Fantasy Only Questions ...

[Jsme]

The riverwalk is near the port (it's a little mall) has places to eat. There is also the aquarium and french quarter (further down) which might require a taxi or streetcar.

 

If you click on the different concourses, it will tell you what there is to eat within the airport

http://www.flymsy.com/airport_facilities.htm

 

I know there is a Denny's across the road.

 

 

Thank you for your help. I am not too sure what we can do with luggage. lol I seemed to have forgotten that detail. lol

 

Does the Fantasy have the new check bag procedure yet? I have cruised on two ships that offer this. Disney Magic and Freedom of the Seas. Nice but we never took advantage of it since it cost extra but I hear that on Carnival they offer not only to handle you luggage they also print your boarding pass. For a fee of $15 pp. I think this is worth it!!!

We had planned to use it on the Freedom last year but our room stewart never brought us the paper work and once we found out we had to get the paperwork we were too late to do it. They had a deadline and it was a little early. At the airport though we were told we could have gone up to the rep at the port and still handled it there. I told her that RCI was not telling people this and she said yeah she had heard that before from other cruisers.

 

 

Just found this information on that website for NO airport. http://www.advancecheckin.com/ It says that they have it available but is it for every airline?

[Jsme]

Anything near the airport? If we stop and drop off our luggage we might could do something after that but would want to make it close by.

[GB Chicago]

I posted this on another reply. We used a service called "Rush it" at the port in New Orleans a couple of week ago. One of the port porters took us to a special line for the price of a baggage handling tip, got us through customs then walked us to the end of the port. It wasn't terribly expensive and they took our bags to a secure place at the airport for us to collect after we walked around the French Quarter. It worked great. We used their affilitated transportation from the port to the FQ and then back to the airport. In retrospect a cab would have cost the same and we wouldn't have had multiple stops to pick up others. When we got to the airport it was very easy to pick up our bags and be on our way. Would highly recommend it. Just find a porter and ask.

[map70065]

I've read alot about what people do if they arrive a day before the cruise. However, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of things we might want to see or do that may be a bit more off the beaten path as we'll be there both the Saturday and Sunday before our Monday departure on the Fantasy. When we travel we really enjoy getting to know the local flavor of an area and we are pretty much open up to anything!

 

We'll have a car and will be staying at the Marriott at the Convetion Center (the room and parking is free from all the "points" I've earned doing some much business travel this year).

 

Since you have time and a car I'd recommend a swamp tour (although it's not the best time of the year to do it - seeing the swamp up close is a good thing) and/or a plantation tour (my favorites are Laura and Oak Alley, which are about an hour away)

 

I'd also recommend the D-Day museum - but you don't need a car to get there. Well, you don't need a car to do the swamps and/or plantation, there are tour companies that will take you, but it's a whole lot cheaper if you drive yourself.

[map70065]

Anything near the airport? If we stop and drop off our luggage we might could do something after that but would want to make it close by.

 

Nothing worth doing near the airport - and IMHO, no place worth eating. I'd do the luggage service and stay in the Quarter or on the river. You have LOTS to do within walking distance and lots of good places to eat. The WWII museum is close, the Rivercenter for shopping and eating, the French Quarter for eating, shopping or just wandering around watching people are all within walking distance from the port.

 

Cabs to the airport are around $30 for one or two people with an extra charge for each additional person after that. There is a shuttle service available, but unless you are alone it's as much or more expensive than a cab.

[Jsme]

Ok we will check into the Rush it. This must be what I read about on the airport website. I am a bit confused though, when I find my baggage I need to tell a port that I want to do Rush it and they will help us thru customs and put our baggage in storage for when we are done walking around. Once we are done we can retrieve our luggage and grab a cab and be on our way to the airport. Is that correct? Does anyone remember how much it costs to do this service? I carry very little cash with me and I need to be prepared.

[GB Chicago]

Actually the porter at the port will guide you through customs and out the door with your bags to the Rush It counter. I want to say it was about $20 per person to have them transport our bags. They tag them with your information and take them to the airport for you. Then I agree with the other poster, if more than 2 of you just hop in a cab to the French Quarter rather than use the affiliated transport service from Rush it.

 

The airport isn't big and there is a small office outside one of the baggage belts with the company name on it and your luggage will be right there. There will be a guy in the office that will check your receipt and give you your bags. He will even haul out a scale to make sure they are not overweight. Was really worth the $$ although I admit I was a bit leery until I saw my bags waiting for me at the airport.

