June 2012 Carnival Fantasy Review With Pictures

[SouthKakalaki]

Day 3 Nassau, Bahamas

The day started out earlier than I anticipated. I was awake at 4:00 am and couldn’t sleep so I decided to get up and take some pictures. I managed to capture a beautiful sunrise and our ship entering the port of Nassau. Stay tuned for my time lapse video that I will post later.

I brought two cameras with me to take pictures. One is a sony point and shoot and the other is a Canon T3. I had a problem with the dslr fogging up after being inside for a while. My fix was to go to a restroom and use the high speed hand dryers to get rid of the condensation.

Once the family got up and going we decided to go to the Sheraton Resort on the west side of the Nassau. They offer a day pass for $25.00 a head that included use of their entire facility, snorkel gear, kayaking, and bouncy trampoline thing in the ocean. It did not include lunch though and lunch at the resort set us back $70 with tips. The food was very good. We traveled to the Sheraton on the #10 Jitney which is a public bus. The bus was not air conditioned and the driver would leave the entrance door open after a passenger boarded. If he would stop suddenly the door would slam close on its own. Some might call it “sketchy”. I didn't care though, I like to consider it part of the adventure and it helped with the air flow.

A good shot of the fantasy at port in Nassau. There would end up being 4 carnival ships in port this day.

A shot of the family courtesy of another passenger.

I have another picture of us all smiling that I took after this one, but the "all smiles" really didn't tell the story of this bus ride. I overheard the DW say ewww while boarding but on the bright side it only costs $1.25 pp for a one way ride. This is not the case for all of the buses which you will see for the ride back.

A view of Junkanoo Beach from the bus

A shot of the resorts from the bus

[SouthKakalaki]

 

Our first view of the Sheraton from the bus.

 

 

A shot of the beach area with the resort in the distance.

 

 

The swim up bar pool next to the beach

 

 

The grotto pool. There will be more pictures of this area when we get our water proof camera pictures back.

 

 

The other end of the grotto area with another water fall on the brick wall in the background. This resort was well maintained.

[SouthKakalaki]

 

This is where you can get the snorkel gear and kayaks. It is included in the price of admission but make sure you have some cash on hand because they required a $25 per item refundable deposit.

 

 

A view of a distant island and swim area. The life guard on duty said the island was a sandals resort but i cannot confirm or deny this. Snokeling was not great but we did see fish once we swam out to the rocks. I don't know what kind, they were very colorful. The water was not that deep at any location.

 

 

The kiddos playing in the ocean.

 

 

The kayaks were alot of fun. Wish they let you go a little further to explore.

 

 

The kiddos on the trampoline.

 

 

The family having a great time in the clear blue ocean.

[SouthKakalaki]

After spending about 5 hours at the resort we decided we had had enough of the sand and sun. We caught the #10 Jitney back to the downtown area.

 

 

 

 

The family was all smiles to get a bus that was newer and had air conditioning. There was another passenger on the bus that made this ride entertaining. She would tell everyone boarding "welcome to the fun bus" very enthusiastically!

Once back to downtown we stopped by Senor Frogs to get a few pictures out front. I have been in this place a couple of other times and didn't see a need to go back inside. We left there and walked around Bay street to shop for t-shirts and other souvenirs.

 

A view of the ocean from the bus.

 

 

 

 

High FOUR!

 

 

DD posing in the junkanoo outfit they have set up in the port shop area.

[SouthKakalaki]

The family was taking a little longer shopping than I could take so I went back to the ship a little earlier than the rest of the family. Once back on ship I got me a few beers on the Lido and watched the men vs. women synchronized swim competition that was taking place. The women went first and they were pretty good, but then it was the men’s turn and they had me rolling with their routine. It is one of those you had to be there. At 5 o’clock the wife and I went to the past guest party. I could write a long complaint about this party but I am not the complaining type so I’ll just leave it alone. They had this party in the universe lounge and probably a couple hundred people showed up. The drinks were free but watered down and the snacks were pretty good. We had a chance to meet Risa, the cruise director, before the show began and come to find out she graduated high school with my wife grew up about a mile from me. Small world.

