Fantasy 4/2/06 Review! Finally

[Magenta]

You know....for weeks prior to my cruise I read these boards. (And received so much great information that I felt like a seasoned cruiser when I got on board!) and I promised myself that I would post a review the minute I returned.

 

Well.... Lo and Behold it is now one whole month since I went on my glorious cruise and yet- No review. (Don't worry- I have given myself plenty of lashings over this)

 

Anyway! Here finally is my review of my cruise: (Sit back, relax, have a latte- this may take a while)

 

Flew in to Orlando from Las Vegas (and boy are my arms tired. Badum bum-sorry) and had a great flight. Only problem? Flight got in around 7:00 a.m. and ended up at the dock by 8:30 so me and DH had a few hours to kill on the dock. The plus side (And I love to see the plus side of things) is that we had a fantastic driver. He was Polish with long hair and was so funny and wonderful that we tipped him extra. Even took us to the local 7-eleven to get some refreshments while we were waiting at the dock.

 

Ended up on board at around 11:30 with no lines and no waiting. Got all our documents together and headed straight for the buffet line. Ship is extremely clean and very nice. Ate a great meal and headed off to our rooms where our cabin steward was waiting for us (Don't ask me his name- I can't remember! I know I know... I'm going to hell) He was fantastic and unlike my sorry mind- HE remembered me and DH names from Day One.

 

So headed out to sea with the beautiful sun shining on our smiling faces as we drank our lovely fruity drinks (sail and sign be damned- I needed some refreshment!). Our first stop was Freeport.

 

Honestly (I can't understand why people say such bad things about Freeport.) I thought it was beautiful. Maybe I don't get out as much as most people.... Who knows. Anyway, it was clean and wonderful and the people were just fantastic. We walked all over town and ate Conch Fritters (addicted to them!) and talked with many locals. The only downside I can honestly attest to is the Jewelry prices are NOT a bargain. We headed off to the beach and layed out and enjoyed some great sun and fun. It was relaxing and calm and quiet and I loved it!

 

Nassau was also great. We took the Atlantis tour and fell in love with the Aquarium and all the decoration. (I loved this one pathway sign which read: "Please don't drop your cigarrette butts on the floor- At night the fish come out and smoke them and we are trying to get them to quit."

 

We ate in the Formal Dining Room every night (Highly Highly recommended) and loved our mates. We all talked about our days and discussed the different things we'd done. We had a better cruise because of the great people we met. Met tons of Georgia natives and I have to say that they were all the nicest, sweetest, most wonderful people I've ever met. (Moving to Georgia as soon as the DS goes off to college)

 

I discussed in earlier posts that I worried about the reaction I'd get to my abundant tattoos and I need not have worried at all. Had great reactions from just about everyone and not one dirty look that I can remember. Met some 60-something ladies who we hung out with in Nassau and they were the best!

 

Leaving Orlando was a bit of a chore (but we learned our lesson and rented a car which we used to go to DisneyWorld Marketplace). We drove to the airport with two hours to spare and spent the better part of an hour in line. (Get to the airport early as the lines are very very long.) Remember to take out the laptops and the shoes. It will save you some time.

 

I took tons of great pictures which I will be posting on Snapfish. Will update anyone who wants a looksee- Just drop me a line at rocky73@cox.net and I will make sure to link you to the pics.

 

Wonderful trip. I love Carnival and am already planning for a European Cruise for next year. Anything anyone wants to know or needs- just let me know (Copies of capers, cruise information, pics, etc.)

[Illinoisgal]

Thanks for taking the time to post your nice review. I have seen some here post ones they did months ago, I hate how real life sneaks back up on you when you get home.

So are addicted to crusing now or what? :D

[bar10der421]

We just got back from the Fantasy today. Too lazy for a review right now. Actually, as we speak, I should be in the dining room being pampered by our waiter!!

 

After eight Carnival cruises, this was by far the most friendly crew we have encountered. There was not one person who did not have a smile and a good morning or good afternoon and there was always someone ready to help if you needed something.

 

This was our first Fantasy class ship and I really like the layout. It is very easy to find your way. I liked that you do not have to walk through the casino to get from one end to the other. (I am always tempted enough!). I missed having a balconey, but found that I could live without it.

 

My only complaint is with the cabin bathroom. Is it my imagination or was it much smaller than the Spirit class? And what is with the pedestal sink and ZERO counter space? Yikes!! I adjusted, but it wasn't easy!!

[Top-Cat]

Magenta,

 

Thanks for the review. Glad to hear the food was good. We are leaving Monday on the Fantasy and now that it is so close, we are getting very excited. Don't feel bad about waiting the month to write. We leave Sunday and I still don't have a darn thing in a suitcase. Did you see any of the comedians? And how were they?

 

I agree with the bathroom comment. Not that they arn't nice, just small. On the Conquest, we had a long vanity in the bathroom. Very GIRL friendly. But that is such a small part of it and we don't spend much time there, or at least I hope not :rolleyes: .

 

And Magenta, you come on down to good ole Georgia any time. We would love ta have ya! Might even talk about cruis'in.

[cruise_pirate]

Magenta,

 

We leave Sunday and I still don't have a darn thing in a suitcase.

 

Funny we do not leave until October and our 7 year old already has his treasures in his suitcase ready to go:rolleyes:

[Magenta]

Just to answer some of the questions:

 

We saw one of the late night comedians (will have to look at the capers to see what his name was) but he was really funny. A tad vulgar at times but he was great.

 

Yes... I am addicted to cruising now. (Before I went I could not imagine what I would do the whole four days but after the trip I found that even 7 would not be enough to do everything)

 

I will be visiting Georgia in August (I know... I'm gonna drip!) for a wedding and I am soo excited.

 

The zero counter space really stinks I agree but I read on one of the posts that I should take an over-the-door shoe rack and that made a world of difference. I placed over the inside of the bathroom door and put all my bathroom "accessories" in the pockets. (Best place to get them is at Target)

 

I have just one gripe... Formal night my butt! For the most part, people did adhere to the Formal Night ettiquette but there was this one guy.. He was wearing dark brown bermuda shorts with black socks and brown sandles, a hawaiian shirt and (I swear!) a bandana around his head with pink flamingos on it. The waiters didn't even bat an eyelash and seated him anyway. Did not spoil my cruise or anything but it was annoying. Could he have possibly violated the dress code any worse? But that's really about the only gripe I have. Otherwise- great cruise, great people, great weather!