Fantasy Review July 27-31, 2006

[tahitidreamz]

Hello to you All-

 

As some of you may already know, my last words prior to my Cruise was that I was not going... This actually held true until 6am on July 27th.....prior to my sailing.

 

First of all- My boyfriend bailed on me hours before the cruise...Not really any information as to why- just a simple email that a friend of his was dying he was torn in two... Nothing more...I tried numerous times to call and email, no answer... So....On Wednesday the 26th- I called to cancel my ride to the airport, only I was met with resistence of "Your going on that cruise- be ready at 5"............I rushed home finished packing and was at the airport by 6:30- In orlando by 8pm..........

 

I took an easier route and rented a car through Budget from the Orlando Airport....Upon picking that up- of course since I put down myself and my boyfriend as driving, I found myself in tears at the customer service desk explaining why he wasnt there nor would be driving.... I think she felt really bad which wasnt my intention- I just got tired of explaining it to cancel things with his name on certain things. I went to pick up my car which was a "Convertable".. "Hello"...... I was stoked..(I rented something like a yugo).. I got in dropped the top and drove on to my hotel (Which by the way I got lost looking for).....................

 

I Finally arrived at my hotel at 11pm... I stayed at the I Drive Inn...I had been reading the reviews on it and it got good marks, and for the price of 45.00 a night- I thought No- but still kept it- and figured I could change hotels if need be... PEOPLE- this hotel ROCKS! Nice, Big, Clean rooms- and free breakfast! They are right on the strip of Wet and Wild...The staff is Awesome, and well...I plan on staying there from now on..............

 

Sail Day- 6am I woke up miserable and called my Carnival Rep to cancel my cruise all together. However, he refused and told me to just go and be on the ship no later than 3pm....I got up- showered and all ate breakfast at the Hotel and I was off....... The ONLY problem I had leaving the hotel to Cape Canaveral was that I got lost...I had to stop 4 times to get accurate directions...As for dropping off Rental cars- this is located off of Cape Canaveral Exit A1A.......... not inside the Embarktation areas.

 

Getting on the Ship was no problem. There were no lines by 11am.......My cabin was E163..NOW this is the tricky part...... I got my key information and tried to open the door with no luck. One of the cabin stewards saw me struggling, and came to assist and told me I was at the wrong cabin. I should be in E63 which was down the hall...The key worked.. No worries... I dropped off my luggage and went to the Lido deck where I had a drink in hand and was already trying to relax.....2 Hours later I had sipped down 2 more fruity froths which snuck up on me, and I went back to my cabin....Upon entering, I noticed that not only had someone been sleeping in my bed but- someones luggage was also in there and mine was put aside... I closed the door and went to the pursers desk... I could only ask if she had ever heard of the Three Bears- and then I told her someone had been sleeping in my bed..... She calmly asked me my cabin number and all- and then asked me- How many drinks I had... I told her I had 3 but I was still able to get in my cabin....Come to find out- the Cabin Steward gave me wrong information and my cabin was E163 down the hall...No worries...I still had a drink and smile and walked to my correct cabin.

 

I never met my Cabin Steward- we saw each other every now and then and said hello...Which was ok......I still got a clean room each day. Arriving into Nassau.... It was HOT.....that is all I can say...HOT...The straw Market was Hot, and no one really wanted to bargain... Then again I had already decided I didnt need alot of things- so I stuck with getting shot glasses and postcards..Nothing more.....

 

I spent most of my time at Senor Frogs...Which by the way- is one happening party. I would not recommend kids going as this is more Adult centered, but WOW....the drinks poured... If anyone was on this Cruise and was there- I was the only female representing other females against 4 men in the Beer Guzzling contest... 8 Seconds Thank you Very much!

This is also where I guzzled free shots ALOT- and I was introduced to a handsome brut from England- who kindly escorted me to the Flamingo (which is a NICE Cuban Bar with a Walk in Humidor)- and then to a place called Da Jukanoo Bar.. All of these are located right near Senor Frogs up the street pretty much..................

 

No HMC......I was kinda dissapointed but oh well.. Ended up in Freeport where I stayed at the Beach....No shopping here..Way to expensive......

