Fantasy alum - Questions - if you don't mind

[sassykajun]

Hi,

 

I went on my first cruise ever this past summer and I had the time of my life. My mother took me on a seven day Western Carribean cruise aboard the Carnival Conquest. I was immediately hooked, and now, six months later, I am about to go on my second cruise aboard the Fantasy. My mother and I are sailing out of New Orleans on January 22 for a five day cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel. It will be my second cruise and her third (her first was aboard the Carnival Victory in May 2006).

 

Anyway, I have been reading some reviews of the Fantasy both here and over at the Carnival website, and though overall the reviews have mostly been very positive, there have been some negative ones. The reviews in which people weren't pleased with their Fantasy cruise complained about all manner of things, and now I must admit that I'm a bit worried. I'm really looking forward to my cruise and don't want to be disappointed.

 

Of the people who complained, almost all of them mentioned that the ship was very run down and shabby looking, and some even complained of the cleanliness of their rooms and of the pools. Some said that their room stank, that the bed lines were dirty, and that the pools were filthy. Others complained that the staff aboard the Fantasy was very rude and not at all accomodating or helpful. From my one experience with Carnival, coupled with my mom's experience, I find these things hard to believe of any Carnival ship.

 

I know that the Fantasy is one of Carnival's older ships, but I can't believe that it was dirty or run down. I read someplace that it was recently refurbished.

 

Also, several people have complained about seasickness aboard the Fantasy, and this has me concerned. I tend to suffer from motion sickness, and it was my one worry when I sailed aboard the Conquest. However, though I packed Dramamine with me, I never once had to use it, and was surprised by how smoothly the ship sailed. I know, though, that the Fantasy isn't as big a ship as the Conquest and am wondering if that makes a difference. I would hate to spend five days being seasick.

 

Anything that anyone can tell me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Oh, and is there anyone out there who will also be sailing on the Fantasy on January 22?

[tandemcruzr]

We have sailed the Fantasy (our first cruise) and the Glory (a much larger ship.) No sea sickness on either one and actually felt more movement on the Glory. Quite a bit! Both cruises were eastern Carribbean

 

Don't recall any problems with cleanliness on the Fantasy. Pools were crowded on sea days, but didn't notice that they were dirty at all. Our room was well maintained by the cabin steward.

 

Seems like for every ten positive comments, there will always be some negative comments. We wouldn't hesitate to sail the Fantasy again.

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[mxylpic]

Hey there;

 

Don't worry. I heard a lot of the same things before I sailed on the Sensation over Christmas.

 

We found Sensation spotless and well kept. True, if you really looked for signs of age you can find them, but just relax and enjoy your cruise.

 

Cheers.

[tandemcruzr]

oops --- double post gremlins are at it again ;-)

[letsgocruz1]

Hello, we were on the Fantasy in May and had a great time. There are a few places on the ship that show their age, for instance the buffet area had some weird colors going on. But the staterooms all look good as new and have the new bedding (our room was spotless!) The promenade deck was recently refurbished and is absolutely beautiful.

 

Also, only twice did I even notice the ship was moving, and I am very susceptible for seasickness, as you are. I was very impressed by that. Of course weather will have alot to do with it, too.

 

I think you'll have a great time on the Fantasy. Remember that it is a smaller, older ship than the Conquest. But they still have the fun activities, the same menus, and same wonderful service. You won't be disappointed!!

[baybye]

Hi Sassy, don't let what people say about a ship get you down.:p

 

Cruising is just like life, its what you make of it.:D

 

Every ship is different and every cruise is different and you have to look at the positive things about the ship and cruise, not the negative thing.

 

If you listen to all the things people complain about it will get you anxious.:eek:

 

Think of all the positive thing about your Conquest cruise and focus on that.:p

 

Nothing in the life is always positive but that is how we get our experience in life and our happiness is how we deal with the positive and the negative. :)

 

 

Go with an open mind and you will be fine.!!!!!!!!!

 

Beverly

[geauxgirl]

ok, I might get bashed for telling you this, but I'm being honest, and you are asking for honest opinions so here it goes. Just remember, the Conquest is one of Carnival's newer boat's with all the newest ammenities and the Fantasy is from the "old school" . She is nice in her own way, but nothing in comparison to the Conquest. If you are wondering how I know, I sailed on the Conquest 2/04. but better yet I sailed on the Valor 5/06 and then finally on the Fantasy 10/06 and as much as I tried not to compare the the Fantasy to the much larger and nicer ships, in the end I did. Although, I didn't find the Fantasy really dirty, it was just kinda of dull compared to the others. The smoke in the lounges were outragous and I was traveling with smokers so I was stuck everywhere I went. and yes I did find the motion on this ship worse then others. I don't get sea sick, so it didn't bother me, but whew.... that boat did some rocking. Shortly after my cruise , my nephew cruised and he said the ship rocked alot too, but they went thru bad weather. Just be prepared, take your seasick meds with you and you'll be fine. I'm only telling you this so that you will go in with an open mind, just knowing that it might be a step down from the Conquest, but all and all it is a nice ship and you should have a wonderful time.

