Deciding between Dream and Fantasy

I need some help in deciding between two cruises for next April.

Scenario #1

7 Day Carnival Dream out of New Orleans

Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay & Costa Maya

Scenario#2

8 Day Carnival Fantasy out of Mobile

Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay, Belize, Cozumel & Yucatan

We did the Dream last year and loved it, but have not done the Fantasy. I like the idea of an extra day and an extra port stop. I would love to hear opinions on comparing the two ships and anything else that I should think about when making this decision.

As much as I love an 8 day cruise, in this case I'd take the Dream. Fantasy is the oldest ship in the fleet and Dream is the 4th newest (if you don't count the Sunshine). I'd rather have the Dream Class amenities than the extra day. But that is just me, lots of people don't like the Dream Class.

As much as I love an 8 day cruise, in this case I'd take the Dream. Fantasy is the oldest ship in the fleet and Dream is the 4th newest (if you don't count the Sunshine). I'd rather have the Dream Class amenities than the extra day. But that is just me, lots of people don't like the Dream Class.

We loved the Dream!!

i enjoy the carnival fantasy.both are good.you must decide for yourself.

I love an 8 nighter but considering its on the Fantasy compared to the 7 night Dream definitely the Dream!

You would very likely be disappointed w Fantasy

I think it would depend on the price

I love the layout of the Dream!

Dream is much better.

For me this would all depend on the price. We loved the Dream and we are sailing on Fantasy for the first time next week. We have sailed on Elation and Inspiration before in 2006 and 2005. They were our first Carnival cruises. We got an extremely great Casino deal on the Fantasy over our anniversary next week. To be quite honest if we didn't get such a great deal we probably wouldn't have even looked at the Fantasy. But we did and we booked and we are looking forward to a nice relaxing cruise. Our expectations have been lowered from our experience on the Dream Cruise....and that is ok because we paid so much less. Hopefully she will exceed our expectations and we will come back saying we had a great Cruise like we did 2 weeks ago on the NCL Escape[emoji7].

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Fantasy has one extra day.... but with 1/8 the amenities... hands down the Dream wins that battle! After the Dream class it would be difficult to step down to a Fantasy class for a long cruise!

Looks like the Dream is $100 cheaper and you only miss a port day in Progreso. I say go Dream

For me this would all depend on the price. We loved the Dream and we are sailing on Fantasy for the first time next week. We have sailed on Elation and Inspiration before in 2006 and 2005. They were our first Carnival cruises. We got an extremely great Casino deal on the Fantasy over our anniversary next week. To be quite honest if we didn't get such a great deal we probably wouldn't have even looked at the Fantasy. But we did and we booked and we are looking forward to a nice relaxing cruise. Our expectations have been lowered from our experience on the Dream Cruise....and that is ok because we paid so much less. Hopefully she will exceed our expectations and we will come back saying we had a great Cruise like we did 2 weeks ago on the NCL Escape[emoji7].

 

 

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If you are going from the Escape to the Fantasy, I think you will be a bit disappointed. The Escape is, in my opinion, one of the nicest ships at sea and has so many amenities, while the Fantasy is over 20 years old. Of course, if the price is right, a cruise is a cruise is a cruise!

Not even close. Dream. We were on Magic (same class as Dream) earlier this year and really enjoyed the amenities, more food options and more tasteful ambiance.

Fantasy is tired, décor is beyond outdated. Easily our most mediocre cruise. Just no interest in setting foot on that class of ship again. We live 20 minutes from the port of Charleston but drive to other ports because our homeport ship is also Fantasy class (Ecstasy).

I need some help in deciding between two cruises for next April.

 

Scenario #1

 

7 Day Carnival Dream out of New Orleans

 

Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay & Costa Maya

 

 

 

Scenario#2

 

8 Day Carnival Fantasy out of Mobile

 

Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay, Belize, Cozumel & Yucatan

 

 

 

We did the Dream last year and loved it, but have not done the Fantasy. I like the idea of an extra day and an extra port stop. I would love to hear opinions on comparing the two ships and anything else that I should think about when making this decision.

