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| What the ship may look like when we're done with it |
"Carnival Fantasy has delighted countless passengers since she launched. It’s no surprise that she was the original Fantasy class ship, a series that truly showed the world how fun is done. The Carnival Fantasy is today fitted with all the modern conveniences, and once aboard, you’ll not only see it, but you’ll hear it for yourself. Listen for the “ahh” of relaxation at Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, the “ahhhhh” of extreme relaxation at Spa Carnival… but don’t miss the “aaaaaaaaah!!” of thrills at Carnival WaterWorks, our onboard water park featuring Twister Waterslide and Splash Park! It doesn’t end there either. When was the last time you spent an evening at an Egyptian-themed piano bar? Yeah, that’s exactly what we thought… and we know exactly where you can find one. You’ll find all this — and more — when you join the long list of delighted folks who've enjoyed a vacation on Carnival Fantasy." [from the Carnival site]
Overview
- Full-service amenities plus extras like 3 water-slides and Camp Carnival for the youngin's
- Dining options include: elegant sit-down, lavish buffet, 24-hour room service, coffee house, deli, Pizza Pirate place, Mongolian, even sushi, plus ice cream & sweets spots
- Entertainment from min golf to karaoke to full-production shows
- Age-specific activities and areas
Ship Stats
- Crew: 920
- Tonnage: 70.367
- Decks: 13
- Passengers: 2,056
Cabins
The desktop, desk drawers and closet doors are covered in a maple wood veneer. As part of the ship's refurbishment, each cabin now boasts a flat-screen television that carries CNN, CNN International, several in-house channels hawking shore excursions or items from the gift shops, Cartoon Network, ESPN, two movie channels that play new releases (which seem to be on endless loops), ABC, CBS and NBC.
Bathrooms, too, have received a facelift. In fact, they have been completely gutted and redone, and look very clean and bright. New, pedestal-style sinks have been added, leaving just enough space for personal items. The new form gives the bathrooms a sleek, stylized look, with Italian-style faucets in the sinks, and cool, modern shower heads. There's plenty of hot water, but it's nearly impossible to get cold water, and the water pressure is mediocre. Fluffy white towels are provided, in addition to blue beach towels. Bathrobes are also available for use; you'll find them in the closets.
Dining
The most convenient dining option onboard is the Windows on the Sea buffet on Lido Deck (Deck 10). Continental breakfast is served on sea days from 7 to 7:30 a.m. and on port days, starting at 6 a.m. Items offered include fruit, yogurt and bagels. Buffet breakfast runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon on sea days and from 6 a.m. to noon on port days. Take your pick from eggs, bacon, waffles (which were cold and crumbly when I tried them), French toast, grits, oatmeal, fruit and yogurt. An omelet station is available at the rear of Windows on the Sea, where the pizzeria is located.
From noon to 3:30 p.m., lunch is available; one section serves Indian cuisine, and other options -- like a pizzeria and a deli -- are located at the rear of the venue. (Pizza is available 24 hours a day, as is soft-serve ice cream.) Main buffet items vary, but may include chicken, potatoes and a variety of veggies and salads. Dinner items, similar to those offered at lunch, are also offered in Windows on the Sea daily from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Late-night snacks like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts and chili are available at Windows on the Sea from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Drinks like iced tea, water and lemonade (which always seemed far too sweet) are available here 24 hours a day.
Another free dining option is the Sushi Bar, located at the end of the promenade on Promenade Deck (Deck 9), just before the Grand Atrium. Look carefully, or you'll miss this little stand, which is open from 5 to 8:15 p.m. daily and offers several types of sushi, including vegetarian options. No seating is available, but tables can be found nearby on the promenade.
If you're itching to taste something different, try the Mongolian station at Mongolian Wok. You can find it right next to the grill near the pool on Lido Deck (Deck 10). It's open daily from 12 to 2:30 p.m. on sea days and from 12 to 3:30 p.m. on port days and offers a variety of vegetables and other stir-fry items. The grill, located next to Mongolian Wok, is a great option if you're lounging poolside and start to feel those hunger pangs. Rotisserie is available there from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on port days and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on sea days. A grill, serving burgers, popcorn chicken, hot dogs and an assortment of salads, joins the rotisserie from 12 to 6 p.m. daily.
The ship's only for-fee edibles come from the Bistro patisserie, found at the end of the Promenade Deck (Deck 9). Choose from cookies, pastries and other sweets, as well as specialty coffee beverages. All charges are billed to passengers' onboard accounts. Chocolate chip cookies from this cute little coffeehouse-type eatery are definitely worth a tiny splurge.
Complimentary room service can be ordered 24 hours a day. Items on the room service menu include sandwiches (turkey, ham and cheese, New York strip loin with brie, mozzarella and Portobello mushroom, etc.), Caesar salad, veggie sticks, assorted juices, cheesecake, chocolate cake and yogurt, among other things. Alcoholic beverages carry standard charges, plus an automatic 15 percent gratuity per drink. Breakfast fare (bagels, yogurt, fruit, etc.) is also available. In our experience, delivery was generally prompt and friendly. You may want to keep a couple of singles handy for tips.
Gratuities
Carnival recommends $12.00 per person, per day. The guidelines allocate $6.10 to dining room services, $3.90 to cabin services and $2 per day for alternative services, which include kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members. The amount is automatically added to your shipboard account, but it can be adjusted in either direction at the guest services desk. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar bills. Tipping a couple dollars for room service at delivery is expected (and appreciated) by the service staff.
[updated 21 August 2015]