Toddler in the Bahamas – Carnival Fantasy Jan 20-25 2012

[Vatrahaki]

We took our first cruise way back in 2009 on Carnival Legend - Western Caribbean. I suppose that was Nibbs' (26 mths) first cruise as well; I was 19 weeks along. BooToo (husband) was about to be shipped off to Iraq and we wanted to do something fun before his deployment. I remember it being flawless, for obvious reasons, and we got bit by the cruising bug. I told BooToo I wanted to go on a short cruise to the Bahamas and my will was done.

 

Embarkation Day:

BooToo, Nibbs, and I arrived at the port around 11 am. The line wasn’t very long and we waited in our car about 25 minutes before we paid the $75 parking fee. Afterwards, we dropped off our suitcases. When the handler finished taking our things, he had his hand out for a tip. I thought about not giving him anything. I don’t like it when people blatantly expect a tip, but since I wanted the suitcases to make it on the ship, and in good condition, I forked it over. We parked in the garage and made our way to the shuttle line.

 

The security line took a bit longer than expected. From what we saw, bottles of water and knives were taken away, security personnel carefully scrutinizing bags in the scanners, and people were asked to take off articles of clothing and shoes after setting off the alarms. We brought on 2 bottles of wine. The bottles were given a once over and we were sent to the boarding pass line. All in all, it took us about 1hr and 45 minutes to finally make it on the ship. When we entered, we were told the port days were changed due to ship congestion: Nassau on Sunday and Freeport on Monday. It didn’t matter to us since we did not book any excursions. We wanted to explore a bit before the rest of our 2500 friends made it on board.

 

Atrium

 

Casino

 

 

Forum Lounge

 

Electricity Nightclub

 

21st Century Bar (I think)

[andie1969]

Yay, we leave on this cruise in 2 weeks so I'm excited for a recent review!

[Vatrahaki]

Mini Golf

 

Serenity

 

 

All the wandering around made us hungry, so we decided to go eat. The buffet food was fine. I thought the iced tea was nasty. We lived in Georgia for 5 years, so I know what iced tea is supposed to taste like and that ain’t good tea. The lemonade made my throat hurt, so I drank water, coffee, and wine for the rest of the cruise. Once you put enough sugar and half&half in the coffee, it is drinkable.

 

We walked around the ship a little more until it was time to go to the safety briefing. At this time, any child 11 and under will get a bracelet indicating which muster station the child should be brought to in case of emergency if not with parent(s). That lasted about 30 minutes and it was almost painless. A couple of gentlemen decided they didn't need to stay for the briefing and when they tried to leave, the staff set them straight. Also, if anyone was using any kind of electronic devices or just plain not listening, the staff politely diverted their attention back to the task as hand. Nibbs decided to download in the middle of all this and apologies to anyone she olfactorily offended during the briefing.

 

Afterwards, we hightailed it to our room. We chose a midship interior (U99) because it was cheap, we wanted a cave for Nibbs’ naps, and I sometimes experience seasickness, which I didn’t at all. It was a pretty smooth cruise. We missed the sail away party because we have a tendency to immediately unpack and organize our surroundings when we travel anywhere.

 

U99 Midship Interior

 

 

 

[cruisinsly]

Waiting patiently for the rest.

[Vatrahaki]

 

 

At 5:15, we went to the Forum Lounge for youth registration. I thought there was a pretty big showing for this time of year. We weren’t expecting so many school aged children. I am guessing there were around 150 kids on board. They weren’t bothersome at all to us, but I did see a bunch of the younger ones commandeer one of the hot tubs the whole cruise. The other one was defended by the adults. I grabbed the activity schedules for all age groups.

 

Camp Carnival 2-5

 

 

 

 

[Vatrahaki]

Entrance to Camp Carnival Area

 

2-5 year old area

 

Arts and Crafts Area

 

Camp Carnival 6-8

 

 

[Vatrahaki]

 

6-8 yo area

 

Camp Carnival 9-11

 

 

 

[Vatrahaki]

Circle C

 

 

 

 

 

[Vatrahaki]

Circle C Area

 

Club O2

 

 

 

Club O2 Area

 

[Vatrahaki]

 

 

 

[Vatrahaki]

We left the registration after they were done talking about the 2-5 yo and went straight to the MDR. We chose your time dining and it worked out very well for us. We usually showed up between 6:00-6:30 and never had to wait. We always sat in a booth because we weren’t sure how Nibbs would react with a table full of strangers. We pretty much enjoyed all the food on the cruise. Nothing went right for BooToo’s order on the second sea night at the MDR. I’ll tell you all about it when I get that far along in my review. Let’s just say it’s a good thing BooToo is a pretty laid back, mellow person or else it would’ve gotten a little ugly.

