Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise 2013 Review

[dee2sxy]

I just go off of the Conquest and paid $400 for 7 days for an ocean view. the conquest is one of the older ships in the fleet and extremely outdated. God Bless the people on deck 1. I went down there to visit a friend and it truly smells like a sewer. If you don't smoke, stay away from deck 5--the smoke is a killer. The staff is great....the casino bar makes the best drinks. With that being said, there is no way I would pay an extra $4000.00 for a cruise that i took a month ago (Dec 8, 2013) that docked at four islands. The Lido deck and the pool is small. Put all these people on there and you will be belly-to-belly and back to back in the bouillabaisse pool. My backyard pool was bigger than the pool on the lido deck.

[cynt]

The wife and I are going on the Fantastic Voyage 2014. I will make sure to report back with a review.

 

Reviving this thread. How was the 2014 Fantastic Voyage?

[Leo's Rule]

Reviving this thread. How was the 2014 Fantastic Voyage?

 

And did Tom say if next year's will be on another line? Something he said on air makes me think he's jumping ship or he's shopping around.

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Forums mobile app

[Miamichile77]

I would love for the FV to be back on Royal.

[hattack]

Do not be surprise if it's MSC

[mizro]

I have thought about this cruise for a long time... Looking forward to hearing further information.

 

I am sailing on my fourth Festival at Sea cruise this summer. I am very impressed by their charter :cool:

 

 

I will see you in July! First time with FAS. So excited!!!!:D

[hattack]

FAS is the best of all the full music charters

[mizro]

FAS is the best of all the full music charters

 

Are you going this year? I am on a serious countdown! lol

[GeauxCruise]

I am an avid Tom Joyner Fantastic Cruiser. My husband and I have been on 9 of the voyages since our first one in 2004. We missed 2011 and 2013. We were able to make this most recent sailing on the Conquest in 2014. I'm so happy we did!

 

I'm a cruise lover in general, so for me, there is not much negative I see in any cruise.

 

Here are my quick points about the Tom Joyner cruise.

 

• 
  
  • Yes, it is a lot more expensive than a regular cruise
    
  • But it's THE BEST, MOST FUN vacation I've ever had
    
  • As stated, part of your cruise fare is a tax deductible donation
    
  • Many of the TJFV veteran cruisers are not happy with the switch to Carnival
    
  • Besides Studio B and a slightly larger Promenade (on RCCL ships) my husband did not notice a stark difference in being on a Carnival ship vs. Royal Caribbean
    
  • But it's THE BEST, MOST FUN vacation I've ever had
    
  • I can only imagine the logistics of getting all the entertainers and events planned for this cruise, for that, I commend Tom Joyner and his staff.
    
  • Can improvements be made? Sure, as in anything else in life. But, one can NEVER please EVERYONE
    
  • But it's THE BEST, MOST FUN vacation I've ever had
    
  • I signed up for pre-booking for FV 2015 and I can't wait! I don't care which ship it is
    
  • I look at the cruise at a whole, not in parts. So some things may not be perfect, but for me it's all about the people, the entertainment, the theme nights, the beautiful islands.
    
  • it's THE BEST, MOST FUN vacation I've ever had
    

 

I went on the Festival at Sea cruise last year in 2013 since it was conveniently leaving from my home port of New Orleans. While a nice cruise, I would not go again. It is NO COMPARISON to the Tom Joyner cruise. Ain't no party like a Tom Joyner party!!!! :D:D

[hattack]

Mizro...we are doing Capital Jazz SuperCruise in October (our 5th straight year) but my goal is to do another FAS maybe in 2016....can't afford to do both in the same year

 

I think folks stick with one choice, primarily because of the friends you make on the cruise and look forward to seeing them every year...almost like a family reunion..plus you know the "flow" of your cruise

 

My friend treated me to floor seats for Prince at the Essence Festival for my birthday so I am excited but really looking forward to the SuperCruise because of the line ups and the ports

[wjeanj]

Just returned from a RCL cruise. What a difference. After 2 years on the TJ Cruise, it spoils you. We found on the RCL we had to "go and find the fun" even on the Oasis of the Sea.

 

At the end, the $800 tip bill was a true surprise. At least on the TJ Cruise, it was all up front. We tipped our cabin attendant on both because they was good.

 

VIP passes. It was truly worth the extra money. We had to wait in line for a few things but not all the concerts.

 

Let's just say, this will be our 3rd TJ Cruise in 2015 and I don't see us cruising with anyone else.

[mosweet]

I've never been on any of the R n B cruises that they have. But this review is helping a lot especially since I'm planning on starting my own. ;)

Now as far as the prices, they are very high due to all the artist that needs to be paid for, airfare, hotels, bands, extra folks they bring etc..so this I understand. I love Carnival and am a Platinum member on Carnival but they probably should have gone with one of the newer ships to do this on because they are bigger and better.

I know most artist due to their schedule can't always stay the entire time on the cruise..like this year I know one of the artist that had to perform on the ship while docked and got off the same day to head to another event. But this gives me some great insight to plan my R n B cruise :D

[VacationCrazee]

The markup for these cruises are simply too high. . . 2015 cruise will be on the Breeze. I have an upcoming cruise on the breeze which is costing me 10% of what TJ is charging. That is extreme.

[mizro]

Just returned from Festival At Sea cruise. This was my first cruise with this group, it will not be my last! Can we say OUTSTANDING! I enjoyed myself so much with all the activities, events, fellowship and parties. I met do many who I know consider family. The concerts (Ginuine, SWV, LSG) and the comedians (Mark Curry and AJ Jamal) were amazing. Everything was well organized, gratuities paid in advance, bags taken from the hotel to the ship, no problems at all. Just an overall great time. Already booked for next year!

[kaylaw25]

Can someone tell me what the age range is like on the Tom Joyner cruise and the FAS?

[mizro]

FAS is open to all ages, kids included but there were not many on board. Tom Joyner is 25 and older. No kids allowed.

[gbearcruiser]

I too am booked on the Breeze next year, and yes it does cost a lot less. The TJFV is on my bucket list, but the price is very high and it just seems so crowded, the pictures show wall to wall people, I am glad they have chosen a bigger ship, maybe that will help

[NikLuvs2travel]

How much or what percentage of the cruise price is tax deductible?

[Chyna3032]

How much or what percentage of the cruise price is tax deductible?

 

I would have to find my tax statement to give you an exact amount, but I know over $1000 was tax deductible and I paid $2000.

Edited January 1, 2015 by Chyna3032

[Chyna3032]

This will be my 4th TJFV, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoy myself. Yes, it's expensive, but the amount of entertainment for the price makes it definitely worth the price. I see 2-3 shows every night, and sometimes 4. Then there are all of the seminars and fun activities each day. Yes a normal cruise is a mere fraction of the cost, but you don't have nearly as much entertainment.

[monij78]

2015 will be my 2nd time cruising on the TJFV! So excited it will be on Carnival Breeze :)

[Chyna3032]

How much or what percentage of the cruise price is tax deductible?

 

I found my tax statement; I paid $2075 for my cabin and the amount that is tax deductible is $1041.