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 CRUISE SHIP REVIEW Index: All Ship Reviews Expedia's cruise reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, to give you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right ship.
Overview Carnival ships are the fun ships, and the Fantasy reinforces that image. The first of the line's 2,000-passenger Superliner class, she was joined by the Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Elation, and Paradise. The ship has enough marble to resurface the Parthenon and enough lights to brighten Rockefeller Center at Christmastime. Entertainment runs the gamut from Jackpot Bingo to Karaoke, disco to dance classes, Broadway shows to big band dance music, men's hairy chest contests to art auctions. The sizzle never stops on Carnival's ships, which frequently win accolades as having the best value in budget cruises. So convinced is this line that Carnival's "vacation guarantee" promises that guests who are displeased with the experience may disembark in the first non-U.S. port of call and receive a pro-rated refund for the unused part of their cruise, along with air transportation back to the ship's home port. Cabins Carnival's simply decorated cabins are more spacious than industry standards. The 566 190-square-foot outside and 389 183-square-foot inside cabins with twin beds convert to king size (those with fold-down upper berths are great for families); 19 insides [160 square feet] with upper and lower berths. There are 26 outside demi-suites with queen-size beds (226 square feet with 36-square-foot private balconies) and 28 outside suites with king-size beds and whirlpool bathtubs (350 square feet with 71-square-foot private balconies). Cabins have closed-circuit TVs, small safes, radios and telephones. Hair dryers are not standard equipment, but the steward can provide one on asking. Carnival has finally added amenities baskets in the bathrooms, from a variety of manufacturers: "The selection of amenities … represent a wide spectrum of well-respected brand name products that we believe guests will use and genuinely enjoy," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. But be sure to bring your own shampoo. There are 20 wheelchair-accessible cabins for the disabled. Launderettes are available for passenger use. Dining The 658-seat Jubilee Dining Room and 650-seat Celebration Dining Room serve dinner in two seatings. Both are swathed with light woods and strung with tiny lights that change (many of the bulbs were out). Soft drinks are complimentary in the dining room, but not from the bars and lounges. Carnival's Fountain Fun Card program, for children under age 21, provides unlimited soft drinks for a one-time fee. Dining options have been expanded on the Fantasy, along with a greatly improved quality of food preparation. For example, rack of lamb and beef Wellington are options on ordinary nights [not the Captain's dinner] and Hispanic and Oriental influences have appeared. Some inconsistencies were noted, such as a very thin slice of prime rib and an over-dried fillet of salmon. Windows on the Sea on the Lido Deck is psychedelic with purple/peach/turquoise/black tiles and swirled flooring in the same colors, metallic umbrellas and more tiny lights. It offers alternative dining: besides cafeteria-style breakfast and lunch, dinner is served for those unwilling to dress up. Complimentary ice cream and yogurt are available in the afternoon, while pizza and coffee/tea are always available. Bistro on the Boulevard—where specialty coffees cost $1.50–$3.75 and pastries run $1.50–$4—is located on the 450-foot-long Century Boulevard, along with numerous lounges. As on most cruise ships, the wait staff doesn't volunteer the information that passengers may order second helpings or that children may order from the regular menu. Additionally, there is an outdoor grill with hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken. The dining room menus also offer Nautica Spa Fare with dishes lower in cholesterol, fat, calories and sodium than regular options. Afternoon tea and a midnight buffet round out the bill of fare. Public Rooms The Grand Spectrum is the keystone to many of the ship's areas. Here are the flashy elements designer Joe Farcus used on his earlier ships, complete with neon and bright colors. At one time, glass elevators outlined in vivid red neon tubing rise above chrome-colored balconies trimmed in blue tubing. The centerpiece of the seven-deck-high atrium is a slowly rotating, multi-hued Yacov Agam sculpture. Situated here are the Purser's Information Desk and excursion desk, the small Card Room, Cleopatra's Bar (an Egyptian-themed lounge featuring Carnival's signature round piano keyboard popular for singalongs), the Pavillion (a small but classy library with wood paneling and floating bookshelves), and the Galleria Shopping Mall. The huge, bi-level 1,300-seat Universe lounge is glittery and other-planetary in feeling. Club 21 is one of the largest casinos at sea seating 450 (8 blackjack tables plus 2 Fun 21 tables, 201 slot machines, 3 roulette wheels, 1 crap table and 3 Face Up games). Use up your cash at the casino? An ATM is located on the Promenade Deck for ready cash. The hard-to-find aft playrooms for children and teens are small, although Carnival plans on expanding them. Any lack of facilities however, is overridden by the enthusiastic and imaginative counselors. A kiddie pool is located on a deck above. A newer, high-tech game room will be added. Entertainment Carnival's shows are arguably the best afloat. The fabulous Vegas-style shows (that doesn't mean nudity, as one fellow passenger thought) exhibit a degree of professionalism hard to beat, with extremely talented singers, dancers, costume designers—even the lighting effects are spectacular. Reviews such as "A Broadway Fantasy" have lovers of musical comedies smiling and suppressing the desire to sing along, while "The Nightclub Express" is full of high energy. The Studio 54 segment is particularly joyous, with a rousing "YMCA" performance and "Stayin' Alive" (when chorus girls are dressed like John Travolta in his movie performance). The imaginative aerial ballet is a showstopper. Additionally, late-night, R-rated comedians entertain the grownups. Fitness & Recreation The large pool complex on the Lido Deck is the scene of live music around the pool tiled in red, yellow and black with signature blue sliding board. Those who want to indulge in water sports while in port may rent snorkeling equipment for $19 for the length of the cruise. A topless sunbathing area is situated aft on the Sun Deck. The Nautica Spa is one of the largest spa and fitness centers afloat at 12,000 square feet including beauty salon (16 pneumatic pressure machines, 7 treadmills, 2 stationary bikes, 3 Stairmasters, 2 whirlpools in the fitness center, and 1 capsule). It's operated by Steiner, as on most cruise ships. Rates are pegged to the cruise passengers and are lower here than on the more upscale ships. There's a jogging track and a total of six whirlpools. Family Carnival has invested heavily in Camp Carnival, its youth program, with increasingly elaborate facilities, counselor-guided programs and activities, and special dining menus. Camp Carnival is divided into four categories. Toddlers (2–5), Juniors (6–8) Intermediate (9–11) and Teens (12–15). There's a playroom for under-3s. Fellow Passengers Lots of young families choose this ship, partly because of the complimentary Camp Carnival program. However, it also draws a complement of singles. Tipping Carnival recommends $3.50 per person, per day to your waiter; $2.00 pp/pd to your assistant waiter; and $3.50 pp/pd to your cabin steward. A 15 percent gratuity is added to bar bills. Clothing For the formal night, gentlemen who don't own a tuxedo may rent one for the length of the cruise for $65, although many men opt for a jacket and tie.
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Onboard amenities