Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I just found out about this today too while I was booking a 4 day on
    the Mardi Gras.  The travel agent told me that the first sailing is on
    the 11th of February.  
    
    I just might change my reservations!
    
    Linda

    I changed my reservations!
    
    The cheapest cabin left was in cat. 4.  A bit more expensive than what
    we had planned but...what the heck!  It is a valentines day cruise...we
    leave on the 12th and come back on the 16th.
    
    I'll be sure to let everyone know how I loved it!
    
    Linda

    I will be sailing on the Fantasy April 27-30.  I am paying $696
    for a category 6, inside cabin through a travel club for ages 25-40.
     I am looking forward to the comments that come about after January.
     Hopefully, they will be positive!
    
    Cheryl

    
    
    
    Hi Cheryl,
                What a great price! Is this a private club or
       can anyone join?? I would be interested on how to join
       such a club, as I am in the age group you mentioned.
       The comments I've heard on the Fantasy have all been good.
       Lets hope the ship is everyone's fantasy!!!!
                                                 
                Janice

    Hi Janice:
    
    A friend of mine just opened up her own travel agency in February.
     She decided to start a club for people in the age group of 25-40
    to travel together.  Anyone in the age group can join, for free.
     She periodically sends out literature to people who have expressed
    interest in the club and the good thing about it is that you don't
    have to go on every trip.  If you or anyone would like more details,
    please call me at 291-0405 or contact me at CSGDEC::Acquafresca.
                                                                
    The agency is located in Milford, MA.
    Cheryl

    My friend and I just booked our cruise on the Fantasy for April
    20th - 23rd (Friday to Monday) for the 4 day cruise.  We will leave
    port on Friday (Miami) at 4:00 and have Saturday all day in Nassau, then
    Sunday is a "Fun Day at Sea."  We will be back in port Monday morning
    at 8:00.  This is our very first cruise so we thought that 4 days
    probably would be enough.  We opt for the first seating for our
    meals.  Also, Carnival offers the extended vacation deal, so we
    will be going to Fort Lauderdale on Monday to Wednesday with hotel
    and rental car included.  We are staying at the Marriott Marina
    Resort Hotel (something like that).
    
    We choose category 7 for our cabin it is an outside one.  Is that
    a good choice?
    
    Thanks for this notes file it help us alot.  I can't wait to go!
    202 days from today!
                         

    Well, remember the discussion in 20 about the Finnish Ship
    Builder going bankrupt ? This morning the sh*t hit the fan and
    they filed....
    
    Just got a call from my agent. The inaugual (sp?) cruise is now
    March 2...I believe they are rescheduling everything..If your
    booked on the ship, as I know some are for an April sailing,
    I'd suggest you call..
    
    I'm not sure what I'm going to do...The January time is the best time
    for us to take a vacation...
    
    ..#@%$#!%@#$
    
    
    Jim
    

    Tell me about it!  We were all booked for the Valentines 4 day cruise
    on the Fantasy and now we are pushed back until March 12th.  We WANTED
    February!  They gave us a deal???  We booked for a #4 cabin and now we
    have to pay for a #5 but get a #6 (outside).  We are forced to pay $30
    buck more each ($60).  Geeze!  This cruise is getting more expensive
    every time we turn around.  We might as well go on a 7 day cruise on
    the Jubilee for the price we are about to pay.
    
    Any comments?

    Think about it this way. Once Feburary 14th has gone by, you still
    have your trip to look forward to.  
    
      REMEMBER  "IT'S ALL IN THE ANTICIPATION"

                   

    I didn't hear about any "deals."
    
    I'm gonna have to check that out...
    
    The only reason I am going to wait is we really want to go on the
    maiden voyage....I wish it was for 7 or 10 days, but the 3 and 4 day
    cruises are more popular...
    
    I'll let you know what I find out...
    
    Jim
    

    In my opinion...we shouldn't have to pay anymore because of whatever
    reason (strike).  Don't you agree?

    We had originally scheduled our honeymoon on the FANTASY ship, for the
    last week of February - March.  It turns out that the ship won't be
    ready till March - April now.  The new date is only tentative (at least
    that's what I'm hearing from the agents).  We were so mad.  I guess
    everything happens for a reason, so we are now booked for the Margis Gras
    ship.  Although it's not as "Magnificent" and Glamorous as the Fantasy
    would have been, it's still our first cruise, so we have nothing to
    compare it to.  Hopefully we'll get our chance for our First year
    wedding anniversary!!
    
