Anyone been on the Fantasy lately?

[bubbles1209]

Booked again.....this will be our 13th cruise, & I'm not one to look at 13 as an unlucky number!! This will be the 1st cruise we don't have to fly to, we're gonna drive to Charleston the night before. So, who's been on the Fantasy lately, & how is the embarkation/debarkation process? Also, what's the ship like? Smaller & older compared to some of our past ones I know, but what to expect? Any "don't miss" spots? Favorite places? Any insight is appreciated!

Edited July 12, 2014 by bubbles1209

[south-carolinagirl]

We were on Fantasy first week of June. You will be able to get in line with your car around 11am, drop off luggage, then snake around to pay for parking, then into the garage. Then, wait for a shuttle to drive you across the street to the terminal (silliest thing ever) then through security to the counter, then on to the ship! Exhausting to say the least. On way out, we had FTTF didn't help much, we had #1 luggage tags and still took a long time just a get off the ship. Finally found a porter to help with luggage, thru customs then out to the front of the terminal to put luggage on to the shuutle, then across the street, back to the garage and finnaly in our car. It is doable, but a real pain compared to Port Canaveral. All this "fun" courtesy of a bunch of old fuddie duddies preventing Carnival from building a new terminal!

[bubbles1209]

Glad we aren't parking at the port. We're staying at a hotel that allows us to leave the car at the hotel for the duration of the cruise & hopping in a shuttle to & from the terminal.

[sammee]

We parked there in May, but it wasn't bad for us. We dropped our luggage off early so we could find what time to be there. Security said 12 and showed us where we could park until than. They started letting people in 11:45. Yeah we had to go around that line to park, but it wasn't that bad. One we parked and hit the shuttle, it just went by quick. I was amazed.

 

We carried our own luggage on the way out, the only problems we encountered was somebody holding up the exit because she owed money, and another one who didn't have her id's ready, they actually pulled them off the line until they go straightened out. It was a bit of a wait from that point on the line down the exit through customs, but as a whole. I found Charleston quicker than Jacksonville and Cape Liberty.

[LikeTJ]

We just got off the Fantasy July 7. We drove to port and I have to say Charleston is by far the worst port to embark and debark from. A very long and slow process, take as little carry on as possible because you have to hold everything on the bus to and from terminal which can be uncomfortable. They are very uptight about checking sodas and waters and other items in your carry on at this port. We had to break open our soda cases and waters as well as open our toiletry bag for them to examine, no biggie I guess. The Fantasy was not our favorite for sure but the staff is great, the food was good and they also have a good house band. I will be doing a full review when I find time hopefully in the next week. Have a great cruise and remember you’re on vacation you’ll have a great time.

[All4fun&fun4all]

I just got off the Fantasy in May of this year. It was my 5th sailing on Fantasy. This itinerary went to Little Stirrup Cay and Nassau. It was my second trip to LSC and my 7th trip to Nassau. Loved both of the ports.

 

Since I have sailed so often on Fantasy I am used to the staggered embarkation and our group was the very first people on board this last time. If you are parking at the port there is a little bit of a longer wait since they have to completely empty the parking warehouse before they let others in. You will then take a shuttle from the parking warehouse to the terminal.

 

There are several Fantasy review links in my signature. I am sure some of the information may be a little out of date but there are TONS of pictures. And of course some ideas for ports of call. I have sailed the 7 day to HMC, GT and Nassau, the 5 day to Freeport and Nassau, the 5 day to LSC and Nassau and the now defunct 6 day sailing (that was awesome) to Key West, Freeport and Nassau.

 

This last time I was with smokers so during the day, between activities, we sat on lido at the area next to the stage where the middle stairway comes up from promenade. We sort of made that our table. There are really comfy couches on promenade but be careful sitting in them. You may just fall asleep. :p

 

Debarkation can be a nightmare but next time, my plan is to just sit and hang out on lido until the absolute last minute. That way I can avoid the line on the way out. Since I live in Charleston and don't have to travel far to get home it just makes sense to wait.

 

I was going to do a review for the May sailing but my heart hasn't been into it since the Andrew passed away in March. :(

Edited July 14, 2014 by All4fun&fun4all
debarkation

[VolFanForever]

All4fun&fun4all,

 

I'm so sorry to hear of The Andrew's passing. I've never cruised but have read all of your reviews (as someone else recommended as you being the one "in the know.") It was fun to look at your pictures to get an idea of what to expect. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

VolFanForever

[All4fun&fun4all]

All4fun&fun4all,

 

I'm so sorry to hear of The Andrew's passing. I've never cruised but have read all of your reviews (as someone else recommended as you being the one "in the know.") It was fun to look at your pictures to get an idea of what to expect. I'm truly sorry for your loss.

