiletries. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBMGWM Posted August 7, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Thanks for the info regarding the porthole cabins. That was enough to push us over the edge and book a cabin sooner rather than later on the 5-night cruise to the Bahamas on the Fantasy. We got a porthole cabin on the Main Deck for the same price ($239pp) that inside cabins on the bottom deck are going for on the same cruise. G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsfamily Posted August 7, 2013 #15 Share Posted August 7, 2013 Thanks for the info regarding the porthole cabins. That was enough to push us over the edge and book a cabin sooner rather than later on the 5-night cruise to the Bahamas on the Fantasy. We got a porthole cabin on the Main Deck for the same price ($239pp) that inside cabins on the bottom deck are going for on the same cruise. G. We had a port hole on the Fascination in May, loved it except for the day in Freeport. They had to use the bow thrusters all day to keep the ship from banging into the pier (heavy rain and winds). We did a bit of fun at the port and back on the ship. We could not use the cabin because it is right above the thrusters and was like being in a off-balance washing machine. loud and shaking. The rest of the time it was nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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