Fantasy Valentine's Cruise

So excited as this is my first review! I have been on 14 Carnival cruises and have always wanted to write one but never actually did it. I am doing this for two reasons - I get so much value from the reviews I have read so figure it was only fair to share my experiences and I want to make sure the Fantasy gets some kudos!

I booked this cruise about 5 months ago for me and my DH. 6 friends also joined us on the trip. We all live in Ohio so planned to drive to Mobile. Everyone except me stayed with that plan. 4 days before the cruise I had to go to unexpected meetings in NY so ended up flying to Mobile the night before the cruise. DH and I stayed about 10 miles from the port at a Town Place Suites. The hotel was just ok. Hotel was older and bed was small but it worked for just the one night. Our friends stayed at the TownePlace Suites and had no complaints.

Saturday morning we got up, had breakfast, made the required pre-cruise stop at Walmart and then headed to the port. Because I am platinum and we have priority boarding we arrived at 11 as we thought that would be plenty of time. What we did not account for is the traffic trying to get into the on site parking garage. It took us about 40 minutes to get into the garage which was crazy! The garage is right next to the terminal so very convenient however they need to figure out how to get cars in faster. Once we entered the garage we dropped our bags with the porter before even finding a parking spot which is very convenient! We just ended up having to carry on our 24 pack of soda and 2 bottles of wine. We had pre-paid parking online so the next stop for us was the ship!

Since we waited so long to park we missed priority boarding but still were able to skip a lot of lines to get checked in and head towards the gangway. Speaking of the gangway....it is pretty long and uphill so if you have trouble walking this could be a bit challenging so ask for help. We saw some guests struggling.

We were finally on board around 12! In Mobile you enter the ship on the Empress deck - which worked out great for us as our room was on that deck and we were able to drop things off in our room - another Platinum perk. (Let me stop here and say that I don't want to appear as though I am bragging about platinum as that is not the case but want to be clear when something is not done for everyone to avoid confusion -especially those first time cruisers.). Next stop Lido deck!

Once we got to the Lido deck we got our Fun Ship special drinks and got in line to get my DH a bottomless bubbles card. He is a big soda drinker so he always gets his money worth. We then went to get Guys Burgers! The burger was just as good as I remembered, as were the fries! Yum!

We then just hung out while waiting

for our friends to board. Because

they did a park and cruise package they had to wait at their hotel for a shuttle. They ended up getting on board around 1. We had all ordered matching tees from Custom Cruise

Wear so my priority was to get a group picture - which we did. The next few hours were spent unpacking, drinking more fun ship specials and waiting to muster.

Our muster station was F and the easiest ever as we just sat on the Lido deck and never had to go stand by the life boats. We then sailed away! Woohoo! Goodbye reality and Hello vacation!

At 5 we participated in the sail away dance party which was a lot of fun. I am getting older so don't get to dance a lot so take full advantage of these opportunities on board!! This was also our first time meeting Mike, the cruise

director.

We had early dining in the Jubilee dining room so went there after the dance party. Our group of 8 was at a table for 10 with another couple. Our waiter Marija and her team were amazing from day one.

After dinner we spent time in the casino and also went to one of the comedy shows. The comedian was really funny and had us all laughing. Next day is a sea day!

We woke up Sunday morning and headed to the dining room for the Sea Day brunch. My husband is in love with the pork chop they serve so didn't want to miss it. We enjoyed the food as we planned our day.

After brunch we headed to the Lido deck for some relaxation in the sun. The weather was gorgeous!! We were able to find chairs up by the Waterworks area. We also spent time that afternoon shopping and playing in the casino. I also was part of a Facebook group that got together that afternoon for our meet and greet which was fun too!

Formal night was this day as well so we got ready for that and headed out around 545 for pictures and then dinner. Since the cruise is a 5 day we did mot have lobster so i had prime rib and grilled shrimp.

After dinner we went to the Motown show which was ok and then back

to the casino. I went to bed around 11

which is early for me but since we had a busy day planned in Progeao

I wanted to make sure I was not too tired to enjoy it!

Thanks for the review.

I am enjoying this review.thanks:cool:

We were on Valor, and got a few photos of your ship! If I remember, I'll share them with you when I get a chance!

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Nice following your review.

Enjoying your review. Thanks for posting! :)

We were also on this cruise and had a fabulous time. Mike pack was not regularly scheduled to be the cruise director. His goal was to provide ideas and training to classy cassie who seriously needs to step it up.

