Fantasy Cruise out of Mobile

[Xerxella]

Thanks for all the great advice. We have done a little bit of cruising before. A year and a half ago we did a Disney cruise and I was all prepped for sea sickness for us or the kids and ..... nothing. [emoji847] So, I think we're good on that.

 

Disney was pretty all inclusive, but even they had their specialty restaurant which cost extra. I thought Carnival would have some more "incidental" expenses. It's good to know that there's not much difference.

 

We're thinking about driving to Birmingham on the day before the cruise (10 hours) and finishing the trip (3.5 hours) on the morning of the cruise since we don't have to be there until 1p - 3p. Sound reasonable?

[The4Cruisers]

Kind of funny.. Fantasy class is our favorite!!

 

I agree. We really enjoy the Fantasy class ships.

 

Based on what I'm hearing, I may even be willing to give the port of Mobile a second chance too. :)

[tidecat]

We're thinking about driving to Birmingham on the day before the cruise (10 hours) and finishing the trip (3.5 hours) on the morning of the cruise since we don't have to be there until 1p - 3p. Sound reasonable?

 

 

If you are embarking on a weekday, try to get south of I-459 the night before - either Pelham or Alabaster - as you would be less likely to encounter delays on the trip to Mobile.

 

 

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[cynt]

I board thanksgiving day. Thanks for the info.

 

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[apatchetear]

Does the Fantasy have the new American Table MDR menus or the old ones?

[bamagirl16]

If you are embarking on a weekday, try to get south of I-459 the night before - either Pelham or Alabaster - as you would be less likely to encounter delays on the trip to Mobile.

 

 

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I totally agree with this. Try to make it to Alabaster to stay the night. The traffic on I-65 south of Birmingham through Pelham is ridiculous!

[teacher2cruiser]

Does the Fantasy have the new American Table MDR menus or the old ones?

 

Hoping someone will answer this.

[Sugaree5335]

I totally agree with this. Try to make it to Alabaster to stay the night. The traffic on I-65 south of Birmingham through Pelham is ridiculous!

 

I second this. I'd also try to make it so that I didn't hit Montgomery at rush hour. Also, just because Mapquest says Birmingham to Mobile is 3.5 hours, I'd assume an extra hour at least. Just in case. Mobile traffic isn't as bad as Birmingham (at least not on the Interstate), but it can be bad.

 

I think if it were me, I'd pick somewhere about halfway between where you live and Mobile and stop there (leaving a day earlier) and then drive the rest of the way the day before. I know it's probably too late to make those arrangements though. For the record, I live an hour and a half from Birmingham and probably could make the drive on the same day, but who wants to get up at 6 a.m. on the first day of vacation?

 

 

 

As for the dinner menu, I have heard that the Fantasy does have the American Table Menu.

[cruzeluver]

Just to clarify, Fantasy does not have a steakhouse. All food venues are included in your fare.

[sailingwithfriends]

Does the Fantasy have the new American Table MDR menus or the old ones?

The Fantasy still has the old menus (According to John Heald when I asked him that question.)

[apatchetear]

The Fantasy still has the old menus (According to John Heald when I asked him that question.)

 

 

 

Yes thanks! I went and asked there today too.

[Xerxella]

Thanks everyone. Is Alabaster a safe area?

 

We don't mind a drive (we do a one day 16 hour trip into Canada every summer, no problem) and we're from Chicago, so not afraid of traffic. LOL. As the date gets closer, we'll look at drive times at the proper time of day. (My app monitors traffic, too). That should give us some more information on timing and traffic.

[tidecat]

Thanks everyone. Is Alabaster a safe area?

.

 

Alabaster is very safe. Most of the commercial development near I-65 is newer as well - large shopping centers straddling I-65 and US 31 with several stores that are typically shopping mall anchors like Belk and JC Penney.

 

 

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[Vigorosity]

I'm sailing on the Fantasy on November 14th! I'll let you guys know how it goes! We booked a nice hotel already for the drive down on Sunday. Sadly, from my research...a lot of restaurants and things happen to be closed on Sunday. However, we are still really excited.

 

Also, another downside is that you can't buy Cheers until the second day when you depart from Alabama. And the first night is usually the night we have the most drinks (from being excited!)

 

We got a pretty good deal on a five day cruise to Cozumel and Progreso. And hotel prices were really reasonable, too.

 

 

I'll post a little review when we get back, most likely.

[Xerxella]

I'm sailing on the Fantasy on November 14th! I'll let you guys know how it goes! We booked a nice hotel already for the drive down on Sunday. Sadly, from my research...a lot of restaurants and things happen to be closed on Sunday. However, we are still really excited.

 

 

 

Also, another downside is that you can't buy Cheers until the second day when you depart from Alabama. And the first night is usually the night we have the most drinks (from being excited!)

 

 

 

We got a pretty good deal on a five day cruise to Cozumel and Progreso. And hotel prices were really reasonable, too.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll post a little review when we get back, most likely.

 

 

 

Awesome! I can't to wait to hear it.

[teacher2cruiser]

The Fantasy still has the old menus (According to John Heald when I asked him that question.)

 

Where can you find those old menus for a five night Fantasy cruise?