 

Once we filled our stomachs, we headed to the Electricity Night Club for the Family Welcome Aboard Party. There was dancing, games, and prizes given away. After it ended, we headed back to our room to rest until the Welcome Aboard Show.

 

 

This greeted Nibbs. Anyone know what it is?

 

 

We rested until the next day.

 

 

I'll have to continue tomorrow. My kid can only watch so much Blue's Clues. Gotta be a good mom and take her out for a walk.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Subscribed! I have been searching and searching for the Fun Times for Fantasy for a 5 day sailing. Thanks!

[soozenw]

Love the pictures! No one ever has pictures of the kids areas! Thank you!

[TriciaEMTB]

We left the registration after they were done talking about the 2-5 yo and went straight to the MDR. We chose your time dining and it worked out very well for us. We usually showed up between 6:00-6:30 and never had to wait. We always sat in a booth because we weren’t sure how Nibbs would react with a table full of strangers. We pretty much enjoyed all the food on the cruise. Nothing went right for BooToo’s order on the second sea night at the MDR. I’ll tell you all about it when I get that far along in my review. Let’s just say it’s a good thing BooToo is a pretty laid back, mellow person or else it would’ve gotten a little ugly.

 

Once we filled our stomachs, we headed to the Electricity Night Club for the Family Welcome Aboard Party. There was dancing, games, and prizes given away. After it ended, we headed back to our room to rest until the Welcome Aboard Show.

 

 

This greeted Nibbs. Anyone know what it is?

 

 

We rested until the next day.

 

 

I'll have to continue tomorrow. My kid can only watch so much Blue's Clues. Gotta be a good mom and take her out for a walk.

 

 

Maybe a squid??

[writerchick1982]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. My husband and I are booked for a 5 day cruise on the Fantasy May 14th! It will be our first cruise, our first big vacation since we got married in August (didn't get to take a honeymoon :(), and the first time I've ever been out of the Continental US! I have been looking for the Fun Times for this trip as well so I am definitely subscribing.

[katisdale]

The towel animal is "Yoda" from the original starwars movies.

[mlyn]

I thought the towel animal looked like E.T.

[tkportersat]

Loving the review. Not going on this ship but I have a toddler and next cruise goes to the Bahamas :)

[Vatrahaki]

Yay, we leave on this cruise in 2 weeks so I'm excited for a recent review!

 

I hope I don't disappoint you and I am quite jealous of you. Have a great time!

[Vatrahaki]

Waiting patiently for the rest.

 

I'm on it:) Posting as fast as Nibbs will allow me to go, which is a sloth's pace.

[Vatrahaki]

Subscribed! I have been searching and searching for the Fun Times for Fantasy for a 5 day sailing. Thanks!

 

You're welcome, madam! BTW, like so many others, I enjoyed your review.

[Vatrahaki]

Love the pictures! No one ever has pictures of the kids areas! Thank you!

 

You're very welcome!

[Vatrahaki]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. My husband and I are booked for a 5 day cruise on the Fantasy May 14th! It will be our first cruise, our first big vacation since we got married in August (didn't get to take a honeymoon :(), and the first time I've ever been out of the Continental US! I have been looking for the Fun Times for this trip as well so I am definitely subscribing.

 

Thank you and congratulations on your wedding! Hope you have a fabulous honeymoon!

[Vatrahaki]

Maybe a squid??

 

The towel animal is "Yoda" from the original starwars movies.

 

I thought the towel animal looked like E.T.

 

Hmmm.. It must be the abstract towel animal.

[Vatrahaki]

Loving the review. Not going on this ship but I have a toddler and next cruise goes to the Bahamas :)

 

Thank you!