Consider also that the Dream just returned from dry dock with all the new upgrades (Guy's, bonsai sushi, Alchemy, etc.). The Dream is an amazing ship even before the updates. I've sailed on her twice and had a blast both times. I recommend Dream.

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I personally did not like the Fantasy when we were on her - too "small" for us. I would definitely take Dream over Fantasy.

My opinion is probably a lot different than many on here. We have sailed on both the Dream (2011) and the Fantasy (2017). We do enjoy the larger ships for the extra amenities but we also enjoy the smaller ships for the more intimate experience - less crowds and service seems to be better sometimes. I know the Fantasy isn't as fancy and updated as the Dream but we still had a great time on her! Normally I would say do the 8 day just because it gives you an extra day but not real impressed with the extra port the Fantasy offers. If I had to pick I would pick the Dream between these 2 - but ONLY if the Blackjack Duo is going to be on the ship and not on vacation. They are wonderful and provided us with many hours of entertainment when we sailed on the Dream.

Good luck choosing and let us know what you pick.

I have been on the Dream twice and just got off of the Fantasy today.

I expected to dislike the Fantasy. We live about 45 minutes from Mobile and got a last minute deal.

I really liked the Fantasy. It is older but for the most part she’s in really good shape. The recent refurb probably helped her a lot.

I love the Dream though. It has the best spa layout I’ve seen on a ship

The Dream has great amenities - but very poor services (dining and cabin) last month. She can handle some swells in the Gulf and you won't notice due to her immense size.

The Fantasy is far too small to be comfortable for cruising across the Gulf of Mexico, if that would be required. One cruise and never, ever again.

We went on the Fantasy in July and have been on the Dream in the past and going on the Dream in December. While the Fantasy is the oldest ship we did have a great time mostly because Mikey the cruise director made the cruise so fun!!

Also, the family really didn't like that they did not have the big screen on the deck for late night movies. The fantasy just doesn't have the options the Dream does.

We are really looking forward to the Dream though.. especially since it got some upgrades this year. Guys Burgers are the best!!!

Fantasy is much smaller and not as much to explore. Depends on what you like though. Looking forward to the Dream in Dec,

Never sailed the Fantasy, but have sailed on smaller ships Freedom and Splendor, and also larger ships Dream and Magic. I would choose the Dream class all day, every day.

We have sailed on the dream multiple times and loved every cruise. But to me it would come down to price. Both new orleans and mobile are 6-7 hours from our house so we can drive to either. If the fantasy was either cheaper or the same price as the dream then it would win out because of the extra day. If it was more expensive then the dream would win. We dont mind the smaller ships been on all sizes of ships. To us cruising is about the ports more then the ships.

We went on the Fantasy in July and have been on the Dream in the past and going on the Dream in December. While the Fantasy is the oldest ship we did have a great time mostly because Mikey the cruise director made the cruise so fun!!

 

Also, the family really didn't like that they did not have the big screen on the deck for late night movies. The fantasy just doesn't have the options the Dream does.

 

We are really looking forward to the Dream though.. especially since it got some upgrades this year. Guys Burgers are the best!!!

 

Fantasy is much smaller and not as much to explore. Depends on what you like though. Looking forward to the Dream in Dec,

The Dream does have more "things to do" Out Door Movies, Water Slides etc. If you have kids they may like the Dream over the Fantasy. The Fantasy may have a better crew to guest ratio.

I have been on both ships. I find that the Dream is a much better ship than the Fantasy. And larger too.

As the ports are similar, there isn't much to distinguish there.

And the Dream is out of New Orleans. I live in NOLA, and its a much more fun port city. Many more things to do before and after your cruise!

I just went on Fantasy 2 weeks ago. I had previously been on Carnival Magic (same class as Dream). I thought I would hate it. Actually loved it. We found that we missed somethings like Alchemy bar, movie screen on lido, and the balcony (Fantasy only has balconies in suites), but I would cruise Fantasy again. We loved that it was easy to get around and there weren't as long of lines as there were on Magic. I cruise because I love being on the ocean, Fantasy provided that. We had equal food quality and service as Magic. We met some really nice people. We are trying Dream in June. I would choose Fantasy for the 8 day if it was the same price or less than the Dream 7 day, otherwise, I'd pick Dream mostly for the balcony rooms.