Refurbished Fantasy's 1st Cruise!!

[Illinoisgal]

Also forgot to mention food was good but service was just ok.they would serve each person as they were finishing the course before.dh always got shrimp and would finish quicker than my soups so they woulfd bring his meal while - was on my first course while mine sat at the station getting cool.also steward was ok but didn't give us comment cards and my son found a stale hot dog bun and very dusty wrappers on ther shelf above the pulldown.we smelled the chemical smell a few times too and no fruit punch really sucked

[jetskier]

Also forgot to mention food was good but service was just ok.they would serve each person as they were finishing the course before.dh always got shrimp and would finish quicker than my soups so they woulfd bring his meal while - was on my first course while mine sat at the station getting cool.also steward was ok but didn't give us comment cards and my son found a stale hot dog bun and very dusty wrappers on ther shelf above the pulldown.we smelled the chemical smell a few times too and no fruit punch really sucked

 

The fruit punch issue has been resolved. They are changing vendors and not all the ships have the new stores yet. Per John Heald the old fruit punch had too much sugar content and would stain teeth. They are changing suppliers.

 

Dave

[Kurbanfan]

So in order to qualify for a refund of any kind you would it would have to health/injury related:confused:

Comparing this to bad service in a restaurant:confused: I have no idea why anyone would even suffer thru bad service at a restaurant. You have a choice to walk out or speak to the manager and get it fixed.;)

That ship should have never sailed that way. Why should you be entitled to credit for a future cruise and others who maybe can't afford a future cruise be entitled to nothing:confused:

 

Wow I really messed that first sentence up:D I meant to say....so in order to qualify for a refund of any kind it would have to be health/injury related:confused:

[Illinoisgal]

The fruit punch issue has been resolved. They are changing vendors and not all the ships have the new stores yet. Per John Heald the old fruit punch had too much sugar content and would stain teeth. They are changing suppliers.

 

Dave

 

Oh good thanks for the info dave, my 9 yo was pretty put out,he has aspergers so he won't drink the lemonade as he puts it "it has shreds" meaning pulp :)

[LHP]

Oh good thanks for the info dave, my 9 yo was pretty put out,he has aspergers so he won't drink the lemonade as he puts it "it has shreds" meaning pulp :)

 

Hey girl!!! To tired to read all this now....but I will catch up tomorrow.

 

I just wanted to let you know I have Riley's Fantasy pin. Big Tex lost your cabin number and he gave it to me before we left and I told him I would mail it to you!!

 

Email me at musicalcruiser@hotmail.com with your address and I will get it in the mail to you!!

 

TIME FOR BED....I am karaoked out!!!! :D

[bonniemari]

Hey girl!!! To tired to read all this now!

 

TIME FOR BED....I am karaoked out!!!! :D

 

 

Welcome back-get some rest cause we want to hear the scoop about the Fantasy.

 

Good to hear that Karaoke was in shape-we were worried about that.

 

Rowan guess you got the Karaoke host in shape before LHP got there.

[jetskier]

Welcome Home Linda,

 

You can sleep tomorrow. Just kidding. We all anxiously await your review.

Dave

[DGP1111]

Good to hear that Karaoke was in shape-we were worried about that.

 

Rowan guess you got the Karaoke host in shape before LHP got there.

 

Either that, or Linda ran the event herself as well as performing.

And (to be quite honest) I think she could do both with success!! :p :p :p

[farler05]

Unless a passenger was injured by something on the ship due to the drydock issues, or personally affected healthwise by the smoke emission, they do not DESERVE any sort of refund. The other issues did not "ruin" anyone's cruise. They were disapointing/irritating/frustrating -but not worthy of a refund.

 

I have had bad dinners at restaurants in the past - maybe the food was okay but our server was horrendous, or perhaps some of the food took far too long to get to us and was not as good as usual. When this happens and I write a letter to the owner or manager, they don't send me a refund check, they send me a voucher for a free or discounted meal. Bottom line is, we got fed - we just didn't get the level of quality/service we'd come to expect. However, one time we were eating lunch and my husband cut his mouth on a shard of glass that had ended up in his food; he then discovered there was more on the plate. The manager comped our meal and gave us a voucher for a future meal for free.

 

I liken our cruise on the Fantasy to the first dinner situation - we received a cruise, and we enjoyed it - it was just not up to par in terms of meeting our expectations. As a result I feel we, and other passengers, should receive a future credit/discount. A passenger who woke up choking on toxic fumes, or a passenger who had a metal ceiling tile fall on their head and injure them should be given a partial refund AND, IMO, a discount on a future cruise. This person was injured through no fault of his own, and should be compensated in a much different way than someone who simply didn't enjoy his/her cruise as much as expected.