 

Food on the Fantasy- Dinner is and will be Artsy Fartsy Food....But I ate enough Pumpkin Soup, Lobster Bisque, and Salmon to last me.. And yes, I had extras..In fact my table mates and I kept our Head Waitor Busy. I feel by the last evening he was ready for us to go....

 

Breakfast- Had in the main dining room...It is the same as Lido but more personal and relaxed... Lunch- Lido Deck... I could not get enough of those Hamburgers! The Pizza was awesome also.. All in all- I came back to Atlanta fatter......

 

All in all....The bad aspects-

 

Not stopping at Half Moon Cay

Getting stuck in the elevator by myself for 15 minutes

Wrong Cabin mixups

 

The Good-

Being on a Cruise- knowing there are so many people that cannot do this.

Having you all from Cruise Critic to be such a great support

Having something to write home about

Not getting hysterical and angry at anyone because of delays, or drama............

Carnival staff for going the extra mile, even though they are overworked and tired to please someone such as myself.

 

Meeting New People..... *PriceLess*

 

Tahiti

[seashell36]

Tahiti,

I'm glad that you went on the cruise anyway! The review was very helpful. I don't think we will go into the Straw Market when we go in Oct. Maybe just buy the stuff you can get at the front of the market. Too bad you didn't make it to HMC. :(

[Caribbean Buckeye]

Well, I'm glad to hear you went. Thanks for a good review.

[CarribbeanTina271]

Thanks for the review and glad to enjoy yourself on my fav ship!!! :p

Tina

[tahitidreamz]

I in all honesty, didnt see anything in the Straw Market worth really buying. I saw alot of people buying the Fake Purses, but you would do better to just make a list of what you plan on buying, and just going into one of the main shops for gifts....

 

But thats just me.:D

 

tahiti

[tahitidreamz]

Caribbean Buckeye- "Steve"

 

you are awesome. Thank you Muchly for your support during my crying fits....:D

 

tinaandclyde- Thank you for posting a reply. Indeed it was alot of fun.:)

 

tahiti

[Tamara]

We are to sail on the 4 nite Sept. 7 with another couple. I am really looking forward to Half moon Cay and hope not to miss it. Is it common for CCL to substitute Freeport in the event HMC can not be visited? -Tamara

[tahitidreamz]

I guess so Tamara since it is within the same route and closest port....:confused:

However as I stated in your question to your original post- Things happen..It is all in how you roll with it...

 

tahiti

:D

[Caribbean Buckeye]

Caribbean Buckeye- "Steve"

 

you are awesome. Thank you Muchly for your support during my crying fits....:D

tahiti

 

Thank you. It was my pleasure. I wish you the very best.

[G.C]

tahiti,

Glad to see you went thru with it. Life is kinda like cruising you can only control your reaction not the next incoming wave. Nassau can be very hot this time of year. The straw market burned down a few years ago. It still is a fire trap but like many things you have to have seen it at least once.

[cantw82sail]

Tahiti...

Glad to see you went on your cruise!

 

Thanks for the review!

[tahitidreamz]

GC- thanks for commenting, and I agree with your philosophy... I broke down many a times on my trip- however I had to push through it... Such as life. By the way- I never knew that about the Straw Market, and I can see why... I know they didnt have fire extinguishers around, and it is VERY congested with all of the people and of course buys... We had a few people on our Ship that I think had heat and fainting spells from being in there.

 

Cantw8- Thank you for commenting also! :D Indeed I am now that I am back- I am glad that I went also......

 

tahiti

[Celeste548]

I was also on the Fantasy for the July 27-31 sail dates...it was a pretty good time! I was wondering if whoever else sailed on the cruise (sorry I lost track of who you were!) might have caught the last name of the assistant cruise director Brad. I thought he did a great job, and I'd like to keep a lookout for him if he gets promoted one day. I have a feeling he'd make a great cruise director.

 

Thanks!!

 

Hope eveyone enjoyed the trip :)

[Caribbean Buckeye]

I was also on the Fantasy for the July 27-31 sail dates...it was a pretty good time! I was wondering if whoever else sailed on the cruise (sorry I lost track of who you were!) might have caught the last name of the assistant cruise director Brad. I thought he did a great job, and I'd like to keep a lookout for him if he gets promoted one day. I have a feeling he'd make a great cruise director.

 

Thanks!!

