Our Fantastical Journey: Carnival Fantasy Review & PICS/December 8th, 2012 sailing

[BeachPlease]

Hi there! I gotta tell ya...your reviews for the Fantasy have been amazing! I got sad when I had nothing more to read!! I'm taking my first cruise this November (also live in Charleston) and I cannot wait! Its all I think about, and thanks to this site, I feel as if I'm better prepared. You all are exactly the type of people my husband and I like to party with! It's a shame you won't be on ours! We haven't decided which beach to visit in Nassau (Cable or Junkanoo), but your pictures of Junkanoo looked gorgeous! Thanks again for providing us new cruisers with your adventures!!

[MomPic]

Thank you sooo much for our review!! We just booked our third cruise for Fantasy. It is a long way off next October :(. But we had such a great time this past June/July on her, that we are counting the days already!! I hope to meet some friendly folks like you and your Fantasy Girls!

 

 

 

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[All4fun&fun4all]

Hi there! I gotta tell ya...your reviews for the Fantasy have been amazing! I got sad when I had nothing more to read!! I'm taking my first cruise this November (also live in Charleston) and I cannot wait! Its all I think about, and thanks to this site, I feel as if I'm better prepared. You all are exactly the type of people my husband and I like to party with! It's a shame you won't be on ours! We haven't decided which beach to visit in Nassau (Cable or Junkanoo), but your pictures of Junkanoo looked gorgeous! Thanks again for providing us new cruisers with your adventures!!

 

I am glad you enjoyed the reviews! We will probably be sailing on Fantasy again in February or March but cant wait to write a review of our sailing from Jacksonville with the FG's.

 

Maybe we will run into each other out and about in Charleston!

 

Thank you sooo much for our review!! We just booked our third cruise for Fantasy. It is a long way off next October :(. But we had such a great time this past June/July on her, that we are counting the days already!! I hope to meet some friendly folks like you and your Fantasy Girls!

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

NEXT OCTOBER?? Oh my! Such a long wait!

 

Thanks for reading. I am happy that folks are still reading the reviews. :)

[laumicmah]

I just read your awesome review. We just booked the Dec 27, 2014 cruise on the Fantasy...same itin you did (7 days). We are going with my inlaws. I did this exact itin on the Pride (though it was Freeport instead of Nassau). I am looking forward to going back to Grand Turk. We have also cruised the fascination (twice), the Sensation and the Imagination. We LOVE the Fantasy class ships. I have a question. On the other 3 Fantasy class, that we've been on, they have a bar in the aft and right above the aft dining room (also right outside the aft lounge where they do comedy shows)...it has a bunch of TVs and it used to be the cigar bar (when folks were allowed to smoke in there). Do they have that on the Fantasy? Thanks for posting your review. Have fun on your girls cruise on the Fascination!!

[All4fun&fun4all]

I just read your awesome review. We just booked the Dec 27, 2014 cruise on the Fantasy...same itin you did (7 days). We are going with my inlaws. I did this exact itin on the Pride (though it was Freeport instead of Nassau). I am looking forward to going back to Grand Turk. We have also cruised the fascination (twice), the Sensation and the Imagination. We LOVE the Fantasy class ships. I have a question. On the other 3 Fantasy class, that we've been on, they have a bar in the aft and right above the aft dining room (also right outside the aft lounge where they do comedy shows)...it has a bunch of TVs and it used to be the cigar bar (when folks were allowed to smoke in there). Do they have that on the Fantasy? Thanks for posting your review. Have fun on your girls cruise on the Fascination!!

 

Thanks for reading! I am glad you enjoyed it!

 

That 7 day itinerary is a pretty good one. And how can you beat a day at HMC? Ahhhh paradise!

 

They do indeed have that bar on the Fantasy. It is called Majestic Bar and that's where they have the Martini Tastings. I like the couches in there that sit right next to the big windows.

[laumicmah]

Thanks for reading! I am glad you enjoyed it!

 

That 7 day itinerary is a pretty good one. And how can you beat a day at HMC? Ahhhh paradise!

 

They do indeed have that bar on the Fantasy. It is called Majestic Bar and that's where they have the Martini Tastings. I like the couches in there that sit right next to the big windows.

