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Jamman's Solo FANTASY Adventure - 2/11/14 (with Pics)

Jamman54

By Jamman54,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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Someone looked at their watch and noticed that it was 3 o’clock, and the last tender was supposed to leave at 3:15. Guess we better get going!! Here’s a view of the tenders heading back to the Fantasy…..

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We stopped at the I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever Bar, for a photo op. The sign says it all. Here’s Jan and Lauren…..

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And one of me too……

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When we got back to the tender landing area, we saw that there was a line to board…..

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Rumrunners Bar was just closing up, but we were able to score a beer for the ride back to the ship. Lauren has her beer!!!.....

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We boarded the tender and got a spot on the upper level. Had a nice view of the Carnival Fantasy from there…..

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To be continued…..

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Jamman54

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We were on the last tender to depart the island…..

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The tender heads out thru the narrow channel…..

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We are now out of the channel, and heading back to the Carnival Fantasy…..

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One last look at the Oasis and Aqua Park……

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One last look at Captain Morgan’s Pirate Ship Bar…..

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We are approaching the Carnival Fantasy……

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To be continued……

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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Once back on board, I stopped at the Internet Café to check emails and touch base with Patti. The internet was not working at all. There isn’t an Internet Café manager on the Fantasy, so any problems you have with it are channeled thru Guest Services. They were no help at all. Giving up I went back to the cabin, and took a much needed power nap until it was time to go to dinner.

For dinner tonight I started with my daily shrimp cocktail, spring rolls, potato soup, and a ddja item, the shark. The only entrée I ordered was the Seafood Newberg. It was another fantastic meal! For dessert, since it was valentine’s day, they served a chocolate valentine’s cake. The wait staff then danced “Gangham Style”…..

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Afterwards, I made a trip down to Pixel’s Gallery to pick up my photos from Nassau and Half Moon Cay. At 10:45 I went to Punchliner’s to see the second comedian, Dean Gaines, perform his show. He was also very funny.

After the show, I made my way back to the casino, where I had my best luck of the cruise. I am now up a few hundred going into the last day. Plus, I was given a few free drinks to boot!! Then it was back to the cabin where another towel animal awaited me…….

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I ordered up my nightly BLT, and then hit the hay. It was another beautiful day at Half Moon Cay, and on the Carnival Fantasy. (Except for the internet!!). Good Night!!!

Coming up next, the last sea day, debarkation, and final thoughts.

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jenny105

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I can't wait to see HMC for myself! 75 days to go.

 

Question - we purchased FTTF and we rented a cabana. I know we get priority tendering with both so do we need to go to Guest Services and be escorted? Or will they leave something in our room telling us where to go because we rented a cabana?

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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Hi Jamman in your opinion is Cabana #4 in Half Moon Cay one of the closest to the BBQ lunch. I had knee surgery want to know if I will have to walk much. I was looking at your Splendor review also..I shall be on the Splendor in May...

 

Yes. Cabanas 4, 5, & 6 are the closest to the BBQ.

I can't wait to see HMC for myself! 75 days to go.

 

Question - we purchased FTTF and we rented a cabana. I know we get priority tendering with both so do we need to go to Guest Services and be escorted? Or will they leave something in our room telling us where to go because we rented a cabana?

 

As a cabana renter you will be told to meet in a certain lounge at a certain time, from which you will be led to the first tender to the island. No need to go to Guest Services.

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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Based on your wonder review, Jamman54, I booked the Carnival Fantasy for May 21-26, 2014. Carnival owes you a commission!

 

Thanks for this awesome review!!! I just booked a December cruise on the Fantasy a few days ago. I was having second thoughts but after reading your review I am stoked and looking forward to this cruise!!!

 

Thanks for reading, and if I helped make your decision easier, then that's a good thing! Congrats to both of you for your bookings!! I'm sure you will have a GREAT time on the Fantasy.

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justcake

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Thank you Jamman for the fantastic review. We are sailing on the Fantasy on March 8th. It is our first Carnival cruise and I was bit apprehensive before reading your review. We chose the Fantasy because of the itinerary and we have never sailed from Charleston so thought it was a good choice. We will be driving and parking at the port so your information on the port is very helpful. Thanks again for the great review!!!

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Jamman54 Great Review Rare

Jamman54

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Hello again everybody! Well, I guess it’s time to wrap this up and put a bow on this review.

