Review of Carnival Cruise Fantasy from New Orleans

This cruise was our fourth, so we've traveled with Carnival enough to know about their cruises. This was, however, our first trip from New Orleans on the Fantasy. We traveled to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico on a five-day cruise.

We didn't stay in New Orleans the night before the cruise, although many people do, even those who are driving in from shorter distances. If you decide to, it can be much more convenient and you will be better rested than driving a long distance on the first day of your cruise. We drove from Decatur, AL to New Orleans and arrived at 11:00 AM. Parking went smoothly. New Orleans, as a port, has gotten their system very organized for loading and unloading. A valet took our luggage from our trunk and then motioned us on through for parking. He told us our bags would be delivered to our room later in the day.

We were told the ship was not quite ready for boarding, so even though we were allowed in the terminal, we had to stand in line for an hour or so. Our cruise was to depart at 4 PM, but we have always tried to arrive early enough to board, have lunch, and relax for a while before the ship becomes crowded.

Once we got inside the main part of the terminal, our boarding went quickly. We showed our identification and tickets, and were given a "Sail and Sign" card for each member of our party. We were also given our room keys, which are a punched plastic card like hotels use now. The Sail and Sign card is what you will use to make all your on-ship purchases, as they don't do cash. We only used cash to pay the parking attendant, play slots in the casino, and shop in Mexico. Your Sail and Sign card also identifies you as a guest on the Fantasy, and you will have to show it each time you get on or off the ship. It serves as a credit card, so keep them in a safe place. We bought neck lanyards and plastic sleeves at our office supply store before leaving home, and found this a convenient place for each person to keep both the Sail and Sign and room key, because we were constantly needing one or both. It proved to be very convenient and people kept stopping us the whole cruise to ask where they could get one.

The atrium is the first place you walk into on the Fantasy, and it is breathtaking with all the light streaming through the skylight. We took several pictures of it, as it really is the most beautiful part of the Fantasy. The Fantasy is a larger ship than the Holiday that sails from Mobile.

The rooms were not ready when we boarded, so we went to the Lido deck to have lunch. They had the buffets ready and had a wide variety of fast food type lunch foods available. The pizza was delicious, as was proven by the constant line of people getting pizza.

After lunch, we took some time to walk around the ship. The casino is a nice size, and they have all the usual games they have in most casinos, including nickel slots, which were a big hit. The casino is only open when the ship is at sea, so is closed until the ship gets a certain distance out. It is closed when in port in Mexico. You can charge to your Sail and Sign for your gambling, but it is really too easy to run up quite a bill that way. We found it easier to keep up with our casino spending using cash. The ship also has a library and a computer zone. The library is open all the time but the access to the books is only at certain times. The computer zone was open twenty-four hours but is ridiculously expensive. From the frustrated comments we heard from those trying to access their e-mail, it seemed to be a bit challenging to figure out, too.

On board ship, there are constant activities going on around the clock. There is always food available somewhere, and even though we were always too stuffed after dinner to want more, many late night diners were taking advantage of the midnight buffets. The pool on Lido is nice, and was a bit hit with children. We cruised in January and were surprised to see as many of them as we did. There is a Camp Carnival designed to keep the kids busy while mom and dad relax, at least during the daytime hours. At night, there is an extra charge for babysitting, if needed. All the children seemed to LOVE Camp Carnival.

Once we got into our stateroom, it wasn't long before they started delivering luggage. They put it outside your cabin door in the hallway, and delivery of luggage goes on for hours. We had one bag that was slow in coming and didn't come with the rest of our luggage, but finally arrived. The stateroom we had was the Main deck, and had two twin beds, which can move to make one king, and also two drop down twin bunks. Our adult son who is over six feet tall slept on one of the bunks and found it very comfortable and not difficult to get into. During the day, the bunk it pushed back into the ceiling by the room steward so it doesn't take up as much headroom in the cabin.