 

I think anyone who believes Carnival should give REFUNDS due to the drydock glitches is very short sighted and unable to view the situation from all angles.

If they do not get the product they were sold, then they do DESERVE some sort of refund. When I go to a restaurant & have either service or food that is not up to my standards, I speak to a manager then & there. I expect the manager to do something with my current bill, either taking a percentage off or comping the entire bill, depending upon the severity of the issues. This is what I learned working in the service industry. Not offering a discount on a future visit. But owning that the product delivered was not acceptable & compensating. I have gone back & given restaurants a second chance after they comp my meal or a percentage of my meal. But when they don't do anything or they give me a card for a free appetizer, I never go back.

 

I don't think I'm short sighted. I have a different persective, one gained in the service industry. I am more likely to go back to someplace that has dissappointed me if they didn't expect me to pay full price for a subpar product or service.

[Rowan555]

If they do not get the product they were sold, then they do deliver some sort of refund. When I go to a restaurant & have either service or food that is not up to my standards, I speak to a manager then & there. I expect the manager to do something with my current bill, either taking a percentage off or comping the entire bill, depending upon the severity of the issues. This is what I learned working in the service industry. Not offering a discount on a future visit. But owning that the product delivered was not acceptable & compensating. I have gone back & given restaurants a second chance after they comp my meal or a percentage of my meal. But when they don't do anything or they give me a card for a free appetizer, I never go back.

 

I don't think I'm short sighted. I have a different persective, one gained in the service industry. I am more likely to go back to someplace that has dissappointed me if they didn't expect me to pay full price for a subpar product or service.

 

I guess I'm just easier to please than some of you. I'm not going to demand a refund or comped meal unless something goes TERRIBLY wrong when I go out to eat. I usually don't even write a letter unless there is a major issue. I don't expect perfection, or even close to perfection, unless I'm having a $200 meal. I guess that's why I go a bit easier on Carnival as well. On Cunard my expectations might be higher. Never really thought about it, but that's probably true. I'm getting a great vacation for a really low price, so I roll with what comes my way.

[bonniemari]

I guess I'm just easier to please than some of you. I'm not going to demand a refund or comped meal unless something goes TERRIBLY wrong when I go out to eat. I usually don't even write a letter unless there is a major issue. I don't expect perfection, or even close to perfection, unless I'm having a $200 meal. I guess that's why I go a bit easier on Carnival as well. On Cunard my expectations might be higher. Never really thought about it, but that's probably true. I'm getting a great vacation for a really low price, so I roll with what comes my way.

 

Well said!!!

 

I tend to be the same way. Stuff happens and I don't let most things bother me. Keeps the stress & blood pressure levels down.

 

ETA-I will be on the Fantasy 10/23 and while I might not like it if some of the things aren't working I'll get over it. Hopefully the whole ship doesn't have the sewage smell and I can find a nice place to get away from it. And if the casino has the sewage smell I might just save some money.

[farler05]

I guess I'm just easier to please than some of you. I'm not going to demand a refund or comped meal unless something goes TERRIBLY wrong when I go out to eat. I usually don't even write a letter unless there is a major issue. I don't expect perfection, or even close to perfection, unless I'm having a $200 meal. I guess that's why I go a bit easier on Carnival as well. On Cunard my expectations might be higher. Never really thought about it, but that's probably true. I'm getting a great vacation for a really low price, so I roll with what comes my way.

I'm not saying a full refund. I rarely expect a full refund when I've had a sub-par experience in a restaurant, the entire meal has to be bad - food & service. But I do expect them to either give me something free or take a percentage off. I've had it be as simple as, "because your experience was not up to our standards, I'm going to take care of your appetizer" or take off the specific item that was sub-par. My last experience was my burger being delivered med-rare when I ordered well-done...twice. The first time, not a big deal, just sent it back. The second time it came out undercooked...not cool. My DH was done eating before I even got my meal cooked correctly. Wouldn't have been an issue if I wasn't pregnant & told not to eat med-rare beef, but I could not eat the food put in front of me. After the second time, the manager comped the burger entirely.

 

I think Carnival delivered a sub-par product & should have given some amount of refund to those who complained. They did not deliver the product they promised.

[LHP]

Hey folks...yes we are back and I was going to "try" to wait until tomorrow to post since I am EXHAUSTED (I had to drive all the way back because hubby had to work...laptop and phone).

