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Carnival Cruise Line

MS Fantasy

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:David Dylan
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: December 24, 2000
Itinerary: Bahamas

If this ship is your first time cruising, you probably won't be too disappointed. However, if you have cruised on other lines like Holland America (Maasdam), Norwegian (Sky), even Disney (Magic) you will be sorely disappointed. The service, ship, rooms, food and overall layout on the Fantasy doesn't even come close to being comparable. If you like neon this is the ship for you.

The furniture all around is rather dated (a la 1980's) and uncomfortable. The only lounge on board that was enjoyable was the Majestic Lounge (I believe it was called). Although if you can't stand cigar smoking teenagers don't bother. If your thinking about taking a swim in the pool or dip in the hot tub, good luck getting through all the children (why are children in hot tubs anyway?). On this ship, there are no adult only areas or pools (even Disney has this!).

The best food we had while on board were the hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza. It was the only food that was actually served HOT. The menus were interesting and the servers in the main dining rooms were very good, but the food just wasn't plate lickin' good! This may have been just a case of a bad cruise or over-extended crew, however, because I've been on other Carnival ships and the food was very good.

We had a verandah suite. Large and comfortable, yet in dire need of an updated look. The fake mahogany wood was, well, fake looking. Beware: If you think the balconies on Verandah deck are private they are not. Well they are separated from your neighbor. However, there is a deck below that people can walk around and look up at you. People on the observation deck can also see you. They are also very small. There is barely enough room for two plastic chairs and two people. Our sink did not drain properly and from the moment we walked into the bathroom till the day we left, there was always a "smell" (not of our making)that would not go away. Our cabin steward was extremely pleasant but refused to take away used glasses or half full glasses. Apparently it is Carnival's policy to not take any glassware or dishes that have anything left in it. Apparently they got so many complaints that stewards were taking day old glasses of wine and alcohol or food! As if there isn't enough of it the next day! You have to ask them to remove the used glasses and dish ware. The room was clean for the most part. However, some of the glassware had obviously not been used in quite some time and was dirty.

Very entertaining. In fact, the entertainment crew were the most friendly and outgoing staff on board. They would mingle and talk with everyone while off duty. The sets and themes were very well done and choreographed. The best and most friendly dancer on this ship was Dion.

Every ship I've been on seems to always go to Freeport and/or Nassau. Quite frankly, you are not missing much in either. In fact, I don't even get off the ship anymore at either of these ports. I would rather spend the day at sea or sunning without the crowds. Carnival needs to get a private island - those are very fun. If you are into exercising I would do it while the ship is at port. Running while at sea proved to be an embarrassment for the fellow running next to me on the treadmill during moderately choppy seas. The weight equipment is old and dated and uses hydraulics for resistance. The steam and sauna rooms are ok. Although they don't get very hot. None of the showers in the locker room seemed to work properly (it's hard to work when there are no handles to use!). There was also never any soap to use. Get a facial. They are very good.

18-40 was the major age group. There were some 60+ but not many. TONS of kids. Friendly though and polite. Some though shouldn't have even left home. 21+ is not a requirement it seemed for drinking on the Fantasy. There were also kids in the casino.