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I was up at 7:30, and from the bow camera view on the TV, it looks like it is a nice sunny day outside. The last day of a cruise is so bittersweet. You still have one whole day to enjoy, but at the same time you start thinking about packing and preparing for when they kick you off the ship tomorrow! I got dressed, and then made my way up to what would be my last Lido breakfast for this cruise. I wasn’t feeling that hungry, so I just had a couple cups of coffee and some Danish pastries.

If you remember from Day 1, this is the morning that they do the Behind the Fun Tour…..

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I was booked with the first of two groups, and we were scheduled to meet at Cleopatra’s Piano Bar at 8:45 am…..

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I’ll re-post the tour information here, so if you missed it the first time, you can see what this tour is all about, and what restrictions there are……

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They are very strict about the no camera or cell phone rule, in fact, before the tour proceeds, security would wand everyone to make sure that nobody was trying to sneak anything by. Looking back, I would have probably taken a hundred or more pictures if I had been allowed. But not being allowed was understandable, being that we were going to some sensitive areas, and that the tour, being fast paced, would be held up by picture takers.

 

Our group was led by one of the HR managers aboard the Fantasy. Our first stop was the crew lounge and bar, which to my surprise, was all the way forward on Empress Deck. I had expected it to be further down below. In addition to the bar they had a DJ booth, pool table, foosball table, dart board, etc. There was a door at the forward part of the room, that led out onto the open deck of the bow, so they can hang out both inside and outside. We walked outside and checked it out.

 

Staying outside, we went up one flight of crew only stairs, and thru a door, winding up backstage of the Universe Lounge. Here, a stage manager and a dance captain explained how everything worked and was managed backstage, then answered any questions that anybody had.

 

From here we were led single file, thru the Universe Lounge, across the Grand Spectrum, and into the Celebration Dining Room, which by the way, was open for Sea Day Brunch. We must have been quite a spectacle. One by one we entered the galley by going thru the big revolving door. That was fun! Once in the galley we met the Head Chef, who took us thru every section, and explaining how each worked. My mouth was watering the whole time we were in there!

 

Then it was time to head into the bowels of the ship. We went down steep, narrow, unglamorous stairwells, winding up in the laundry area. Our guide explained that we were now below the waterline! We could see the multiple massive washers and dryers that run constantly 24/7. We watched several crewmen feed bed sheets into a machine that automatically folded them. They had a machine used only for folding beach towels, that several tour members got to try out.

 

Next, we descended another deck, escorted by security, to the engine control room. Here, we met the Chief Engineer, who explained as much as he was allowed, about the systems that ran everything on the ship. It was good to know that if anything happened on or to the bridge, the ship could be completely controlled from this room.

 

We went back up a few decks, winding up on I-95, which is what they call the long wide corridor that runs the length of the ship on Deck 3. Here we saw all the different storage areas needed to supply the ship while at sea. We also saw how the garbage and the different waste waters are sorted and handled. Strolling down I-95, we peeked into the crew mess, and spent a little time in the crew training center.

 

Finally, we made our way to the bridge, where we spent about 15 minutes. Captain Roberto Costi explained what his role, and the roles of everyone on the bridge was. Then we posed for our group picture…..

 

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It was a GREAT tour, and I highly recommend it. It ran a little bit over two and a half hours. When I got back to the cabin I found that the Head Chef had sent a little something, so I assembled everything together for this shot…..

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To be continued…..

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I was getting a little thirsty now, so I knew it was time to head up to the Lido Pool Bar and pay my friend Neb, a visit. Grabbing my camera, I snapped a few pictures along the way. Here’s the Pavillion Library….

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Celebration ship model at the entrance to the Celebration Dining Room…..

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The entrance to Circle “C”…..

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People are looking for last minute bargains at the Galleria…..

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A couple views of the Video Arcade……

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To be continued…..

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Pixels Photo Gallery is very busy on the last day…..

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The sign says that it’s very windy out. I hadn’t noticed…..

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Back outside to the Lido Pool area…..

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The Lido Pool area is not that busy today…..

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Blowfish and Funnel cups for sale…..

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After a “few” beers I remembered that I wanted to see if the internet was up, so I said goodbye to Neb, and headed back downstairs. Checking out some candy at Formalities…..

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To be continued…..