 

I have not read ALL the posts yet....but from the ones I have read...

 

And since we have years of experience with Carnival in general and the Fantasy specifically (3 times in less than a year before the drydock)....I will say that Carnival definately goofed on this one. They rushed the ship out of dry/wet dock WAY to soon.

 

We were on the Imagination very shortly after its drydock in January and when we boarded the Imagination....it looked like a brand new ship. It was beautiful. Yes they were still tweaking things like the deli was not operational...but 98% was done. That is what I was expecting on the Fantasy.

 

I was expecting some "tweaking" to be going on...there always is....but this was far to much left undone. That did a disservice to the cruisers on board.

 

Let me say...I had a BLAST~!~! Fortunately, the items not completed are not things that I do. But while we were not as affected.....I can see how other cruisers would have been and that is a shame.

 

Our cabin still had the old carpet....not just worn but a huge chunk torn out of it like Motel 6. And while it did not affect my cruise one bit...it is just not what someone expects to see on a ship out of drydock. They did put new carpet in a cabin near ours on the first day because the glue smell is horrendous. Fortunately it did not last long....but is strong enough to knock out a good size elephant.

 

When we sailed the Fantasy in August 2007....she was in dire need of a serious facelift and sadly.....we just did not see that facelift last week.

 

Overall, I was sad to see her still in such poor condition. The Aft bank of elevators only had ONE working for most of the cruise. The Ladies bathroom outside the Majestic Lounge flooded. There was a strong sewer smell in the Forward bank of elevators and surrounding area.

 

Do I expect any compensation? Absolutely not, because personally, we were not affected. However, I can understand the disappointment. And with all the "promotion" about this Evolution of Fun ..... Carnival should not have put this ship out until it could deliver. And again, while we were not personally affected, I can see where others would have been and have very legitimate complaints.

 

The things that we experienced were simply an inconvenience that comes with traveling. But if someone had booked this cruise specificially for things like the children's waterpark etc or the hot tubs in the Adult Serenity Area that simply were not operational...then I can understand their complaints.

 

For us, again, since we had just been through this with the Imagination......it was just more of a disappointment.

 

As for the embarkation....we have sailed out of New Orleans 4 times since Dec 2006 alone and while our Cruise Critic friend Robert is ALWAYS on top of things and does an excellent job.....he is having to make up for a lot of slack from other co-workers who should get a clue. We have sailed out of most of the American ports that Carnival sails and New Orleans is consistantly the most disorganized and it is getting worse. This time it was the worst.

 

The saddest thing is that New Orleans (Julia Terminal) used to be the BEST. Back in 1998 - 2003...there was a tall older African American gentleman that ran a smooth....organized...FLAWLESS embarkation. When you walked in, you knew immediately where to sit (and you had better do EXACTLY what he said....or he would tell you quick). When he said row one stand...that better be the ONLY row that stood or he would sit you down QUICK!!

 

This precision and order has not been seen by us in Erato.

 

The biggest complaint is there are always 2 or three ladies who are doing more talking to EACH OTHER than their job!!! Lots of folks who were not VIP were sitting in the VIP section and boarded with us (the Red chairs this time) and this has happened every time we sailed out of there.

 

We did not even get a Sail and Sign card. We had to walk on with a sticker on our shirt and then go stand in another line at the Purser's Desk to get our Sail and Sign...and we are Milestone Reward Members. If you can't treat folks who have sailed with you 25 times any better than that......that is sad. Again, Robert does a great job....but he can't do it all by himself. (although he tried....he works debark and then works embark)

 

Now I don't know what caused the delay.....but I can tell you that this lack of organization truly adds to the chaos and does not start your cruise with a stress free feeling.

 

Now debarkation this time (once we entered the terminal) was excellent for us. The self assist debarkation ON THE SHIP was a joke. They "forgot" the Platinum Self Assist and the lobby was so packed with people who were not suppose to be there that the ENTIRE port side of Empress was BLOCKED. People could not walk from their Empress cabins (forward) to the Purser's desk. One family who had a son in a wheelchair, could not get into the lobby (where they were suppose to be) to debark because of the chaos and crowding. I can't believe that Customs did not throw a fit. Usually if that kind of chaos happens in the lobby, they will stop debarkation. We were suppose to be in the Lobby Port side at 7AM and by the time we got there at 6:45am....it was packed with people who were not Platinum. I have never seen anything like it. But again, once we got off the ship....the terminal folks did an excellent job getting us through Customs....but you know who runs that....our Cruise Critic Robert!!! So he was on the ball!!!

