Need the LowDown on Fantasy sailing

[torontoflo]

Hello, I am sailing on the Fantasy 3-night on January 13, 2005. I have cruised before but am traveling with a friend who hasn't. Also I have never been to the Bahamas. I just wanted some info on the Fantasy along with the Bahamas so we can really have a great time. My friend has a 3 year old and I teach high school so we REALLY need the break! Any help and info would be great.

Boat info and questions:

We are in an inside room Main deck in the middle. Good or bad location? Any seasickness? I am going to be taking Bonine and giving it to my friend to prevent problems.

Do the rooms have blowdryers?

How about dining? Best and worst places? How is the breakfast in the main dining room? Is there anyway to sit alone at breakfast or lunch or do you have to sit where they take you?

Shows and gambling info and hints?

How about the spa? Good deals when in port?

Bahamas info and questions:

We are on the 3 might so in Nassau from 10 am to 7 am(next morning). We do not want to spend a lot on excursions,etc.

Is the Atlantis worth seeing? Not wanting to get a room or anything to use facilities. What can you see without being a guest?

It will be January. Suggestions for beaches and how to get there? Too cold to swim?

How do you get to the Straw market? Is it worth going to?

Any other hints on places to see, eat or go in Nassau. In advance thanks for all the info.

 

Megan

 

RCCL Voyager of the Seas 6/04 New England/Canada

Carnival Pride 5/03 Western Caribbean

[Cruising89143]

I have been on the Fantasy three times within the last year or so. She really looks great since her major refurbishment last October. I have photos in the first link below that I took on board last November.

 

You may find the water a little too cool to swim in January. I was in Nassau the first week of December and it was warm but my sister was there the next week and they needed jackets. There is a beach within walking distance from the ship. It belongs to the Colonial Hilton which you can see from the ship. Locate Senor Frogs and look to the right and you will see the yellow hotel and their beach.

 

Atlantis is about a six dollar cab ride over from the ship. They have areas to walk around that do not cost anything including part of the aquarium. I would not pay the fee to do the dig.

 

I would say that the location of your cabin is good. The center of the ship feels less movement than the forward or aft area. I do not recall seeing blowdryers on the ship.

[Gr8tChoice]

Hey Megan - We're on the same cruise as you. There are 4 of us ladies going, all bankers.

 

I've sailed on the Fantasy before and it's quite a fun ship.

No blow dryers in the rooms...

To me, the dining room is the best place to eat for meals although at lunch we usually opt for the hamburger/cheeseburger/pizza fare...

 

Atlantis is very cool to see and as the other reader wrote, it's only a $6.00 ride over. The art within the Atlantis is worth the ride. I'm not a real art critic or anything but the sheer size of the art pieces is beholding in itself! And, you are able to see a part of the aquarium free of charge. You can also walk through the casino. it's pretty cool as casinos go.

 

You won't be able to miss the straw market, you can see it from the port.

 

Let's hope the weather is great for us! I looked at it 2 days ago and the average was 77 degrees. I've snorkled in the Bahamas when the weather was warm but the Water Very cold!

[Ms Belvedere]

...to all of you for the info about a winter sailing to the Bahamas. I'm packing now for our Jan 2 sailing on the Fantasy and don't have a clue about what to expect in temps. I'll try to post a review when I get back to let others know. We won't get back home until the 8th since we're spending extra days on the eastern coast of Fla after the cruise.

Ms. Belvedere

[alwysonvctn]

Be sure to pack for cool weather, as this time of year you never know. The food in the dining room is good any time of day, though it takes longer than the buffet, so if you are in a hurry skip the dining room. I agree, you room is in a great location.

[Ms Belvedere]

Be sure to pack for cool weather, as this time of year you never know. The food in the dining room is good any time of day, though it takes longer than the buffet, so if you are in a hurry skip the dining room. I agree, you room is in a great location.

From weather.com the days will be warm but the evenings are cool. Will it look strange to have bare shoulders in the evenings? I have some strapless dresses, not formal, to wear to dinner and don't want to look too summery.

