Fantasy Cruise 10-18 to 10-23

[DJ-Squared]

Just back from our Fantasy Cruise. This was one of the most relaxing cruises out of our 8 total. This was the first cruise by ourselves. We are 41 and 39.

 

Precruise: We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center. we paid 107 per night with $10 a day parking cruise special. The do not have a shuttle from the hotel but plenty of Cabs. We opted to walk to the terminal. You have to walk around the convention center. There is a skywalk in the middle of the convention center but it is not open anymore. We came back by cab at $15. next time we will use the cab both ways.

 

Embarkation: New Orleans needs to go to other cruise terminals and see how they do it. We dropped off our luggage went into the terminal. there were 2 lines one for VIP and the other for everyone else. they were letting people get into which ever line they wanted. we made it up the esculators where again there were 2 lines. we were told to get in the VIP line. We were not VIP. I didn't matter because they were letting 10-20 go from VIP. They would stop the line and let 10-20 people from the other line go. they kept this up until we made it through. it didn't take long just frustrating to some. There were 6 weddings and 50-60 travel agents in the terminal as well as some Carvinval VIP's. We arrived at the port about 10:30, sitting in the chairs by about 11-11:15. the Embarkation pics were taken in the middle of the cruise terminal not were you begin to board. They started boarding 12:00 with the wedding parties and travel agents and Carnival people first. then VIP then the rest. DOD in hand by 12:15.

 

The Cruise Ship: It appeared everything was finished. all the hot tubs were operational. the slides worked. the Serentity area was very nice. Didn't notice any Chair hogs. The stir fry station was very good. also the rotissere area was also good. We were in e-247. this room used to be a 2 person room but they must have added bunks during drydock. The bunks were built out of wood with the beds locked shut. I bring this up because DO NOT RAISE UP fast. Headache. my wife hit her head multiple times. I tried not to laugh. Hall colors were not loud anymore. nice browns. The Doors are all brown now. We had Brand new life jackets for the muster drill. The Casino was kind to me. I did hit a penny progressive slot. The shows were good. Comedian Funny.

 

Progresso: We walked around the flea market and through the fresh market. We decided to take an excursion with autoprogresso. we did the merida and dzi...bulten??? ruins tour. we also had a brief swin in the cenote. that was refreshing. it was the most fun we have ever had in progresso. we paid $40 per person it was well worth the money.

 

Cozumel: My wife wanted to shop for a specific glass pitcher she had seen on a previous trip. we found it. it was raining on and off so we shopped our way back to the ship. we relaxed on the ship. Hot tub was great. We docked at the Puerta Maya pier and walked to the Punta Langosta pier. Bad move that was a long walk. found a cab back after shopping.

 

Debarkation: Very easy. they called for the v-deck and e-deck for self debarkation at 0700. we were off and through customs by 7:15. very easy. staff was very helpful.

 

Observations: They only had 1 art auction, all the other cruises we have been on they had daily events. this is not necessarily a bad thing. The captains party was actually fun. They Captain was cutting up on stage. All others the captain seemed uptight. Big Tex was fun. the Group crawl around the ship was fun.

 

If you have any questions I'll try to answer. we Didn't take any pictures of the ship. we don't know why. when i started look at our pics I noticed there weren't any.

[ClerkPatsy]

They have made great improvements to the Fantasy. I was one of those people standing in one of those two lines you were speaking of. We were told that only one security line was open to embark, because the debarkation was running late and security was assisting debarking. Not sure how or why that happened. But, they did make the best of a bad situation.

[chiarigirl]

I'm glad you had a good time, I cant wait to board her on Monday. What time do you recommend getting to the terminal?

[amberc]

Sounds like you guys had a great time. Thanks so much for the update! I was anxious to hear whether or not they had worked out some of the kinks. Sounds like things are much better! What time did you guys actually sail out of New Orleans? Just curious. THanks in advance!:)

[DJ-Squared]

Chiarigirl-I think anytime after 11:30 you should be good

 

amberc- We left port late about 19:00. They announced at the muster drill we would have a delayed departure but it would not affect our port times. they said there was more luggage to be loaded. we did notice in new orleans and in progresso they were unloading matresses. they must have changed some out.

[Payd]

Sounds like a good time.

 

Funny the pictures you come home with sometimes. We have done the same thing before...almost no ship pictures, but the next time we have over a 100.:D

[Rowan555]

So glad to hear things are going better on the Fantasy, and at least a LITTLE better at the cruise terminal. I'm ready for my NO KIDS CRUISE in 9 days!!!

[CRUIZ-N-HAZE]

We just got home from our sail on the Fantasy as well. We thought the ship was great! They did have to shut down the waterslide while we were in line b/c the water was low. This was done for 30 minutes on several occasions that day. That was the only "problem" we noticed.

 

We were late leaving N.O. because they were still loading luggage, however, we decided that they should just change the sail away time b/c it was beautiful leaving at night.

 

We also took a excursion through Cozumel-tours.com. I WOULD NOT recommend using them. The boat we went out on was not the boat they show on their website. The glass bottom of the boat was about 1' x 10' in the center of the boat with 1/2 covered in tape so you couldn't see through it. They did not take us to the stops that they said they would - as a matter of fact, we only stopped once and swam a distance and he said we were at our second stop.

 

To end on a positive note, the boat was great, we had a great time, we can't wait to go back.

[LHP]

Hey...did anyone do karaoke???

 

I was just wondering if Rozwin (karaoke host) made the ship.

[DJ-Squared]

LHP- Sorry we never did the karaoke. I looked in the capers and it didn't list who the host is.

[halos]

 

This is very good news!!

Thanks for the update!!

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

for the review. I sail on her in Jan. and can't wait!!!!

[auburn77]

Just back from our Fantasy Cruise. This was one of the most relaxing cruises out of our 8 total. This was the first cruise by ourselves. We are 41 and 39.

 

Precruise: We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center. we paid 107 per night with $10 a day parking cruise special. The do not have a shuttle from the hotel but plenty of Cabs. We opted to walk to the terminal. You have to walk around the convention center. There is a skywalk in the middle of the convention center but it is not open anymore. We came back by cab at $15. next time we will use the cab both ways.

 

 

How did you get this rate? How far to the terminal?

Thanks

[jetskier]

Hey...did anyone do karaoke???

 

I was just wondering if Rozwin (karaoke host) made the ship.

 

He made the ship on Oct 13th. He is rooming with Donatas the Disco DJ.

Dave

[auburn77]

Just back from our Fantasy Cruise. This was one of the most relaxing cruises out of our 8 total. This was the first cruise by ourselves. We are 41 and 39.

 

Precruise: We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center. we paid 107 per night with $10 a day parking cruise special. The do not have a shuttle from the hotel but plenty of Cabs. We opted to walk to the terminal. You have to walk around the convention center. There is a skywalk in the middle of the convention center but it is not open anymore. We came back by cab at $15. next time we will use the cab both ways.

 

 

How did you get this rate? How far to the terminal?

 

Thanks

[DJ-Squared]

we called the hilton 1800 number and asked for the cruise rate. as far as distance... if you could through the convention center its about 2 blocks. but they have the skywalk closed. you have to walk 3-4 blocks to julia street. walk beside the convention center and 4-5 blocks down a 1 way street that says no pedestrians. I'll try and post some pics. you can see the funnel from our room.

[auburn77]

Thanks.

[zeegirl123]

Do any of you recent Fantasy cruisers have capers you could share? Glad the ship is finally coming together. Glad you had a good cruise.