Just Back-Sensation Turned Fantasy 4/6

[katsted69]

We made it back home at 4ish this morning but felt I should go ahead and post my review. This was our first cruise (mom, dad, grandma and 7 & 9 yr olds) and I was pretty stressed with all the Sensation issues. After finding that we changed ships, I was a little better but we drove down the PC over 3 days and it was stressful enough. Now for the review.

 

Embarkment: We had a wheelchair so we were taken to a seperate line once we got in the terminal so check in went pretty quick. Walked straight on the ship after that. We were shown the elevators and went right down to our rooms.

 

Door Sign: On another thread we read that sometimes people put signs or decorations on their doors. We decided to put poster boards on each door (had 2) and asked for people to sign them with name, city, state or country for the kids show and tell. It helped us locate our room which was great too because all the dang doors look the same. The signs were a hit and we have no blank spots on either. We received signitures from so many places, I believe each countinant was covered. Nothing bad was wrote on them (probally because it said they were for kids)

 

Room Steward: Thomas, from Poland. He was nice but we didn't see much of him. Only received ice once a day which didn't seem like enough.

 

Dining Room: We ate here our first night and that was all. We are not into the "formal" feel and neither were the kids. The staff was great and our waiters helper was great with the kids.

 

Casual Dining Room: Interesting food. Did a different nation each day. We tried some but not many. Our asst. waiter fromt he dining room was in here during the day so she still got to see the kids. Usually ate breakfast here and it was the same each day which made it easy. But it was good too. The deserts were great too. Ate way too many of them. :D

 

Lido Grill: Yummy. Hamburgers, hot dogs. We ate here the most I think.

 

Shows: Pretty good. They have some good singers and dancers. Went to the Comedy Show (Persy Cruz) and Magic Show (Mr. Magic). Persy opens for Chris Rock and we could see why. He had us rolling. We could have done without the magic. It wasn't that great.

 

Camp Carnival: I must give it up for these girls. I don't know how they manage all them kids. The kids never wanted to leave. We let our 9 yr old do the late night party challenge (fees) and he stayed up through the end. They brought all the kids back to their rooms and he got back at 3:45am and was ready to go again in the morning. Wish I had their energy because I found myself taking naps. :) Our 7 yr old loved it too and both made some good friends. They loved the counselors and were sad to tell them bye.

 

Freeport: We just went across to the straw market and shopped a little. It was relaxing, close and pretty cheap.

 

Day At Sea: Uneventful. Kids stayed at camp and we walked around the boat. Nothing major but it was relaxing.

 

Nassau: First stop, hair breading. 7 yr old wanted it. They weren't very nice since they said it was $2 a bread and I told them I wanted 14 for her. They said it was to be $50 and I said no. Then they said ok but she would get no beads because they were bigger breads. I said no thanks and they said they would do it. Never thought it would hurt but she looked like she was in pain. She loved it once it was over though. Had to take the kids back to camp after that because they didn't want to be with us. :( Then off the the straw market (more great buys) and other shops down the row. Back on board to realx.

 

We got back on board and settled in then noticed it started raining. We were glad that we made it back. Then the sky opened up and oh my lord did we have a thunderstorm. Lighting, down pours and everything. Went up on deck to film and oh my god. Looked over the side to find the line to get back on the boat going all the way back to the far building entrance. They were soaked standing in a terinchal (sp) down pour. Some people found plywood to hold over heads. Others had towels to hold but most were just out there in it. We were late leaving but I really did feel bad for these people.

 

Lst night out. Oh my god it was the first time I knew I was on a boat. I got so sick from the major rocking.

 

Self-Embarked: Craziest thing I think we did. Once we got it under control, it wasn't that bad. Flew past some lines because of using the elevator. Customs was pretty quick and then we were gone.

 

Am still feeling like I am on the boat though but that should pass. Will we do it again? Grandma says no, she had fun but will watch the animals next time and us. You betcha. We are addicted now and can't wait for our next one. Can only do it once a year though.

 

Sorry so long. That is my review. Any specifics for the Fantasy, feel free to ask.

[beaming90]

Thanks for the great review, we loved the Fantasy a year ago. Glad you enjoyed it!!! :D

[1timecruiser]

Thanks so much for your helpful review Katrina. I'll be on my 2nd cruise with this being my first on the Fantasy. First cruise was a 5-day on the Holiday with DH in 8/04 out of New Orleans. I'll be traveling this time on a 4-day aboard the Fantasy with my (2) best friends and I too, have been stressing since Carnival swapped the ships. I originally was booked on the Sensation but was relieved after hearing all of the drama with the boat, that we were switched to the Fantasy. Did you happen to take any pictures of this ship (i.e., major areas; lido deck, cabin, atrium etc.) while onboard?

 

I never had anything to compare my first cruise to as a first timer, so it'll be interesting to see the difference in the ships. Luckily, I'm traveling with 2 ladies that have NEVER cruised, so i'm sure with the drinks and all the food, they'll definitely want to do it again.

 

I can't wait until it's my time to get onboard!!!! Thanks again for your review.

 

---------------------------------

Carnival Fantasy 7/06-Bahamas

Carnival Holiday 8/04-Western Carribbean

[cubdaddy]

Thanks for the review. We will be on the Fantasy at the end of july and cannot wait. We have been on the Imagination, technically 3 times, and it is the same class ship. This class seems to be my favorite though the newer ships have better decor.

