Fantasy Only Questions ...

[kanslum]

Hi Rowan555,

 

I see you've done some research on alternate ports. Where did you get this information? I have no idea now the Costa Maya is out ot the question, what we are doing. I'm so neverous and excited I want to know for sure the places we are going, but looks like I'm a lost duck:)

 

 

 

 

It looks like there is a beach 3 blocks from the pier, so we're just going to plan to do that for the day, should we end up in Progresso on our 9-8 cruise. I'm all for a cheap, relaxing day at this point!

[srobins]

Any other secrets you can tell us about the New Orleans terminal? I've been to the old one, but not the new version. I know that when you go to the Galveston terminal you should sit on the left section in the back in order to be the first to be called to the ship. Can you give us more information about how the process works in New Orleans? We will be traveling with adults with developmental disabilities and the more we know about what to expect, the better.

 

Also I am hoping they don't reverse our port days - we have already paid for our dolphin discovery in Cozumel!

 

Sherryl

[Rowan555]

Hi Rowan555,

 

I see you've done some research on alternate ports. Where did you get this information? I have no idea now the Costa Maya is out ot the question, what we are doing. I'm so neverous and excited I want to know for sure the places we are going, but looks like I'm a lost duck:)

 

I mainly read through the threads on the port boards here at Cruise Critic. I'm still hoping we end up at Playa del Carmen, but I want to be prepared since it looks like we may go to Progreso. The boards are not very active, but I searched for what I wanted and found lots of information.

[Rowan555]

My PVP just called - the new itinerary for the 5 day Fantasy cruises is Progreso and Cozumel - this is the permanent itinerary until Costa Maya is back up and running. Just wanted to update you guys!

[jetskier]

Any other secrets you can tell us about the New Orleans terminal? I've been to the old one, but not the new version. I know that when you go to the Galveston terminal you should sit on the left section in the back in order to be the first to be called to the ship. Can you give us more information about how the process works in New Orleans? We will be traveling with adults with developmental disabilities and the more we know about what to expect, the better.

 

Also I am hoping they don't reverse our port days - we have already paid for our dolphin discovery in Cozumel!

 

Sherryl

 

Hi Sherryl,

The biggest thing is when you are driving to the port. The ramp for the terminal parking is BEFORE you get to the terminal. Once you have parked you need to take the elevator to the second floor. Once you go through the security screening, the lines for processing will be to the right. VIP processing is in a room to the left.

 

Once you are processed, you will be directed to the area where the embarkation photo is taken. Then you are directed to the rows of seating. The row closest to the window by the river is the first row allowed on after VIP. They usually are pretty good at filling up the proper chairs first to ensure early passengers are not bypassed by someone arriving later.

 

From there you will proceed to have your photo taken for the S&S card. You then proceed further down and the gangway will be to the right. You will be boarding the ship on the Empress Deck (deck 7) at the Atrium.

 

Dave

[crdtrnr]

Hey Rowan...just curious, Who is your PVP? Is it Newell?

He called me this mornig to let me know that Costa Maya had been changed...and I told him, that I'm not going there..just Cozumel. He got me confused with the 5 day leaving before my 4 day.. ( I wish I was on that one):) LOL..

[Rok4u2]

Sounds like the two of you have sailed on the FANTASY out of New Orleans more than once. :D You know almost as much as I do about it. :confused:

 

As for B2B cruises. After the first voyage you MUST processs through Customs and Imagration. We do not start IN-Checking until AFTER 10:30 AM and the first passengers normally are allowed to board the ship around 11:15-11:30 AM. Wedding Parties first and then VIPs. You cannot just go through customs and "reboard" the ship. They will not allow that. No you do not HAVE to leave the terminal, but what are you going to do for a couple of hours? Sit at stare at me? I don't think so, that would be SO boring. :eek: As I said before, go visit the Riverwalk (opens at 9:00 AM I think), the casino (24 hours), the French Quarter - all within walking distance.

 

January Question? I leave for London on January 6th for another Transatlantic voyage on the QE2. :p

[srobins]

Thanks Dave! We will be staying at the Maison St. Charles, so we will be calling taxis to take our group of 8 to the pier, but now we will know what to expect when we get there! Thanks again!

 

Sherryl

[connergirls]

Thanks for the port update Rowan :)

[jetskier]

Sounds like the two of you have sailed on the FANTASY out of New Orleans more than once. :D You know almost as much as I do about it. :confused:

 

Come on now, Robert,

I am just working to being qualified so I can get a part time job there when I retire. :p

 

Dave

[LHP]

Come on now, Robert,

I am just working to being qualified so I can get a part time job there when I retire. :p

 

Dave

 

I know why. You want to be able to use the "crew bar" on all your cruises.

Now THAT is a perk!!!!

 

Robert: Sadly we will not be sailing with you again for awhile. I will miss seeing your smiling face.

 

We are booked for New York next month. Mobile in December and Miami in January for our first B2B.

 

Keep them all straight down there!!

[jetskier]

I know why. You want to be able to use the "crew bar" on all your cruises. Now THAT is a perk!!!!

 

Not to mention the all night crew parties. I dont see how those guys get by on a couple of hours of sleep.

