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Carnival Fantasy Review & Pics/ June 5th, 2010 Sailing


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I am loving your review and your writing style....my whole family was gathered around my little netbook last night as I read your review...kinda like story time...LOL You made us all LOL a lot and got my kids more excited than they have been in a while for our upcoming cruise.

 

Although, now they are mad at me for not getting a cabin with portholes...:rolleyes:

 

Thanks and can't wait for more:D

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So, where did we leave off...oh yeah, Elegant Night. Here we are...lookin all elegant and stuff.

 

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Who's ready for food porn? I thought you were!

 

Caesar Salad

 

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Baked Stuffed White Mushrooms

 

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Duet of Broiled Maine Lobster Tail and Grilled Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimps

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Tender Roasted Prime Rib of American Beef

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Supreme of Hudson Valley Duck

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You guessed it...we each got two entrees. I have never tried duck but wanted the lobster and Andrew wanted the lobster but loves their prime rib so we asked for both. Our server then asked us which we wanted first. Lobster please. Those "shrimps" were gigantic. Definitely 2 to 3 bite "shrimps". The duck was ok but I think by the time I got around to eating the duck, I was already full from the first entree. We dont normally eat this heavy so we ended up going back to our room for awhile to let the dinner settle. Oh so full.

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We live in Mt. Pleasant and are sailing August 21 and like you, we're planning on taking a cab to the terminal (not sure which company to call yet). I am so glad to hear that the local cab companies are getting better knowledge of the SPA area and drop off procedures. Hopefully, our boarding will take a short amount of time like yours - it's gonna be a hot one!

 

Your review is great. Glad your SO doesn't mind having his picture taken!

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Sorry about how blurry the dinner pics are. I didnt want to use a flash.

 

We made it to our room and lo and behold our room is clean and there sits a doggie wearing my sunglasses.

 

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Our steward is a NINJA!!! We also saw these:

 

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YAY for past guest party! We went back out to wander the ship, aimlessly stopping at random locations. We take the stairs for the entire cruise. It helps to keep the weight off.

 

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This is what the carpet looks like.

 

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Our favorite bar is closed at this point but we made a few cocktails in our room (dont judge). This is what the carpet looks like after many many rum drinks.

 

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I love sitting on lido when its late at night. The people watching is always amusing. We met this lovely couple

 

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Buck and Heath! They have triplets! All of us sat around enjoying our libations until somewhere around 2am. I have no idea how I managed to walk down those stairs that night but I pretty much fell into bed. Our goal is to wake up early enough to have breakfast in the MDR and hit the streets of KEY WEST.

 

Day 2=Exhausting (in a good way)

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We live in Mt. Pleasant and are sailing August 21 and like you, we're planning on taking a cab to the terminal (not sure which company to call yet). I am so glad to hear that the local cab companies are getting better knowledge of the SPA area and drop off procedures. Hopefully, our boarding will take a short amount of time like yours - it's gonna be a hot one!

 

Your review is great. Glad your SO doesn't mind having his picture taken!

We called yellow cab and the wait nearly killed me. It took him about 20 minutes to get to us. It just added to the anticipation though.

 

Thanks...the Andrew is a ham. You will see him show up in MANY more pics. Some will come with a PG-13 to R rated warning. :eek:

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KEY WEST: We awoke to the sound of bow thrusters (I think) around 6:30am. It was a bit noisy but was able to fall back asleep with no problem. We thought breakfast was served until 10am so we were up and at em at 8:30. Nope...it appears that on port days the MDR stops serving breakfast at 9am. Dangit we missed breakfast AGAIN! All I want is a little eggs benedict...please??? UGH

 

So, breakfast buffet it is once again. This was one of those moments that I had already started eating so it isnt really pretty. Here is what I had

 

Grits, corned beef hash, potato rounds, bagel/cream cheese and sausage.

 

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Andrew had an omlet and some sausage

 

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On our Fun Times it said that we needed our Birth Certificate (or passport), I.D. and Sail and Sign card. They only asked for the S&S card on the way out though. Apparently they were switching out some sculptures in front of the Museaum of Art and History/Customs House. This one is on the flatbed of a truck.

 

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Check out the name of the crane service. Giggle.