On Monday we docked in Progrwso. I had read mixed reviews of this poet so wasn't sure what to expect. We had booked a private tour with Lawson's Tours so needed to take the free bus from the port to the town to meet our guide. There is not much at the pier so you either need to book an excursion or go into town for something to do. Our bus ride was uneventful and the only complaint I would have is the "commercial" they do advertising the tours the bus company offers prior to letting you off the bus.

Once we got off the bus we had to meet our tour driver and guide. We got lost trying to find them but eventually did and got to wander and sightsee Peogreso in the process.

When we boarded the van we were offered cold drinks to cool down and then we were off. Our first stop on the tour was the Mayapam Mayan ruins. The ruins were about 60 minutes from the port which is much closer than the others. Mayapam is a Mayan city with several buildings and temples. It was not crowded at all - in fact there were less than 10 other people. At this site you can climb the ruins which we did!! Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information regarding this site. We

were there about an 60 minutes before heading back to the van. Before leaving we were treated with a fresh mango snack that was delicious and refreshing!

From there we headed to a cenote for a swim. For those that don't know, a cenote is a subterranean fresh water pool where limerock has collapsed to expose the underground water. We travelled down a long dirt road to the location that looked like nothing however when we looked over the edge we were amazed at the beauty! We had to walk down about two flights of stairs down a cliff to get to the bottom which was a little scary to me! At the bottom you could jump into the water from the ledge, climb a ladder or swing off a rope like Tarzan. At the prompting of my friends I swung in which was a lot of fun! We were able to swim in this crystal clear water for about an hour! As we were leaving another group arrived but until then it was just us. It was amazing and beautiful!

From the Cenote we then headed to the home of a Mayan family for lunch. Our lunch consisted of grilled pork tacos, lots of sauces and chips. Again it was just us! It was awesome to be there meeting the family and seeing the grandma making home made tortillas. The food was good too!

From there it was time to head back to the ship. Luckily the port allows tour buses to drop passengers off at the ship so we did not need to take the public bus again which saved some time for shopping! We were able to buy some souvenirs and have a Mexican beer before boarding.

Once back on board a friend and I went and hung in the hot tub on the Serenity deck for our sail away and relax before dinner.

That evening we went to the comedy club again and had more casino time. This day was truly amazing and I would recommend Lawson Tours 100 percent!!

Tomorrow is Cozumel!

Thanks for trip report. I saw someone else off the Fantasy mention that they didn't have a hair dryer in their cabin. Did you have a hair dryer in your cabin?

Thanks for the review. We are on the fantasy in April and I have been trying to find some reviews. Were were on her in 2007 out of New Orleans but that was before guys and waterworks. I have heard the food was not as good as on other ships. Did you have any issues with the food?

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From the Cenote we then headed to the home of a Mayan family for lunch. Our lunch consisted of grilled pork tacos, lots of sauces and chips. Again it was just us! It was awesome to be there meeting the family and seeing the grandma making home made tortillas. The food was good too!

This is the kind of tour I like to join. Having a feel on how others live by immersing with them.

ejoyed the pictures.thanks:cool:

Thanks for trip report. I saw someone else off the Fantasy mention that they didn't have a hair dryer in their cabin. Did you have a hair dryer in your cabin?

We did not. Luckily I knew that before so I brought one. I did hear someone ask the Room Steward for one so apparently the ship has them to borrow.

This is the kind of tour I like to join. Having a feel on how others live by immersing with them.

It was very cool and not something we expected!

We were on Valor, and got a few photos of your ship! If I remember, I'll share them with you when I get a chance!

 

 

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I think I have pictures of your ship too!

The rest are on my camera, I haven't uploaded them yet!

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Thanks for the review.

thanks for the review.looking forward to the rest of the review.:cool:

Thanks for trip report. I saw someone else off the Fantasy mention that they didn't have a hair dryer in their cabin. Did you have a hair dryer in your cabin?

I was on Fantasy the beginning of this month, and we didn't have a hair dryer either. I asked the steward for one and he brought it right away.

We will be on the Dream on 4/30/17 also, we are from Atlanta as well

I was also on this cruise from the 11th to the 16th. our anniversary the 14th. might have met you, but with no pics not sure. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed all so much. it was our 1st cruise and I hope to do another. I brought my own hair dryer and curling iron. I didn't know they weren't allowed, but they let us through after scanning our bags so I guess it was all good. The last day of sailing was a bit cold coming back to Mobile and a bit rolling waves but I loved it.

We were on Valor, and got a few photos of your ship! If I remember, I'll share them with you when I get a chance!

 

 

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We met a couple from Valor in Progresso since your ship came in late due to some delays. Had a great day with them. Friends forever