 

Dave

[Jabee]

Hi Sherryl,

 

Once you are processed, you will be directed to the area where the embarkation photo is taken. Then you are directed to the rows of seating. The row closest to the window by the river is the first row allowed on after VIP. They usually are pretty good at filling up the proper chairs first to ensure early passengers are not bypassed by someone arriving later.

 

From there you will proceed to have your photo taken for the S&S card. You then proceed further down and the gangway will be to the right. You will be boarding the ship on the Empress Deck (deck 7) at the Atrium.

Dave

 

I guess they do not use the numbers like NCL did in New Orleans. I have to say that NCL really had a smooth embarkation process.

 

I hope Carnival in NOLA is as smooth.

[belleebutton]

we were on the fantasy aug 6th. very smooth! they had 3 weddings on board so we had to wait for them to board. then they started taking the rows in order. they have ladies there that make sure all seats are taken. i was shocked how organized it was...i got stressed for no reason :p

have fun! im ready to go again

[jetskier]

I guess they do not use the numbers like NCL did in New Orleans. I have to say that NCL really had a smooth embarkation process.

 

I hope Carnival in NOLA is as smooth.

 

Each cruiseline does it a little different. It is not the same personnel in the terminal for processing.

 

Jabee,

Do you want me to pick up a ship for you? I dont know if you saw my other reply.

Dave

[neworleanscruiser]

Hi All,

If anyone is sailing before December 10th on the Fantasy. Would you please post the shore excursion info and prices for Progresso. I am interested in taking the Merida City Overview and Shopping tour. I checked the Carnival website but no prices.

Thanks,

Neworleansruiser:)

[goLC]

I hope I've done this right; I got it off of someone's posted Capers that sailed on a ship out of Galveston with regular port in Progresso.

 

ATV Adventure at Rancho Grande $95

Bike Trek at Rancho Grande $69

Buggy Beach Break $79

Caves and Caverns Snorkeling $99

Chichen Itza (ruins) $69

Colonial izamal $65

Corona Beach break $35

Dzibilchaltun Ruins $55

Dzib Ruins, Mexican Buffet, Horse Show $79

Flamingo Reserve Boat and lunch $99

Kayak Adventure $69

Kodiak Off Road $65

Yucatan Cultural Experience $49

Merida & Shopping, Mex buffet, horse show $75

Merida City Overview $39

Off Road Cart Adventure at Rancho Grande $95

Progreso Resort Beach Break $75

Progreso Mayan Reality Tour $85

Uxmal Mayan Ruins $69

 

My cruise itiinerary on Carnival still shows Costa Maya, so I can't book an excursion at Progreso yet. Has anyone else's already been changed on Carnival's site?

[Rowan555]

My PVP told me we'd have to wait and book on the ship - they will not be enabling online booking for Progresso.

 

Thanks for the price lists, that was very helpful.

[neworleanscruiser]

To GoLC:

 

Thanks for the shore excursion info on Progresso. Have a great time on your cruise. Please post any info you have on Progresso when you return.

 

Thanks,

Neworleanscruiser:)

[goLC]

Will do, Neworleanscruiser. I'm hoping others will go before I do and post reviews/info on Progreso. From what I've read, it's mixed results/opinions. My friends and I are wanting to go to Mayan ruins (that's what we had already booked for Costa Maya.) It looks to me we just have to decide which of 3 ruins tours we want to see. I hope the Fantasy's excursion offerings will be similar to those that I got off the Galveston's ship choices - I don't think they can be too far off, but what do I know.

[smith-krenning]

I've never been on a cruise before, so I've never been on excursions either...are those prices listed per person?

[connergirls]

I've never been on a cruise before, so I've never been on excursions either...are those prices listed per person?

 

Yes, they are. You can often get the same type of excursion much cheaper by booking online, instead of through the cruiseline. You can find a ton of information on excursions in the ports section of the board.

[BrendaB1]

Has anybody heard from Robert, who works for Carnival lately? He was posting & answering questions on this thread but I haven't seen him around in a while. :confused:

[jetskier]

Has anybody heard from Robert, who works for Carnival lately? He was posting & answering questions on this thread but I haven't seen him around in a while. :confused:

 

Brenda,

He was on the site posting yesterday. He last posted to this thread two days ago.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=6933809

Dave

[Rok4u2]

Yes, I am alive and "well". :p Although some people might argue that point. We put on the lowest passenger count yesterday since last March. Only 2,204 close friends boarded the FANTASY yesterday. Some of our CC friends did "look" for me and found me. Darn, I was hoping to remain in the background. ;) The CCers are going to have a "get together" today. I sent my greeting to all of them.

 

"OLD MAN WIGENS" went on board yesterday for three B2B cruises, 14 days total. Carnival in their infinate wisdom, :mad: put him in three different cabins for the three cruises. For those who don't know him. He is in his 80's, travel alone and is in a wheel chair. I told him to check with the Purser's office to see IF they could change his cabin assignments. I will ask him on Thursday to see what happened. If you are sailing on the FANTASY Aug 30th or Sept 3rd, look for him and stop and talk to this man, he is a wonderful person and he knows his ships. He takes a cruise a month. I asked him how many cruises he has been on? His answer was, "too many to count." :D