TIA

[john1]

:) 80 degrees for the high and upper 60s for lows forecast for the fantasy jan 2nd through the 6th coming fron north east pa that sounds like summer to me and I will be dressed the part. the wife and I are just starting to pack for the fantasy jan 2 just to let you all know I am trying to thaw out the water pipe to my home( first time this year it froze) we will not miss that next week.:D

[JOEZ]

...to all of you for the info about a winter sailing to the Bahamas. I'm packing now for our Jan 2 sailing on the Fantasy and don't have a clue about what to expect in temps. I'll try to post a review when I get back to let others know. We won't get back home until the 8th since we're spending extra days on the eastern coast of Fla after the cruise.

Ms. Belvedere

 

 

Ms. Belvedere,

 

We are also on the 2 Jan 05 cruise. We hope it is warm enough to get in the water. Anything has to be better than the 25 degree weather I woke up to here in the DC area this morning!

[bankofdad]

We sailed last February on Fantasy, and had a great time (had our three kids - 23mo, 7,11 at the time with us).

 

I actually won in the casino:D ! Now that's rare. Slots were pretty loose, didn't try any table games.

 

This was our second time to the Bahamas, both in the month of February. The first time on a Discovery cruise to Freeport (though I'm not sure I'd really call that ship a cruise ship), and then on Fantasy this year. Both times the seas were fairly rough. IMHO, I'd still wait to take the Dramamine or Bonine. I know you need to take it before the problems start, but that stuff just knocks us out, especially if your wanting to have a few cold ones. The bio-bands work great for me, with no side effects to worry about.

 

The snorkeling in Nassau was surprisingly good, and I wasn't bothered with the water temperature. My oldest son and I did do one of the ships excursions, and it was very nicely organized. However, we hit Freeport just after thundersorms, and I would say the water was frigid.

 

With our youngest not the type to sit still in the dining rooms, we ate at the buffet for dinner each night, and found it to be quite good. Same for breakfast, and ate poolside for lunch.

 

My wife had her worst experience of any spa ever on this ship. She had highlights applied, and couldn't get the bright red color (a color she wasn't going for:eek: ) out of her hair until our last cruise in Hawaii in October. Not good, but my daughter enjoyed her experience with her hair style and nail treatment, then I got the bill:eek:. The cosmetics they sell will break the bank!

[Ms Belvedere]

Ms. Belvedere,

 

We are also on the 2 Jan 05 cruise. We hope it is warm enough to get in the water. Anything has to be better than the 25 degree weather I woke up to here in the DC area this morning!

It will be great to get away from this cold for a few days! They just said on the news that it hasn't been this cold since last January.

 

We're driving to Dulles Thursday night, stopping at Wegman's for some champagne. We'll leave the car at Holiday Inn ($59.00 for the night) and fly out on Air Tran Friday morning.

 

Can't Wait!

[Ms Belvedere]

:) 80 degrees for the high and upper 60s for lows forecast for the fantasy jan 2nd through the 6th coming fron north east pa that sounds like summer to me and I will be dressed the part. the wife and I are just starting to pack for the fantasy jan 2 just to let you all know I am trying to thaw out the water pipe to my home( first time this year it froze) we will not miss that next week.:D

Those temps are something to look forward to. Guess I'll pack for summer temps and throw in a sweater or two.

 

I'm hoping the week doesn't fly by since I have tons of stuff to finish before we leave! :eek:

[JOEZ]

It will be great to get away from this cold for a few days! They just said on the news that it hasn't been this cold since last January.

 

We're driving to Dulles Thursday night, stopping at Wegman's for some champagne. We'll leave the car at Holiday Inn ($59.00 for the night) and fly out on Air Tran Friday morning.

 

Can't Wait!

 

 

You must not be too far from us. We are in Southern Maryland. We fly out of Baltimore on Saturday morning and staying at the Wyndham in Orlando that night and driving to the port on Sunday morning. Then staying at the Wyndham after the cruise until we fly back on Sunday.

[Ms Belvedere]

You must not be too far from us. We are in Southern Maryland. We fly out of Baltimore on Saturday morning and staying at the Wyndham in Orlando that night and driving to the port on Sunday morning. Then staying at the Wyndham after the cruise until we fly back on Sunday.

Definitely something to look forward to! It's been a while since we've been on an older Carnival ship. I've read reports that it's nice since the refurbishing. "Bankofdad", above, had some good advice, too. :) :)