Who loves the Fantasy?

[RogBus101]

Same here!

[RogBus101]

For what it's worth I miss the ding getting on board!

[RogBus101]

101 days till we visit her again! 

 

[kat2009]

Love the Fantasy and that class! She was my first. I love how it is less crowded and easier to get around. I enjoy the Aft Deck with cushioned loungers and umbrellas. 

[RogBus101]

I agree even if the cruise is sold out it doesn't feel crowded to me.

[tinleypark andy]

On 11/3/2019 at 5:57 PM, marshhawk said:

Close to home for us, found a great hotel out of town that takes me to the ship.  

Thanks for you post, what hotel did you stay in?

[marshhawk]

4 minutes ago, tinleypark andy said:

Thanks for you post, what hotel did you stay in?

Microtel in Saraland.  When you book tell them that you want the park and cruise package.  There is a seafood restaurant next door, across the street is a Ruby Tuesdays and a coffee shop.  And two blocks away there is a Waffle House-we like the seafood restaurant.  The hotel serves one of those weird hotel breakfasts, hot oatmeal, hot biscuits with gravy (yum) weird scrambled eggs, etc, but hey, the hotel is nice, the breakfast included, and they drive you to the port-we have been pleased twice, and place to book again two more times next year.

[canes20]

16 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Microtel in Saraland.  When you book tell them that you want the park and cruise package.  There is a seafood restaurant next door, across the street is a Ruby Tuesdays and a coffee shop.  And two blocks away there is a Waffle House-we like the seafood restaurant.  The hotel serves one of those weird hotel breakfasts, hot oatmeal, hot biscuits with gravy (yum) weird scrambled eggs, etc, but hey, the hotel is nice, the breakfast included, and they drive you to the port-we have been pleased twice, and place to book again two more times next year.

Does Microtel do round-trip shuttle? We use Comfort Inn and Suites and they have breakfast and transportation to and from port.

[marshhawk]

1 hour ago, canes20 said:

Does Microtel do round-trip shuttle? We use Comfort Inn and Suites and they have breakfast and transportation to and from port.

yes, they shuttle you back to the hotel.  They give you a phone number and you are to call them when they call you to disembark.

[tinleypark andy]

13 hours ago, marshhawk said:

yes, they shuttle you back to the hotel.  They give you a phone number and you are to call them when they call you to disembark.

 

15 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Microtel in Saraland.  When you book tell them that you want the park and cruise package.  There is a seafood restaurant next door, across the street is a Ruby Tuesdays and a coffee shop.  And two blocks away there is a Waffle House-we like the seafood restaurant.  The hotel serves one of those weird hotel breakfasts, hot oatmeal, hot biscuits with gravy (yum) weird scrambled eggs, etc, but hey, the hotel is nice, the breakfast included, and they drive you to the port-we have been pleased twice, and place to book again two more times next year.

Thanks

[Mutumbojimbo]

We had a great cruise on her last year, and would definitely sail on her again if the opportunity presents itself.

[tgms]

It is good for me to see so many people like it.  We are trying it for the first time.   We've done a Royal Caribbean ship and Celebrity, both older ships on each (but not near this old)  and absolutely had a great time on both.   We are not "exciting" people, do not need bells and whistles.   I have found that on reviews online people either love the ship or tell horror stories.  I guess a lot more people post bad reviews on review sites, too.  Anyway, kind of nervous to try something unknown and new but the size is right and the port is 4 hours from my house.  I am just not up to driving to Galveston or Florida right now...thought we'd try it.   We are happy with a few shows, eating and sitting on deck... no bells and whistles needed for us.    My only concern is we are wait listed for late dining and I hope early opens up and we don't have to do anytime but that would be okay. Anytime is not even an option on my page on carnival... my only option is late wait listed.   On Celebrity, we booked the cruise  late as well and never got a set dining time, even after talking to the matire d-----anytime with them was a long wait on that ship.  I understand Carnival is better as far as anytime dining.

 

[mackenzie80]

6 hours ago, tgms said:

It is good for me to see so many people like it.  We are trying it for the first time.   We've done a Royal Caribbean ship and Celebrity, both older ships on each (but not near this old)  and absolutely had a great time on both.   We are not "exciting" people, do not need bells and whistles.   I have found that on reviews online people either love the ship or tell horror stories.  I guess a lot more people post bad reviews on review sites, too.  Anyway, kind of nervous to try something unknown and new but the size is right and the port is 4 hours from my house.  I am just not up to driving to Galveston or Florida right now...thought we'd try it.   We are happy with a few shows, eating and sitting on deck... no bells and whistles needed for us.    My only concern is we are wait listed for late dining and I hope early opens up and we don't have to do anytime but that would be okay. Anytime is not even an option on my page on carnival... my only option is late wait listed.   On Celebrity, we booked the cruise  late as well and never got a set dining time, even after talking to the matire d-----anytime with them was a long wait on that ship.  I understand Carnival is better as far as anytime dining.

