Only sailed Fantasy Class ready for change

[kyboymom]

We have done 4 cruises on 4 different Fantasy class ships.  There are several things that I enjoy about the Fantasy class.  One being the price!  I also like that there are no lines for food or activities and the boat doesn't seem crowded.  We just got back from our 4th trip and the husband and I were both in agreement we think we are ready to upgrade to a different class on the next trip.  I know there's a lot of cruisers that look down their nose at the Fantasy class so I'm not looking for feedback from those negative Nancy's.  I know that a bigger ship is bigger prices but also bigger lines.  Can you share your experiences with the different class ships and what you enjoy about them.  Also how are the lines on those ships for food/activities?  When we were recently in Grand Turk the Horizon was in port the same day.  When we were getting back on the ship we were stunned at the line there was to get back on the Horizon.  There was a line from the boat all the way to the Duty Free store entrance (hundreds of people in line).  I have never seen such a line to get back on the ship.  Is this common for the bigger ships?  What are your recommendations for another affordable class but bigger than the Fantasy? We are on the conservative side when it comes to spending $ so I don't care about the things that cost extra on the ships we only do what's included so those attractions aren't a draw for us. What are your experiences with the lines on different ships?

[Don Kehote]

I'm mostly posting here to remind myself to come back to it in December.  I've done three cruises, on the Fantasy, Sensation, and Paradise, in that order.  December, we're going on Victory pre-retrofit, so I'll be able to speak to it a little better then!

[ShakyBeef]

If you're planning on sticking with just Carnival ships, I'd recommend Spirit Class - bigger than Fantasy Class, with possibly (depending on which Fantasy Class ship) less passengers more Balcony Cabins, higher crew-to-passenger ratio, and an open, easy-to navigate deck plan with almost constant views of the Ocean.  Far from a Mega ship, but a little bigger than Fantasy Class with more included.  Check out the ship comparison page at Carnival.com for specifics, it's a good resource. 

 

 

                               Spirit Class     Fantasy Class

 

Gross Tonnage	88,500	70,367	71909 (Elation)
Guest Capacity	2124	2056	2130 (Elation)
Length In Feet	963	855	855 (Elation)
Onboard Crew	930	920	920 (Elation)

 

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by ShakyBeef
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[Out of Iowa]

I put my vote in for the Dream class (yes, very much larger)....choose a time of the year when most children are in school.

[PhillyFan33579]

If you want to avoid the long lines frequently associated with the larger ships, I would recommend either a Spirit or Conquest class ship. But if you want a ship with a lot more features, I would recommend Magic, Breeze, Vista or Horizon. But be prepared to deal with long lines at times on these ships. I don’t think they are too bad overall, but definitely different than Fantasy class ships, which have never felt crowded to me. 

[teknoge3k]

Fantasy Class isn't always the cheapest either. It all depends on the sailing, and the port. It's cheaper for us to sail on a larger ship out of Florida than it is smaller ships out of Charleston or Norfolk. 

[modernscarlett]

I really enjoyed the Conquest class after sailing on Fantasy and Spirit class ships.

[wesorbeth]

We liked the Dream and we are cruising on the Glory this fall.  I also enjoyed the Fantasy, it's the only ship I have cruised more than once.  The Triumph was my least favorite but I am willing to try the Sunrise.  Actually every cruise has been pretty darn good!

[jc4me]

We have sailed on most of the Fantasy class ships and like them, but also like the bells and whistles of the larger ships. As someone else mentioned, we can drive to Florida (from North Carolina) and cruise cheaper than we can cruise from Charleston right now.

[evandbob]

I sailed some Fantasy class ships 10 to 15 yrs. ago and stopped because I thought they were getting old and had hideous decor.  I switched to Conquest class ships and enjoyed all 5 of them numerous, maybe 20 times?

 

Now as the Conquest class ships are showing their age, I've updated my preferences to the Dream class.  While I like Vista and Horizon,  the Dream, Magic, and Breeze are my go to if I choose Carnival.

 

The OP might want to try either the Conquest or Dream class, they will be major upgrades from the Fantasy class!  I haven't experienced long lines except for the buffet on Carnival.  Still, I fondly remember days gone by when Carnival offered priority port re-boarding for Platinums & Diamonds!

Edited June 13, 2019 by evandbob

[scpirate]

5 hours ago, teknoge3k said:

Fantasy Class isn't always the cheapest either. It all depends on the sailing, and the port. It's cheaper for us to sail on a larger ship out of Florida than it is smaller ships out of Charleston or Norfolk. 

That is true.i have yet to sail from Charleston and it's only 100 miles away.but I sure do get tired of driving to Florida.so I paid a few hundred more and booked Charleston.will see how it goes.not paying a motel and free parking for me at the port makes up the difference.

[JerseyHorseLover]

I just sailed on the Legend (Spirit class) two weeks ago.   It was the perfect size ship.  You will like the Spirit class.  I did a big ship once and hate them.  I have no patience with lines.  

[May1cruiser]

I believe the lines are all about peak times. If you go to breakfast at a peak time on any ship, there will be lines. If you are returning from a port near departure, there will be lines. 

We have sailed on Fantasy, Conquest and Dream class ships and found pros to each, with some tradeoffs as well. I am usually so happy to be on a cruise, I don't let a few lines or ships features bother me. On each of the cruises we have had great service and fun..IMHO there is not a perfect ship, just keep an open mind and enjoy the time on board.

