As I look around the ship today, it appears on the surface that as Monty Python once said “the credit crunch is only a flesh wound.” I know the industry is concerned about future bookings but here….and now…..it’s business as normal with the ship alive with guests enjoying life and good times.
One family enjoying all the ship has to offer are the Strutts from Oklahoma. They cruised with me on the Carnival Freedom in Europe and here they were singing the praises of a four-day Carnival cruise…..they drove here……….and forfeited a long weekend in Las Vegas to dos so. Why?……….Well, value for money and the fun for all atmosphere that can only be found on a Carnival ship.
It’s funny that they mentioned Las Vegas because as I was discussing with my friend Roger Blum, vp of cruise programming, the other day…..I have never been to the city in the desert. I never really fancied going. I don’t gamble…..well………..except when I fart in bed and pull the covers over Heidi’s head …….in this case I am gambling that wobbly bits will be still attached to my body afterwards.
However, it seems that according to the BBC I won’t have to fly to Vegas because Vegas is coming to the UK. Yep, super casinos are coming to London and Manchester, and I wonder if it will be like Las Vegas or not.
Well, in one important respect it won’t be. Las Vegas is situated in the middle of the Nevada Desert, not far from Death Valley, the hottest place on earth. Manchester and London are known for its year-round drizzle and its summertime peaks of 57F. As you approach Vegas from Los Angeles, especially at night I imagine it is a genuinely impressive spectacle. All that power. All that energy. And so many air-conditioning units that as often as not the city generates its own overhead cloud cover to cool the gamblers down. As you approach Manchester and London you usually think, “I’ll turn my wind shield wipers on now.” And then you keep right on going to somewhere better.
We can’t forget the police, either. In Vegas they wear shorts, ride bicycles and — as I once saw on Cops — have flashing lights on top of their helmets. And no one laughs at them.
Then we have the hotels. At the MGM Grand in Vegas there are 5,044 rooms and the turnaround time is phenomenal. You check out, and even if it’s three in the morning someone else will be in your room just 20 minutes later. The last time I stayed in Manchester, my hotel room had nylon sheets that made my hair look like it had been styled by Don King, and the biggest diversion was looking out of the window.
However, in one important respect UK’s super casinos will be very similar to Las Vegas. The customers will be poor when they get there. And a little bit poorer when they leave.
When imagine also that gambling back in the early days was a rather elegant way of passing the time. You would go to a small smoke-filled room dressed in your best suit. The casino itself would have just four tables, a fire and a maître d’ called Roget who would welcome you with his fake French accent.
Vegas too, I am told by those who remember in those days, was a laugh. The Strip was a great place for cruising. You could stay at the Aladdin for $8 a night, see the Platters sing Only You, play a little blackjack, develop a rapport with the dealer and it was all jolly lovely. Even though you knew your losses were being used by men called Don to buy guns in Chicago and cocaine in New York.
The Strutts painted me a different picture of Vegas when we spoke last night. They went last summer and said it’s crammed. You can’t move on the Strip, 24 hours a day, and as you sit at the bar being insulted by the uninterested staff you get the impression that it’s just a giant cathedral to capitalism.
There’s no style any more, they said. When you check in at the MGM there’s an army of valet parkers who direct you to one of the 16 lanes so that you are in the casino and at the tables that little bit faster.
In the past the receptionist would tell you about all the shows in town. Now you give them a credit card and you’re in your room, where the bed is still warm from the last sucker who breezed into town. It sounds horribly depressing.
And that’s what it’s going to be like in the UK when Steve Wynnnothing opens his casino doors. Oh sure, you’ll get a handful of the people from Cheshire over there, dropping vast wads on black to make themselves more sexually attractive. But mostly it’ll be people gambling away money they barely had in the first place.
However, the Struuts love the tables here at Carnival. “Why,” I asked…..”Is it because you win?”……….”No,” said Mrs. Strutt………..”It’s because if you win or lose the dealers treat you like a human being and not just another gambler.” And with that she wandered off to play blackjack hoping the dealers would be extra nice and pay her out on 22 because…..it was close enough.
It’s funny but I feel like I have never set foot on this ship before. It’s not because the last time I worked on a Fantasy class ship was back in 1995 it’s the fact that the ship looks …………well………..like a ship I have never been on before. I know that’s not the most eloquent way to describe to you what I mean but as I sit here at 8:15 am it’s the best I can do for now. Actually, it isn’t…………let me try and explain further ……………..lets start on Promenade Deck.
The Fantasy I remember had circular fair ground booths for guests to sit in just past the gift shops and up until the main Promenade Bar. When I say “fairground booths” they were ones you would find on a ride which we in the UK call “The Wurlitzer.”………I am sure there is another name for the ride in North America but you know the ones I mean, don’t you? They spin around in a circle very quickly and usually you end up vomiting over your sister…….yep………….those.
They actually were very “retro” back then in the early nineties and I have many a happy memory sitting with passengers …………you weren’t guests back then……………you were passengers and watching the cruise ship world go by.
Well, those circular fair ground booths have gone……..I have no idea where………. maybe the metal was sold for scrap and are now cans of horse meat sitting on a deli counter in Paris……….who knows?