    I hope none of you got your hopes up to be let down again like we did. 
    Oh well, all's well that ends well!!
    
    Happy Cruising.
    
    Melissa & Tommy
    
    

    Melisa, I responded to another of your notes, but I have another
    suggestion.
    
    Why dot anti up the additional dollars and go on  the Celebration,
    which is a newer, bigger ship ??
    
    Either way, the Mardi Gras is fun...You'll enjoy it..
    
    Jim
    

    I think it was .9 that said "Anticipation is half the fun."
    
    Well, I'm anticipating....
    
    Now, where can I get a new bathing suit in Augusta Maine in January ?
    
    

    
    
    When are you leaving...

    Ship leaves March 2...We're spending 4 days in Ft. Lauderdale before.
    
    I'll be sure to keep a detailed diary to tell you all about it.
    
    Jim
    

    
    If your serious about the "bathing suit".  Wait until you get down
    there.  If you ship is leaving from Miami, ( or anywhere in Florida)
    you can have a better selection when you get there.  I whish this
    wasn't true.  My wife spen over $250.00 on swimsuits, Becaouse she
    didn't have one she liked.  (before the cruise she wasn't even IN
    water for 7 years...) There is a shop on the second floor od the
    OMNI shopping plaza, if you stay in that hotel cluster the night
    before, that will have all you'll need to be a beach fashion model
    :^)
    
    Have a great time.
    
    George (who_is_waiting_for_11_months) Cooper
    

    Anticipation, anticipation is making me crazy !
    
    

    I know what you mean... 23 more days and we will be on our way.

    We leave MONDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    Bahama Mama's, here I come !!!!!
    
    

    Here goes....
    
    
    The Fantasy is just beutiful!!!
    
    The entrance into the "Grand Spectrum" is breathtaking. The Grand
    Spectrum goes up 5 or six decks and is open. A skylight above lets 
    in the daylight, and at night the neon lights are capable of 4
    different colors which change the mood of the area. There are two
    glass elevators so you can get a great view of the spectrum.
    
    Century Boulevard runs the length of the ship on the right side. There
    are several booths that resemble futuristic cars. They don't move but
    you get the sense of movement from the very gentle rolling of the ship.
    
    Along the Boulevard there are several clubs and the casino. At the tail
    of the ship is the Majestic Lounge. A lounge that offers a floor show
    and is set up to be a smaller version of the Theater. next is the
    Century 21 Disco. It's a Disco....Then the Cat's Lounge. A jazz bar
    that has a Cat motif. Seats are cat food cans...Then there is the
    21st Century Bar where the space cars are your seats. Behind that is
    the Casino. A very nice Casino...Freindly workers, although I thought
    the Casino was cramped...
    
    The boulevard led you into the Theater. HUGE !!! Very nice accoustics
    although the speaker system was a little loud at times. Lighting
    changed the mood with more neon ligths everywhere..
    
    Shops were expensive. Except for the Liquer store....Of course being
    the "innaugural" voyage, they had special souveniers, all at special
    prices. The best souvenier was free. On the last night on the ship,
    everyone recieved a hard cover, glossy book all about the ship. The
    book is very nice and is great quality.
    
    Service was excellent. All personnel were hand selected from the best
    of all the other ships. Polite, knowledgeable, freindly and all in
    awe of the ship. 
    
    Entertainment was also superb. Two musical reviews were the highlights,
    one on Friday, one on Sunday. The dance troup were quite talented and
    many actually had very good voices. The bands were well above average
    for their size. The Ballroom Orchestra was the best. If any one you
    who have travelled with Carnival before, you may have seen Gary Hunter.
    He is a commedian and ventriliquist with 2 acts, Derrick the DoDo Bird,
    and Mr. and Mrs. Tweeb. Gary is the cruise director and he and his
    staff did an excellent job.
    
    About the only negative thing I can say, and this is very minor, was
    the ship may be too big. We met a couple on the ride from the airport
    that we never saw the 4 days on the ship. That's not necassarily bad,
    just different.
    
    We will be going on the Fanatasy again. 
    