 

The bottom line is that we had a blast. We definately got our money's worth. And while I will be talking to some corporate folks... it will not be for any compensation. I will only be doing it so that when we go back in January (and February)....it will work correctly!! The only reason I write letters is to make my next cruise a better one.

 

Karaoke equipment worked wonderfully....so you know I was happy. The Karaoke Host was EXCELLENT and turned out that we have a mutual dear friend.....which was even more exciting.

 

Piano Bar entertainer ROCKED!!!!

 

Music Manilla ROCKED!!!

 

There were enough positives to make my cruise complete!!!! But I can see where Carnival fell very short in areas that just don't happen to be things that we use.

 

Ok....I will read some more later.....I am TIRED...must go to sleep. :o

[Kurbanfan]

I guess I'm just easier to please than some of you. I'm not going to demand a refund or comped meal unless something goes TERRIBLY wrong when I go out to eat. I usually don't even write a letter unless there is a major issue. I don't expect perfection, or even close to perfection, unless I'm having a $200 meal. I guess that's why I go a bit easier on Carnival as well. On Cunard my expectations might be higher. Never really thought about it, but that's probably true. I'm getting a great vacation for a really low price, so I roll with what comes my way.

 

 

Oh now I get it:p

[Illinoisgal]

Thanks girl, I wondered what big tex had done! He was a good cd for sure.metting and hanging out was awesome.ill email ya tommorrow "rally" says hi.did u ever find your mug? And yes linda was the kareoke princess every night!!

[jetskier]

SHE"S LEAVING,,,,,,FINALLY. 8:55pm

 

Dave

[Rok4u2]

Thanks for the compliment. Does that mean I get a raise from my $5.00/hr pay? :p

[Rowan555]

Well said!!!

 

I tend to be the same way. Stuff happens and I don't let most things bother me. Keeps the stress & blood pressure levels down.

 

ETA-I will be on the Fantasy 10/23 and while I might not like it if some of the things aren't working I'll get over it. Hopefully the whole ship doesn't have the sewage smell and I can find a nice place to get away from it. And if the casino has the sewage smell I might just save some money.

 

 

I have to say that we noticed the smell ONLY in two spots on the ship - it was NEVER all over the ship. Now it may have been in some of the stateroom corridors, I can't speak to that - we were on Empress - but as far as the public areas, it was not as bad as people made it out to be. Gross and annoying? Yes! But not all over the ship, EVER.

[jetskier]

Thanks for the compliment. Does that mean I get a raise from my $5.00/hr pay? :p

 

She could have at least got you a carton of cigarettes. :p See you in 19 days.

Dave

[farler05]

I guess I'm just easier to please than some of you. I'm not going to demand a refund or comped meal unless something goes TERRIBLY wrong when I go out to eat. I usually don't even write a letter unless there is a major issue. I don't expect perfection, or even close to perfection, unless I'm having a $200 meal. I guess that's why I go a bit easier on Carnival as well. On Cunard my expectations might be higher. Never really thought about it, but that's probably true. I'm getting a great vacation for a really low price, so I roll with what comes my way.

I had to come back to this. I was raised to expect what I paid for & not be satisfied with less. When I go out to eat, I expect to get what I pay for, it doesn't matter if it's a $200 meal or a $20 meal. Now of course my expectations are lower with a $20 meal. But I still expect to get exactly what I'm paying for & will not be satisfied if I don't. I expect my fries at McD's to be hot, not cold. When I order my burger without ketchup, then it shouldn't have ketchup on it. When people don't hold service providers to these expectations, that is when standards begin to slip. Quality deteriorates when you're willing to accept less than what you've paid for. And those who demand exactly what they've paid for or some sort of refund are seen as bitchy or overly demanding because so many are willing to accept less. I don't expect perfection & am willing to give an opportunity to make things right when they're wrong. But...I'm only willing to accept so many things wrong or give so many chances.

[bonniemari]

I have to say that we noticed the smell ONLY in two spots on the ship - it was NEVER all over the ship. Now it may have been in some of the stateroom corridors, I can't speak to that - we were on Empress - but as far as the public areas, it was not as bad as people made it out to be. Gross and annoying? Yes! But not all over the ship, EVER.

 

We are also on the Empress deck so that is nice to know.

 

Empress deck-no smell

Casino-no smell

Dining Room-no smell

Lido Deck-no smell

Cozumel-no smell

 

Looks like I am good to go.

 

I've smelt that sewage smell in the corridors on the Holiday a couple of times. I just held my breath and hurried along.