 

Hope eveyone enjoyed the trip :)

 

Where's your review? We'd love to hear about your time on the Fantasy!

[vesw01]

Tahiti - whatever happend with your boyfriend?

[tahitidreamz]

Hi Ves!

 

Weeeellllll... He left me a message vm and I got it the morning we Debarked back into port. More or less stated a short- sad- vm- hoping I had a great time, and that I wasnt with anybody... *shrugs* yeah right. I was with "plenty" of people.....

 

However I did send him photos of the cruise, and decorated the ones scrapbook style of myself and Andy hugging. :D Other than that- he felt I was being "vague" when he called late Monday night...So he hung up on me... *no worries*:p

 

Celeste- I didnt even *know* there was anyone assisting Maraschalle...However I may have been not around much or intoxicated.. It is one or the other.... *Loved the Spoon Show though* *laughs*

 

Continued chatting with Percy Cruz II the next day after the Show he did at the pool area. He is so friendly... Looks like Shaquille O'Neal to me....I dont know if anyone else caught that- but then again- I plea the Fifth due to Constant Barcadi Mojitos.....:o

 

tahiti

[Tamara]

Could you please tell me who the Cruise director was? Thanks-Tamara

[Celeste548]

Tahiti, I loved Percy Crews II! I didn't go to the late show, but the one the following day was hysterical! I was actually crying at some points!

The assistant CD was the guy who called bingo and he was part of the party team.

So here's my review:

We arrived at the Fantasy around 1:30 via shuttle from the Orlando Airport. After spending four very busy days in Orlando going to Universal & Disney my mom and I were looking forward to a relaxing next few days. After getting through customs and entering the ship, we got a little lost finding our room to put our carryon away. But we got there, managed to find the Lido deck and get something to eat. I thought that the band playing on deck was nice and welcoming. After eating lunch we set out to explore the ship. Its sort of funny looking back on it b/c everything seemed so confusing, and by the end everyone knew the ship like the back of their hand!

We had the late seating for dinner in the Celebration Dining Room, so we watched the ship leave port and unpacked a little. We had some nice people at our dinner table, so that was a good thing, and our waiter, Mario, was wonderful!

The shows every night were fantastic, and everyone was highly entertaining. I thought that the dancers were great and Marascahl was funny...although I did get tired of his "say yes" line after a few days :) Even though I lost $25 playing bingo, it was still enjoyable.

Nassau was pretty much what I expected, and I did go into the straw market but the women working there weren't exactly friendly so I left without anything. Missing HMC was a little disappointing, especially since everything I've read has said that it’s so beautiful, but I guess you can't really do anything about that! Freeport seemed to be a little disorganized to me. We didn't know what was there or where to go so we basically got off the ship, walked around for a few minutes and then went back on board. I would have liked to see a few more activities during the Freeport and Fun Day at Sea days b/c I did find myself getting a little bored at times.

But on the whole I enjoyed myself. My cabin steward, Paul, was very nice and I loved the towel animals each night. I would definitely go on a cruise again, although maybe a longer one next time :)

[tahitidreamz]

*Celeste* I am glad that you had a great time on your cruise... It always dawns after a cruise for me- regardless of some of the let downs, the good always outweighed the bad....:D

 

Ahhhhhh - so now I know.. I did not partake in the Bingo... Those Senior Citizens and Bingo fanatics take that seriously... :rolleyes:

 

There are still things I did not get to attend though.... Like I barely made it to the Mexican Fiesta... I did not make it to Tea Time, nor did I make it to Past Cruise party (which I didnt even get an invite for...) :confused: nor did I make it to the Captain get together that night..... Oh well, plenty more cruises and times to catch up. When is your next one????

 

tahiti:D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... nor did I make it to Past Cruise party (which I didnt even get an invite for...) :confused:

 

tahiti:D

 

That is because they only have the Past Guest Party on cruises of 5 nights and longer (so I am told).

 

It was nice meeting you (and David - another CC'er) at the meet and greet. Glad you made the best of your situation. AT LEAST YOU WERE ON VACATION !!!

