Fantasy Review 5/8-5/13-long...

[Jenmars23]

I flew into Orlando May 7 to meet my bf who was already in town for a business trip. We rented a car and checked into Springhill Suites in the Marriot Village. The room was small, but very nice. We drove to Epcot and had dinner in Morocco. The shish kabobs were great. We also went on a couple rides including Soar and Test Track, really cool. We went to bed pretty early that evening, since we would be getting up early the next to cruise!

The next morning we ate the free continental breakfast at our hotel and left for Port Canaveral. The ride was easy. We were worried since many of the roads were shut down because of the wildfires, but we made it without incident. It was so sad to see the burnt palm trees and the smell in the air. We returned our rental car and were shuttled to the pier. Embarkation was easy. The lines were moving! We got our picture taken and were on the ship at 12:30. We went straight to our rooms to drop off carry-ons and met our room steward Manuel. He was fantastic. Our room was already ready and we proceeded to the Lido for a buffet lunch. The line for the buffet was short and we ate outside on the deck. Then we explored the ship. I was surprised at how clean the ship was for its age. The inside cabins were a little outdated and the carpets reminded me of Atlantic City casinos. We went outside for sail away armed with the most well done cheeseburger ever and began our cruise!

We got ready for our first dinner, late seating in the Celebration Dining room and our server Gibi was great. What a sales pitch for wine, it was hysterical. We are drinkers anyway, didn’t need to be sold. Ordered a nice Chianti. The food was great, had the asparagus veloute, a warm asparagus soup and the New York strip. BF had the steak also and the beef and barley soup. Our table mates were awesome. One of the main reasons we had dinner in the dining room every night. They were so much fun! We had three other couples at a 10 person round. Glad we didn’t have a booth; it was easier to get in and out. Dessert was interesting. We each ordered a traditional dessert and were wondering what the Lavender Soufflé would taste like, so one of the couples ordered it as an extra. It looked so pretty! It tasted like…shampoo. It was hysterical, and a real ice breaker for our table, we all tried it. After dinner we went into the piano bar. Peter, the pianist was great! We went there three of our five nights! He had a list of popular songs including Elton John and Billy Joel favorites to request. I bet got real tired of singing Piano Man, someone requested it every night! After the piano bar we found a Texas Hold ‘Em game in the Majestic Bar. We played 1-2 no limit and listened to the terribly people singing Karaoke in the Forum. We knocked off to bed around one, we were pretty beat.

The next morning we got up around 9:00 and got breakfast on the Lido. Basically every morning they have the same stuff on the Lido and in Windows of the Sea, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit etc. The omelets were good and the lines weren’t too long. We then got lounge chairs on the verandah deck and laid out most of the morning. We had lunch in Windows of the Sea, don’t remember what it was that day and then I got a spot on the verandah deck on the back of the ship right against the railing. It was beautiful to lay out there and watch the water and we moved along. Got a snack of pizza, it was good and the slices weren’t too big, and then got ready for formal night. We went to the Captain’s cocktail party. There weren’t too many people there, it was kind of lame. There a few couples dancing on the stage. The hors d’ourves were pretty good, but the free drinks? Ew. The servers try to give you drinks based on what they think you might drink, so the first guy tried to give me a nasty amaretto sour. Now I am a 24 year old 110 pound girl, so I could see why, but I quickly exchanged it for a pretty gross martini. After two were left the party in search of real drinks and I got a fantastic Grey Goose martini in the 21st century bar, our favorite. Larry the bartender was the best! He remembered me by my first and last name all week, which was a little embarrassing. We made it to dinner and I had the delta prawns (shrimp cocktail) and the Lobster. BF had the Caesar salad, minestrone and the prime rib. The prime rib was fantastic, but eh lobster was overcooked. We didn’t care after all the drinks and the bottle of cote du rhone at dinner. After dinner we went to the bar with our table and introduced them to our favorite after dinner drink limoncello. After car bombs, jager bombs, soco, etc., we were bombed. We missed the Gala Midnight buffet ( I wanted to take pictures), any shows anyone had planned and one couple didn’t even get their formal picture taken! We went to the disco and had a blast dancing. The disco never really got going any nights, music was pretty cheesy, but we had fun in there. We crashed at about 2 and apparently missed getting kicked out of the disco for doing pull-ups (our tablemates).