[bonniemari]

She could have at least got you a carton of cigarettes. :p See you in 19 days.

Dave

 

I'd be more than happy to bring him back a carton of cigs-but oh no, once again he's off on another world juant when I am cruise out of NOLA next week.

[BamaCruiser20]

Just like Illinosgirl and LHP, I just got back from the second sailing of the Fantasy. Yeah, embarkation took a while, but, we were on the ship about 1:15 and our rooms were ALMOST done. We put our stuff in and left so the rest of the work could be finished while we went to lunch.

 

I did notice at that time the WaterWorks area wasn't working, but most people weren't on board yet, so I didn't think anything about it. We did sail approximately an hour late. I looked over around 4:00pm and MOST all of the luggage was still sitting on the dock. However, we had our suitcases about 30 mins after we sailed. So, no problem there.

 

I did notice that one aft elevator which kept stopping a few inches above or below the floor....so, we decided to skip that one. Also, the lobby elevators were acting weird...but, we take the steps most of the time, so didn't bother me any. I never smelled any sewer smell....or at least no more sewer smell than I've ever smelled on any other ship. However, I never went lower than the Upper deck, so maybe it was more of a problem on the lower decks...don't know.

 

Our room was clean, with an excellent steward. The only problem with our cabin was the A/C vent was missing...so, we basically had a hole in the ceiling where the air came in...but, we always open the vent as far as it will go to get it as cool as possible...so, in the long run, this worked out great.

 

Only one of the hot tubs on the Serenity deck was working; but, they are new...so, sometimes things don't work right out of the box. The main complaint I had with the Serenity area was the children in the one working hot tub. HELLO!!! What is serene about 3 or 4 year old children shreking and squealing while treating a hot tub as a swimming pool. On a side note, this is always my major complaint with Carnival....they make rules and then don't enforce them. Anyways, back on subject...the Serenity area was fine, even with the mesh chairs. I do love the new chairs....no more searching for one that doesn't fall apart everytime you move. The new palm trees and lights that change colors around the main pool were fantastic and gave a much more festive look to the area. The removal of the slide from the main pool opened up that area and made it feel so much larger.

 

The food in the dining room was excellent. We eat breakfast and dinner in the dining room and just snack for lunch as we are too busy drinking and playing the pool during the middle of the day to stop and eat. We ate lido Saturday night b/c we didn't go to the dining room in order to watch the LSU/Florida football game on Lido. The food was good that night...as good as you can expect buffet food to be....it is, afterall, a buffet.

 

Disembarkation actually went smoother than it did last time I was on the Fantasy in March. We do not do self disembark b/c I have no desire to try to carry all that crap off in an effort to leave a ship earlier than I have to leave. We had a leisurely b'fast on the aft deck outside the Lido buffet. Then went down to the comfy chaise lounges on Promenade where we sat and talked about all the fun we had over the last four days. We were off the ship and in the car around 11:30.

 

All in all, I suppose there were things that weren't finished and things that still needed to be fixed or spruced up. But, I have never been on a ship that didn't have a few issues. We had four first time cruisers who are now hooked and had planned the next one by the time we got home. So, it couldn't have been all that bad. Guess it just all depends on where you were looking and how you looked at it. The way I look at it is that I would rather be on a cruise ship with an elevator that isn't working or a drink machine with no fruit punch than at work.

[halos]

I have to say that we noticed the smell ONLY in two spots on the ship - it was NEVER all over the ship. Now it may have been in some of the stateroom corridors, I can't speak to that - we were on Empress - but as far as the public areas, it was not as bad as people made it out to be. Gross and annoying? Yes! But not all over the ship, EVER.

 

 

Thank God for that!!

I have run into that smell on several ships and it is gross and all I kept imagining was that it was all throughout the Fantasy.

 

LHP..thanks for the quick review. :) I was dying to hear from you!!

I hope they get these bugs worked out soon.

 

We had four first time cruisers who are now hooked and had planned the next one by the time we got home. So, it couldn't have been all that bad. Guess it just all depends on where you were looking and how you looked at it. The way I look at it is that I would rather be on a cruise ship with an elevator that isn't working or a drink machine with no fruit punch than at work.

 

~Phew~...starting to feel a bit better...thanks!!

[triciawrites]

I have been reading all the posts associated with Fantasy, especially after the dry dock. I am so glad to read that things are looking up. We have 6 total in our group leaving on Novemeber 29th. 3 are new cruisers.

 

Does anyone have any pic's of the Category 12 after the dry dock?

We have a suite and are looking forward to the balcony.