 

We also became weary of the SAY YES from the CD - perhaps Carnival knows this, and he will remain on shorter cruises...;)

 

I do not recall Brad's last name. He was the fellow assigned to escort the Concierge Club people and the early flights off of the ship - I am amazed to report that I was the VERY FIRST person off of the ship on Monday. That sure beats having to wait around for 1, 2, or 3 hours :eek:

 

Tom

[RjayB]

Tahiti, I am glad your friends made you go on the trip!

 

I will be on the 4-day Fantasy on 9/21, what happened to make the ship miss HMC?

 

Speaking of HMC, I was looking on google earth and I cant find it...I know it is somewhere near Eleuthera and Cat Island, but there is no other little island around there that I can find :confused:

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I have read a few other reviews indicating that HMC is SKIPPED periodically (sort of like Grand Cayman for us...). The announcement was made the day before (Friday - Nassau) that due to a TROPICAL DISTURBANCE (and for our safety - it is a tendered port) we would be instead going to the "wonderful" port of FREEPORT...:rolleyes:

 

Well, it was breezy when in Nassau, but there was NOT any kind of TROPICAL weather around (other than we were IN the "tropics"). We get online daily, and the whole area was clear on satellite images/loops.

 

Tom

[1timecruiser]

Tahiti!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm so glad that you went on your cruise despite all of the heartache and drama that proceeded it. I have not been as CC friendly this past week or so, as I've been extremely busy at work. I'm sure alot of people are probably cursing me about those darn Capers. :(

 

I did look to see if I saw you on whenever I did manage to log on, but to no avail I just assumed you were home. I'm so glad to see you sucked it up and made the best of it!

 

I really hate you missed HMC because that's where our little slice of heaven was spotted. ;) Now that I know you're from ATL, girl i'm only a 48min flight away, if you need someone to cruise with in the future, let me know!

 

I've laughed hysterically at your cabin mix-up and not sure what I would've done had I made it to my room and uhmm, someone else's things where there. :eek: Now, were you on a 4-day or 5-day this cruise?

That's great that you were given the option to go to Freeport since HMC was cancelled. Yes, that is a tender port and yes, my sick girlfriend was seriously about to RALPH from all the movement of the tender.

 

The drinks on the ship....ohhhweee...they know how to keep them coming don't they?

 

I am so happy to come online for the few minutes I do have today and see that you did have a wonderful vacation. Thanks for making me laugh today, now I can go shopping (it's tax free weekend in TN this weekend) and get my hair done so I can look CAYUTE tonight! :D

 

See you here soon....

 

1timecruiser

[tahitidreamz]

*laughs*

 

1stTimeCruiser- I have missed you!!!!!! Tom and Cheryl were 2 of the people that coaxed me along- it was so nice meeting a few others from Cruise Critic.... *Darn them for that HMC non stop Tom and Cheryl* :mad:

 

Oh well- guess I have to book another cruise to go :D WHICH reminds me... I do not think I will be doing the December Cruise- as my 11 year old will more likely opt for Spider Man photos at Universal.. So.. thats where I will be Christmas Time... HOWEVER- I am in the midst of putting together a rocking good Cruise for my Birthday in March of 2007.. This is going to be a wild one so if interested- your my gal... :p I will shoot you an email.

 

tahiti

 

PS. I used to live in Chattanooga!:eek:

 

PS.... dont forget about your pedicure

[Celeste548]

Ahhhhhh - so now I know.. I did not partake in the Bingo... Those Senior Citizens and Bingo fanatics take that seriously... :rolleyes:

 

 

LOL, well I must say that I didn't take it very seriously b/c I wasn't expecting to win...which was good b/c between the casio and bingo I was on a bit of a losing streak ;)

 

 

We also became weary of the SAY YES from the CD - perhaps Carnival knows this, and he will remain on shorter cruises...

 

I think I read on another post somewhere that he'll be retiring in December. Not sure if this is true, but he did mention at some point that he's worked for Carnival for 14 years, so it seems possible.

 

I do not recall Brad's last name. He was the fellow assigned to escort the Concierge Club people and the early flights off of the ship - I am amazed to report that I was the VERY FIRST person off of the ship on Monday. That sure beats having to wait around for 1, 2, or 3 hours

 

Wow Tom, lucky you!! I think that the process of leaving the ship was my least favorite part of the four days...but it didn't take as long as I've heard it could. I think it was more being packed into such a small area with all of those people and not really going anywhere! So what time did you get to leave the ship?