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Fantasy to Mobile and getting 2.0 upgrades.

Staceman225

By Staceman225,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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cruizinisthebest

cruizinisthebest

Posted
Posted (edited)
I think Fantasy is the most likely candidate to go to Mobile, but I don't see them investing in 2.0 upgrades to a 25 year old ship.

Read John Heald's Facebook page. The decision to add 2.0 to Fantasy prior to going to Mobile has already been made.

 

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

Edited by cruizinisthebest
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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

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Posted (edited)
I think Fantasy is the most likely candidate to go to Mobile, but I don't see them investing in 2.0 upgrades to a 25 year old ship.

 

 

Well, the press conference confirmed Mobile and an extensive refurbishment. What their definition of extensive is remains to be seen. But I would love to see all the tacky early 90's Vegas decor to come down and for it to be replaced with fresh, "Breeze style" decor. It's not a far fetched idea for an older ship, considering that it was done to both the Holiday and the Celebration before they were transferred to Ibero Cruceros, both with dramatic results.

Edited by Tapi
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cruzeluver

cruzeluver

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Saw this thread first so was unaware of what had already been announced. Good news for Mobile and the Fantasy! She is still a decent ship. Will be interesting to see exactly what upgrades she gets. Will be watching CC closely. Don't read Mr. Heald's blog.

Edited by cruzeluver
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DaytonCruiser

DaytonCruiser

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Carnival Cruise Line and the City of Mobile announced today that the Carnival Fantasy will operate a year-long schedule of four- and five-day cruises to Mexico from the Mobile Cruise Terminal beginning in fall 2016.

 

Prior to its deployment to Mobile, the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment that will add several elements of the cruise line’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program, including Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, two poolside watering holes, the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican-themed eatery.

 

On its new schedule from Mobile, Carnival Fantasy will offer four-day cruises to Cozumel and five-day cruises to Cozumel and Costa Maya or Progreso from November 2016 to November 2017.

 

“Carnival Fantasy’s four- and five-day cruises from Mobile provide consumers with an affordable way to visit stunning Mexican ports from a convenient homeport while offering our valued travel agent partners an exciting new short vacation option to market to their clients,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “We’ve been working very closely with the port and city officials to make these cruises a reality and wish to thank Mayor Stimpson and his team for not only all their hard work but also for creating a welcoming and positive environment that makes these cruises an attractive option for today’s consumers,” she said.

 

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Carnival Cruise Line back to Mobile,” said Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “This agreement has been a priority since the day we took office. It represents a win for our City, a win for Carnival and most of all a win for the thousands of consumers who can once again enjoy a great cruise out of one of America’s greatest cities. We are building something special in Mobile, and this renewed partnership is evidence of that momentum.”

 

*

 

Year-Long Schedule of Four- and Five-Day Cruises from Mobile

 

Carnival Fantasy’s Mobile-based program kicks off Nov. 9, 2016 and will run through Nov. 27, 2017.

 

On this route, Carnival Fantasy departs the Mobile Cruise Terminal Thursdays on four-day “long weekend” cruises to Cozumel and on Mondays and Saturdays on five-day voyages to Costa Maya or Progreso.* Each of these destinations are popular for their beautiful white sand beaches, interesting historical sites and attractions, and excellent snorkeling, scuba diving and water sports.* During the day-long call in Progreso, guests have the opportunity to visit Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and while in Cozumel guests can visit ancient Mayan ruins or enjoy the destination’s wide range of shopping and dining experiences.* At Costa Maya guests can explore the centuries-old Chacchoben ruins or visit the Lost Mayan Kingdom, a multi-million-dollar water-themed attraction currently under construction that will feature spectacular slides, an elaborate lazy river, a suspended ropes course that spans the property and more.

 

*

 

Wide Variety of On-Board Choices

 

Carnival Fantasy will undergo a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in early 2016 that will add a number of terrific onboard options. These include Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside dining venue serving handcrafted burgers and fries created by the poplar chef and restaurateur, all enjoyed amidst lively interiors that celebrate Fieri’s California roots and love of car culture.

 

Located adjacent to Guy’s Burger Joint is the BlueIguana Cantina offering authentic handmade burritos and tacos along with an elaborate toppings and salsa bar.* Also located poolside is the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Rum Bar offering the region’s top rums and beers as well as the BlueIguana Tequila Bar with margaritas, Mexican beers and other frosty libations.

 

Carnival Fantasy also features a 12,000-square-foot spa, a WaterWorks aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long slide and a kiddie splash area, and a Serenity adults-only retreat, as well as fun, supervised programs for kids ages 2-17, full casino gambling and a wide array of dining options, including a 24-hour pizzeria.

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Aquajac

Aquajac

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Posted (edited)

Yay! I have always loved the Fantasy and that great Egyptian tomb piano bar.

 

I hope to be on her first cruise on Nov.9, but I'll be on the Vista B2B until Nov.3 docking in NYC, so it will be a challenge to get back home to AL and drive down to Mobile in time. But I'm going to try, ha!

