Going from big to small

[Kverlinger]

Husband and I are going on a quick getaway without the kids. We booked the Fantasy 2 weeks out because we wanted a quick/cheap trip. Mobile is only a 3.5 hour drive for us. Never been on a cruise shorter than 7 days and never a ship this small! My expectations are pretty low. I know that the ship is small and old, but I'm sure we will have a great time just being together.

 

Are there any major differences between, lets say, the Dream, vs Fantasy? Obviously, the size! Anything I should know about? Is there only one pool? What about a comedy club?

 

Also, Progresso. Never been. Should we book an excursion here?

[Drazil65]

We sailed the Fantasy when she was in Charleston. We had a great time but the differences in age with anything newer was very noticeable. Worn out in places, the size of ship for sure, felt closed in and smaller in many areas, at the time we had a tube TV in cabin and that was surprising as we had not seen one of those in many years.

 

The cruise will be what you make of it and we still had a good time as you will especially since it is just the 2 of you. :)

 

We have not booked anything small like the fantasy class since that cruise and have stuck to conquest or dream class as that is our preferred ship size.

[mgoswartz]

There is something about the Fantasy class that I prefer. I can't in point it though.

 

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[maldenmusic]

I've been on the Dream and the Fantasy-will be on Fantasy again this May. Dream much larger with more options for restaurants but I really like the Fantasy because I enjoy the smaller, older ships. As far as Progresso, been there about 8 times. Ride the double decker bus in town when you arrive to get an overall view of the town. We like to take excursions via Autoprogreso (they have a website) and have been to Uxmal, Dzibalchaltun and Xcambo ruins, the Yucatan Reef Club and Technotel. They are less expensive than Carnival excursions and we have never had a bad experience with them. They are the company that provides the buses that will shuttle you from the cruise ship terminal into town which is 4-5 miles.

[nchikk]

If I'm in a lounge having a beer and listening to music, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

Having dinner in the MDR, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

If I grab something from the buffet and sit at an outside table at the back od Lido and have lunch while looking at the wake, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

If I'm losing at trivia, losing money in the casino or watching the Marriage show in the main theatre, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

The bottom line is to me, the difference is mainly some amenities a larger ship may have that the smaller or older one doesn't, but there is still plenty there to keep me from missing them.

 

But that's just me.

[RuthlessBoss]

There is something about the Fantasy class that I prefer. I can't in point it though.

 

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I agree. They are perfect to get your cruise "fix".

[Micahs Grandad]

We started with 4 day cruises on fantasy class and than moved to larger ships and 7-8 day cruises.

 

For us 4 day cruises are just too short and we prefer larger ships with more bells and whistles

[Texas Moomba]

nd on your age. My wife and I are in our 60's and prefer the smaller ships. Some are just as nice as the big ones and others really show their age. We like the smaller ships because a lot less people. We like the big ones also, but feel like we're in rush hour traffic all the time.

 

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[bplazo]

I prefer the smaller ships. Our next cruise only holds 210 passengers.

[maldenmusic]

Just a few pictures I have of the Progreso terminal and the Dzib ruins from 2016 that I had on my computer. Not working very well today so who knows what will show up.

 

[maldenmusic]

 

 

 

 

[stobe1]

Go and have fun!

 

We just got off the Fantasy last week and we had a blast. And while she may not have all the new amenities that the Conquest and Dream classes offer, she has everything you will need for a quick getaway for 4 or 5 days and she has a fantastic crew!

 

When you go to the Red Frog Bar on the Lido deck, if Wayan is your bartender order a Kalik and tell him Chris sent you.

 

A cruise is what you make of it. Go have a good time as long as you know that she is an older ship and aren't expecting to be stepping on the Breeze or Vista.

 

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[GeorgiaMomof4]

We did the same thing you are doing a few years ago. We had always been on bigger ships - Glory, Dream, Legend. We decided we would do a 5 day without the kids and went on the Fascination out of Jacksonville with some friends. WE LOVED IT! I don't know if it was because it was our first vacation ever without our kids but we had a great time. We loved the ease of getting around and all the staff were so friendly and didn't seem quite as rushed and busy as on the bigger ships. We have sailed on smaller ships several times since that one and liked them all with the exception of the Paradise.

 

We sail on the Magic (without kids once again) in 24 days so we will see how we like the bigger ships again.

 

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[Computer Nerd]

There is something about the Fantasy class that I prefer. I can't in point it though.

 

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To me, it's more intimate. The only things I miss on the fantasy class is the big screen for movies at night and Guy's Burgers/Blue Iguana. Otherwise I really enjoy the Fantasy class ships.

