Fantasy Review April 30, 2007

[sdwilson]

Fantasy Review April 30, 2007

 

This was our 5th Carnival Cruise. DH and I traveled with our 6 month old son.

 

Embarkation: We arrived at the Port of New Orleans for boarding around 10:30 AM. We immediately went to the taxi drop off area to unload. We unloaded all of our luggage (6 pieces) with the porter (tipped $20, it was heavy stuff) and then proceeded to the parking garage (cost was $70 for 5 day). We were told at the entrance that we could have waited to unload the luggage in the parking garage. But we had already took care of that so we went to park. We were parked on the 4th level. We took the elevators down to level 2 for boarding. The garage was very nice, new and clean.

 

We did have VIP Priority boarding and were sent to the front of the security line. Which was very nice. We by-passed a lot of folks. We took aboard with us the baby stroller, which we had to collapse and send through the x-ray and a duffle bag with all the baby's food and stuff. The duffle bag had to be opened and the contents taken out to search, b/c it had cans in there. It was formula for baby, but of course, security assumed it was alcohol... we were through security in about 10 minutes after all that.

 

We then proceeded to the VIP Priority Boarding Lounge. There we went straight to the desk and had a seat. The attendant took all of our documents and issued our Sign and Sail Cards.

 

She then escorted us to the picture line and then on to the line to board the ship. Once we reached this point they scanned my card, it was fine. Then they scanned the baby's card, and it was fine. Then the scanned DH's card and he was detained until a security officer could come and take him downstairs. They would not tell us why!!! We asked, but were not told, just that he must go back downstairs.

 

The officer came and told me and the baby to stay put and the DH must follow her. He asked her repeatly why he was being taken "downstairs", she would not tell him until they got there. It was to search his bag. They had found something they claimed to be suspicious. IT WAS DIVE EQUIPMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B/c it contained metal, it had to be searched, then he had to carry this 50 lbs dive gear in the ship himself. They would not check it with our other bags. So about 15 minutes later, he was allowed to come back up to meet us and we were allowed to enter the ship.

 

We were aboard about 11:30AM

 

Note: You must continually tell the Carnival reps that you have VIP Check-In, b/c they send out to the wrong line, if not.

 

 

Stateroom: We had a Veranda Deck cabin, Cat. 11 Suite w/ Balcony. This was unlike any other suite I have stayed in. I would not classify this a suite. It was very small and the balcony was even smaller.

 

Balcony- Basically, it was standing room only. We had two chairs, but there wasn't any room for your feet if you sat in them, you had to out your feet up on the railings. We also had an very obstructed view. We did expect some obstructed view, but we really had no view at all except for the deck below us. The balcony was not private either, anyone walking on the deck below could look up and see everything on our balcony. We were dissappointed to have paid extra for the balcony aboard the Fantasy.

 

Room- Very small. We had a queen bed (it was comfortable) and a small couch, with coffee table. We had to put the portable crib we brought for the baby at the foot of the bed, there was no room for it anywhere else. It had to block the balcony door. So we had a tight fit. Our luggage would not fit under the bed either, it was took thick so we lined it up in front of the window. We were packed in there like sardines!!! The room steward cmae to meet us within the first few minutes, other than that, we rarely seen her. On the first night, we realized our refrigerator was not working, we called and they brought a brand new one. The steward made sure we had ice everyday, and towel animals. I had also asked for extra towels and we recieved those everyday as well. Our only complaint with the room was the size, and the room was not taken care of, the cabinets didn't close and the furniture & carpets were dirty.

 

Bathroom- NO BATHTUB!!! This was the biggest disapointment!! I thought all suites had tubs!!!! Not this one!!!

 

Dining Room: We were assigned to the Jubilee Dining Room. It was very nice and open. We had a booth for six and were sat with another couple and their 3 year old son. We had plenty of room beside the booth for the baby's stroller and for the wait staff to still get to the table.

 

The wait staff could have been better but I guess it was ok, b/c the food was always good. The one thing that did shock me was that there were no special thinsg for the 3 year old. No smaller cup, no menu, no booster seat, nothing. I thought Carnival catered to kids!!!!

 

We also had no special service in the dining room that we had on previous ships. I asked for cocktail sauce- I was told NO!! That I couldn't have any, That was a first for me while cruising. If we asked for anything, we were told sorry and the waiter just smiled. No steak sauce, cocktail sauce, etc... And we had to constantly ask for bread and drinks. It was a totally different dining room experience for us.

 

Entertainment- We did attend three shows. They were all shows we had seen aboard other Carnival ships. They were good though. We did not go to any bars or lounges, so I can't comment on those. We did play Bingo and it was a lot of fun, they are very entertaining. We seen the Newlywed Game show and we loved it. A cruise is not a cruise without seeing that!!! It was so funny!!! We liked all the pool games too!

 

Pools- The Main pool was always crowded as usual, the Adult only pool was good, but we had the baby. We went to the Children's Pool area on the Promende deck. It was nice and not very crowded, but there is not drink service there. But then again, it wasn't much drink service anywhere.

 

Lido Food - The hamburgers and hot dogs were great!! The pizza and ice cream were also great!! The Lido deck buffet wasn't great, but then I didn't expect it to be. It had a theme everyday and I enjoyed the Italian and American days the best.

 

Overall: The ship just felt OLD!!!! The service wasn't what we've had in the past. No cruise is a bad cruise, but it could have been so much nicer!!!