 

Jaclyn

Edited by Aquajac
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kybluecruiser

kybluecruiser

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Well, the press conference confirmed Mobile and an extensive refurbishment. What their definition of extensive is remains to be seen. But I would love to see all the tacky early 90's Vegas decor to come down and for it to be replaced with fresh, "Breeze style" decor. It's not a far fetched idea for an older ship, considering that it was done to both the Holiday and the Celebration before they were transferred to Ibero Cruceros, both with dramatic results.

 

the fantasy has already been muted down from it's farcus beginnings. the company that did the breeze and sunshine redid the lido restaurant and promenade deck. it still has a couple lounges that scream Joe Farcus but overall the ship imo is nothing like her sisters.

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vancelot

vancelot

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Not thrilled with 4 and 5 day sailings. But might be beneficial for some passengers in regards to putting together a B2B, 9 day sailing. However the itenerary, mixed with 4 and 5 day sailings, screams booze cruises & not so great passenger clientele...

 

 

 

 

:confused:

 

Don't let that glass half full get in your way.

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cruizinisthebest

cruizinisthebest

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Not thrilled with 4 and 5 day sailings. But might be beneficial for some passengers in regards to putting together a B2B, 9 day sailing. However the itenerary, mixed with 4 and 5 day sailings, screams booze cruises & not so great passenger clientele...

 

 

 

 

:confused:

Not everything will work for everyone. I can't take longer cruises of 10 days plus but was happy and pleased to see the options for those that prefer that length of cruise. As far as it drawing a booze cruise crowd, don't be so sure. We prefer 7-8 days but would consider one of these. Especially in the Winter for a quick getaway. People DO mix it up.

 

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

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However the itenerary, mixed with 4 and 5 day sailings, screams booze cruises & not so great passenger clientele...

 

 

 

Personally, I don't think that this will be the case. Contrary to 3-4 night cruises out of Port Canaveral and Miami that do attract the weekend, cheap, party crowd, Mobile will most likely attract families and other cruisers that live within driving distance and who wish to avoid flying, either for the convenience or the savings.

 

If our past experience out of Mobile is any indication of what kind of clientele we can expect on these new sailings, you have nothing to worry about. To this day, we haven't sailed with a friendlier, more polite group of fellow passengers. From cruise terminal employees, to passengers, to onboard crew, everyone was an absolute pleasure.

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angiegal

angiegal

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We have only done five day cruises in the past because of the way our work schedules and cruise schedules work out. If I take a week vacation from work, I can spend 1-2 days traveling, take a 4-5 day cruise, then 1-2 days to travel home. It works well for a lot of families with kids. I'm a SAHM now so we will be looking at longer cruises, but the shorter cruises were the only way we were able to cruise in the past. We were on the Fantasy just a few years ago and it is time for upgrades. I'm looking forward to the changes :)

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AidenandCasensMommy

AidenandCasensMommy

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I am so excited to hear this news! Is the Fantasy just like the Fascination as it is now? Can't wait to try Guy's & Blue Iguana! Any idea when it will be available for bookings? I would love to be on the maiden voyage!! BTW, we are a young family (not boozers) and we always take 4-5 day cruises. We actually ran into more boozers on our first cruise 10 years ago (7 day on the Conquest).

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vancelot

vancelot

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Posted (edited)
I am so excited to hear this news! Is the Fantasy just like the Fascination as it is now? Can't wait to try Guy's & Blue Iguana! Any idea when it will be available for bookings? I would love to be on the maiden voyage!! BTW, we are a young family (not boozers) and we always take 4-5 day cruises. We actually ran into more boozers on our first cruise 10 years ago (7 day on the Conquest).

 

Booking is open now.

Edited by vancelot
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Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim

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Not thrilled with 4 and 5 day sailings. But might be beneficial for some passengers in regards to putting together a B2B, 9 day sailing. However the itenerary, mixed with 4 and 5 day sailings, screams booze cruises & not so great passenger clientele...

 

You can't really be surprised that Carnival's oldest, smallest ship is doing shorter cruises. If any ship does short cruises, the Fantasy is the most likely candidate.

 

I think Tapi is right that the clientele will be almost exclusively those within driving distance. Mobile is pricey to fly to anyway, and for a short cruise flying in is unlikely to make financial sense. And with the closest states like Alabama and Mississippi also being some of the nations poorest states, perhaps shorter cruises, and thus lower prices, were considered to be desirable to attract customers.

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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

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I think Tapi is right that the clientele will be almost exclusively those within driving distance.

 

And with the closest states like Alabama and Mississippi also being some of the nations poorest states, perhaps shorter cruises, and thus lower prices, were considered to be desirable to attract customers.

 

When we sailed from Mobile, most of the people that we met hailed from AL, MS, GA, TN and KY. But I think that the biggest source of passengers for these cruises from Mobile will not come from the immediate vicinity, but from a 5.5 million city, 4.5 hours away: Atlanta. For us (who live just south of Atlanta), Mobile is the easiest and quickest drive to get to a cruise ship. And from the 3 closest ports (the other two being Jacksonville and Charleston), Mobile is the only one offering Western Caribbean itineraries, which make it the clear winner for us (we've been way too many times in Nassau).

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