MMmmmm...martini tastings. I did that on my last cruise on the Imagination. I'll need to go to the Majestic Bar and try the other 4 that I didn't pick :D

[All4fun&fun4all]

MMmmmm...martini tastings. I did that on my last cruise on the Imagination. I'll need to go to the Majestic Bar and try the other 4 that I didn't pick :D

 

I am looking forward to them as well on my October sailing! :D

[michelle1836]

just finished all of your reviews! loved them :)

 

we all need to chip in and get you a camera that takes good food porn! LOL

[All4fun&fun4all]

just finished all of your reviews! loved them :)

 

we all need to chip in and get you a camera that takes good food porn! LOL

 

You read all of them? WOW!

 

I will gladly accept a camera that takes good food porn. However, I did get a new camera and we shall see if it does a good job. There are so many buttons. :confused:

[michelle1836]

You read all of them? WOW!

 

I will gladly accept a camera that takes good food porn. However, I did get a new camera and we shall see if it does a good job. There are so many buttons. :confused:

 

LOL the new ones do have a lot of buttons! you have 25 days to figure it out! cant wait for another review :D

[Palmetto Pilot]

For the OP.... I'm taking the Fantasy on the 5 days to the Bahamas on the 23rd with my girlfriend and another couple. We are in our late 20s early 30s and like to drink and have a good time. What would you recommendation be for stuff to do in Nassau and Freeport?

Edited October 3, 2013 by Palmetto Pilot

[All4fun&fun4all]

LOL the new ones do have a lot of buttons! you have 25 days to figure it out! cant wait for another review :D

I cant wait to GO!!! I am pretty much useless at work right now.

 

For the OP.... I'm taking the Fantasy on the 5 days to the Bahamas on the 23rd with my girlfriend and another couple. We are in our late 20s early 30s and like to drink and have a good time. What would you recommendation be for stuff to do in Nassau and Freeport?

 

Palmetto Pilot, I will tell you what I am planning for Nassau in October. I personally tend to be budget minded while on a cruise. So, for this trip I am walking to Arawak Cay (Fish Fry) for lunch at Twin Brothers. After lunch I plan on walking to John Watling's rum distillery to take the short tour and enjoy the free rum samples after the tour. Then I will purchase a bottle of rum as a souvenier. Next I will walk the short distance to Junkanoo Beach where I plan on frolicking in the water. Lastly, I will conclude my day at Senor Frogs because it's always entertaining and its close to the ship. Stumbling distance. :D

 

The last few times we went to Freeport we just took the shuttle to Our Lucaya. It's about a 20 minute drive. There really isn't much at the port area since the immediate area is industrial. My plan for the next trip we take to Freeport is to go to Dead Man's Reef. There is excellent snorkeling out there (so I hear) and it is away from the hustle and bustle and the vendors asking you to purchase their wares. Google Dead Man's Reef in Freeport, Bahamas. Really good review. There is also a place called Gold Rock Beach that is beautiful from what I have seen in pics but I don't believe there is a bar for drinky drinks. I could be wrong though. I have been wrong before. :p

[Palmetto Pilot]

thanks for the tips!!!! We're definitely budget minded as well.

[michelle1836]

I cant wait to GO!!! I am pretty much useless at work right now.

 

me too and I have waaaay longer to wait than you do!! :(

 

Palmetto Pilot, I will tell you what I am planning for Nassau in October. I personally tend to be budget minded while on a cruise. So, for this trip I am walking to Arawak Cay (Fish Fry) for lunch at Twin Brothers. After lunch I plan on walking to John Watling's rum distillery to take the short tour and enjoy the free rum samples after the tour. Then I will purchase a bottle of rum as a souvenier. Next I will walk the short distance to Junkanoo Beach where I plan on frolicking in the water. Lastly, I will conclude my day at Senor Frogs because it's always entertaining and its close to the ship. Stumbling distance. :D

 

The last few times we went to Freeport we just took the shuttle to Our Lucaya. It's about a 20 minute drive. There really isn't much at the port area since the immediate area is industrial. My plan for the next trip we take to Freeport is to go to Dead Man's Reef. There is excellent snorkeling out there (so I hear) and it is away from the hustle and bustle and the vendors asking you to purchase their wares. Google Dead Man's Reef in Freeport, Bahamas. Really good review. There is also a place called Gold Rock Beach that is beautiful from what I have seen in pics but I don't believe there is a bar for drinky drinks. I could be wrong though. I have been wrong before. :p

 

 

and I will be saving this too. we are also doing the 5 day and don't really plan on any big money sucking excursions

[Michellelhs]

Nancy I read all the Fantasy threads I can find because I love her and I am not sure how I always missed this one...