 

VolFanForever

 

Thank you. I miss him every minute of every day. I am glad that you were able to get something from the reviews. :)

[my2monkees]

I'm with Nancy. Have sailed her 5 times with 2 more booked. I was on her in Jan. I personally have never had problems with the embarkation because I have always been dropped off at the port (whether it a taxi or my husband). Debarkation this past Jan. my friend and I stayed on to the very end (we were waiting for her husband to drive from Myrtle to get us) and they actually kicked us off. It was around 9:30 or so.

 

Hopefully they will be able to get started on the new terminal at some point (got to love the people who moved to the area and think they know what is best - even though Charleston has always been a port city).

 

When I go this coming Jan. I will be going to Little Stirrup which I have never been too so looking forward to it. Have been to Nassau 5x and really don't get off the ship unless I'm going to a casino (same with Freeport). Really like the 7 days (going in march) with Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.

 

The staff are great and even though she is an old ship she is in great shape.

 

P.S. Nancy miss u and Andrew

[All4fun&fun4all]

When I go this coming Jan. I will be going to Little Stirrup which I have never been too so looking forward to it. Have been to Nassau 5x and really don't get off the ship unless I'm going to a casino (same with Freeport). Really like the 7 days (going in march) with Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.

 

The staff are great and even though she is an old ship she is in great shape.

 

P.S. Nancy miss u and Andrew

 

I really enjoyed LSC Tami. Of course it's not HMC but if you want to find an out of the way, away from the noise area, go over to Barefoot Beach. We stayed there all day both times we went.

 

Miss you too.:o

[zabaco]

So if you come by taxi, what time can you get into the terminal?

 

 

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[lauraezzell]

Embarking in Charleston is not that bad. We went through the maze at 11, parked, caught the shuttle, checked in, visited the shore excursions and guest services desks, and finishing lunch by 12:15 (at which time, our cabins were ready).

 

We are biased and probably only sail out of Charleston for our next few cruises because of the convenience of being so close to the port and the ease of embarkation for us. In fact, we are looking at a family cruise (with about 14 people going) sometime later this year or early next year. We have sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Charleston and keep choosing Charleston time and time again!

[bobsfamily]

Nancy has some great reviews and wonderful comments... she sure enjoys cruising. I have done the Fantasy several times and enjoy her every time. This last cruise (I was on the same cruise Nancy was on) we did drive down and park as one member was handicapped so it was free. We took a "jug" with us and did a bit of "sippin" while waiting in the line to park the car. Time went by with no problem!

 

If going by taxi/shuttle the best bet is to either come about 10ish and drop off checked luggage, then be dropped off at Market St. Come back with carry-on to the end of Market St. about 11:15ish and wait to be shuttled over. USE A ROLL-ON for carry-on that would go on an airplane.

 

The way you approach the terminal by shuttle (OK a short bus) seems a bit stupid but great crowd control. They do not allow the shuttles to drop off more than can be accommodated easily thru security.

 

Charleston port does ENFORCE the no booze pretty strong and will check every water/coke/pop bottle... they will take a 24 pack apart and leave you to get it back into something. If you bring a case wrapped in plastic and have nothing to put it into after they cut away the plastic it can be a bit hectic carrying on the bottles.... just saying. AND putting booze in the middle does not work at Charleston... ask Nancy!

 

All being said about embarkation/disembarkation, once in the terminal it goes rather quick and most people hardly wait to get on. In May several had the FTTF, not sure it was worth it. I am Plat so did not need it... it is nice being able to go directly to your cabin.

 

BTW we live about 15 minutes from the port so that is a great plus for us. We are doing a cruise in Feb. that leaves from Ft. Lauderdale and that's a 10 hour drive... YIKES

Edited July 14, 2014 by bobsfamily

[rarasnake]

Nancy- your reviews helped us so much when we cruised for the first time back in May... I am soo sorry to hear about Andrew's passing but so glad you had the "un-wedding" before that time....

 

 

Since there are so many Fantasy people, I had a quick question. Has anyone went to Brunch at the Jubliee dining room and been "kicked out" on debarkation times? If so, do you remember what time they told you that you had to leave??

 

We enjoyed eating there on our last morning and after standing in lines for 30 minutes (and almost not making it), I was thinking, "Next time, I wonder if we can just hog the breakfast table through most of the debarkation?" We had FTTF (we were Zone 2) but they were still debarking self-debarkation people, Zone 1 and all FTTFs at the exact same time (it was a headache when we hit customs and many people were scrambling to find their ID's/BCs or passports... I just don't want that headache again..