After the past guest party we went to dinner in the MDR again. I had steak again and for dessert I had, drum roll please, THE chocolate melting cake! Surprised you, didn't I? The servers provided entertainment with a sing-a-along again. Not sure of the name of the song but it’s a popular rap song (Low, Low, Low or something like that). Most guests liked it and this time the crew seemed to be feeling it also. We left Nassau while we were eating so no pics of our port departure. Tonight’s entertainment was either the casino or piano playing by Angela. No show in the universe lounge that I am aware of. I think they did a karaoke in the universe lounge with the band playing the music. We decided to listen to Angela for a couple of hours and then we retired for the evening.

During the sing a long song everyone in the dining room (or maybe it was just us :eek:) pulled out there napkins and started to do the lasso. Very funny

 

After dinner I noticed this water spout in the far distance. I'm glad we avoided this storm.

DD with Angela's feathers. The kiddos joined the wife and I in the piano lounge this night. This was a family friendly place.

A shot of the Lido after hours

[Yankeegirl]

I am only on page one...loving it! My first cruise was on the Fantasy! Had to subscribe, beautiful family!:) Going back to catch up...HAHA:D

[CarolinaSmiles]

Never been to the Bahamas on a cruise. We are also from the great state of ... God's Country (SC). Any suggestions for the excursions ?

[SouthKakalaki]

Day 4 Freeport, Bahamas

Freeport started off with about a twenty minute bus ride ($10 pp round trip) from the port to Lucaya Marketplace. Our bus driver “Warren G” as he called himself was great and informative. His van thankfully had air conditioning and was comfortable. I was co-captain which meant nothing other than I got to ride shotgun. This was great because I recorded the entire ride on my video camera.

Today’s agenda was to just hang out on the beach, so we decided to try the free beach that is just across from the Lucaya marketplace. Not sure if this beach has a name but if you follow along with the pictures you can see where it is. We had the beach to mostly ourselves when we first arrived (9ish). The sand was much finer than at the Sheraton in Nassau and the locals were very friendly. We brought our snorkel and mask and played in the water for a little while before going up to Billy Joes for some beers and Conch fritters. They had music playing and it became quite busy later in the afternoon.

The sunrise was quite beautiful entering Freeport. For those that has never been to Freeport, don't expect to see paradise at the port. This is an industrial port. The comedian joked about this later in the evening.

The beach is not far from Lucaya market place. Go across the street and walk until you get to the police station.

Police station

Take a left right beside the police station and go towards the gates.

At the gates follow the dirt path just to the right.

Once past the fenced part of the path it opens up and your next to a resort.

[SouthKakalaki]

I am only on page one...loving it! My first cruise was on the Fantasy! Had to subscribe, beautiful family!:) Going back to catch up...HAHA:D

 

Thanks Yankeegirl, I hope you enjoy it!

[SouthKakalaki]

Never been to the Bahamas on a cruise. We are also from the great state of ... God's Country (SC). Any suggestions for the excursions ?

 

I have snorkeled in the bahamas, rode jeeps in St. Thomas, Snuba'ed in St. Marteen, rode scooters in Freeport. Those were my experiences. I had a great time doing each. If I had more money I would probably do a fishing excursion, parasail, and ride jetski's. Hope this helps.

[Amadawn1]

I'm really enjoying your review and pictures! Can't wait to read the next installment!

 

Thanks!

[SouthKakalaki]

 

 

 

Billy Joe's Conch Shack

 

The other side of Billy Joes

 

 

There was a sign posted that said no swimming in front of Billy Joes. This is for safety because they had boats and jetski's for rent and they were coming and going all afternoon. If you tried to go past the rocks on the beach in the far distance there was a guard who stopped you unless you paid for a day pass at the resort. The area to my rear when I took this photo was public and this is where everyone was at.

 

When we arrived we had the beach pretty much to ourselves minus a few others. Later in the day it became quite busy at this location.

 

This is "our spot" looking back towards Billy Joes. There was a outgoing tide when we arrived but the amount of beach didn't change much at low tide around noon.

[SouthKakalaki]

 

The water was clear and cool and the beers were cold and tasty!

 

 

 

[lauraezzell]

Love the review so far! It's great to see a review of the Fantasy!

[SouthKakalaki]

Love the review so far! It's great to see a review of the Fantasy!

 

Thanks Laura, glad your enjoying it.

[SouthKakalaki]

 

This is the bar area of Billy Joes

 

The area to order food is along the side

 

 

 

I have never had conch fritters before but these were tasty.

 

[SouthKakalaki]

This is how crowded the beach was when we left.