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When I got to the Internet Café, again I was disappointed to find out that the connections were unreliable. I had wanted to print my boarding pass, and pay my baggage fee for my flight tomorrow, but it wasn’t going to happen. That was no big deal, but not having the email contact with Patti was bothersome. Again, complaining to Guest Services about the internet service was useless, but I did convince them to give me some credit back for the minutes I could not use.

Back to the cabin where I found that my debarkation information and customs form had arrived. I ordered a couple of grilled cheese sandwiched from room service, and then took a short nap until it was time for the VIFP party…..

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The party was the same as usual. “Shorty” the cruise director, then the Captain spoke, thanking everyone for their loyalty to Carnival. They then played the short video where everyone cheers for the ships that they have sailed on, and then it’s over. It only lasts 45 minutes, which is plenty of time for me. I’ll say that the appetizers were very good, and if you tip the first bar waiter that comes to you, you can order any drink and as many as you like.

Afterwards, I decided to head to the casino to see if last night's good fortunes would continue today. Sadly for me it would not. But, I had a great time playing with the people at my table, some of whom I played with every day. A few free drinks came my way, so it was all good. I wound up down a hundred for the cruise, which isn’t too bad considering.

It was now time for my final dinner of the cruise, and as it had been all week, was another great meal. I started with an order of crab cakes, and two orders of the Portobello Mushrooms. My entrees tonight were the Fried Shrimp, and the Bacon Mac & Cheese. For dessert, I had the Apple Pie with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. The wait staff then sang “Leaving on a Fun Ship”, which always brings a tear to my eyes…….

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After saying my goodbyes to my tablemates and wait staff, I stopped at the Majestic Bar for a nightcap, after which I decided to call it a cruise, and head back to the cabin. My final towel creation of the cruise was waiting for me…..

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I packed my stuff into the suitcase, but since I had decided to do self assist in the morning, I didn’t need to put the suitcase out in the hall. Here is the debarkation information given to Diamonds and Platinum’s…..

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Being that I would need to be at Cleopatra’s Piano Bar at 6:15 am, I went to sleep.

I awoke at 5:30 am, refreshed and ready to go. The Carnival Fantasy was just approaching the pier. My flight wasn’t until Noon, but having not ever sailed from Charleston before, I had no idea of how long it would take to debark, go thru customs, grab a cab, and get to the airport. I’m a get there early kind of guy! I got to Cleopatra’s at 6:10 am, and just 5 minutes later we were led down to the gangway and off the ship. Being one of the first off the ship, everything went smoothly, and I was at the airport a few minutes after 7. Next time, I won’t be in such a hurry to get off the ship! I can only hope that everyone who debarked after me could have the same great experience!

My flight home was uneventful and on time, so after landing, picking up my bag, then cleaning the snow off my car in the parking lot, I was back home with Patti and the boys by 3 pm. Another great cruise completed, and I have the sunburn from Half Moon Cay to prove it!!!!

I really enjoyed my time on the Carnival Fantasy. When I first cruised on Carnival nearly 30 years ago, it was on their smaller ships, (They were huge then!), that are no longer in the fleet. For me, the Fantasy, and the rest of the Fantasy Class ships that followed, were an evolution, the next step up, in my cruising experience, and I evolved with them. And so it was as each new class of ship was introduced to the fleet. So going back and sailing on the Fantasy again, for me, was like going back to classic cruising.

 

For those newer cruisers, who are used to the newer, bigger, ships with all the bells and whistles, sailing on a Fantasy Class ship may seem like a step down. I can understand that, because I also like the bells and whistles of the newer and larger ships. But if you want to see what cruising was like in the not too distant past, if you want a more intimate experience, then a cruise on the Fantasy, or any of the other Fantasy Class ships may be right for you. Happy Sails!!!

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CincyVal

CincyVal

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Thank you so much for the fantastic review!! We are going on Fantasy this summer with our 2 youngest boys and we are so looking forward to it. I can't wait to show them your great pictures....it will really give them a feel for what it will be like.

 

Take care :)

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JohnSpo

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Jamman, I get what you said about the smaller ships. I was on Ecstasy out of Port Canavera in November. I wasn't sure what to expect on a smaller ship but Ecstasy was awesome. It had most of the bells and whistles of the larger ships but it did not have the crowds.

 

I enjoyed your review and photos. It reminded me of the ports that Ecstasy went to. HMC is the best.

 

Thanks for an excellent review Jamman.

 

Happy sailing!:cool:

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