    Jim
    

    Will the Fantasy remain a 4-day cruise ship, or is the plan to "break
    it in" and then use it on 7-day trips?  I'm interested in sailing on
    the Fantasy, but I don't think 4 days would be enough.  I was on the 
    Jubilee last year for a week and even that seemed too short.  
    
    If anyone knows or has heard any rumors I'd love to hear 'em.
    
    Thank You,
    Stephanie 
    

    Hi,
    
    From what the captain on the cruise we took in February said (RCCL's
    Viking Serenade), the four-day cruise has a potentially big market for
    the cruise lines.  They are intended for people who decide to go on a
    spur of the moment vacation and the short cruise fills the bill.  
    Less expensive and people don't have to plan as far in advance or pack
    as much.  RCCL new ship was built specifically for that purpose and I
    suspect the Fantasy was as well.
    
    Ro
    

    Well that isn't the news I wanted to hear, but thanks a lot for the
    quick response.  Maybe I could still do the Fantasy and tie that in
    with 3/4 days in Florida.  A 4-day vacation just isn't long enough!
    
    Thanks again,
    Stephanie

    Keep you eyes open - Word has it that Carnival is building a second 
    "fantasy" which should be completed the end of 91 - Don't know for sure
    what the length or itinerary will be but I would think they will use it
    for seven day sailings versus 3-4.  I agree with you that even 7 days 
    is not enough!!!!

    Here's the straight poop...
    
    
    The Fantasy only does 3 and 4 day cruises. The Cruise Director
    "believes" there may be some 7 day cruises thrown in during the
    off season. He did not know for sure.
    
    Carnival is building 2 more ships the size of the Fantasy. The Ecstacy
    will be out in the fall of 1991. The other ship's names escapes me
    now, but it is scheduled for about 12 months after the Ecstacy.
    
    I'd definately combine a 3 day stay in Florida before your cruise.
    That will turn the vacation into a week. I'd also suggest Ft.
    Lauderdale, not Miami. In Ft. Lauderdale, stay at the Marriott. We
    loved it.
    
    If the Fantasy ever does go for a 7 day cruise, we are going !
    
    Jim
    

    RE: -1
    
    Jim,
    
    I read your "review" of the Fantasy from your trip and it sounds
    wonderful.  It seems a shame to use such a gorgeous new ship for 
    3 & 4-day trips, with only some 7-day cruises thrown in here and 
    there - maybe.
    
    My thought was that they'd retire one of the older ships, such as 
    the Jubilee, to the 3 & 4-day game and after the first several 
    voyages use the Fantasy for the longer trips.  So much for 
    deductive reasoning...
    
    This trip is still a year away, but I'd like to plan it in advance
    and maybe save a little $$$.  When I was on the Jubilee last year 
    I only booked about 2 months in advance.  
    
    Thanks for your helpful information.
    
    Stephanie
    

    The name of the other ship being built is the Sensation.
    
    Due out in 1992...
    
    
    Jim
    

    
    Jim,
    
    Could you give me more info on the Fantasy?  From the sounds of your
    trip it sounds great!  I too would like to go for 7 days.  How was the
    food, pools, entertainment, etc? 
    
    What was the age group on this ship?  The reason I am asking is because
    my mother took a cruise on the Sitmar (I think) and she said it was the
    best trip she has ever taken, the ship she was on, was mostly older
    people, mostly all married.  She said the personnel there was great. 
    They treated you like Kings and Queens.  She said the food was
    unbelievable, they had a midnight snack from one end of the room to the
    other, and at dinner if you didnt like what you ordered they took it
    back, no questions asked and brought you something else.
    
    She claims there is nothing like a cruise.  So I was wondering if the
    treatment was the same on the Carnival cruises, because I am thinking
    of going in October.
    
    I would appreciate anymore info you could give me.
    
    Thanks!
    
    Kim

    Kim,
    
    Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been busy lately and have 
    had little time for NOTESFILES.
    
    As far as a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, I haven't seen anything yet.
    When I do, I'll post it here.
    
    Average age ? Perhaps 40. The oldest couple were celebrating their
    50th anniversarry. I think he was 79, she 77. There were not that many
    children, although I remember 5 or 6 babies under 1 year old. Many kid
    from 8-13. A few a little older, but not many. There were a lot of
    people in their 20's and 30's. Many more couples than singles, at least
    it seemed that way. My wife and I stayed out of the Disco, but it was
    packed most of the time. I'm assuming singles disco, married's gamble
    or frequent show's.
    