[heatherlynn444]

hi everyone! i am very new here, so be kind. i know how annoying it is on message boards when newbies come on and ask simple questions...well i apologize in advance!

 

i am traveling on teh Fantasy out of NOLA Jan. 7th-12. i have never been on a cruise, and have NO idea how anything works. i am a bit of a control freak so i am starting to get nervous.

 

one of my main questions is when we get to cozumel and wherever else we are going (i forget) we dont want to do anything really expensive/just wanna lay at the beach. is this nearby? what do you suggest? how does this work? HELP ME!

 

any other tidbits a frist timer would need, or tips for teh fantasy specifically, please fill me in. i feel overwhelmed and lost!

[princessdivaapril]

WE are staying at the Drury Inn which is 4 blocks from Bourbon St and which I understand is pretty close to the port as well. Any idea on what a cab for 2 will run from the hotel to the port?

[jkloni]

hi everyone! i am very new here, so be kind. i know how annoying it is on message boards when newbies come on and ask simple questions...well i apologize in advance!

 

i am traveling on teh Fantasy out of NOLA Jan. 7th-12. i have never been on a cruise, and have NO idea how anything works. i am a bit of a control freak so i am starting to get nervous.

 

one of my main questions is when we get to cozumel and wherever else we are going (i forget) we dont want to do anything really expensive/just wanna lay at the beach. is this nearby? what do you suggest? how does this work? HELP ME!

 

any other tidbits a frist timer would need, or tips for teh fantasy specifically, please fill me in. i feel overwhelmed and lost!

 

No need to feel overwhelmed. Just calm down. You are going on vacation!!

 

In Cozumel, Paradise Beach is a great place to go. The cab fare is about $10-$12 per cab each way I think. We went in February and I can't remember exactly. But it was 3 of us and it didn't cost that much. Once at Paradise Beach, admission and chairs are complimentary. They just ask that you purchase refreshments. Can be soda if you don't drink. Prices are reasonable (like a bucket of 6 beers was $15 and a coke was $2). They run a tab if you want. They also have food. You can search the Cozumel board in Ports of Call and read alot more about it. Some of our friends went a couple of weeks ago and parasailed while at Paradise Beach.

 

Some things you should know -

 

Don't be late for dinner. It's rude and though the waiter won't say anything to you, it puts him and the whole table behind the other servers to get food. You should be there between 800 and 805pm if you have 8pm dining - or within 5 minutes of whatever dining time you have. Don't show up 20 minutes late. This is really important. Some people just don't get it, but your dining experience will be better if you are on time.

 

Tipping is now automatically put on your sail and sign card. If you'd like to tip your waiters or room steward a bit more you can do so in cash. Just don't take off the auto gratituies to do it.

 

If you don't like the time you are dining (say you asked for early and got late or vice versa), go to the Matre 'd stand that first day and ask for it to be changed. They are usually in the midship dining room. You'll see a line of people trying to change their dining. You can tell your dining time by looking at your sail and sign card. It should be on it.

 

Sail & Sign card. You pay for everything with this card. No real need to carry a purse or wallet around. I think they accept cash in the casino (I don't gamble, so I really don't know, but I think some friends said you can use cash).

 

-Omlets in the morning on lido deck are very good.

-Eggs Benedict is only served in the dining room for breakfast.

-You can order as many of whatever you want when in the dining room - 3 shrimp cocktails, the steak and the fish dish, all 5 desserts. You get the picture.

-the shrimp salad from room service is very good.

- the pizza and ceasar salad and calzones are available 24 hours per day until about 4am the morning of disembarkation.

-Beds are wonderfully comfortable.

 

That's what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

Kathy

[heatherlynn444]

kathy-thanks so much i appreciate it! i ahve heard a few things about paradise beach and saw the website and i think that is what we will do! i am getting excited!

 

any other tips are welcome!

 

(oh and i am the on time QUEEN so i will be ok there!)

[Jsme]

hi everyone! i am very new here, so be kind. i know how annoying it is on message boards when newbies come on and ask simple questions...well i apologize in advance!

 

i am traveling on teh Fantasy out of NOLA Jan. 7th-12. i have never been on a cruise, and have NO idea how anything works. i am a bit of a control freak so i am starting to get nervous.

 

one of my main questions is when we get to cozumel and wherever else we are going (i forget) we dont want to do anything really expensive/just wanna lay at the beach. is this nearby? what do you suggest? how does this work? HELP ME!

 

any other tidbits a frist timer would need, or tips for teh fantasy specifically, please fill me in. i feel overwhelmed and lost!