Around 2pm we decided to walk back to the Lucaya marketplace and shop for souvenirs. I had a conversation with one of the locals that told me if the cruise ships were not coming business would be very bad. I strolled around but didn’t find anything that I needed.

We rode another bus from the market to the ship and arrived around 3ish. The family wanted to shop more at the pier so I made my way back to the ship by myself. I showered and wandered up to the lido bar for some beers and to watch the golf tournament they were showing on the tv. We were scheduled to leave port at 5pm but it was announced that we wouldn’t be leaving until 8pm due to divers needing extra time to work on the ship. That was fine with me because I wanted to get some photos of us leaving port with the sun setting.

The sun setting in Freeport

For our evening dinner we ate in the MDR but I don't really remember anything about this night other than we were there. The staff didn't do any entertaining like past evenings.

The wife and I attended one of the comedy shows by “Azeem”after dinner. He was quite funny and he gave the front row folks hell. After the show we went to the late Mexican buffet for an evening snack. With our bellies full we went back to our cabin and went fast asleep.

[SouthKakalaki]

Day 5 Fun Day At Sea

Today’s chair hogs were out in numbers today. We didn’t mind so much because we were able to find a great place in the shade and still could people watch. Having spent the last four days in the sun it was taking a toll on all of us. The day was so relaxing with my time spent reading and napping. I remember sitting in my chair thinking that I wish this was not the last day L.

The morning sunrise for the last day

Our shady spot overlooking the Lido.

My souvenire cup...

The Family

We had a surprise waiting for us in our cabin courtesy of Risa Barnes our cruise director.

They were yummy!

[Tennessee Rose]

Love your review and fabulous photos. My 1st ever cruise was on Fantasy & she holds a special place in my heart! She was in Mobile at that time.

[SouthKakalaki]

Our last dinner in the MDR was entertaining with a farewell song by the wait staff. I had the Mahi Mahi which I thoroughly enjoyed and chocolate melting cake one more time. Towards the end of dinner the staff played a quick hip hop song which had everyone lassoing with their napkins again. After dinner we took some family pictures out and about the ship and I caught a great sunset on camera. The last show for the cruise (Ticket to Ride) was a Beatles tribute and the same one we saw last year. I think I enjoyed it even more this time. After the show we put our luggage out by the door and then we proceeded to Cat’s lounge for some more music by Music Boardwalk. We closed the Cats lounge down and hung out by the 21st Century bar with some fellow South Carolinians. Some time that evening we made it back to our room and fell fast asleep.

My DS and I in the MDR...

Mahi Mahi....very good.

Let the Lassoing begin...

I thought about taking my shirt off and swinging it but I didn't think it would be appropriate...LOL

[dustanltye]

Loving your review! Awesome Job!. Leaving on the Fantasy 7/15 and can't wait!

[Yankeegirl]

SouthKakalaki ~ Thank you sooo much for the info on Freeport. We have never been there but it is a stop on our upcoming cruise and we are having a hard time deciding what to do. We have a 4yr old (he will be almost 6 when we sail) and he LOVES just hanging out on the beach so this definitely may be where we spend our day!:D

 

Side Note: My DH was born in Beaufort, actually at Parris Island, and we have talked about heading that way for a "Land/Sea vacation". Visit his hometown and then cruise out of Charleston!:)

[SouthKakalaki]

Love your review and fabulous photos. My 1st ever cruise was on Fantasy & she holds a special place in my heart! She was in Mobile at that time.

 

Thanks Tennessee Rose, we like her too!

[SouthKakalaki]

SouthKakalaki ~ Thank you sooo much for the info on Freeport. We have never been there but it is a stop on our upcoming cruise and we are having a hard time deciding what to do. We have a 4yr old (he will be almost 6 when we sail) and he LOVES just hanging out on the beach so this definitely may be where we spend our day!:D

 

Side Note: My DH was born in Beaufort, actually at Parris Island, and we have talked about heading that way for a "Land/Sea vacation". Visit his hometown and then cruise out of Charleston!:)

 

Yankeegirl, you are welcome. I wanted to do one of these reviews to pay it forward.

 

The beach in freeport is great in my opinion.

[SouthKakalaki]

 

Towel critter and baby towel critter...I think its supposed to be a seal

 

The kiddos goofing around

 

 

What a beautiful sunset for the last day at sea