[stobe1]

To me, it's more intimate. The only things I miss on the fantasy class is the big screen for movies at night and Guy's Burgers/Blue Iguana. Otherwise I really enjoy the Fantasy class ships.

Fantasy has both Guy's and Blue Iguana Cantina and Blue Iguana Tequila bar and Red Frog Rum Bar all on Lido. The Fantasy class ships are getting these venues as they go to dry dock. I know Inspiration and Imagination have them as well.

 

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[cruise pup]

Interesting that these ships are considered intimate when they were some of the largest cruise ships when they were first launched.

 

The o/v and balcony cabins are smaller on a Fantasy class ship. No sofa. No fridge. No hair dryer. Only 1 pool. No steakhouse or other fee restaurants (just steakhouse selections for an additional fee on the mdr menu). The ships have a dated look. But for a short cruise they are fine. There are more than enough food selections. I found enough to do and places to hang out. Although having a balcony in my cabin helped. Plus it was a free cruise. I was very lucky because Carnival use to offer 4 day Canada cruises out of NYC on their latest builds, back in the Destiny/Triumph/Victory days.

Edited January 18, 2017 by cruise pup

[me-shel]

If I'm in a lounge having a beer and listening to music, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

Having dinner in the MDR, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

If I grab something from the buffet and sit at an outside table at the back od Lido and have lunch while looking at the wake, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

If I'm losing at trivia, losing money in the casino or watching the Marriage show in the main theatre, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

The bottom line is to me, the difference is mainly some amenities a larger ship may have that the smaller or older one doesn't, but there is still plenty there to keep me from missing them.

 

But that's just me.

 

That's just me, too! :)

[cruise pup]

 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting the photos. I was confused by the ruin with the keystone arch.Didn't think the Mayas used them. Looked it up. Turns out it's a Franciscan chapel built by the Spanish, using the stones from the Mayan ruins.

[annabell08]

Mobile port parking was easy in and easy out. Book port parking online. Even though Mobile has staggered boarding, they don't follow the rules.

[mgoswartz]

Funny how the food selection varies. I loved guy's when we had it, but last cruise we didn't and felt like we had more lunch options without it.

 

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[Computer Nerd]

Fantasy has both Guy's and Blue Iguana Cantina and Blue Iguana Tequila bar and Red Frog Rum Bar all on Lido. The Fantasy class ships are getting these venues as they go to dry dock. I know Inspiration and Imagination have them as well.

 

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Didn't know that. Cool.

 

Still doesn't have the big screen though. :(

[Computer Nerd]

Interesting that these ships are considered intimate when they were some of the largest cruise ships when they were first launched.

 

They are considered intimate because this isn't 1995. ;)

[nwo4life]

Just a few pictures I have of the Progreso terminal and the Dzib ruins from 2016 that I had on my computer. Not working very well today so who knows what will show up.

 

 

 

 

 

Los Cinco Soles was closed when we were there in mid September. Anyone have any info on if they went out of business?

 

 

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[nwo4life]

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If I grab something from the buffet and sit at an outside table at the back od Lido and have lunch while looking at the wake, I can't tell the difference between a Fantasy Class ship and a larger one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is your only point I disagree with, those great outside tables at the back of Lido are not on many of the larger ships. IMO, it is one of the best features of the Fantasy class.

 

 

 

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[Rogueperson]

Interesting that these ships are considered intimate when they were some of the largest cruise ships when they were first launched.

 

The o/v and balcony cabins are smaller on a Fantasy class ship. No sofa. No fridge. No hair dryer. Only 1 pool. No steakhouse or other fee restaurants (just steakhouse selections for an additional fee on the mdr menu). The ships have a dated look. But for a short cruise they are fine. There are more than enough food selections. I found enough to do and places to hang out. Although having a balcony in my cabin helped. Plus it was a free cruise. I was very lucky because Carnival use to offer 4 day Canada cruises out of NYC on their latest builds, back in the Destiny/Triumph/Victory days.

 

I've been on the Paradise, which is a sister class. Carnival isn't quite there yet, as their largest ship, is still considered "mid-size" when you look at Royal Caribbean. However, I can definitely feel the size of those ships. As they get larger, that intimacy is getting lost. You can easily not see someone again after meeting them on those ships.

 

From Dream to Fantasy class, you'll notice the intimacy without even trying. The main thing, is you will start running into more of the same people over and over again, and that usually brings a better cruise experience in my opinion, unless those people start pissing you off. It could happen too.