Newbie needing help deciding! Fantasy or Triumph?

[simplyblessed]

Hello! Our family has decided to go on our first cruise. :) We have narrowed our choices down to 2 options and just can't decide....Carnival Fantasy or Carnival Triumph. I've read really good and really bad reviews on both ships. The destinations are good for either so mostly we need help choosing between the ships. It will be 2 adults and 2 kids (15 and 11). We just want to have fun and have family time on this cruise. The kids aren't interested in Camp Carnival (or teen version) type stuff but they do like water features.

 

Also what part of the ship is best to choose (section and floor)? We are looking at an Interior or Ocean View room on either ship. Thanks for any and all help!!

[Out of Iowa]

especially if you will be crossing the Gulf. The Fantasy is a small ship (80,000 tonnes?) and prone to feeling the waves. We did it once, all got sick. Never again on a small ship.

[mabones]

I would go for the Triumph because it is larger and will have more options to choose from on board. Also, with a family I would absolutely go for an Oceanview. If you have a window to the outside it will make the room appear larger. The interiors are very small especially with 4 people. Just my 2 cents.

 

Also, what Itinerary are you looking at? That could be a huge deal breaker.

Edited January 5, 2017 by mabones

[CharlesKru]

Something to keep in mind is the Fantasy is the oldest ship in the Carnival fleet. She has had several dry docks, and just got all the 2.0 upgrade that are available to a Fantasy class ship, but she is small.

 

Personally, I love these ships. I don't feel like I am part of the masses, just part of a nice traveling hotel. I have been on the Fantasy several times, and on Conquest class ships as well.

 

The other thing to keep in mind, being that the Fantasy is smaller, normally it is hard to talk your family into going on a smaller ship, after experiencing one of the larger ones. Sadly for a bunch of my friends that means they will never get the chance to sail on these class of ship.

 

For room location, higher and center will minimize your movement. Always look at what is around you, above and below you on a deck plan. You dont want the room service galley next door ( happened once, really annoying), or the gym right above you with people dropping free weights at 6am.

 

Hope that helps!

[sanmarcosman]

 

For room location, higher and center will minimize your movement.

 

Not so, lower deck and center is best.

[CharlesKru]

Not so, lower deck and center is best.

 

Sorry, that's what happens when work interrupts my breaks... not enough proof reading

 

You are totally correct, lower and center...

[h_blond2]

I've been on both ships, and I would go with the Fantasy. I did not care for the Triumph at all. The Fantasy was my cruise and I'll be on it again in May! It's true that the Fantasy is older and smaller, but still offers a great cruise experience and now has a lot of the upgrades that the larger, newer ships offer.

[cloudninecat]

I've not been on the Fantasy but I just got off the Triumph and I loved it. I don't see what all the bad reviews were about. We had a great time and spent 9 days on her.

 

On Triumph I would choose Deck 7 to book a room. First, it is sandwiched between two other guest room floors so there is less noise. Second, it's where most of the suites are located so you get the best stewards. If you can afford to swing the cost the aft balconies are great. They are wide enough for a couple of lounge chairs. I even slept out there a couple of nights.

 

We were on Deck 8 for the 2nd half of our cruise and we could hear the chairs from the South Beach Buffet area all day and night.

[debster11]

I would go with Triumph. Newer and bigger ship. I am not a fan of the Fantasy Class ships (just my opinion) More options on the Triumph. Whichever you choose, I am sure you'll be hooked. Have fun.

Edited January 5, 2017 by debster11

[Mommy2three]

I've not been on the Fantasy but I just got off the Triumph and I loved it. I don't see what all the bad reviews were about. We had a great time and spent 9 days on her.

 

On Triumph I would choose Deck 7 to book a room. First, it is sandwiched between two other guest room floors so there is less noise. Second, it's where most of the suites are located so you get the best stewards. If you can afford to swing the cost the aft balconies are great. They are wide enough for a couple of lounge chairs. I even slept out there a couple of nights.

 

We were on Deck 8 for the 2nd half of our cruise and we could hear the chairs from the South Beach Buffet area all day and night.

 

I'm so glad I am seeing this. We will be on the Triumph February 27th. Our first cruise was on Elation and we loved it but she is no longer in New Orleans so we are trying out the Triumph. I am reading so many bad reviews about the ship and it makes me a little worried but then I see someone say how they loved it and it makes me hopeful. We are not hard to please. We also originally had a balcony room on Deck 6 right above the Rome Lounge and I was very nervous that we would hear the shows going on when we were trying to sleep so I got us switched to a balcony room on Deck 7.

