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Fantasy March 3 2014 Review With Pics

jonboy9756

By jonboy9756,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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jonboy9756

jonboy9756

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OK folks here goes. My DW and I just got back yesterday from a 5 day cruise from Charleston SC to Freeport and Nassau. Before getting started on the review I want to say thanks to the Cruise Critic membership for all of the information and opinions that have been shared. I did a lot of research on here and it made our experience so much better. If you have questions I would be happy to answer the best I can. I will be adding to this thread as the days and weeks go by. We live in Western NC about 4 hours away but decided to spend last Sunday night before the cruise in Charleston. We booked a room at the Holiday Inn Riverview that included free breakfast and shuttle service to the port. We got into town early Sunday afternoon, checked in, and took their free shuttle into downtown. It was a beautiful day about 70 degrees. Here is the view from our room looking across the Ashley River towards downtown.

1harborview_zps3feb58d3.jpg

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jonboy9756

jonboy9756

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After checking in and getting settled, we took advantage of the hotel's free shuttle into downtown Charleston. We walked thru the City Market and had dinner at Hyman's. Got some pralines for dessert at a candy store on North Market and took the shuttle back to the hotel. Monday morning we woke up, looked out our window and saw the Fantasy in port, well at least the whale tail.

 

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Had the breakfast buffet in the restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. It was very good and the view was fantastic. We had time to kill as our shuttle to the port was not scheduled to leave the hotel until 12:15. Checked out at noon and actually had to wait until 12:30, but the ride to the port was quick. Our room rate included parking for the week, so the shuttle dropped us off where the porters took our checked luggage and we proceeded to the terminal with our carry-ons. We had purchased Faster to the Fun so after going thru security check, we were directed right up to check in, bypassing a pretty long line. Got our Sail and Sign cards, and headed to the ship. Our room was ready so we dropped off our carry-ons and headed up to the Lido deck. I would estimate it only took 30-45 minutes from drop off until we were having lunch. After lunch we did a quick tour of the ship, and went back to our cabin hoping that our luggage would be in the hall. No such luck. We actually had to go down the hall, find it on one of several carts, and carry it back to the room. A lot of folks were doing this. We put our stuff away and headed back up to Lido to have a quick cruse beverage before the muster drill. The drill took longer than I expected so we just had a little time back on Lido before getting ready for our Early dining time at 6:00 PM. Just as well, because it was getting crowded with Spring Breakers, which would become a common theme! Went by the casino and got our free "players" lanyard and they punched our S & S card and hooked them up. That was the last time we saw the casino, just not our thing.

 

We had a great dinner with a very nice couple from Michigan. The food was quite good, and the service was great. After dinner we played a couple of trivia games(unsuccessfully) before heading back to our cabin where we found a visitor.

 

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dainew

dainew

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Jonboy 9756 thanks for the review it been 4 years since we went on the Fantasy and wants to see if there have been any changes ............RBC Hokie and Rarasnake I see you are cruising in May on the Fantasy we are to and ours is May 21

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rarasnake

rarasnake

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Jonboy 9756 thanks for the review it been 4 years since we went on the Fantasy and wants to see if there have been any changes ............RBC Hokie and Rarasnake I see you are cruising in May on the Fantasy we are to and ours is May 21

 

 

I can wave to you when we are getting off the boat!! We are going May 16-21 (the kids have EOG's the following week)...

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RBC Hokie

RBC Hokie

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Jonboy 9756 thanks for the review it been 4 years since we went on the Fantasy and wants to see if there have been any changes ............RBC Hokie and Rarasnake I see you are cruising in May on the Fantasy we are to and ours is May 21

 

We're sailing out on the 31st of May can't wait.

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Matt62

Matt62

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Thanks for posting the copy of the Fun Times for the Fantasy. We will be sailing in two weeks (Mar 25th) so it is nice to read up on the days ahead of time. Please post all of them if you can. Many thanks.

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jonboy9756

jonboy9756

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Tuesday was our first Sea Day and we were on the way to Freeport. We got up pretty early and had breakfast at the brunch in the Celebration dining room. Very good, nice and relaxing. We wanted to get up on deck and get a spot to relax and get some sun and enjoy the warm temperatures. We got out to the Serenity deck early enough to get loungers on the front row looking back at the wake. Pretty much spent most of the day reading, napping, watching the dolphin swim along with us. Only left long enough to go up to the Lido deck for lunch and snacks. Of course we had a couple of refreshing beverages as well. As we suspected the main pool was thick with spring breakers and they were really enjoying themselves. Mid afternoon we went in, spent a while at Tea Time, then relaxed and got ready for elegant dinner. Again the food was very good and enjoyed watching the wait staff dance and sing. Next up was a comedy show by James Sibley who was very funny. Not too many pictures today, but here is our towel of the day.

 

4frogtowel_zps5ccd607e.jpg

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suggie123

suggie123

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Thank you for doing this review. We leave Aug. 13th on the Fantasy. Do you remember if creme brûlée or bitter and blanc were on the dessert menu? Hoping they are still there.

 

 

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jonboy9756

jonboy9756

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Thank you for doing this review. We leave Aug. 13th on the Fantasy. Do you remember if creme brûlée or bitter and blanc were on the dessert menu? Hoping they are still there.

 

 

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Yes they are both still on the menu, but maybe just on 1 or 2 nights. My wife had them both. She really loves the crème brûlée, not quite as crazy about the bitter and blanc. I didn't have either, apparently I am addicted to the warm chocolate melting cake, I had it 3 out of 5 nights, with a side of butter pecan ice cream. My second favorite dessert was the warm fig, date and cinnamon cake with rum raisin ice cream. Cherries Jubilee was a distant third, it was just cherries and vanilla ice cream.

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jonboy9756

jonboy9756

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Woke up early Wednesday, got cleaned up and had our beach tote ready before heading up to the Lido for a quick breakfast while watching the ship dock in Freeport. I think we were off the ship by 8:30, walked thru the small market there and over to the taxi/shuttle pick up area. We had plans to catch a taxi over to The Grand Lucayan Resort for the day. Cost for the ride was $ 10 each round trip in a van that carries about 8 people for about a 20 minute ride. They dropped us off in front of a casino across from the straw market/shopping/restaurant area. Went thru the casino and out towards the resort where we paid $ 15 each for beach and pool access, including chairs. We spent the first part of the morning on the beach and it was a beautiful day.

Here is the resort from the beach:

 

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A few beach pics, I never get tired of seeing that blue water:

 

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The view down the beach with part of the pool nearest the beach:

 

12grandlucaya8_zpscefb959b.jpg

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