Our bathroom had a small basket of free goodies, and we found different things on each cruise, but usually items like razors, tanning lotion, and Vitamin C drink powder. The shower comes complete with a liquid soap and shampoo dispenser. If you forget items, many free items are available at the information desk, such as seasick pills and Tylenol. There are many gift shops where you can buy toiletries, also. Shopping is a big thing on the ship, and there are many shops on the Fantasy, including a formalwear shop, jewelry store, and a shop with souvenir items to take home.

We asked for an early seating for dinner, so were served at 5:30 PM. We have found that dining takes an hour and a half to complete, with all the courses, and we don't like eating late. If you prefer to eat later, there are later seatings available but you need to request the time you want with your travel agent or Carnival agent ahead of time. Each Sail and Sign card has your table number and seating time, and they don't bend from this. The food was very good, but not quite as good as we had on some of the other Carnival ships. One advantage to the Fantasy is that there is one regular menu with items like steak and chicken dishes that is available every night and one menu that changes each day. Some of our favorites were the filet mignon, lobster, and the Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert. Each meal you order an appetizer, type of salad, main course, and dessert. Tea or water is provided, but any other drinks are at an additional cost. A card is available to buy on the Lido deck by the pool for soft drinks, and if you bought one of these after boarding, you can be served soft drinks in the dining room. We love our Diet Coke, and found the card, even with the almost thirty dollars price was worth it, especially when we were in the lounge for the shows.

One night is formal night, and women dressed in sequined gowns and also nice church dresses. Men wore suits and ties although we did see a few tuxedos, which are available for rent on the ship. On formal night, photographers are available to take pictures of you in your finery. Photographers take pictures of you constantly on Carnival ships, and the pictures are available daily to buy.

The shows are very good, and there is something every night. Two of the nights the show was a big production number and both of these were very good. A comic was also there one night, and he was very funny. He kept the show free from profanity and risqué jokes during the early shows, but a midnight show was adults only. There is also a talent show night when many of your fellow guests perform, and it was really good. During the day there are game shows type games, trivia, and bingo in the lounge, too.

The ports we visited in Mexico had all the usual Mexican souvenirs such as Mexican blankets, vanilla (better Google "Mexican vanilla" and read the warnings before you go), silver jewelry, leather goods, pottery, t-shirts, etc. The pier was destroyed by a storm in Cozumel and we had to take tender boats into shore but it was much easier to board these than I had imagined. We signed up for the underwater glass boat excursion and absolutely loved it. Mexican waters are so clear they are turquoise and the neon-colored fish we saw were beautiful. It was well worth the money. Dress comfortably in cool clothing for debarkation in Mexico, because no matter what time of the year you take your cruise, Mexico is HOT. In addition, take along some bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses or hats, and a tote bag to carry your purchases. Don't forget your camera on your excursions either. Disposable cameras are available in the gift shop if you don't want to take the chance of losing yours. All the shops around the pier are owned by Carnival, so if you want authentic Mexican items, you may want to taxi into town. The people at the pier shops are not willing to haggle on the prices, as they will in town.

One thing that disappoints first time cruisers is how commercial everything is on Carnival cruises. Everywhere you turn on the ship, they are trying to sell you something. It is a good idea to decide what you are going to spend before you go and stick to it.

The service onboard ship is wonderful. The staff is very helpful and goes out of their way to make you feel pampered, including turning down your bed at night and leaving a chocolate on your pillow, leaving a funny animal made of towels in your room each night and otherwise seeing to your every need. The tip they receive at the end is earned, believe me.

Carnival cruises are a lot of fun, and there is nothing like relaxing on the Lido deck and watching the ocean from your lounge chair while sipping your favorite frozen drink delivered by the waiters. A cruise can be a great time to relax or, if you like partying, to party all night. The Carnival Caper is a paper left in your room each night with the next day's activities. We found it best to look this over each evening and circle things we wanted to do, so we didn't miss anything.

Enjoy your cruise. If it is your first, I bet it won't be your last.