[Squidly]

My wife and I were on the Fantasy in 2000 and loved her.We will be on the Fantasy on 01/22/07 can't wait.She was and older ship then and older now but i'm sure she has kept her age well.:D If we could be so lucky:)

[HarleyGirl]

and she was beautiful. It's the only ship I've been on, though, so I've nothing to compare her to, but the staff was very accommodating and couldnt have been more friendly. They were efficient and helpful and we loved all of them. We did not encounter a rude staff person all week. And you know, I'm sure that has something to do with how you treat them also. Some people are just going to be jerks to the working people just because they CAN. These might be some of the same people who are complaining that the staff was rude.

 

I will be getting off the ship the day you get on, as we are doing the four-night trip leaving 01/18. Now I did have to use a motion sickness patch but with this being my first cruise I dont know if maybe I'm just prone to motion sickness or whether it was the ship itself. The pool looked clean and our cabin was spotless and those beds--ahhhhh the beds...soooo comfy. I loved the beds. The food was great too. I think cruising, like any other kind of vacation, is just what you make of it. Don't let everyone else give you bad expectations before you go, because that's just what you'll have. I've read way more positive reviews about the Fantasy than negative. Go with an open mind and enjoy it and post your review when ya get back!:p

[TanyaH321]

Hey sassy! I can't really help you with that question about the Fantasy. But, like people have said, it's what you make of it.

 

I know when my husband and I went on the Sovereign in 2002 before it went into dry dock, I read the very same stuff. That the ship looked old and dirty and run down. I found it to be the complete opposite. I thought the ship looked great and not at all run down. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it at all. If you go into it expecting something bad, you will get just that. Just expect to have a great time and you will, no matter what!

 

Oh, by the way, me and my family will be on that same cruise. Maybe we will see you there. I replied to you post over on the roll call as well.

 

2 more weeks to go!

[emdia43]

I remember going on my first cruise on Majesty of the Seas and being thrilled with it all- I was so hooked.

I didn't know anything about Cruise Critic then and when I did I was shocked to read some reviews of Majesty that said the ship was the oldest/smallest/dirtiest of the fleet. Well you could have fooled me.

I remember lying on a float at Cocoa Cay and looking back at the ship moored waiting for me and thinking how beautiful she was.

I will be on Fantasy in March and I have seen negative reviews too. Sometimes people just have a few glitches,and that's possible considering they're trying to please 2000 people all of the time and stuff happens,but when I read a totally negative review I just discount it entirely. After you have read a few you will start doing the same thing I'm sure- take them with a big pinch of salt. :)

[sassykajun]

Thanks everybody!

 

I think for the most part, people who post negative reviews, go on these ships with really high expectations and then find themselves disappointed. Everything will be fine on my upcoming cruise, I'm sure, but thanks for reassuring me. :)

 

Like I said before, I had the time of my life on the Conquest last July and thought it was an excellent ship and a wonderful cruise. However, in skimming through different reviews, I've even found some truly negative ones for that ship, which I just can't believe. I have come to the conclusion that some people simply can't be pleased with what they get. :p

[BarJen]

We sailed on the Fantasy twice, you can tell that the ship is older, you may see a lightbulb or 2 burned, or some worn carpet in high traffic areas.

All in all not a big deal because Fantasy is one of the least expensive ships to cruise on. Our rooms were nice, kept clean by staff and comfortable. Staff was curtious, food was very good, pools were clean. I really can't think of any major complaint from our experience, you may notice more because you have been on a newer ship. Just go with an open mind, have fun because your on vacation!!

Also, motion sickness should not be an issue, my wife can't ride in the back seat of a car because of this, experienced no problems at all on the Fantasy and she did'nt use Dramamine or anything.

 

ENJOY!!:)

[LHP]

We sailed on the Fantasy a couple of weeks ago and found her to be fine.

 

Is she as large as the Conquest (with its fish and chips)?? no

But there is a deli and 24 hour pizza and room service.

 

You will probably find the food comparable with the other Carnival ships you have sailed on.

 

We were on Upper and did not find any noticable stains on the carpets. We had rooms almost to the Aft and did not smell any odors. I have read about stains on some of the hall carpets on the Riveria deck, but did not witness these myself. (but then I don't really look for such things)

 

We found the Lido to be clean. Tables were cleaned off in a timely manner.

Karaoke is done in a smoke free lounge (with smoking just outside the door as a convenience to smokers who karaoke). The piano bar holds smoke pretty badly around the piano, but that happens on all the Carnival ships we have been on. Other than that, I never really noticed any smoke odors.

 

I don't gamble, (except for my freebie slot tournament) so I can't tell you about the smoking in the casino.