 

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We walked down Duval Street and checked out all the local art. It was unbelievably HOT in Key West and I am used to oppressive heat. There are so many stores/bars/galleries that you can stop in to cool off. Several folks sitting out in front of the bars handing out drink coupons. 2 for 1 and such. Awesomeness! First objective was to the Southernmost point with a few stops for pics along the way. Believe it or not...we didnt make it into Sloppy Joes or Capt Tony's Saloon but I got some pics. Here ya go.

 

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I really fell in love with Key West. The locals seem so very chill.

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Look! Someone has a John Deere trinket!

 

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I am not sure what type of tree this is but they are all over Key West. I would have to say that this may be my favorite tree!

 

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Even the Walgreens is super cool. Looks like it may have been a theater back in the day.

 

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A happy but hot Andrew.

 

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We went into a really nifty art gallery and if I am not mistaken this sign was in the window there.

 

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There was a motorcycle in the window that Goddard had done the artwork on. The gallery master (or whatever it is they call them) was very friendly and not at all pushy and even took us into the private studio to show us how the lighting affects the interpretation of some of the paintings. He walked around with us explaining the significance and techniques used when we had questions. Its a nice quiet place to cool off and look at crazy cool artwork.

 

Now back outside to work our way to our objective. Getting closer!

 

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Southernmost House Grand Hotel and Museum.

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Best review EVER! I leave June 26....Keep it comin' girl....you're doin' great!

 

I leave June 26 also! We have a roll call (not a lot of people on it yet) on the roll calls page - you should check it out! Lots of southerners :D

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I am beginning to wonder if there is some sort of competition to be the southernmost house.

 

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There is a line to take a picture at the exact location of the Southernmost Point. We just decided to stand out in front of it near the street. A sweet couple offered to take our picture for us. Thanks sweet couple!

 

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We had absolutely no problems walking all over Key West. Yes, it was extremely hot so make sure to bring lots and lots of water. We went through a few bottles.

 

There are roosters everywhere. You can hear them crowing all the time. I heard a rumor somewhere (probably on these boards) that if you catch one of the roosters that roam this city and bring it to a specific bar you will get a free drink. Andrew tried pretty hard even though I told him I couldnt remember which bar it was.

 

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Its a good thing he couldnt catch it because this rooster had a wife and kids.

 

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Our second objective was Hemingway House. I had a polydachtyl cat a few years ago and she was awesome. She died from some weird blood disease from getting bitten by a flea that had bitten an infected fox. So, I wanted to go see some 6 toed kitties. $12.00 for adults and you can either explore the grounds and house on your own or go for the guided tour. Typically we are not the guided tour sort of people but it was beginning right when we walked in so why not. If it gets boring we can just wander off right? Let me tell you, the guide Stan, was really a good tour guide. He was funny and informative and really knew his stuff.

 

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But I WANT to pick up the cats. *pout*

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I am not sure what type of tree this is but they are all over Key West. I would have to say that this may be my favorite tree!

 

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Those are so beautiful! They were all over Freeport and Nassau, too. I just had to ask the locals about them. They're called Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia). I want to live in a forest of them! :D

 

This is an awesome review thread!

 

I was on the same cruise, and also met Buck and clan. The triplets are SOOOO CUTE!!!

 

Hung out with Andy "Funky Monkey" quite a bit as well, mostly in the piano bar. He's a hoot! :D

 

I think I met y'all, too? I meet so many people on the ships that I get confused sometimes. :o

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They actually encourage you to take pictures inside which I thought was pretty cool. Around every corner there was a story. I love the architecture of the exterior.

 

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This is the dining room which is off to the left when you walk in the main hallway. Lots of pictures in here and they tell you a story of Hemingway's women.

 

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This chandalier is made of blown glass from Italy, and I want one.

 

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Hemingway's gigantic king sized bed where he may have produced little Hemingways.

 

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Upstairs hallway outside the bedrooms.

 

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I got a super creepy feeling in one of the kids rooms. I dont know why but I couldnt even stand in that room. Maybe it was the heat or maybe the floor was wonky but I basically walked right through that room back into the hallway.

 

This kitty, whose name was Francis, really loved Andrew a lot. A LOT

 

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There are 46 cats on the property. 46! Everywhere you turn there are 6 toed kitties. I was in kitty heaven. Now I am starting to sound like the crazy cat lady...my bad.

