David148

Looks like the band styx will do a concert on the ship.

What exactly is FTTF and how do you get it?

Faster To The Fun. You get it buy purchasing it under shore excursions for the departure port. Check it out! I'm getting it for the first time for my cruise in may.

Great review so far. Loving the pics! I'm from NC as well and going on the Fantasy in May. First time on this ship but can't beat the departure port :).

Aeesome! I love reading about up sells n upgrades. I've never had the fairy call me but I would love to be offered balcony for my upcoming cruise. But I doubt it as the Fantasy doesn't have many balconies lol. But congrats to you! :D

I live near Charleston but driving to Jacksonville next month to cruise. It is $100 pp cheaper for the same cruise out of Jacksonville. Charleston prices have always been higher than other ports.

That is true . But at least they have come down overall from the first year the Fantasy arrived there. It was like double the price b4.

Wow ok looks like they will jump up. Not really surprising being it's the only cruise around the area. Thanks for the replies.

We booked the January 18 cruise. Figured kids would all be back in school and the demand reduced. We've seen the prices increase, so glad we paid when we did.

 

As for the ability to do so being the only ship nearby for many of us, that's essentially the same point I've tried to make with NC DOT and the planners...that if they build a cruise port on Radio Island near Morehead, that the tourist industry here will make a BOOM, seeing as to how relatively easily the Radio Island terminal can be built. That places ships about 5 miles form the sea lanes, so they'd be able to save fuel getting into the sea lanes.

Ahh. I have family who wants to go on this cruise with me but cant book until JAN. Im hoping prices don't rise to much.

As far as a cruise port in MHC. WOW wouldn't that be nice? lol But could u imagine the traffic over the bridges on hwy 70? It would be a pure headache for the residents of MHC and Beaufort trying to cross the bridges. They just don't have enough roads in that area to accommodate the traffic. They would have to build a few more escape roads from MHC and Beaufort. As much as I would like to have a cruise port here, I think Wilmington would make a better choice.

My last cruise in 2012 we missed HMC. It was raining so hard and waves were huge ..we were sailing past the island and we couldn't see it. Everyone was mostly bummed. That was the main island we wanted to go to. It ended up being a typical sea day. Carnival did arrange to make an extra stop at Freeport the next day. We took a cab ride to a nice beach and enjoyed the day. We still had a great cruise! :)

ok I know prices go up or down depending on the demand. But I'm curious if anyone knows what usually happens for the Fantasy cruise out of Charleston? I know it's the only ship around and that can make prices rise. But has anyone had any experience booking this cruise around may in previous years? I want to say that its after spring break and before school gets out so prices may go down but then I think about how its the only ship around the area and it may sky rocket. I know there is no definite answer to this question but what seems to be the trend?

Thanks,

David

Very unlikely that Vista will be in Charleston. But Charleston needs a newer bigger ship doin 7 night cruises. Would love to see Liberty, Dream or Pride to come here to Charleston. It may be more expensive to fly there but there is the demand already around Charleston to accommodate the bigger ship. SC, NC, GA, VA, TN these folks would drive for it. I'm hoping we get something better in Charleston soon!!

 

The Fantasy Class ships can sail from ports that are in the mouth of rivers. That being said, if you look at the bookings for the sailing on the Fantasy, you will see she books faster than some of the other ships. I think this is because so many people prefer to drive to port for embarkation and Charleston is a port within a reasonable driving distance for most mid-Atlantic states.

This is why I booked this cruise. It's close to home. As far as the ship? I dunno .. I did the Fascination and it was fine but we ad a large group with us. Honestly the Fantasy class ships are the ugliest ships from the outside that I've ever seen. I do prefer larger ships but again this cruise is close to home and the Fascination was in no way a turn off to me. Would love for carnival to put a bigger newer ship in charleston.

Oh ok, great! That's good news. I was expecting a fee with the restrictions ES has.

I have a question about Early Saver. I booked last week a porthole room and paid single supplement . Am I able to add a guest to my room at a later date? I'm fine paying the $50 if that's the case?

Thanks.

Ok. Thanks winddawn. Great link!

Don't tell me that lol

Ok thanks. So what was done in 2013? What's the current condition of the ship from recent cruisers?

Just curious when the last time the Fantasy was last refurbished or updated? Was it with the waterworks on the back of the ship?

Thanks,

David

NOT GOOD!

I like my room dark and cool when I'm sleeping. I've never had much luck controlling temps in the cabins. IM booked for may 2nd and now after reading this I am not looking forward to sleeping uncomfortable. I hope its not so bad. I'll still bring a fan lol

Ok thanks, so the cabins are no different than balcony cabins on other ships. How come the add on balcony cabins don't show up when trying to make a reservation?

-David

Hi All!

Cruising on the Fantasy in May 2015. I know the ship doesn't have a lot of balcony rooms. What's the difference between Jr Suite cabins on the fantasy vs the basic Balcony cabins on the larger ships? They look and sound about the same. Why does Carnival label the balcony rooms on the Fantasy class as Jr Suites? Right now im booked in porthole cabin but may upgrade to Jr Suite if the price is right.

Thanks,

David.

I know ive brought a small metal cage type fan once, i think it was in 2007, we didnt have any trouble. we packed it in our checked bags. I thought i read on here later tho like last year that they were not allowed. But im not for sure? I plan on trying to bring mine again in SEPT on my next cruise. I always sleep with a fan summer/winter. But i would also like to know if the rules have changed?

-David

WOW!

this is the CB review i have been waiting for! you did an awesome job getting me all excited and hit everything i wanted to know. I will be on this ship in OCT , i can't wait. Thanks for the awesome review and pictures :D

-David