Carnival Fantasy or Monarch of the Seas

[rkcjj]

Hello everyone! It has been a while since my last visit! I am glad to be back on researching some cruises!!!

 

My DH and I are going on a quick little getaway next month.

Help me decide which cruise to take!

Fantasy or Monarch?

We have been on three cruises (Carnival Dream, Explorer Of the Seas, and Freedom of the Seas).

A little concerned about the size of these two ships. But, just want a little 4 or 5 day getaway.

My main concern is cleanliness and smoke smell. I am a freak about both. I can't stand the smell of smoke in my cabin. We will be in an interior or OV room with either ship.

Are these ships equally clean and well maintained?

Any opinions are MUCH appreciated.

Thank you!

[Bonnie J.]

Carnival no longer allows smoking in any cabin. You may smoke only your balcony but the Fantasy doesn't have many balcony cabins.The casino has smoking only if you are actively playing and not at all the slot machines.

On the lido deck smoking is only on the starboard side (right). I think inside it is in the disco and 1/2 of the casino bar.

WE have been on the Fantasy a number of time. We really like this small ship, her crew and everything about her. So far this year we were on her Feb.4th and will be again on April 18th. They are always washing and wiping things down-walls, glass, etc., even the ceilings. Public bathrooms are always spotless. We also like that it is a 4 1/2 hour drive to the ship. We carry off our luggage at 6:15AM!

Can't tell you about the Monarch as its been so long snice we have been on her, but you won't go wrong if you choose the Fantasy!

[tak81288]

For a quick getaway, I would probably choose by price. The smoking policies are similar on both lines. There will be designated smoking areas on both ships w/ no smoking allowed in the staterooms. Both ships will be clean. Monarchs rooms may be slightly smaller than Fantasy.

 

If price is a non factor, I would just flip a coin (seriously).

 

Have a great trip!

[babyblue78]

Is one of them closer to you? If I lived in FL I would probably go on Monarch. Otherwise I would probably go with the Fantasy for the larger cabin size. I cruised on the Fantasy in August, and had a wonderful time. No worries about smoke smells, no smoking allowed in cabins, and the ship was very clean and well-maintained. I don't think you can go wrong with the Fantasy. :)

[cruiseapril]

We appreciate Carnival's larger cabins. Square footage is usually listed for all cabins.

[Cruzaholic41]

Between these 2, I recommend the Monarch. It is a nicer ship with a better itinerary. Fantasy has bigger standard rooms than Monarch, but leave that room and just about everything else is bigger and better on Monarch. On Monarch, I recommend spending just a little more and booking a deck 9 SO room. They are much larger and have a couch.

 

The kicker for me is Coco Cay. This is what really tips the scale. You will love it. Plus, RCI has better loyalty perks, so your gold perks will be better than Carnival.

[meggie711]

Between these 2, I recommend the Monarch. It is a nicer ship with a better itinerary. Fantasy has bigger standard rooms than Monarch, but leave that room and just about everything else is bigger and better on Monarch. On Monarch, I recommend spending just a little more and booking a deck 9 SO room. They are much larger and have a couch.

 

The kicker for me is Coco Cay. This is what really tips the scale. You will love it. Plus, RCI has better loyalty perks, so your gold perks will be better than Carnival.

 

We went on Monarch back in December 2010. It was a nice ship. Nothing fancy or very memorable for me, but I remember it being pretty well taken care of. We didn't really have a lot of dealings with staff. It was a very quick trip, and hubby forgot his dress pants at home, so we ate at alternative venues every night. We missed Coco Cay due to wind, and that's the first time I've missed that stop. Very disappointed, but understood completely. I remember the pool deck staff being excellent! MuMu was our favorite. :) If you are looking for a shorter and affordable trip, I don't think you would be disappointed. I will disagree as far as perks, at least depending on what status you are. There doesn't seem to be an awful lot in the perks department as far as we're concerned. Four cruises pales in comparison to those who cruise several times a year, but it has been loyalty, nonetheless. Nothing really there to keep us from going anywhere else.