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We live in Mt. Pleasant and are sailing August 21 and like you, we're planning on taking a cab to the terminal (not sure which company to call yet). I am so glad to hear that the local cab companies are getting better knowledge of the SPA area and drop off procedures. Hopefully, our boarding will take a short amount of time like yours - it's gonna be a hot one!

 

Your review is great. Glad your SO doesn't mind having his picture taken!

 

Hey, we'll be on that cruise too!!... Join the roll call

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Here and there you will see parts of the walkway with little paw prints in it. You can see all six toes.

 

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Uninterested kitty says he doesnt care...he's not interested.

 

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Excuse me kitty, your 6th toe is showing.

 

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Big kitty.

 

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Kitty house that looks like the main house.

 

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Not interested kitty and little mustache kitty

 

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There were also 4 kittens that were in a pretty big cage and on the sign it said they were getting used to all the sounds and the people before they were let loose. Now for some pictures of the grounds. I am sure you are tired of all this kitty talk.

Edited by All4fun&fun4all
double post
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This is the area where they have wedding ceremonies. *shudder*

 

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There is a story behind this pool and the fountain but I will not spoil it for those who want to do the tour.

 

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Hemingway's last penny (no spoilers)

 

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Satisfied that we have seen all the Hemingway house has to offer, we were on our way for some libations. As we left Andrew noticed a single piece of art propped up against the brick wall. We look around and see no one. He picks it up and on the back it says "thank you mister cruise ship guy for stepping on my painting". There is a little smudge of a footprint on the bottom. We take it with us because it is awesome. Here it is

 

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We hung (hanged?) it on the wall of our cabin with tacky tape.

 

Properly hydrated, we decided to counter that with some rummy drinks. They had buy one get one drinks at Big Uns and since we were right there. I didnt get a pic of the outside but here are the drinks that qualify as 2 for 1 specials.

 

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There was a lady singing (quite well I might add) and she was also the host for some karaoke. We will usually run away from karaoke but we were happy about the drink special and the lady sang really well. She was giving tshirts to those who would participate.

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Those are so beautiful! They were all over Freeport and Nassau, too. I just had to ask the locals about them. They're called Royal Poinciana (Delonix regia). I want to live in a forest of them! :D

 

This is an awesome review thread!

 

I was on the same cruise, and also met Buck and clan. The triplets are SOOOO CUTE!!!

 

Hung out with Andy "Funky Monkey" quite a bit as well, mostly in the piano bar. He's a hoot! :D

 

I think I met y'all, too? I meet so many people on the ships that I get confused sometimes. :o

I would like to live in a forest of them too!

 

We stopped in to watch you play one of the evenings we were out wandering. Great show! We didnt meet formally but you were at our muster station. We were standing pretty much next to you in the very back (closest to the ship) of the four lines. We thought it was cool when you said "thats it...lets go" right before the guy on the loudspeaker said it.

 

Are you going to be hanging with Fantasy for awhile?

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Fantastic review, can't wait for more .... more ... really, tell your employer you need longer lunch hours because this is very important. :D

LOL!!! Whats terrible is that I am actually doing this instead of working. At least I look busy! :rolleyes:

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I used to take pole dancing classes for fitness so this was a serious temptation. I didnt do it but I wanted to.

 

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There were three poles attached to the bar. Here are my 2 drinks.

 

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You can see just how hot and sweaty we got by the moisture on our shirts. It was THAT hot.

 

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That picture was taken by a really cool couple we met in the bar Dan and Kristen. They were on the Fantasy too. Dan sang some Bon Jovi for karaoke. It was getting close to time to be back on the ship so we checked out a few more locations on the way back in. There is a place called Shorty's that sells $2.00 beer in a cup.

 

Here are a few shots on our way back to the ship.

 

The smallest bar in Key West

 

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Really cool couple DAn and Kristen

 

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Dan told Andrew he HAD to buy some Kino sandals. Well, we had already spent our budget for Key West money. Cool couple Dan and Kristen said they would front him the money. $15.05 for a cool pair of sandals. We met up with them on the ship several more times but they refused to take our money.

 

Kinos

 

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I unfortunately didnt get a picture of the store or the people who were making them on site. Bummer

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