Met our needs but not our favorite

Carnival Fantasy Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 72

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5
Carnival Fantasy

5 Night Western Caribbean (Mobile Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 06, 2020

Ship: Carnival Fantasy

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

This is a basic basic cruise but our goal was to get some rest and relax and unwind from a stressful year. We would definitely do it again if we wanted a cheap and quick vacation that we can drive to.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Getting on the ship was quick and easy.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Because this is an older ship many of the specialty restaurants are not available but the main dining room was fine and we had a great table with fun people to chat to.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
Pools and decks, trivia, and bars

Entertainment

5 out of 5
the last day and a half of the cruise was running in front of a storm and the sea was quite choppy but the entertainers at least did their best with a stool set

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
always good service from the staff even on this older ship.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
it was adequately clean (probably because it had failed its certification 6 months before we sailed so they had to bring it up to snuff) but this is our least favorite design of ship. It is awkward to move from front to back because you constantly have to go up and down just to move forward or aft.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
This was fine. Old design but clean and enough room for the two of us and comfortable enough for us.

Ship tip

Lower your expectations and see this as the most budget friendly but basic of carnival cruises

Ports of call

Mobile, Alabama

3 out of 5
parking was very expensive and so we ended up opting for parking at a hotel which was only slightly better. This port needs serious updating so they can bring a better ship here.

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
We always enjoy cozumel. We did not do any excursions this trip but we got off the ship because just outside the port is a stand that sells authentic cuban cigars. Just don't take their first price (we got a box for $250 rather than the $500 they started at) and when they offer to take it in the back room and wrap it up just decline and take the real deal so they don't have the opportunity to pull a switch (we don't know that they would but with the price they agreed to we weren't sure they wouldn't!)

Progreso (Merida), Mexico

5 out of 5
Progresso is under a lot of construction so be prepared for that. However if you don't do an excursion then you MUST take the free shuttle to the beach and get a massage. We regretted only getting the 30 min one we should have gone for the full hour. It was wonderful, peaceful, relaxing and well worth the money.

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
difficult for shuttles to find you when you disembark as their isn''t a dedicated area for it.
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4 Comments

cruisereckoning    4 years ago

Thanks for the review and so glad you enjoyed.

1CruiseGram    4 years ago

Going up and down to get to places is common on the ships I’ve sailed on.

picalo    4 years ago

I haven't been on that ship but I love the fantasy class. Old school cruising, that great theater, the atrium lobby, that fun piano bar and a band in the casino... what more could you want?

portofrome    4 years ago

Thanks for your review

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