What a great trip report!

I'm so excited to sail NEXT WEEK with you and several of the CC ladies featured in your review!!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Nancy I read all the Fantasy threads I can find because I love her and I am not sure how I always missed this one...

What a great trip report!

I'm so excited to sail NEXT WEEK with you and several of the CC ladies featured in your review!!

 

Cant wait! It is going to be TU TU much fun! ;)

[UtterCaro]

Nancy, I sent you a friend request on the social networking site, but it apparently no longer lets you send a message with the request. So when you get one from someone you don't recall knowing, it's probably me. :)

 

Caro

[All4fun&fun4all]

Nancy, I sent you a friend request on the social networking site, but it apparently no longer lets you send a message with the request. So when you get one from someone you don't recall knowing, it's probably me. :)

 

Caro

 

Thanks for the head's up! I was wondering who you were! :p

[my third act]

I ordered one set per payday up until the cruise also. They really cut down on that final bill at the end. (We also pre-paid our tips before we sailed but that's another story altogether). There is a small amount of savings by buying the drink coupons simply because they add the normal 15% gratuity to the cost after the coupon has been deducted. I know...that seems clear as mud right? Let me break it down a bit. I am really horrible with mathematics but I will try.

 

Here is the scenario. Say you wanted to buy at Twilight Zone and the cost for a Twilight Zone is let's say $7.00. Here are the cost breakdowns

 

Without coupon: $7.00 + 15% gratuity= $8.05

 

With coupon: $7.00-$5.75= $1.25 + 15% gratuity= $1.44

 

When we first arrived in our cabin there were slips of paper stating that we had a gift that we will receive in the dining room that night at dinner. When you give the hostess your cabin number at dinner, someone will bring your drink coupons to you a few moments after you get seated.

 

When you order your drinks with them you will simply tell the bartender what you want and give him the drink coupon at that point along with your sail and sign card.

 

I actually have 3 leftover from our last sailing and you are still able to use them for future sailings.

 

 

I know I'm really late reading your review, and can I say...LOVED IT! I found you through a post from GAPearl. Anyway, tell me more about these coupons. Where do I find them? How do I get them? any and all info would be so appreciated.

I am not booked on the Fantasy but she will most likely be my next cruise. I am currently booked on The Paradise, one of her sister ships and we sail in 26 days.This will be my first cruise. I've recently had some unexpected $$ drains and cash I had for my trip went to pay for other stuff so I am looking to save WHATEVER I can. HELP

[All4fun&fun4all]

I know I'm really late reading your review, and can I say...LOVED IT! I found you through a post from GAPearl. Anyway, tell me more about these coupons. Where do I find them? How do I get them? any and all info would be so appreciated.

I am not booked on the Fantasy but she will most likely be my next cruise. I am currently booked on The Paradise, one of her sister ships and we sail in 26 days.This will be my first cruise. I've recently had some unexpected $$ drains and cash I had for my trip went to pay for other stuff so I am looking to save WHATEVER I can. HELP

 

Thanks for reading! I am about to book my seventh cruise today!

 

Well, unfortunately they no longer have the drink coupons. I hear they have something called cruise cash or cruise gift cards now that you can pre-purchase but I am not sure of the fine print rules that go with it.

 

My plan is to pre pay my gratuities again and then take $20.00 per paycheck and put it in a hiding spot at home for spending money. Then I will use my tax return to pay off the cruise itself.

[All4fun&fun4all]

I just wanted to take a moment to let our cruise family here at cruise critic know that The Andrew passed away on March 16th. It's only been a week and I am already just lost without him.

[travellink]

I just wanted to take a moment to let our cruise family here at cruise critic know that The Andrew passed away on March 16th. It's only been a week and I am already just lost without him.

 

My prayers go out to you and the family.

[oldcowhand]

nancy.......so sorry for your loss......prayers going out for you......I have always enjoyed your reviews.!!!1

[EpcotBill]

I just wanted to take a moment to let our cruise family here at cruise critic know that The Andrew passed away on March 16th. It's only been a week and I am already just lost without him.

 

I am shocked and very sorry to hear this Nancy. You two seemed like such a fun couple who loved life and each other so much. You have my condolences.

[Dymediva]

I just wanted to take a moment to let our cruise family here at cruise critic know that The Andrew passed away on March 16th. It's only been a week and I am already just lost without him.

 

I am so sorry for your loss Nancy. You are in my prayers.