Fantasy Only Questions ...

[Rowan555]

This was posted by the AP about Costa Maya.

 

"Hundreds of homes were collapsed in Majahual when Dean's eye passed almost directly overhead, crumpling steel girders, splintering wooden structures and washing away about half of the immense concrete dock that transformed the sleepy fishing village into Mexico's second-busiest cruise ship destination. The storm surge covered almost the entire town in waist-deep sea water."

Dave

 

Do you think we'll end up going to Calica/Playa Del Carmen, or do you think we'll end up only doing Cozumel, on the upcoming 5 day Fantasy cruises?

[jetskier]

Do you think we'll end up going to Calica/Playa Del Carmen, or do you think we'll end up only doing Cozumel, on the upcoming 5 day Fantasy cruises?

 

I would guess it will be a tossup between Key West, Calica, or Progreso. There are a lot of days were there are no ships in Calica but it can only handle one ship.

 

Dave

[Rowan555]

I would guess it will be a tossup between Key West, Calica, or Progreso. There are a lot of days were there are no ships in Calica but it can only handle one ship.

 

Dave

 

 

Interesting. Frankly, I'd be pleased with any of those, but I'd prefer Key West since it's somewhere I've never been! Seems like it would waste a lot more fuel, though, to go all the way out to Key West and back to Cozumel, so I doubt that will be the recurring itinerary (although I know that's what's happening this week). I've never been to Progresso, but I'm sure we'd find something to do there too!

 

I was looking forward to going to Cha Chi, as we've been to Costa Maya 3 times now but hadn't been brave enough to venture through the hole in the fence. I feel just terrible for all the people of Costa Maya and Majahual, and I hope they can find a way to get the tourists back as soon as possible so they can begin rebuilding and making an income again. Without the pier, though, I'm not sure how that will be possible. And we know how long it takes to rebuild a pier, since Puerta Maya still isn't open almost 2 years after Wilma...

[rangerdog]

Hey CC friends! I've scanned through these pages but did not find some answers to some questions I have.

 

1. Even though the Fantasy has not gone into dry dock yet, do they at least have the new bedding?

 

2. Club 02 is for what ages? What are the age brackets for Camp Carnival?

 

3. Does the casino slot machines have the upgraded players cards? What I mean is: can we put money on our cards and use that instead of feeding money into the machines?

 

4. Are the slots machines upgraded and new? How many penny slots are there?

 

5. Can kids order lemonade or fruit punch at dinner? What free beverages are available for kids?

 

Thanks folks!!

[jetskier]

Interesting. Frankly, I'd be pleased with any of those, but I'd prefer Key West since it's somewhere I've never been! Seems like it would waste a lot more fuel, though, to go all the way out to Key West and back to Cozumel, so I doubt that will be the recurring itinerary (although I know that's what's happening this week). I've never been to Progresso, but I'm sure we'd find something to do there too!

 

I was looking forward to going to Cha Chi, as we've been to Costa Maya 3 times now but hadn't been brave enough to venture through the hole in the fence. I feel just terrible for all the people of Costa Maya and Majahual, and I hope they can find a way to get the tourists back as soon as possible so they can begin rebuilding and making an income again. Without the pier, though, I'm not sure how that will be possible. And we know how long it takes to rebuild a pier, since Puerta Maya still isn't open almost 2 years after Wilma...

 

If Progreso is the port, make sure you take a trip to Merida. It is a beautiful city. I took the local bus for $2.50pp roundtrip. I have not been to Key West either.

 

The reason it is taking so long on the Puerta Maya pier is that Carnival owed Cozumel several million in port fees. So guess who did not get a building permit until that was resolved. Second thing is that Carnival wants to put in a pier to handle four ships. There is a lot of permits that have to be applied for. They are going to be destroying more of Paradise Reef to put the pier in.

 

The biggest thing for Costa Maya is getting a barge in with a crane to be able to remove the debris from the water. Looking at some of the photos coming from Mahahual, it looks like there is not much left. What remains is heavily damaged.

 

Dave

[Rowan555]

Hey CC friends! I've scanned through these pages but did not find some answers to some questions I have.

 

1. Even though the Fantasy has not gone into dry dock yet, do they at least have the new bedding?

 

5. Can kids order lemonade or fruit punch at dinner? What free beverages are available for kids?

 

 

Yes, they have the "new" bedding, and it's fabulous. There are evenings we drop the kids off at Camp Carnival and go back to the room to change, and we end up under the duvet watching tv. It's SO comfy we just don't want to get up!

 

I don't think kids can get lemonade and punch for dinner - but at least as of my last cruise, kids under 12 can get one free soda at dinner. They put it in a small plastic kids cup. Otherwise they can get water or tea. I think someone mentioned milk being available at dinner, but I haven't seen this (nor have we asked for it, so I'm just not sure).