 

Cruising (like other forms of travel) is pretty much what you make of it. If someone wants to find faults...they will. Overall, I would sail on the Fantasy again in a heartbeat!

 

One thing I will warn you about. If you are into karaoke and are "pitch dependent" the key shifter on the karaoke system was not working on our cruise. Also bring your own cdgs if you have them, the selection is limited.

 

Noonan will be your Assistant CD. He is a sweet heart. Allen will be one of your Social Host and is a doll as well. Dakota is playing in the Cat's Lounge and have a wicked guitar player.

 

Go and have a great time!!!

[Lewdog]

We were there with LHP and had a great time! This was our 2nd sailing on the Fantasy (our first cruise ever was on her 3 years ago)

 

We found everything clean, crew pleasant and well mannered and had a great time. Yes, the casino (like always) was smoky.

 

I think you hit on the right attitude that some people are just hyper critical and nothing would make them happy, they would find fault with the Queen Mary.

 

Keep in mind this ship serves what a couple thousand people every 4 - 5 days and then you become amazed at the lack of wear and tear you see.

[Caribbean Buckeye]

I should still have a link to my Fantasy Review in my signature but I haven't been on here in a while. I think my review will put your fears to rest. There is absolutely nothing objectionable about this ship. It's clean, it comfortable and you're going to be in the Caribbean. Have a great trip.

 

Oh, and one more thing.... Go Buckeyes, Beat Florida! (Tonight they play for the National Championship and that's all that's on everyone's mind here in Columbus).

[nimbex1970]

I'll add my 2 cents too. I sailed the large CCL ships, the Conquest as well, but the small Inspiration was my first, so going back "small" I knew to expect smalller decks, less deck chair space, very few night life alternatives if you're not doing the shows. Being only your second sailing... you very well might spend each night in the shows and karayoke or the piano bar and have a great time.... I was showed out and only wanted to relax in the night clubs and they were fine, just becomming the same 'ole by cruising end.

 

cleopatras lounge was great, chair saving low for us but it was late OCT.

 

I found the ship to be worn only on the deck hallways for the cabins and the shower tile not the newest, but everything was CLEAN and well kept, warn out slightly was a quick notice and never thought of it again.

 

the new bedding kept me in bed just to lay there it was excellent, the room service menu more extensive than our last celebration cruise and it was excellent service and quality.

 

Now I found the food here to be the worst on this ship and I've said this here before, but a review by someone else from our same sailing had a perfectly satisfied coustomer who raved about it.... I lived on room service and gourged myself at cracker barrel the second I got off ship and lost weight. So take that with a grain of salt, it's soooo subjective.

 

Know that your options are fewer BUT- you'll walk less, get to know the other passengers easier and since you loved cruising the first time... I'm SURE you'll love it, just for different reasons... you may well find that you like the smaller ships... or find out you prefer the larger ones.... anyway I bet you'll happily book another.

[allicat1214]

Sassykajun....

 

We just got off the Fantasy yesterday. I haven't been on any of Carnival's big ships, but compared to the Holiday and Sensation, the Fantasy was the best in terms of cleanliness and service.

 

The Holiday was our first cruise and we loved everything about it....although I did bonine every day. And we went through rough seas coming back from Cozumel. (When I was in bed that night, I kept thinking to myself, "How did the pilgrims do it???" It was pretty bad!!)

 

Sensation - the ship was bigger and better as far as the seas go, but I didn't like the decor and the service in the dining rooms and in housekeeping was not pleasant at all.

 

On the Fantasy, we always saw someone cleaning some area of the ship. There was a smokey smell in the piano bar at night, but in the afternoons for tea it was fine. The karaoke is in a non-smoking bar, right next to a smoking area. And our service in the Celebration dining room was wonderful. We had Yaco & Gun and they were the best wait staff of all three ships. They called us by name every time they saw us, even when not at dinner! As far as housekeeping, our sheets were changed daily. In fact, the day we got on the ship, my husband scraped his arm on something. When he took an afternoon rest, he got a little blood on the sheets. When we came back from dinner, we had cleaned sheets for the night. I thought that was pretty cool!! The steward was great and friendly.

 

The only thing word of caution I would offer is: take your dramamine! Sailing in/out of New Orleans is different than sailing out of almost every other port because of the long trip up/down the river. It's worse coming back up the river.....there wasn't a lot of rocking, but a lot of vibration and slow rolling back and forth as the ship twists and turns to follow the curves of the river. BUT it's not enough to roll things off tables or anything, just wanted to be honest and tell you to get your motion sickness meds ready.

 

I wouldn't let that put a damper on anything. Like others have said, it's all about your attitude...and hey, you're on vacation, so enjoy it!

[drumline]

For an older ship the Fantasy was in pretty good shape and very easy to navigate around. I do have to say that even though the weather was beautiful the seas were very rough and rocky. Staff assured us it was due to a recent storm that left large swells in the water and not from the size of the ship. Have a great time.