 

I am sure you will enjoy the Fantasy.  She is a old ship, so there are a few visible things like rust in a spot or two, and dated decor.  But I have never had anything but the best service from staff.  I believe the Fantasy is a training ship or used to be for newer hires.

To get early dining when you get on the ship go to the dining room and speak with the Maitre De' and ask him to move you.  The generally will accommodate your request, especially if you do it immediately when boarding.

The Casino is the only inside area that allows smoking, so if you are sensitive to that, you may smell smoke in that area.  My mother is sensitive to it, and she never had an issue or could smell it badly.

Anytime dining might work for you, but you could have a 10-15 minute wait for a table.

 

I have cruised several times, and am younger, and I enjoy the pace of Fantasy.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[tgms]

13 minutes ago, mackenzie80 said:

I am sure you will enjoy the Fantasy.  She is a old ship, so there are a few visible things like rust in a spot or two, and dated decor.  But I have never had anything but the best service from staff.  I believe the Fantasy is a training ship or used to be for newer hires.

To get early dining when you get on the ship go to the dining room and speak with the Maitre De' and ask him to move you.  The generally will accommodate your request, especially if you do it immediately when boarding.

The Casino is the only inside area that allows smoking, so if you are sensitive to that, you may smell smoke in that area.  My mother is sensitive to it, and she never had an issue or could smell it badly.

Anytime dining might work for you, but you could have a 10-15 minute wait for a table.

 

I have cruised several times, and am younger, and I enjoy the pace of Fantasy.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Thank you Mackenzie!

 

We will go to the matrie d as soon as we are allowed to that first day.   I also have a food allergy, so I want to be sure and be able to look at the menu ahead of time, like we did on Royal.   Someone who was on that cruise with us, told us on Carnival it was the same process at least then.  It's been a few years, but each night on Royal they would show me the next nights menu and it said what dish had what allergens.   It was great.   My meals were never quite as good as my husbands, but they would offer me like  a steak sometimes when the meal was seafood, etc. so it worked out.  I left happy.  Anything I don't have to cook at home or prepare is good in my eyes :)  We are not hard to please with food---just something good is all we need, not finicky at all.

 

Question:  Do you park at the port in Mobile?  I posted a question on the gulf coast departures...   We got the late check in of course (1:30) since we  are first time cruisers with Carnival and I am wondering if we go close to check in time like a little before 1:00, if parking will be difficult?  I don't want to wait so long parking is hard at the port. I saw where I could pay ahead.  Do you have any idea about parking at the port?      We are hoping to stay on the MS Gulf coast and drive in but if we need to do a cruise and park hotel in Mobile we would--but would prefer to stay at the MS coast.

 

Thank you!

 

 

[mackenzie80]

3 minutes ago, tgms said:

Thank you Mackenzie!

 

We will go to the matrie d as soon as we are allowed to that first day.   I also have a food allergy, so I want to be sure and be able to look at the menu ahead of time, like we did on Royal.   Someone who was on that cruise with us, told us on Carnival it was the same process at least then.  It's been a few years, but each night on Royal they would show me the next nights menu and it said what dish had what allergens.   It was great.   My meals were never quite as good as my husbands, but they would offer me like  a steak sometimes when the meal was seafood, etc. so it worked out.  I left happy.  Anything I don't have to cook at home or prepare is good in my eyes 🙂 We are not hard to please with food---just something good is all we need, not finicky at all.

 

Question:  Do you park at the port in Mobile?  I posted a question on the gulf coast departures...   We got the late check in of course (1:30) since we  are first time cruisers with Carnival and I am wondering if we go close to check in time like a little before 1:00, if parking will be difficult?  I don't want to wait so long parking is hard at the port. I saw where I could pay ahead.  Do you have any idea about parking at the port?      We are hoping to stay on the MS Gulf coast and drive in but if we need to do a cruise and park hotel in Mobile we would--but would prefer to stay at the MS coast.

 

Thank you!

 

 

Parking at that time the Garage will be filled, and you will be directed to the parking lots across the road which is not covered.  If you arrive early, it is doubtful they will turn you away.

I use a local man who allows a handful of cars to be parked at his home.  He has a private area.  You take your bags by the terminal and drop off, he lives 2 minutes away, and brings you back to the terminal.
Then you text him when in customs and he comes and picks you up.  Charges $50 and worth not having to deal with the hassle.

 

[tgms]

5 minutes ago, mackenzie80 said:

Parking at that time the Garage will be filled, and you will be directed to the parking lots across the road which is not covered.  If you arrive early, it is doubtful they will turn you away.