 

What was the condition of the ship and how was the service overall? The Imagination is well taken care of and the service is great. I am hoping to find the same thing on the Fantasy!

 

This will be our 6th cruise and yes you do get addicted!

[Victory748]

Thanks for the review. Were you supposed to go to Grand Turk?

[Top-Cat]

Good review. Thanks. Glad you had a good time.

 

We are going in May. I think the first group to Grand turk is on maybe now??

 

What deck were you on?? Just wondering with all the motion. Were you midship, aft or forward?

 

Thanks Top.

[Caribbean Buckeye]

Finally someone posted a new review of the Fantasy! Thanks for posting your review. I've been waiting to hear about the Fantasy since we were switched from the Sensation. I was beginning to lose faith in the board when 2 Fantasy Cruises returned and nobody posted a review.

 

Sounds like you had a great time. My wife and I will be on the Fantasy in mid-June and these reviews keep us excited for the upcoming trip.

 

We would also like to know about the condition of the ship and your cabin. Also, who was the Cruise Director and how did he do?

 

Thanks again!

[Bermudagirl60]

:) Thanks for the reveiw, I was hoping someone would give a review for the Fantasy. My brother & his wife were on the Fantasy in Dec. 05 for their honeymoon they said they loved it.

[ljchris1990]

Adding my thanx for your review also. Switched out a 2nd Celebration cruise with the kiddies for the Fantasy, we couldn't resist the intinerary ( Turks and HMC)plus a different ship. We are sailing in Mid August so I'm hoping more review will be posted so I can a better sense of this particular class of Carnival ships.

[jbhcw]

Another upcoming Fantasy cruiser here. Thanks for the post. Any other info you could give would be aprreciated! How were the beds, the public areas? Did you check our or see the Sushi Bar near the casino? We've cruised the Fantasy twice before but not since the refurb. Really looking forward to the cruise!

[katsted69]

Let me make sure I get everyone's requested info. :D

 

The ship is in good condition and they seemed to always be cleaning.

 

First group to GT is on now. We were mid ship Riveara, so as low as you can go. It was the storm I am sure but boy was it rocking.

 

Marahscalh Stanton of Mobile is the CD and he was pretty good. He loves to talk and loves to talk fast. Other threads have said he was like a young Sammy Davis and I could see that.

 

The beds were awesome. Sushi bar was there and I stayed clear. :D

 

It was fun though so everyone can stop worrying and enjoy.

 

Katrina

[sheshasmom]

Katrina let me add my THANKS!!!!

 

 

I have one thing to ask, what deck is the put-put golf on???

[katsted69]

Putt-Putt was up on the sun deck with the jogging track. 9 holes, didn't play but could get balls at the towel area of the pools.

 

Another thing that camp did that my son loved was the Late Night Party for 9-11 yr olds. It cost but he had so much fun it was worth it. It went from 10-4am and they escorted the kids back to their cabins (we left the key). The kids knew the 2 "main" rules of the evening. If a boy fell to sleep, the girls got to face paint them and the boys got to paint the girls if they did and to have a bunch of fun. They said they ran all over the ship and ordered lots of room service. Seemed like they were doing something new every 30-45 minutes so they didn't have time to fall to sleep (which no one did). Wish I had that energy.

 

Now I am planning our next cruise. Just me and the kids because hubby is in the Army and will deploy for a year. Now that I have one done, I think I can handle the kids on my own. It really was great.

[Bunkie103]

Katrina....after all the confusion and worry glad to hear your cruise went so well. :D

[moco]

Katrina, We leave Saturday on Fantasy, and appreciate your review. A few questions:

 

- What do they charge for the kids parties at night? (we have an 11 and 13 year old)

 

- Did you use the pools or hot tubs? How are they, and how warm is the pool water?

 

- If you swam in the ocean/sea, how warm is that water this time of year?

 

Thanks.

[katsted69]

Could you tell Kim (she runs the camp) hi from Troy and Elizabeth, she would get a kick out of that. :)

 

The kids party is from 10-330am (he made it to the room around 345 since they walk everyone together to the rooms) and it cost $26 for him. The second child I believe is less but our daughter wasn't old enough. Your 13 yr old may be too old for it though.

 

The pools are salt water and burr cold. Didn't stop the kids though. The slide is only open from 10-5 so not much time for that. That hot tubs weren't salt water and toasty. Some are adult only and security will tell the kids to get out, even when in with a parent. They were very busy though.

 

Our kids didn't want to leave the boat so we didn't bother with the beach. Many people did though and I didn't hear complaints. We just shopped till we dropped and that was fun enough.

 

 

One thing that we did and I recommend it to ANYONE with kids. Take a poster board and hang it on your door with a pen attached (we used the kind that has the sticky on it and then the pen is on a cord and can be in it's holder)(just don't stick the pen to the door) and write on it for people to sign their names, city, state or country on them. I don't know if your kids would be into it but ours was. The sign was overflowing after the first day and we had to turn it over. Both sides were totally full and we had every continant covered. it was really cool and the kids classes really enjoyed looking at them. Would be a great project for a Geography class.