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I always bring too many clothes. I also bring too much makeup and jewelry. Usually bring 2 bathing suits just in case I gain too much and don't like how the first one fits; I have yet to wear the 2nd swimsuit. I also usually bring something for motion sickness which I've NEVER used; decided not to bother with that on my last cruise.

I also used to bring books but never read them, so I quit doing that... considering bringing my Kindle but I really don't think I'd bother with that either.

We check everything except my purse. I fill it with my medicines and anything else we absolutely need. Everything else will be delivered to the room. For us I can't see paying for FTTF to get into our room early. We're fine hitting the buffet and having a few cocktails. We usually embark between noon and 1:00 and finally head to the room around 3ish.

We leave the prepaid tips on and usually give each of the waiters and room stewards an extra $10-20 if the service has been excellent, which it usually is. We don't usually tip the maitre d unless he/she has provided a direct service to assist us.

The bar waiters who are our "regulars" get another $10 each at the end of the cruise. If we are getting complimentary drinks in the casino we usually tip $1 for every drink and we might tip some extra cash ($1 every few drinks) to bar waiters if we have Cheers.

I sailed the Fantasy with my friends a few years ago and at the time I was really disappointed in the size. I really like the bigger ships. But now that some time has passed I think I was harsh in judging her negatively for that.

It seems it was less crowded, less lines. And we were able to get lounge chairs near the hot tubs every day! I thought the food was awesome and our waiters were very attentive.

The room steward could have been friendlier which is unusual for Carnival; I don't think I ever saw him and they usually go out of their way to make sure you are happy and know who they are. We didn't have any problems with him, just never met him. I guess we were busy enjoying our cruise when he was cleaning.

All in all it was a great cruise! I have been thinking I would never sail Fantasy class ships again but I think I should give them another chance. After all we had a great time and maybe size doesn't matter! haha

Just re-reading this thread because I have a small conflict for next year. My boyfriend (we're not married yet but might as well be) wants to cruise with me next year but so do my friends. Unfortunately I can't afford two cruises!! Would LOVE to!! And I'm not going with everyone on the same cruise... That just wouldn't work!!

It got me to thinking about how cruises are so different with him versus with the girls. I have tons of fun with him but the cruises seem more relaxed with the girls... not sure why. I know we do different things depending on whom I'm with. Brian likes the casino and specialty restaurants. The girls like the shows and hot tubs.

Decisions, decisions...

I prefer the larger ships so to me the size was a negative. Also I'm not interested in going to the Bahamas again but I suppose it's better than staying home!

On the plus side, it was less crowded so I did get more time in the pool and hot tub and had no problem getting a lounge chair near the hot tub.

Of the ships I've been on I LOVE the Liberty, love those color-changing lights! The Miracle gets honorable mention for the glass stairs up to the steakhouse. I actually walked up them... YIKES!! The Valor was my least favorite, but any atrium is better than staying home.

Technically I'm not married but I live with my boyfriend and we've been together over 5 years...

We've cruised twice together and will be cruising again next month, but last January it was a girls' cruise. There were 11 of us, my 3 adult daughters & their friend plus my friends from work. My boyfriend said there is NO way he would go near that cruise!! Sure, he wished he could cruise with me but he was perfectly ok to let me go with my friends/daughters. I was able to do things that he and I don't normally do... he doesn't like to go to shows and we have never gone down the waterslide, but I did both of those on that cruise!

I would definitely do it again!

Does anyone know if the Fantasy has those body wash and shampoo dispensers in the shower? Less things to pack.

Personally I wouldn't put three adults in a cabin but it can be done. You can take turns showering in the spa area.

 

Driving from Pitt to Charleston will be about 11 hours but you have to keep in mind January or February up your way could be a very snowy drive. I would leave at least a day before you sailaway date. Your group flying could run into weather issues as well. This past February quite a few cruises missed our Miami departures due to the snow storms in the north east. It will be chilly leaving Charleston to be up on the decks. It will be chilly all the way until you get to mid Florida at least.

 

Charleston the end of January beginning of February can be pretty cold. This is subjective since I live here and we don't usually have snow but early Feb this year we did with enough to close stuff down as we don't have any equipment for this for the roads.

 

That being said anything below 70 is cold for me and sometimes in January you can hit some 70's but it is rare. The nightime lows can be as cold as the upper teens (but not often).

As of right now we won't be worrying about more than 2 per cabin. I have 6 people who actually gave me their deposits and I booked three cabins. Still waiting on four others who said they were coming to cough up the cash. We are booked for January 28 and the price was $249!! If my other friends wait much longer they may not get as good a price but, as much as I've stressed it, I don't think they understand that. I'm the only experienced cruiser in the group...

I'll still be hoping for warmish weather in Charleston and on the way to the Bahamas, but if it's cool I'm sure we can find something to do! At least it shouldn't be as cold as Pittsburgh!

I think I'm more comfortable with driving. This past February it was rather dicey flying out of Pittsburgh on our way to Ft Lauderdale. We got a big snow storm the night before we left, but at least it wasn't one of the ones that dumped over a foot. I think we "only" got 6-8 inches that time and they didn't even delay the flights! The airport must have been used to it by then! LOL

I'm so glad this thread was started! I was "appointed" (since I have a little cruising experience and the others have none) to be in charge of booking a cruise for a bunch of friends and we have settled on Carnival Fantasy's 5 day cruise to the Bahamas out of Charleston. I've been trying to find out as much as I can before booking...

Can someone give me a comparison between an inside cabin and an ocean view cabin? I'll be sailing with up to 11 people and there will be three of us in my cabin. Just wondered if we could get away with three adults in an inside cabin or if there really would be more room in an ocean view.

How cold can I expect Charleston to be in late January or early February? I'd also love to know how cold it will be on our trip to the Bahamas but I don't think the weather can be predicted that far into the future! My hope is to be able to hang out eating and drinking outside on the Lido on Sea Days and to be able to relax on a beach and swim in the Bahamas.

Does anyone know how long it realistically takes to drive from Pittsburgh PA to Charleston? Mapquest says about 11 hrs. I'm sure that's close, add some time for meals and rest stops... just a bit nervous about getting to the port on time. A few people in our group will be flying but we have at least two who are afraid to fly and the rest of us would rather save the $230+ each for airfare. Plus it will make for a memorable trip!!

Also wondering about the "booze cruise" in Nassau that proudpatriot mentioned earlier. That sounds just like the type of excursion my group would love!