 

Can't wait to experience the Triumph.

[cloudninecat]

I'm so glad I am seeing this. We will be on the Triumph February 27th. Our first cruise was on Elation and we loved it but she is no longer in New Orleans so we are trying out the Triumph. I am reading so many bad reviews about the ship and it makes me a little worried but then I see someone say how they loved it and it makes me hopeful. We are not hard to please. We also originally had a balcony room on Deck 6 right above the Rome Lounge and I was very nervous that we would hear the shows going on when we were trying to sleep so I got us switched to a balcony room on Deck 7.

 

Can't wait to experience the Triumph.

This was our first cruise so we may be easy to please but the only thing that bothered me the whole time we were on it was the 2nd half we had a balcony smoker for a neighbor. The staff took care of it right away and after a couple of warnings he finally stopped. I have COPD so I've very sensitive to smoke.

[evandbob]

I stopped sailing the Fantasy class ships in 2006 or so because they were old back then. I prefer the Conquest class ships just because they seem to have more options.

 

I would also opt for at least an ocean view (preferably a balcony though) over an inside cabin with 4 people. You will have maybe 60 sq ft of floorspace - makes for a very cramped experience. Look for a room that has cabins above and below it to minimize loud noise from a night club, casino band, etc.

 

I would discount anyone who says they prefer the Fantasy class if that's the only type ship they have sailed on to date. They have nothing to compare it to by only staying within that one ship category.

Edited January 5, 2017 by evandbob

[Mommy2three]

This was our first cruise so we may be easy to please but the only thing that bothered me the whole time we were on it was the 2nd half we had a balcony smoker for a neighbor. The staff took care of it right away and after a couple of warnings he finally stopped. I have COPD so I've very sensitive to smoke.

 

I read alot of bad things about the Elation before we cruised. How she was old and small and basically making it sound run down and horrible. We honestly had nothing to complain about. Triumph is bigger than Elation so I'm sure it will take some getting used to but we don't go in looking for the negatives, we would rather focus on the positives. My husband and I are going and taking our children this time so it will definitely be a different vacation from last time.

 

Glad to hear the smoking issue was taken care of as we would have this same issue because we do not smoke.

[Saint Greg]

I think fantasy class is a good first cruise ship. It's smaller and easier to find your way around. My preference is deck 7 - empress because all of the action is on decks 7-10. Fantasy has most of the upgrades I would want that are on Triumph. On Triumph I prefer to stay on deck 9 Lido...because it's so close to the pool and food. I prefer Triumph because it has rooms on Lido deck and the Alchemy bar. Other than that I would be good with Fantasy.

[coltsfan1976]

I've been on both. The Fantasy was the first ship I've been on and the Triumph was my 2nd. I liked them both. The Triumph was a little harder to get around on. If you want to visit New Orleans for a day do the Triumph. If you want to save a little money then the Fantasy. It should cost a little less and hotels should cost less in Mobile then New Orleans.

[bamakathy]

We have taken the fantasy several times and also larger ships like the Dream. I have found the larger the ship, the longer the lines. It is also a much longer walk to get anywhere. We also get inside rooms on the Fantasy, as we have found we are rarely in there except to sleep. Then I don't mind the gentle rocking as I sleep better, so our room location isn't very important. I guess you could say we are easy to please. We love the free room service, the food and service in the room and dining room were really good. The entertainment is awesome. The Mobile terminal is easy to get through too.

 

 

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[Hotdog 52]

Triumph, hands down.:)

[jimbob22]

I read alot of bad things about the Elation before we cruised. How she was old and small and basically making it sound run down and horrible. We honestly had nothing to complain about. Triumph is bigger than Elation so I'm sure it will take some getting used to but we don't go in looking for the negatives, we would rather focus on the positives. My husband and I are going and taking our children this time so it will definitely be a different vacation from last time.

 

Glad to hear the smoking issue was taken care of as we would have this same issue because we do not smoke.

 

You'll enjoy Triumph. We hadn't been on Carnival in almost 15 years, have done an NCL and RC (both similar size and age as Triumph) and a couple of Disneys. We had a great time. Guy's burger is a lot like Fuddrucker's, delicious. I also miss the juevos rancheros and arepas from Blue Iguana. We actually took an arepa for the road--but I recommend bringing some ziplocs and taking a few for the road, they're glad to provide.

 

I see a lot of gripes about the food not being as good as it used to be, but I don't remember anything from our first Carnival cruise that was as tasty as those things. The MDR food was fine too, definitely as good as our prior cruises.