 

The only Camp Carnival age ranges I'm familiar with are 2-5, 6-8, and 9-11. Ages 9 and up can sign themselves out of Camp Carnival - I think you have to sign a paper allowing them to do this, and if you don't, then they can't participate in the scavenger hunt and some of the other activities that take place around the ship.

 

There's a Club O2 on Fantasy, but my kids are younger so I'm not sure of the details.

[sandsand]

I'll be curious to hear back from the folks on the Fantasy right now. Since they took the Key West/Colzumel itinerary I'm wondering how much time they got in each port. It seems like a real stretch for a 5 night.

[Rowan555]

I'll be curious to hear back from the folks on the Fantasy right now. Since they took the Key West/Colzumel itinerary I'm wondering how much time they got in each port. It seems like a real stretch for a 5 night.

 

 

I'm also anxious to hear about it. Are there any Cruise Critic regulars on that sailing, that we know of? Guess I should go look at the role call boards to check...

[nolaAlive]

I think maybe Key West was picked because they had nowhere else to go until the hurricane passed. Not sure if that will be a regular stop until Costa Maya reopens - has to burn a bunch of fuel.

 

I don't know about the Key West port times, but Fantasy is now supposed to be in Cozumel from 11am to 6pm on Thursday.

[Rowan555]

I think maybe Key West was picked because they had nowhere else to go until the hurricane passed. Not sure if that will be a regular stop until Costa Maya reopens - has to burn a bunch of fuel.

 

I don't know about the Key West port times, but Fantasy is now supposed to be in Cozumel from 11am to 6pm on Thursday.

 

That's my thinking as well - Carnival is going to want to pick a port that's MUCH closer to Cozumel for the Fantasy 5 day itinerary. I'd love to go to Key West, but I'm not holding out much hope that it's going to happen on our September 8th cruise. Progresso or Calica would be just fine. An extra day at sea would be just fine. Just get me on the ship and in the Gulf, and I'll be tickled pink.

[Rodeomomof2]

That's my thinking as well - Carnival is going to want to pick a port that's MUCH closer to Cozumel for the Fantasy 5 day itinerary. I'd love to go to Key West, but I'm not holding out much hope that it's going to happen on our September 8th cruise. Progresso or Calica would be just fine. An extra day at sea would be just fine. Just get me on the ship and in the Gulf, and I'll be tickled pink.

 

We leave on the Fantasy Saturday and it is driving me CRAZY not to know where we are going.:eek: I am thinking Calica, I checked and there are no ships scheduled there next Monday the 27th (the day we were supposed to be in Costa Maya)....so that is where I would bet on us being switched to after reading everything that I have read today. I just wished they would hurry up and make the call and let us know....I intend to write a review when I get back...and maybe I will be of some help to someone else.

[LHP]

Anyone know if the fantasy has Texas hold 'em poker tables on board? If so are they the electronic kind with no real cards or dealers? Do they have tournaments? Anyone....anyone.....Bueller?

 

I know this one...I know this one.

 

Last week on the Fantasy they had a Texas Hold 'Em Electronic table. It is right outside the casino and is non-smoking. Our tablemate spent a lot of time there. He was UP the last time I spoke with him. It was the first time he had played the electronic table and he was not sure he would like it.

[LHP]

 

I don't think kids can get lemonade and punch for dinner - but at least as of my last cruise, kids under 12 can get one free soda at dinner. They put it in a small plastic kids cup. Otherwise they can get water or tea. I think someone mentioned milk being available at dinner, but I haven't seen this (nor have we asked for it, so I'm just not sure).

 

There's a Club O2 on Fantasy, but my kids are younger so I'm not sure of the details.

 

I highlighted the coke under 12 because this was an "issue" at our table.

One of our tablemates asked for a soda for their 10 year old and the drink staff wanted to charge them for it. They said they had read that soda was free at dinner for children under 12. The drink staff said no, so the parents asked Stan (the Maitre D') He told the drink staff to bring the soda every night at no cost...but he did not act like it was normal. So just be sure to ASK before ordering!!

 

My 16 year old LOVES Club O2. They do have their own Club O2 room. It is where all the pictures are displayed. If you are going soon, Tara will be the Club O2 director and she is FABULOUS. (Tell her NASCAR ROCKS!!) She was such a blessing to our special needs son!!! Our son (and we) will never forget her.

[LHP]

Hey CC friends! I've scanned through these pages but did not find some answers to some questions I have.

 

1. Even though the Fantasy has not gone into dry dock yet, do they at least have the new bedding?

 

2. Club 02 is for what ages? What are the age brackets for Camp Carnival?

 

3. Does the casino slot machines have the upgraded players cards? What I mean is: can we put money on our cards and use that instead of feeding money into the machines?

