Old ship/New Ship - Carnival Fantasy

[atlantacarrie]

Just back from the Fantasy and I had to write this to help others know the difference between an older ship and a newer one. The last one we were on was the Legend, a bit newer. Here is what I learned...

 

Doors!!! The big difference is the lack of automatic doors. Most of the doors have handles, and high thresholds. Even though the Fantasy has been refurbished; there seemed to be a lot of maintenance happening on board.

 

On the Lido Deck, the windows were not as big, or as nice and there was evidence of multiple layers of paint throughout the rails around the decks. All around you could see evidence of older systems - such as life boat mechanisms.

 

In the cabin, the threshold (step up) to the bathroom was very high.

 

Did sailing on an older boat affect our vacation. Not really, we just had to be extra careful as we had elderly folks traveling with us. The doors and the bathroom platform were challenging...thus, my desire to let folks know.

[paper1122]

Having only travelled on Fantasy class ships with Carnival I couldn't say. I am very impressed with how Carnival has kept up the older ships. I am, however, really looking forward to sailing on the Legend to see what a newer ship is like.

[firefly333]

I love Ecstasy, but agree the step up in the bathroom is a accident waiting to happen for my sister who is on a cane and has balance issues.

 

But thought the ship looks beautiful. I think she is nicer than Conquest, a newer ship.

[scchasgal]

Just back from the Fantasy and I had to write this to help others know the difference between an older ship and a newer one. The last one we were on was the Legend, a bit newer. Here is what I learned...

 

Doors!!! The big difference is the lack of automatic doors. Most of the doors have handles, and high thresholds. Even though the Fantasy has been refurbished; there seemed to be a lot of maintenance happening on board.

 

On the Lido Deck, the windows were not as big, or as nice and there was evidence of multiple layers of paint throughout the rails around the decks. All around you could see evidence of older systems - such as life boat mechanisms.

 

In the cabin, the threshold (step up) to the bathroom was very high.

 

Did sailing on an older boat affect our vacation. Not really, we just had to be extra careful as we had elderly folks traveling with us. The doors and the bathroom platform were challenging...thus, my desire to let folks know.

 

Thanks for the heads up for folks that may not know the riser is that high in the bathroom.

 

Also the Fantasy is going into drydock again in November this year but that won't change the height into the bathroom or the hundreds of coats of white paint.

[lillian marie]

I prefer the older ships, they are smaller and more intimate.

[spencercoop]

I prefer the older ships, they are smaller and more intimate.

 

Have you tried the Spirit class ships?

[LHP]

We are headed that way in May for the 9th time....

(before she heads to Charleston)....

 

we are looking forward to the Elation coming to Mobile.... we sail her in August.

 

I love all the different ships...but the Spirit class is my favorite with the Costa format Splendor being second.....

[Texaslandshark]

Have you tried the Spirit class ships?

I realize this question was not posed to me but I have to say that I look forward to cruising on a Spirit class ship. I think they look great and from pictures I linked to from someone who was on the Spirit I'm convinced this is one of the best ships I've seen.:)

[LHP]

I realize this question was not posed to me but I have to say that I look forward to cruising on a Spirit class ship. I think they look great and from pictures I linked to from someone who was on the Spirit I'm convinced this is one of the best ships I've seen.:)

 

I really like the "flow" of the ship because you can walk from one end to the other without walking through smoke (the open casino can be avoided by going up one level)

 

It never seemed crowded....

[conchead]

We all loved the Fantasy. I had idea she was the oldest in the fleet.

 

To me it felt so much newer than the Triumph.

 

It was also so much easier to navigate around the ship.

 

We are really looking forward to being on the Elation

in 96 Days!! :D

 

yep..I did the double digit dance already;)

[Nunu]

 

we are looking forward to the Elation coming to Mobile.... we sail her in August.

 

..

 

me too :eek:

[happy cruzer]

Carrie, please tell us about your cruise.

 

How was the food - the MDR and buffet? I've posted asking about the Rotissiere in particular since I haven't had it on a ship. Hours of operation, lunch every day? dinner?

sides?

 

What about entertainment?

 

any other details you can thing of?

 

We love older ships because we feel more like we are at sea than at a resort. :)

[spencercoop]

We all loved the Fantasy. I had idea she was the oldest in the fleet.

 

To me it felt so much newer than the Triumph.

 

It was also so much easier to navigate around the ship.

 

We are really looking forward to being on the Elation

in 96 Days!! :D

 

yep..I did the double digit dance already;)

 

With all the upgrades the Fantasy class ships are getting, they don't look as old as they really are.

[spencercoop]

I realize this question was not posed to me but I have to say that I look forward to cruising on a Spirit class ship. I think they look great and from pictures I linked to from someone who was on the Spirit I'm convinced this is one of the best ships I've seen.:)

 

I love the Spirit. She is a great ship. You will love her. I have been on her twice and considering another cruise on her next year.

[happy cruzer]

Any more Fantasy recent reports?

[NCTribeFan]

Interesting. May 23 will be my 5th sailing on a Fantasy-class ship. I've been on Glory, Victory, Triumph, and Miracle, since I last sailed her. I never noticed any huge difference with the doors and thresholds, even when I sailed Fascination between Glory & Victory. Actually, it felt like I was returning "home" when I boarded her.

 

I love the Fantasy-class. I know my way around and know where all my favorite places are to relax and people-watch. They aren't too large or too small. I sound like Goldilocks! :p

 

Looking foward to seeing Fantasy again. I thought she was pretty garish (my description was that Farcus must have been having a bad 70s acid trip flashback when he designed her). Will be interesting to see what I think of her since the refurbishments and having sailed on several other ships of various classes since her.

 

I couldn't care less about the age of a ship. I've seen worn carpet and stains on much newer ships and rarely notice the wear and tear. I guess I just expect that a vessel that is constantly exposed to thousands of passengers and lives in saltwater to have signs of use!

[Dave85]

Age of these ships is all relative. I have a sneaking suspicion that these Finacantieri-built 2000s-era ships won't hold up as well as the Fantasy Class / Spirit Class. I was personally a little apprehensive going on the Pride last summer (granted she's not that old but was older than the ships I usually sail on CCL) and she was in amazing shape. Well built, well constructed ship.

[NCTribeFan]

LOVE the Spirit-class. So much nicer design than the Carnival's typical floating box. Better space ratio; better pax flow, imo.

 

Still, the Fantasy-class is just fine for my purposes. I don't need a supper club. I would love a fish & chips, but it isn't like I go hungry without! Can't wait to see the Serenity area.

 

Newer and bigger isn't necessarily better, for me. And if people want those newer, bigger ships with more bells and whistles, then I figure that will just keep prices lower for the poor, old, worn-out Fantasy-class. Right? I can hope so, at least!

[H82seaUgo]

If you want old, take a tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

 

20 years is hardly old.