 

 

I was a bit let down on our last trip to Cozumel and Paradise Beach We have been there 3 times. I think the drinks are watered down. I had to send mine back 3 times. We have stopped going there. This trip we are going to Mr. Sanchos. My friend has been there and they liked it better than Paradise Beach. I can not say since I have not been there but I will be able to compare them after NYE. Both are free beach clubs but with Mr Sanchos you also have a pool.

 

You need to remember to go by ship time not island time. If you go by island time you could be late to the ship.

 

If you want a strong drink go to Carlos and Charles in town. Now you can buy a yard of just about anything and I promise you will feel fine afterwards. I am not crazy about Senior Frogs in Cozumel. Bahamas SF is good but not Cozumel.

[LHP]

kathy-thanks so much i appreciate it! i ahve heard a few things about paradise beach and saw the website and i think that is what we will do! i am getting excited!

 

any other tips are welcome!

 

(oh and i am the on time QUEEN so i will be ok there!)

 

We have been going to Cozumel for years. We went to Mr. Sanchos until Paradise Beach opened and we have been going there ever since.

 

Dec 11th will make our 4th time in the past year alone, yes we are hooked!!

 

Both are free beaches and cost about the same in cab fare (12-15 for a taxi of up to 4 people one way). There are more taxis than sand in Cozumel...so don't worry about getting back to the ship.

 

Drinks and food at both are good. Mr. Sanchos has a small pool. Paradise Beach has free Internet at the bar. Restrooms and changing rooms at Paradise Beach are a bit nicer. Mainly we keep going back to Paradise Beach because of the $9 wristband. Our boys are entertained all day long with kayaks, snorkeling, iceberg, 2 water trampolines, floats, multi person floats etc. You can climb coconut trees and ring the bell. Great massages for $1 a minute (20-30 minute minimum).

 

Cozumel is by far our favorite port. It is very tourist friendly.

 

If you think you would like an all-inclusive for adults....I recommend Nachi Cocom. It is $49.00 for all you can eat/drink. Snorkling etc are extra. But they have a huge pool with a swim up bar. Taxi fare there is about the same.

 

Have a great cruise and a wonderful day in Cozumel.

[Jsme]

Do I need to bring tape for my door signs or will magnets on the back work?

[belleebutton]

my magnet stuff did not work on the doors. but i bought removable little clear disc thingys to use. and that worked great!

[Jsme]

my magnet stuff did not work on the doors. but i bought removable little clear disc thingys to use. and that worked great!

 

 

Do you remember what these were? Where to buy them?

[belleebutton]

they were at dollar tree in the scrapbooking section. they were like little square clear disc. kinda look like the bumpers you put under things not to scratch your furniture but sticky on both sids. i cant remember the name of them at all lol.

[jetskier]

Do you remember what these were? Where to buy them?

 

You can also get something similar at Walmart. There is one type that has a pull tab so that you can remove it from the surface when you are done.

 

Dave

[crusingirl01]

Is there a Past Guest party on the Fantasy? We were on the Legend back in July and I had to miss it because I was seasick.

[jetskier]

Is there a Past Guest party on the Fantasy? We were on the Legend back in July and I had to miss it because I was seasick.

 

It is held only on the five day sailing in the Forum Lounge.

 

Dave

[Jsme]

they were at dollar tree in the scrapbooking section. they were like little square clear disc. kinda look like the bumpers you put under things not to scratch your furniture but sticky on both sids. i cant remember the name of them at all lol.

 

 

mmm I am going to have to look. I am at a loss on what you are talking about. I will have to go to Dollar Tree.

 

Or Walmart.

[Jsme]

It is held only on the five day sailing in the Forum Lounge.

 

Dave

 

Do they send you an invitation?

[ClerkPatsy]

Do they send you an invitation?

 

On my sailing in February, we got an invitation to the Past Guest party in our cabin. But, they did not have ship pins attached to the invitation. Maybe they have pins now?

[Rowan555]

On my sailing in February, we got an invitation to the Past Guest party in our cabin. But, they did not have ship pins attached to the invitation. Maybe they have pins now?

 

 

My parents didn't get pins on this last cruise.

[DBXX]

Hey guys,

 

Can you guys tell me for formal night on the Fantasy do the men HAVE to wear a suit jacket? My DH was planning on wearing dress pants with a dress shirt and a tie, is that good enough? I have heard no jeans or anything like that and have heard you can make it what you want just make sure it is nice but someone told me they just went on the Fantasy last month and she said that she thought the guys HAD to wear a suit jacket or they wasnt allowed in? Is that the case?

 

Thanks,

 

Danielle