Talk to me about the Fantasy....

[dustyroad]

i loved the serenity area. i would get up early and get a lounger with a umbrella near it that looked right out the back of the ship. it was never crowded, very quiet and the 2 hot-tubs were great. they also had a shower you could step under too cool off. one poor lady i talked too on the last day said she could never find it. go through the lido too were they make the omelets. go out the door and too your right you will see the stairs going down. it is a great place too hang out and relax. enjoy your cruise.

[Tapi]

Lucky you! It took us over an hour from the time they called our floor for self-assisted debark to the time we reached our car (8:30 - 9:45 "ish"). The lines were horrendous, but I was expecting that (if it were up to me, I would have waited longer to get off the ship).

 

When we sailed out of Mobile, we were aboard the (now gone) Holiday. Our cabin was on the main deck, just a few doors away from where debarkation was being conducted. When they announced that debarkation had started, we had to walk just a few feet, so that did contribute quite considerably to our speedy debarkation.

 

Still, customs was quick, and the ease of walking to the car was well worth the extra bucks.

[CMOTO]

i loved the serenity area. i would get up early and get a lounger with a umbrella near it that looked right out the back of the ship. it was never crowded, very quiet and the 2 hot-tubs were great. they also had a shower you could step under too cool off. one poor lady i talked too on the last day said she could never find it. go through the lido too were they make the omelets. go out the door and too your right you will see the stairs going down. it is a great place too hang out and relax. enjoy your cruise.

 

Oh I hope this doesn't happen to me!!!! I am going to write your directions down, that is the one place that I am SO looking forward to. Just the thought of it makes me smile!!! Do they have a bar service close by or would you have to go back to the lido deck to get a drink/soda??

[bahia puller]

Bellingrath gardens is nice, especially in the spring. There are two civil war forts at the entrance to Mobile bay. One on Dauphin Island and the other across the bay, Ft Morgan. Baldwin county, across the bay has some nice beaches, certainly not a Cozumel, but better than other states , except Florida. I live here.

[TheMurr]

Oh I hope this doesn't happen to me!!!! I am going to write your directions down, that is the one place that I am SO looking forward to. Just the thought of it makes me smile!!! Do they have a bar service close by or would you have to go back to the lido deck to get a drink/soda??

 

Easiest way is to cut through the The Forum lounge on starboard side of Promenade deck . There is very little activity in there during the day (other than the odd Art Auction). Or there are stairs leading down on either side from the Lido deck (near the pizza station).

 

There do have bar service come around (but they seemed reluctant to go back to my cabin to get a refill).

[adamt]

A word for those of you going out of Mobile.

We were on the Fantasy in March and as we were sitting on the Lido with our lunch and DOD watching the loading of the ship etc. We looked down and the garage was full of cars and they were sending folks out of the port garage to park elsewhere. If you plan to park at the dock get there early. We go down the night before and stay at the Riverview Hotel. They have a park and cruise package including shuttle service to and from the dock. We normally self dis-embark and just walk back to get our vehicle.

 

As for Fantasy... We had a enjoyed her again and really liked the new water works area and especially the new BIG slide. I also liked the look of the Lido deck with the palm trees and the outside bars with the tiki hut look and TV's. Adult serenity area was nice and was enforced as to people bringing kids back there.

 

Does any one here know when the Elation will be getting the water works upgrade?

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Are there televisions on deck of the Fantasy? I'll be taking her out of Charleston in June.

[TheMurr]

Are there televisions on deck of the Fantasy? I'll be taking her out of Charleston in June.

 

There are small tv's (36"-42") at the bars on deck but there is no big screen theater style (like MUTS)

[JessKess]

Are there televisions on deck of the Fantasy? I'll be taking her out of Charleston in June.

 

I don't recall seeing any outside (definitely no big screen on deck). There were two TVs at the back of the Lido restaurant (by the pizza and sandwich stations).

[CMOTO]

I have read several posts saying that the Fantasy is a smaller ship, so does it feel like you are jam packed where ever you go, I have only been on the Holiday, which is smaller still and we loved it. Just wondering if we will feel the same way about the Fantasy.....

[JessKess]

I was just thinking about that today. I was also on the Holiday, and I did feel like the Fantasy was more crowded. That being said, it was usually easy to find a quiet place.

 

The pool area was very crowded during the day, but you could always find a seat in the more windy areas. Long lines form to get into the dining rooms and can clog up that area. There always seemed to be lines at the buffet, the Lido was crowded at peak times, but we always found a table when we wanted one.

 

I could always get a seat at the shows just a few minutes before they started. I could always get a window seat in the Promenade. No problem getting a seat/waiter in any of the bars. Casino wasn't packed (didn't play, but watched some of the table games). Never a wait for breakfast/lunch in the MDR. Took the stairs all the time, so I'm not sure about the elevators (never noticed any lines). The only time guest services seemed crowded was the last night. Library was usually empty (we sat and played Scrabble one night before our late seating dinner). The sushi line was long when it opened at 5, but was empty at 6 once early dinner started. Not too crowded at the very front of the ship (just above the bridge) for sailaway from Mobile (and almost deserted in Cozumel).

 

Actually, I really enjoyed leaving from Mobile. We came back out later in the evening as the sun was setting and watched as we left the bay (~6:30-7:00). It was so pretty and peaceful!

[mistory]

I have read several posts saying that the Fantasy is a smaller ship, so does it feel like you are jam packed where ever you go, I have only been on the Holiday, which is smaller still and we loved it. Just wondering if we will feel the same way about the Fantasy.....