The next day at Grand Turk, I was pretty hung over. All we did was basically lay by the giant pool. BF went in the pool a little bit and said it was great. We walked a little along the beach. They had clamshells for free available. There didn’t seem to be that much going on. The Margaritaville looked nice, but I couldn’t drink after the night before. At some points I wished the DJ and the band playing in the courtyard would just shut up. I wanted to relax! Some of the people we met explored the entire island. They recommended walking or taking a taxi into the town for inexpensive island eats and drinks. There were a few vendors with t-shirts and straw bags, but most of vendor slots were empty. They were working on a giant duty free shop that looked like it would be open soon. We bought some souvenirs in the Margaritaville shop, including some cute magnets and glasses. We got back on the ship, ate lunch and took a nap. We played a little basketball, miniature golf and shuffle board. Equipment could be rented from the towel station on the Lido. I got some sushi and bf got some more pizza. The sushi was good. The were about four offerings each day and you could get as much as you wanted, but it was all cooked, no raw stuff, which disappointed me. Did a little more gambling and BF hit three of a kind on three card poker! We used a lot of his winnings to pay down our exorbitant bar bill. We got ready for dinner early. We went to the casino and bf hit a straight flush on three card poker, winning $300. At dinner I still couldn’t drink and bf was struggling with a couple beers. I had the seafood appetizer and the Seafood fricassee, which I really enjoyed. BF had the wonton soup which was kind of weird and the beef Wellington. He did not like the goose liver mousse or the pureed carrots that accompanied. After dinner we hung out in the piano bar for hours meeting new people and listening to Peter sing and play. We then checked out the 21st Century bar and hung out in the casino before turning in for the night.

We awoke pretty early the next day for Half Moon Cay. This was the port we were most excited about. Had breakfast on the Lido and reported to the Universe Lounge for our tender. We had barely gotten in the room when they announced anyone in the room would get on the first tender! We tendered in pretty painless, and the island is gorgeous! We had booked an excursion, the Aqua Trax and got on a truck shortly after arriving. We each had our own wave runner, along with only one other couple took off on a trip around the island. It was awesome! We flew over waves and took twists and turns and saw the whole island for over an hour. The only thing I wished was we could stop a little bit and take in some of the water and the island. When we got back from our excursion it was difficult to find a chair. WE found one to share and got in the water. It was beautiful and clear. They were fish everywhere, especially in the children’s area. We rented a floating mat and relaxed the rest of the day. WE wished we could stay there all week. We would definitely go back. The BBQ lunch was pretty good. I really enjoyed the jerk chicken, fruit, couscous and chili rice. BF was disappointed in the well done burger and boiled hot dog. The gift shop and vendors didn’t have a lot of stuff and almost none of it said Half Moon Cay on it. There was an intense volleyball game going on and bf got in a little b-ball. We were sad to get back on the ship. They sure packed us in on the tender.

When we got back, we had our only piece of bad service the entire trip. We ordered room service. We didn’t have a room service menu in our room and it took them 20 minutes to bring that up. Then we ordered a chicken Caesar salad and a bagel with lox and cream cheese. The quote was 40 minutes. I was already starving at this point. We waited 40 minutes, 50 60, hour and ten and called down to see where our food was the person who answered said it was not sitting there so it must be on the way. At an hour and a half we called again and this time BF asked to speak with a supervisor or event eh name of a supervisor. Neither was provided. Room service wanted us to sit in our room and wait for someone to call us! We told them no and that we were getting food on the Lido. We did and when I went back to the room Manuel said room service finally came and were mad at us for not being there! I was a little heated, but considered in the whole scheme of things if that was the only thing that went bad, ok. That night at dinner we stuck to beer and I had langoustine and a vegetarian entrée. BF had the broccoli cheddar soup and the penne sicliana. The veggie thing was weird, but everything else was great as always. At the end of dinner, the head of room service came over to our table and apologized. WE told him that was all we were looking for and to bring to his attention that inaccurate wait times were being quoted. That’s all we wanted. If 1.5 hours was quoted, we would have cancelled and gotten food on our own. But he went a step further and provided is with a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries in our room! So we went back and had a little date night to ourselves. It was great. Carnival really goes out of their way to provide customer service.

The next day was Nassau, I had a little trouble getting out of bed, but I made it. We got off the ship and took a water taxi to Paradise Island. The taxi was funny, they pack you in like sardines and then a local tells you a bunch of BS, like that’s Mick Jaggers house and Nicholas Cage’s boat. Then they ask you for more money. We walked to Atlantis from the dock and went in some of the shops. Pretty expensive but really nice stuff. We walked through their casino and around the hotel. It was beautiful. We didn’t buy tickets into the digs, but you can see some of the aquarium for free. The whole place was awesome. We would definitely stay there if we came back to Nassau, which I don’t think we will. We took the water taxi back to the downtown and heard the same canned speech and beg for money and walked down bay street and looked in the shops. There was nothing I was too excited about. We walked in the straw market. It was crowded and hot and I do not like to barter. I bought a frame and some magnets. Every vendor had the same stuff, cheap t0shirts and knock off purses. WE then went to Senor Frogs for some lunch I had some great fajitas and a margarita and BF had the wings. The party was just getting started there, when we had to get back on the boat L.

WE hit up the casino when we got back and started drinking again. Lost some money that day, but had fun anyway. At dinner that night we had another bottle of wine, escargots and seafood newburg. BF I think had beef. I can’t remember. We tipped our dining staff a little extra as well as the maitr’d, he was so cute! We took tons of pictures that night with our new friends, drank and caught a comedy show. The only show we saw the whole trip! WE went to bed sad the trip was over.