 

4. Are the slots machines upgraded and new? How many penny slots are there?

 

5. Can kids order lemonade or fruit punch at dinner? What free beverages are available for kids?

 

Thanks folks!!

 

 

1, yes

 

2. 15 -17 (or in high school) if you have a 14 year old that is a freshman in high school this year....bring their high school id!!!

 

Sorry I don't gamble so I am clueless on 3 and 4.

 

5. We have never tried. Our boys drink soda from their soda cards.

[Jabee]

How about some info on Karaoke on the Fantasy...

Also..do they do the Legends show or a Talent Show...

 

And...how is "Big Tex" as Cruise Director?

We had him on the Celebration, and were pretty disappointed. However, it was his first week on the job so I give him some latitude.

 

Finally...how about the Piano Bar? Who is the singer and is he/she any good and keep the crowd going?

 

thanks...

[jetskier]

Hey CC friends! I've scanned through these pages but did not find some answers to some questions I have.

 

1. Even though the Fantasy has not gone into dry dock yet, do they at least have the new bedding?

 

2. Club 02 is for what ages? What are the age brackets for Camp Carnival?

 

3. Does the casino slot machines have the upgraded players cards? What I mean is: can we put money on our cards and use that instead of feeding money into the machines?

 

4. Are the slots machines upgraded and new? How many penny slots are there?

 

5. Can kids order lemonade or fruit punch at dinner? What free beverages are available for kids?

 

Thanks folks!!

 

1. Yes it has new bedding

2. Club O2-15 to 17 yr olds

3. Yes, they have the updated NO CASH system

4. You will have a mix of wheel type and video screen machines. Not sure how many penny slots but I would say more than 10.

5. Water, Tea, milk. I dont believe they have lemonade or fruit punch as someone would have to run up to the Lido to get it. And to really get them bouncing off the walls, Expresso's are free after the meal

Dave

[jetskier]

How about some info on Karaoke on the Fantasy...

Also..do they do the Legends show or a Talent Show...

 

And...how is "Big Tex" as Cruise Director?

We had him on the Celebration, and were pretty disappointed. However, it was his first week on the job so I give him some latitude.

 

Finally...how about the Piano Bar? Who is the singer and is he/she any good and keep the crowd going?

 

thanks...

 

Karaoke is done nightly in the Forum lounge at the rear of the ship on Deck 9. There is a talent show. They hold auditions one night and then on another night put on the show.

 

My problem with CD's are Carnival ships is that you rarely see them except for the welcome aboard show and a couple of other shows throughout the week. On NCL ships, you were constantly running into them.

 

I am hoping that the Piano Bar has someone else this time. Michal (sp) in January did not have much of a playlist. So the place was dead most of the time.

 

Dave

[LHP]

Nicole (AKA Nicky) is the karaoke host. She is so sweet. She is on time and works hard to make your experience the best. She handles drunks really well to. Nice, but direct!! The karaoke machine does not have pitch control and won't for a long time. When they bought the new units in January, they bought DVD players (not karaoke machines) so these units have no pitch control and Nicky has been told to just "live with it". That is not a problem for most singers. As everyone knows it was a huge problem for me, because I have to have the songs I sing in a particular key. So I bring my own custom cdgs. Another word of warning, there are no monitors. The speakers are placed far in front, so you really have to listen to yourself. Nicky is doing the best she can with the system she has....still fun!!!

 

Milby is in the piano bar now. (Mikael has moved on to the Celebration, I think). He is an older gentleman. Very nice. He will try anything. He had a good crowd every time I was able to be there. Again, there are some speaker issues in the piano bar that need to be addressed. He knows all the regular songs.

 

The best thing about Big Tex is that his staff LOVE HIM!! So they work really hard for him. He is not as visual as other CDs we have had...but he is the nicest guy you will ever want to meet. By the time this contract is up, he will have been on the ship over a year with only 1 month off. Personally, I don't see how he does it. He is very detail oriented. Things will run smoothly if it is within his control. He did something really nice for my special needs son. Everyone knows our son has panic attacks around mascots. So during the Captain Cocktail hour, Freddie was headed our way. Big Tex happen to be sitting with us chatting and he got up and "redirected" Freddie. away from us. Big Tex also arranged for Freddie to stay "out of sight" for the Past Cruisers Party so that our son could attend and clap for all his ships. (He loves doing that)

 

They did have the "old fashion" Talent Show. They met at 11AM in the Universe Lounge the day we docked in Costa Maya (we were not docking until noon).

 

The selection process literally changes from cruise to cruise. I have done more than a dozen of these and it really depends on the number who show up.