[Sabalon]

Our first two cruises were Fantasy class ships.  I had no problem with them...quite liked them.

Then we went on the Glory (Conquest class IIRC).  Doesn't seem like much on paper (or wikipedia) 100 ft longer, 13 feet wider, but 900 more passengers.

However, that extra room made all the difference.  It felt less crowded, or perhaps equally as crowded, but not worse like I was expecting.  Lines weren't that bad - extra space in Lido, extra pool, etc just made it all feel just as cozy.

But something about the deck layout felt better.  On the Fantasy, the band would play right outside the casino, which made traversing that part of the deck difficult.   On the Glory, they played in a dedicated area by the elevators in the lobby - much easier to get around.

Fantasy just felt like they tried to fit things in wherever they could, but Glory seemed laid out for activites.

 

Either way, I'm not in my office so I'm happy.  And this time next week I'll be one day away from the Conquest!

[tlbutler33]

We have done 6 cruises on Fantasy class. Sensation, Fantasy and Elation. I love them all. We did the Pride which is Spirit class, and really enjoyed it. Didn't feel crowded at all. We did the RC Navigator OTS and it felt very crowded. The biggest ship we did was MSC Seaside, but we did the Yacht club, and that was Heaven. We want to try the Havana area of the Vista next. But we always come back to Fantasy class eventually.... I love sitting in the promenade with a drink at hand and people watch.

[TEXSUN46]

No matter which ship we have been on the length of lines for most things were more about timing. If you kind of run on same time as everyone else you will experience longer lines. Also everyone can't be everywhere at once, for most part we if see big crowd and long line at one spot we try something different. I am impatient by nature and never feel too annoyed, just have to be flexible enough to go with the flow and not be disappointed if I have to go with second or third choice to avoid the lines.

[kyboymom]

Thanks for all of the feedback lots of good information.  

[SNJCruisers]

58 minutes ago, tlbutler33 said:

We have done 6 cruises on Fantasy class. Sensation, Fantasy and Elation. I love them all. We did the Pride which is Spirit class, and really enjoyed it. Didn't feel crowded at all. We did the RC Navigator OTS and it felt very crowded. The biggest ship we did was MSC Seaside, but we did the Yacht club, and that was Heaven. We want to try the Havana area of the Vista next. But we always come back to Fantasy class eventually.... I love sitting in the promenade with a drink at hand and people watch.

How in the name of God can you go back to a Fantasy Class ship after being pampered in the Yacht Club on the Seaside? 

You will enjoy the Havana area.  We were on the Horizon for 8 days last August out of NYC and will be doing the southern route out of MIA this August, staying in the Havana area both times in an inside sideways cabin.  More space on both sides of the bed and rug rat free in the hot tub and pool area.

[PhillyFan33579]

31 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

If you choose a Spirit class ship, skip the Miracle.  It doesn't have any of the upgrades of the other Spirit class ships. No Guys, no Dive In Movies, etc. I'd try the Breeze or the Vista.

 

Miracle has the most important upgrades in my book, the Alchemy Bar and Red Frog Pub. We did a Christmas cruise this past December on Miracle and had a great time. I prefer Off the Grill over Guy’s Burgers, so that was a plus for Miracle in my book. I have only watched one movie outside in 28 cruises, so I didn’t miss not having an outside screen either on Miracle. The Serenity area on Miracle is significantly nicer than the ones on Breeze and Vista.  But if you like Guy’s Burgers and watching movies outside, than I agree Miracle is not the ship for you. 

 

[kyboymom]

We don't drink so the Bar's aren't important to us.  We have a 4yo and 13yo so we enjoy the family activites as well.  I don't spend much time in the Serenity area either since I need to be accessible to my kiddo's, unless they are in kids camp.  We do enjoy Guy's Burgers it's one of the family faves. So thanks I can mark the Miracle off of the list.

 

Edited June 14, 2019 by kyboymom
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[evandbob]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

How in the name of God can you go back to a Fantasy Class ship after being pampered in the Yacht Club on the Seaside? 

You will enjoy the Havana area.  We were on the Horizon for 8 days last August out of NYC and will be doing the southern route out of MIA this August, staying in the Havana area both times in an inside sideways cabin.  More space on both sides of the bed and rug rat free in the hot tub and pool area.

 

 

Going from the MSC Yacht Club or Carnival's Havana cabins to a Fantasy class ship might put me in such culture shock, maybe even time warp,  that I couldn't enjoy the cruise.  YIKES!!

[MississippiMom]

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread.  It has made me want to check out a Spirit Class ship.  But the truth is that if we want to save on the airfare (which we do!), and want a shorter drive, then it’s whatever class ship happens to be departing from New Orleans or Mobile.

[MississippiMom]

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread.  It has made me want to check out a Spirit Class ship.  But the truth is that if we want to save on the airfare (which we do!), and want a shorter drive, then it’s whatever class ship happens to be departing from New Orleans or Mobile.

[MississippiMom]

I’ve enjoyed reading this thread.  It has made me want to check out a Spirit Class ship.  But the truth is that if we want to save on the airfare (which we do!), and want a shorter drive, then it’s whatever class ship happens to be departing from New Orleans or Mobile.

[keywest1]

My vote would be for the Breeze.  Plenty to do (movies, Guy's burgers, thrill theater).  We have sailed several times on the Fantasy class and enjoyed each one, but we've found the evening entertainment/activities somewhat lacking on the last couple of cruises.  The dive in movies are a nice option (free popcorn, blanket if the evening is a bit chilly).