The next morning we got up early to do self-assist. We tipped our room steward a little extra for all his hard work. We had our only breakfast in the dining room. Small portions we were used tot eh buffet! I didn’t like self assist, but BF was wary about leaving our bags out overnight. WE carried my suitcase and his, but I got stuck with our heavy carry-ons, not a happy camper. We got off pretty easily, but I was tired. The shuttles were waiting and I recommend it as an easy way to get the airport, We got to the airport by 10:15, the shuttle driver was an idiot and couldn’t answer any of our questions and then he wanted tip money, yeah right and we like to tip, having both worked in the service industry growing up. We almost made an earlier flight, but we a little too late so we had to hang out in the airport until 2. We managed to sit together on the plane (flew Southwest); baggage took a little long but made it home without incident.

All in all it was a fantastic trip. Can’t wait to upload my pictures and start planning my next cruise!

[twinsmom1994]

Thanks for the review! We're leaving in 26 days...can't wait! Will you post your pictures anywhere for public viewing? I'd love to see them if you do!

[edrobjr]

Great review! I leave in 7 days for my cruise and can't wait!! I had a question for you, how much was the taxi to paradise island? Was it a long ride? And how easy was it to find/catch a "water taxi"? Thanks!

[Jenmars23]

Really easy to catch a water taxi, lots of people will approach you asking if you want a ride. They leave every half hour and are 6 per person round trip plus tip. It was a ten or fifteen minute ride. Pretty convenient. Our friends walked, not so convenient.

[djpaul]

Heading to Nassau in 2 weeks...what excursions would you recommend? The ship is going to both Key West and Nassau. I thought about snorkeling at one of the places, however I hear Nassau closes up shop at around 5. Was the straw market in Nassau like the one in Jamaica? Also how is Atlantis and what all is there to do there?

 

And last but certainly not least, how is Senor Frogs? We're gonna be there till late in the evening and wondered where some good spots to party would be? What was the crowd at Frogs like?

 

Your Favorite DJ,

djpaul

[chnsuz]

We did the stingray excursion in Nassau. It was ok but not as nice as the other days. I have heard that Nassau has better shopping than Freeport. The straw market is a big pole building with narrow rows of stalls. Expect to bargain - they don't expect you to pay their initial price from what I could see.

I have heard alot about Senor Frogs - sounds like a party place - but we didn't make it there. It is near the strw market on the waterfront. Have fun...

[Jenmars23]

Heading to Nassau in 2 weeks...what excursions would you recommend? The ship is going to both Key West and Nassau. I thought about snorkeling at one of the places, however I hear Nassau closes up shop at around 5. Was the straw market in Nassau like the one in Jamaica? Also how is Atlantis and what all is there to do there?

 

And last but certainly not least, how is Senor Frogs? We're gonna be there till late in the evening and wondered where some good spots to party would be? What was the crowd at Frogs like?

 

Your Favorite DJ,

djpaul

 

We didn't do any excursions in Nassau, we had two other beach stops so we just did sightseeing in Nassau. In Atlantis there are high end shops, really nice stuff and nice restaurants. There is an aquarium there, parts of it are free or you can pay for all of the "Digs." There are employees all over preventing you from seeing some of the grounds, but if you time it right they take breaks and you can sneak through (our tablemates did). There is a casino there as well. Pretty expensive compared to the limits on ship. We were only in port until three in Nassau, so we didn't see the shops close. There were many jewelry shops, t-shirt places, duty free shops. I didn't go to the straw market in jamaica, our resort told us it was unsafe to leave the resort without a tour. This market was crowded and hot. The vendors are crammed together and all have the same stuff. If you want a t-shirt, plastic souvenir, shot glass or knock off purse that's your spot.

 

Senor Frogs was shaping up to be fun. It's just like the one in Cancun, but there isn't a slide and it's smaller, but there was a stage set up for a band and they had a dj when we were there. He was doing the usual drinking contests and giving away shots. They had the conga lien going where they shoot the liquor down your throat. I would have liked to stay a little longer, the party was just getting started at 2.

[cubdaddy]

We are also heading out on the Fantasy in a couple months and appreciate the review. So far all the reviews I have read were positive with the few exceptions.

 

Please share your pictures! We would love to have some visuals of the ship and islands!

[djpaul]

Thanks Jen.

 

The market in Jamaica was crowded but fun in the same sense. Sounds alot like Nassau. Might have to check it out.

 

Maybe we'll get to pick up you party at Frogs where you left off.

[Jenmars23]

We are also heading out on the Fantasy in a couple months and appreciate the review. So far all the reviews I have read were positive with the few exceptions.

 

Please share your pictures! We would love to have some visuals of the ship and islands!

 

Working on getting pictures uploaded, can anyone recommend a site that I can use for public viewing?

[JudyKa]

Working on getting pictures uploaded, can anyone recommend a site that I can use for public viewing?

 

I've noticed alot of people post pictures on a site called "Webshots".....have not posted pictures on it yet myself; but have used this site alot looking for pictures of details of others' cruises.

[Jenmars23]

Photos now on webshots

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/Jenmars23

[Partygirl1]

What GREAT pictures you took and posted! Thank you so much. You made me relive my vacation, now I will be sad all day. I wanna go again:(

[JudyKa]

Photos now on webshots

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/Jenmars23

 

Thanks, Jen....wonderful pictures.