 

I have sailed the Fantasy before. The only time it felt crowded was during breakfast on the deck. You had to wait a little but that is because we went at prime time. I'm going on it again in July. I may try a larger ship just to change the internary but I loved the Fantasy.

[MrCo9]

Well, there's me and the blonde twins....

 

O, you said the Fantasy, I was typing about MY fantasy.

[lphipps1980]

First time cruiser here!!! I will be on the Fantasy on May 3. As listed above, you disembark on the main deck, which deck to you embark on????

[crewsnews]

The same deck. Getting on is a lot more straight forward since you will essentially be corralled through the process with a dozen employees pointing you where to go.

[beaming90]

Gotta get in this conversation - as I am a Kansas girl! We cruised on the Fantasy for our first cruise a few years ago. It was still out of Cape Canaveral then, but my favorite thing was sitting on the very back of the ship on port days, on the lido deck to eat lunch. It was the most relaxed I think I have ever been!! Our next cruise is on the Elation from Mobile! Have a great cruise!!!

[eLav8]

I will be sailing on the May 8th trip as well. First time on the Fantasy, but sailed the Holiday out of Mobile twice. The next few weeks cannot pass quickly enough!

[h_blond2]

I loved the Fantasy! You have to go to the waterpark! That is where I spent all of my time, I never even got in the pool! I guess I'm just a little kid at heart! :)

[CMOTO]

I have 9 days and then all my wondering will be over.....I'll be on it so I can find out for myself!!!!

 

We are driving down the day before so I will be well rested and ready to run all over the ship snapping pictures and driving my husband crazy(I make him pose).....I'm so EXCITED!!!!

 

I have seen menu's on the supper items but what is the Lunch and Breakfast like in the MDR, is it three corse meals too???

[deffenm]

We are going on our first family cruise in July on the Fantasy. I can not wait. I am glad to here so many people like this ship. I don't think I am going to get my kids off the slides.

[megamoo]

CMOTO --- How long is your cruise and what ports are you going to? We are going on a 5-day cruise in August to the Bahamas.

 

Can you post the capers, menus and pictures when you return. We are excited but have a long to wait before we cruise.

 

Have a great time. I can't wait to hear your reviews.

[CMOTO]

CMOTO --- How long is your cruise and what ports are you going to? We are going on a 5-day cruise in August to the Bahamas.

 

Can you post the capers, menus and pictures when you return. We are excited but have a long to wait before we cruise.

 

Have a great time. I can't wait to hear your reviews.

 

Yes, I will post a review when we get back, hopefully I will learn how to put pictures in and even post them as well!!!

 

We are going out of Mobile, and its 5 days to Cozumel and Progreso!!!

[eLav8]

I have seen menu's on the supper items but what is the Lunch and Breakfast like in the MDR, is it three corse meals too???

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=8769298&postcount=2

 

There's a post with some of the menus from a 4 day cruise a few years back...It could have changed by now, but the setup should be the same.

 

They usually post the menus on a sign outside of the restaurants serving breakfast and lunch so you can decide whether to eat there or Lido.

[folk108]

Friends and I booked a last minute Girls trip leaving on the 29th. Can't wait. I sailed on the Fantasy about 8 years ago when it was in Port Canaveral. Anxious to see the renovations since then. Cruising is definitely a different experience without the kids- mine or anyone else's so I can't wait to get to the Serenity area.

[Naomi John]

I sailed on the Fantasy out of New Orleans then they "upgraded" to the Triump. The Triump is much more crowded and I did not enjoy it as much as the Fantasy.

 

Please bring the Fantasy back to New Orleans..................

 

Second to say, bring her back!!! Just off the 7 day on Triumph. I truly enjoyed my cruise, but...

 

Lido, I like a salad, and the Fantasy's salad bar was not in the main food line. I loved that and missed that.

 

Water works: DD (age 8, fourth cruise, twice on Fantasy), kept looking for the fun slides. She had a blast on Triumph's slide, but I think she almost wanted to enter the Ecstasy parked next to us in Cozumel because she saw the "Evolutions of Fun" area.

 

Activities: DH loves the Bean Bag Toss, (aka corn hole), but when 50 people show up, (on the Triumph) to participate, it kinda takes the fun out of the whole game. The same with the mini golf. So many people came only 3 holes were played, (again Triumph not Fantasy). I liked the larger rooms, and our staff on the Triumph was great, but way too many people.

 

I want my Fantasy back!!! (and no, not George Cloony at my door step, but that would be nice as well. :D)

[slkmbz]

I have 9 days and then all my wondering will be over.....I'll be on it so I can find out for myself!!!!

 

We are driving down the day before so I will be well rested and ready to run all over the ship snapping pictures and driving my husband crazy(I make him pose).....I'm so EXCITED!!!!

 

I have seen menu's on the supper items but what is the Lunch and Breakfast like in the MDR, is it three corse meals too???

 

 

I would encourage the MDR for breakfast. It is a bit more time consuming on port days so make sure the schedule correctly but it a very enjoyable way to start the day.

 

I do not recommend the MDR for lunch. One it is too time consuming - there are too many other great food options and too many fun things to do! The couple of times that we did take the time for lunch in the MDR - I didn't think the food was worth it. It almost seemed like "leftovers" for the entrees. (So ready to be slammed here.) I'm a leftover girl (single) at home and normally that wouldn't bother me anywhere but it's not my choice for vacation.

 

Have a fabulous time! I can barely wait until my sail date!