I use a local man who allows a handful of cars to be parked at his home.  He has a private area.  You take your bags by the terminal and drop off, he lives 2 minutes away, and brings you back to the terminal.
Then you text him when in customs and he comes and picks you up.  Charges $50 and worth not having to deal with the hassle.

 

Wonderful, that is what I needed to know. Exactly it. Thank you.  We will arrive early and if we have to sit inside the port a while, I am good with that.  I would prefer the car covered but if not, I could live with it... THANK YOU!

[mackenzie80]

1 minute ago, tgms said:

Wonderful, that is what I needed to know. Exactly it. Thank you.  We will arrive early and if we have to sit inside the port a while, I am good with that.  I would prefer the car covered but if not, I could live with it... THANK YOU!

Very welcome.  If you arrive early and HAVE to sit there, pay in advance using the website. 

 

http://www.shipmobile.com/parking/
 

If you do this, no need to know your tag number when you arrive or board the ship.  If you wait any pay when you get there you have to stand in a LONG kiosk line, enter your tag number, and pay.  Doing it ahead of time saves a lot of time.

They are NOT picky about arrival times.  Chance you can board once you arrive are high.  No harm in trying.

[tgms]

24 minutes ago, mackenzie80 said:

Very welcome.  If you arrive early and HAVE to sit there, pay in advance using the website. 

 

http://www.shipmobile.com/parking/
 

If you do this, no need to know your tag number when you arrive or board the ship.  If you wait any pay when you get there you have to stand in a LONG kiosk line, enter your tag number, and pay.  Doing it ahead of time saves a lot of time.

They are NOT picky about arrival times.  Chance you can board once you arrive are high.  No harm in trying.

thank you!

[AKR2011]

The Fantasy was my first ship, and it's how I fell in love with cruising. It took me 11 years to get back on board again, but I'll never forget walking on that ship for the first time. Inwas in high school and competing in a choir competition with schools across the country. Looking back, I feel bad for all those people on board who were just taking a regular vacation - we were running amok all over The Fantasy! Although my husband and I haven't ventured from NCL, I still follow the Carnival boards and would love to get back on The Fantasy someday. It's such a special ship to me ❤

[evandbob]

Not a fan of the Fantasy Class.  Because IMO, they were old and tired a dozen years ago when I stopped sailing them.

 

There's a reason why cruise lines have different class and size ships, so that one can experience them and find a good fit for their own personal preferences.  Whatever ship floats your boat, go for it!  And then do a land vacation to balance things out and gain another perspective!

[Tapi]

11 hours ago, tgms said:

 Anyway, kind of nervous to try something unknown and new but the size is right and the port is 4 hours from my house.  I am just not up to driving to Galveston or Florida right now...thought we'd try it...

In my humble opinion, that’s the main reason to select Fantasy out of Mobile; for the convenience, simplicity, and affordability of sailing from a port closer to home, without having to fly or drive long distances. These factors make up for the others that she lacks. 
 

Distance was a big deciding factor for our group of 25 people to select the Fantasy when we sailed on her last February. We wanted something convenient and affordable, and most of us live within a 4 hour drive from Mobile as well. Had we selected a more expensive cruise from a port farther away, several people in our group would’ve probably not joined this cruise.

 

Yes, many of us (specially the ones who have sailed on other cruise lines and on newer ships) commented how old and neglected Fantasy is, but we weren’t there for her bells and whistles, but rather to celebrate a friend’s birthday, so we had a wonderful time.
 

 

[mackenzie80]

17 hours ago, evandbob said:

Not a fan of the Fantasy Class.  Because IMO, they were old and tired a dozen years ago when I stopped sailing them.

 

There's a reason why cruise lines have different class and size ships, so that one can experience them and find a good fit for their own personal preferences.  Whatever ship floats your boat, go for it!  And then do a land vacation to balance things out and gain another perspective!

Funny I find land vacations stressful now.  Prefer not worrying and sipping a cocktail on the Serenity Deck!

 

[mouche]

I have sailed her 4 times and enjoyed her every single time, older smaller ship, but still fun..

[tgms]

15 hours ago, Tapi said:

 Had we selected a more expensive cruise from a port farther away, several people in our group would’ve probably not joined this cruise.

 

Yes, many of us (specially the ones who have sailed on other cruise lines and on newer ships) commented how old and neglected Fantasy is, but we weren’t there for her bells and whistles, but rather to celebrate a friend’s birthday, so we had a wonderful time.
 

 

Thank you :)  Yes, I told my husband when we were young and buff so was the Fantasy and now we are the like the Fantasy, ha. A little worn out perhaps.😀   We are just looking for a vacation.  Thanks for your thoughts, I'm so glad you had a wonderful time.

[tgms]

20 minutes ago, mouche said:

I have sailed her 4 times and enjoyed her every single time, older smaller ship, but still fun..

I'm so glad to hear it.  Thank you!  You've all made me feel very good about my decision.