    Food...As Justin Wilson says', "I garuntee y'all love it.!" The food
    was not the best I've ever had, but it was superb. Not very big 
    portions, at the sit down meals, but several courses will keep you
    full. I think there were 8 meals a day, inclding the big midnight
    buffet. Don't try to go to sleep after this one..
    
    Service was the best I've had. Carnival took the best they had from
    their other ships and out them on the Fantasy.
    
    We never made into any of the pools. There are only a couple. They are
    all right. One has a small cylinder type slide. Sundeck and Sportsdeck
    offer plenty of places to sun bath. 
    
    The Sauna and Excercise areas are very nice. My wife spent $100 in the
    Beauty Salon on hair, makeup, nails. She did not get a facial or
    massage, although many people did. Staff is courteaus and helpful.
    
    Enterntainment was top notch. Very well done. Great costumes all
    supported by an excellent orchestra.
    
    If anyone goes on the Fantasy, your going to have a great time. It's
    like any other cruise. If you want to be on the go 24 hours a day,
    you certainly can. If you want to relax, take in a show and have
    a nice quiet vacation, you certainly can.
    
    Go for and let me know how you like it.
    
    PS - Another couple we know from Augusta, non-Decies, went last month
    and had only praise. This was their first cruise and they are ready to
    go every year..
    
    Jim
    

    
    	My wife and I just booked a 3-day cruise on the FANTASY for
     July 13th.  It will be a first cruise for both of us and we can't
     wait!!  I realize that 3 days isn't long enough, but this is a
     mini vacation away from the kids.  Also, if we like it we can always 
     go on a longer cruise next year!  
    	
        For those who are interested, I called about 6 travel agencies
     before I decided to go with Crimson Travel.  I got a different
     price from each place I called and I was able to play them against
     each other to get the lowest price possible.   Here's the deal
     I got:  I paid the category 1 cabin for a guaranteed category 
     4 or better).  The listed price for a category 1 is $505 and the
     category 4 is listed at $715.  Also, Crimson is running a 
     Customer Satisfaction special during the month of June where they give
     you $25 off per person.  This brought the price down to $480
     per person!  Not a bad price considering that it includes air fare.
    	
     36 days and counting.....I'll be sure to add a trip report when
     we get back.  
                                                        -Dave-
                                                                 

    WHERE ARE YOU FLYING TOO AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING ON THE SHIP?  

    RE: .-1
        	
    	We will be flying from Manchester, NH to Miami on Friday morning.  
    	The itinerary is:
    	
    	           Fri. Leave Miami at 4:00pm
    		   Sat. Arrive Nassau at 9:00am
    		   Sun. Leave Nassau at 8:00am
    		   Mon. Arrive Miami at 7:00am
    
    	  We did not get a room assigned.  They told us that we would
      	get our cabin assignment at the pier just before we board the
    	ship.  They guaranteed us a catetory 4 or better so I guess
    	there is a chance that we will get upgraded to a higher category
    	cabin when we arrive. 
                                                           -Dave-

    
    	Only 4 days left!!!!!!!!!!!! We can hardly wait.  My mother-in-law
    	just got back from a week on the Celebration and had a GREAT	
    	time.  I'll be taking my video camera with us.  Do they allow
    	you to take video of the shows and in the casino?  I know the
    	you aren't allowed to take cameras in Las Vegas casinos.
    	I'll be sure to add a trip report next week when we get back....
    
    						      -Dave-

    RE: .-1

    I took my video camera into the casino on the Norway once and was
    promptly asked to leave the casino.  So I did.

    I've not been on Carnival but every other line I've cruised on has NOT
    allowed video cameras in the major shows.

    Have a great time!

    Joe

    I never saw a Video Camera at any show, just lots of still cameras.
    
    There are NO cameras or Video's allowed in the Fantasy Casino.
    
    Enjoy you trip...
    
    Jim
    

    I've found that it is usually the large (copywrited - is that the
    term for live material?) shows with choreographed and comic material
    that they don't let you video tape.  However, most allow you to tape
    the lounge shows and any passenger or cruise staff shows.
    
    Enjoy,
    
    Ro