[jsfromsc]

Been on the Triumph twice, once with just my husband and once with most of our adult kids, and loved it both times. Kids loved it too. Cruised on the Ecstasy in June with all of our kids and grandkids. It's the same size as the Fantasy. We were all disappointed in the size of the ship, the age of the ship, the condition of the ship and the destinations left a lot to be desired. I vote Triumph.

[choirgal23]

Sailed on Triumph this past May and have sailed Fantasy class in past. Though I enjoyed my cruise on Triumph, the crew just didn't exhibit the same attention to details as I have experienced with other ships. Even in comparison to her sister ship the Victory (same size and basic layout), Triumph's crew lacks that personal touch. For our cruise this year we are trading in our balcony and giving a ocean view on the Fantasy a try.

 

 

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[Martini Mom]

Triumph for sure! Newer and bigger

[riclop]

Hello! Our family has decided to go on our first cruise. :) We have narrowed our choices down to 2 options and just can't decide....Carnival Fantasy or Carnival Triumph. I've read really good and really bad reviews on both ships. The destinations are good for either so mostly we need help choosing between the ships. It will be 2 adults and 2 kids (15 and 11). We just want to have fun and have family time on this cruise. The kids aren't interested in Camp Carnival (or teen version) type stuff but they do like water features.

 

Also what part of the ship is best to choose (section and floor)? We are looking at an Interior or Ocean View room on either ship. Thanks for any and all help!!

 

You are going from bad to worst.

[Mommy2three]

You'll enjoy Triumph. We hadn't been on Carnival in almost 15 years, have done an NCL and RC (both similar size and age as Triumph) and a couple of Disneys. We had a great time. Guy's burger is a lot like Fuddrucker's, delicious. I also miss the juevos rancheros and arepas from Blue Iguana. We actually took an arepa for the road--but I recommend bringing some ziplocs and taking a few for the road, they're glad to provide.

 

I see a lot of gripes about the food not being as good as it used to be, but I don't remember anything from our first Carnival cruise that was as tasty as those things. The MDR food was fine too, definitely as good as our prior cruises.

 

We can't wait to try Guy's Burgers. Our first cruise we found the food in the MDR was decent. The other food was ok. Nothing great but not horrible either so as long as it's still along those lines we will be fine. We definitely didn't starve as there were alot of options to choose from if you didn't like the first one.

[jimbob22]

We can't wait to try Guy's Burgers. Our first cruise we found the food in the MDR was decent. The other food was ok. Nothing great but not horrible either so as long as it's still along those lines we will be fine. We definitely didn't starve as there were alot of options to choose from if you didn't like the first one.

 

Based on our experience, Carnival's mdr is definitely as good as Disney's, Royal's, and NCL. But the food does range from very good to sort of average. Much of it is undersalted/underseasoned, but I think that's par for the course in MDRs. The brisket was good, same for the lamb. Carnival's Guy burger, Blue Iguana are better than the basic free food the others offer. Pizza pirate was also good.

 

Compared to our ncl and royal cruises, the selection at the lido is quite a bit smaller. I think that the others cater to a slightly more international crowd, and you're more apt to see some international choices. For dinner, the Triumph lido leaned more toward heavy Italian, fried things. But maybe we're picky. Overall though, there was plenty of good food to be had.

 

The cruise director Jess was excellent, actually came out to an event we attended, and personally greeted everyone.

[Mommy2three]

Based on our experience, Carnival's mdr is definitely as good as Disney's, Royal's, and NCL. But the food does range from very good to sort of average. Much of it is undersalted/underseasoned, but I think that's par for the course in MDRs. The brisket was good, same for the lamb. Carnival's Guy burger, Blue Iguana are better than the basic free food the others offer. Pizza pirate was also good.

 

Compared to our ncl and royal cruises, the selection at the lido is quite a bit smaller. I think that the others cater to a slightly more international crowd, and you're more apt to see some international choices. For dinner, the Triumph lido leaned more toward heavy Italian, fried things. But maybe we're picky. Overall though, there was plenty of good food to be had.

 

The cruise director Jess was excellent, actually came out to an event we attended, and personally greeted everyone.

 

We are from South Louisiana so we found some of the food on Elation to be a little bland because we are used to so much seasoning. Nothing I couldn't fix with a little salt and definitely nothing that would ruin our cruise.

 

We liked the pizza on Elation and hubby is actually looking forward to pizza on the Triumph.