 

At 11AM, we only had 4, so Brock just had us sign up. 5 minutes later, we had 2 more show up. So they signed up. Then one dropped out 2 minutes later and another lady showed up and took his slot. By 11:10 we had our 6 folks and rehearsals had started. Close to 11:30, some guy showed up during our rehearsals and wanted to sign up. Brock nicely explained that he was sorry but we had our 6. This guy was a jerk about it. He said "Tell Big Tex I SAID that he needs to announce that if folks want to participate they had better get here early." We said "early, heck all you have to do is be ON TIME!!!"

 

IF more than 6 folks had shown up at 11AM (not 11:05 or 11:10) ... then they would have put everyone's name in a hat and drawn out who was going to be in it. You do not audition to get in. However, immediately after signing up, there is one rehearal to run through your material with the orchestra and sound techs. So bring your stuff that you need with you.

 

And yes, I am always serious about getting in the show so I show up 15 minutes EARLY!!!

 

We had a great time. I sung my head off in karaoke, because there were not a lot of singers...but there were a lot of watchers. I got several people up there with me for "back up" etc (thanks Sally and Debbie). That was the most fun.

[Rok4u2]

I will ask the guests getting off on Saturday how the cruise went. I will post this on Saturday night, here. If I find out the where the Fantasy is going on Saturday before then, I will keep you posted. It's going to fun. After all Carnival IS the FUN SHIPS. :)

 

Last Monday's sailing we joked about a "gambler's cruise". They can place bets on where the next port of call was going to be. :rolleyes: OR it was a "mystery" cruise, guess where we are going next? :p OR is was just a "fantasy" cruise to nowhere. :cool: WE did have fun with our departing guests. I told them all to let me know on Saturday, WHERE they really did go. :D

[LHP]

I will ask the guests getting off on Saturday how the cruise went. I will post this on Saturday night, here. If I find out the where the Fantasy is going on Saturday before then, I will keep you posted. It's going to fun. After all Carnival IS the FUN SHIPS. :)

 

Last Monday's sailing we joked about a "gambler's cruise". They can place bets on where the next port of call was going to be. :rolleyes: OR it was a "mystery" cruise, guess where we are going next? :p OR is was just a "fantasy" cruise to nowhere. :cool: WE did have fun with our departing guests. I told them all to let me know on Saturday, WHERE they really did go. :D

 

Folks, let me just say, if you are sailing out of New Orleans....your embarkation experience will not be complete without meeting our fellow Cruise Critic member Robert! It is so neat to see his smiling face and get my hug before boarding and when we return. He is so great to keep us up on what is happening behind the scenes.

 

He is an avid cruiser.....addicted like the rest of us!!

 

Thanks Robert for all you do to make our cruises the very best they can be!!

[SeaLawyer]

Okay, here's a new question (sort of). The day we leave next week also happens to be the first college football game of the season, LSU vs. Miss. State (it's on ESPN). I know I've seen something about some big screen TVs to watch the game, but would someone please tell me where the best place (or maybe just any place besides my room) is to watch the game? Perhaps my first question should have been, can I expect them to show the game in a public area on the ship?

 

Thanks in advance.

[deb79ob]

I will ask the guests getting off on Saturday how the cruise went. I will post this on Saturday night, here. If I find out the where the Fantasy is going on Saturday before then, I will keep you posted. It's going to fun. After all Carnival IS the FUN SHIPS. :)

 

Last Monday's sailing we joked about a "gambler's cruise". They can place bets on where the next port of call was going to be. :rolleyes: OR it was a "mystery" cruise, guess where we are going next? :p OR is was just a "fantasy" cruise to nowhere. :cool: WE did have fun with our departing guests. I told them all to let me know on Saturday, WHERE they really did go. :D

 

Robert,

I will be leaving this Saturday. What area can you be found? I have VIP check-in.

[Rodeomomof2]

If I find out the where the Fantasy is going on Saturday before then, I will keep you posted. :D

 

THANKS...I would appreciate it, right now we are just guessing. We are glad that Cozumel is still an option, but are wondering if they might switch the dates of the port stops to accomodate a change. I have excursions booked in Coz for Tuesday...and would REALLY like to be able to go.

Again...thanks...maybe we will see you Saturday! :D

[Rodeomomof2]

Robert,

I have VIP check-in.

 

Yeah, yeah...rub it in! ;) See you Saturday!:D

[LHP]

Okay, here's a new question (sort of). The day we leave next week also happens to be the first college football game of the season, LSU vs. Miss. State (it's on ESPN). I know I've seen something about some big screen TVs to watch the game, but would someone please tell me where the best place (or maybe just any place besides my room) is to watch the game? Perhaps my first question should have been, can I expect them to show the game in a public area on the ship?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

The best place to find the game is the AFT bar above the formal dining room. It is just before you get to the Forum lounge.

I think they call it the Majestic. They have tvs on both sides and over the bar area.