What I do know is that they have been replaced with a new and simply wonderful area from which to watch the world go by. The seating area is open and airy and last night the area outside of the casino was a hub of activity as was the inside of the casino itself. You know, its been a long time since I have been in the Caribbean and whereas in Europe the first night is always quiet with guests in bed early after trans-Atlantic flights…………here on the Carnival Fantasy as she is now known the ship was alive and vibrant ………… especially on Promenade Deck………..oh by the way, I have to get the staff here to say Carnival Fantasy. I guess they have been in the habit of calling it that for many years but it says Carnival Fantasy on the side of the ship and that’s what they should call it.
Anyway, back to Promenade and last night it was hopping. The bar waiters were busy as people sat in the new seating area and enjoyed the great entertainment package arranged by Cruise Director Big Texas…………actually we can’t call him Big Texas anymore because he has lost an amazing 73 pounds………so he is now known as your Cruise Director “Rhode Island.” The guests listened to the Dixie land jazz provided by the Universe Orchestra and nibbled on Californian Rolls served complimentary from the new sushi bar. I think one man from Valdosta, Georgia, was a bit confused because he thought it was a bait shop ………….for fishing y’alllll.
Anyway, here are some photos of the area on Promenade Deck forward including the new sitting area, the sushi bar and the casino………oh by the way; I took this morning so you can actually see the seats etc.
Coffee……….where would we be without it? Since their debut Carnival Destiny, we have had our popular cafes installed on all our vessels so guests can enjoy a cup. You may say that coffee causes your teeth to go brown and your heart to explode and is as healthy as burying your face in a pair of my underwear and breathing in. However, for many of us our morning cup of coffee is a ritual we must adhere to and so Carnival placed the massively popular Destiny, Conquest, Splendor and Spirit class coffee shops on the Fantasy class as well. …and as you will see the one on the Carnival Fantasy is a very special one.
It has comfortable seating that invites you not just to take your frapamocalateacinno away but to stay…..chat with friends and make new ones. By the way………..why don’t we have big Starbucky type mugs for people who do want to drink their coffee at the café?……..Big mugs with the name of the café on them and the ship….I am sure people would buy them…..Oh and yes…..they do have tea as well. I know this because I asked for a cup just now.
However, like all our café’s they don’t have proper tea………….all they have are herbal teas. Herbal varieties of tea are very dangerous because if you come round to my house and ask for peppermint tea I will punch you in the mouth. At best, it is pointless. At worst, it is an affected piece of Hyacinth Bucket snobbery designed for the sort of people who spend half an hour deciding whether the wine they’ve been given is alright. And Chai tea? Have you tried that? Well, don’t – because you can achieve exactly the same effect, for a lot less, by drinking your own urine. Anyway, here are some photos of the Coffee Shop which I think is as good if not better than anywhere in the fleet.
The aft part of Promenade has also been changed. In the old days the Fantasy had one aft lounge called the Forum. Well, this large space was divided into two parts so that the Carnival Fantasy can provide some upgraded facilities for some of its most important guests……..the kids. Times have moved on from the days when kids could be entertained by decorating a cookie and knocking on a cabin door and running away. Now they want the Transformers, Asteroids and Hemorrhoids in your face entertainment that comes from the playstaionwiixboxs of today. And so realizing that we needed more space to provide these and other fun activities for the kids, the Forum has been divided with the port side being dedicated to a new and dynamic space for Camp Carnival. Mums and Dads will be very happy. There is also a new area for Circle C where the plasma TV’s and modern furnishings are testament to what kids want today. Then we have the new Club O2 area which is where the 15 – 17 year olds………ummmm……….hang and chill and see whose pants are worn the lowest while listening to JayDiddly and Beyonce Spears.
Have a look at these photos of paradise for kids.
Back at the Forum there are daily activities and nighttime karaoke. Once again, being in Europe for so long, I have forgotten how popular karaoke is. The place was packed last night and I sat and listened to many a good singer including one lady who belted out Amazing Grace which earned her a standing ovation. I also listened to a young man sing Aerosmith’s Dude Looks like a Lady. He was obviously sponsored by Budweiser and sounded like I would if I woke up to find Judge Judy lying in my bed-wearing nothing but lipstick. But those are the wonders of the karaoke and that’s why it is still one of the most popular cruise ship activities.
The Lobby has also been changed to resemble those of the Carnival Fantasy’s big sisters. There is now a bar and seating area as well as a bandstand from which various styles of live music are provided. It has radically changed the feel of this area and last night it was full of people mingling and enjoying the music and ambiance. Here is the new Carnival Fantasy lobby bar.
It is extraordinary to think that the last time I was working onboard the Fantasy the Jubilee and Celebration dining rooms were divided into half non-smoking and half smoking. The odor of Camels and Marlboros has gone and with it has most of the dining room I remember. There used to be a long centerpiece from where the midnight buffets were served. That has also gone and has been replaced with more spacious tables and chairs that are uber comfortable………and they are chairs that don’t have arms so that people with extra medium bottoms like mine don’t get wedged in there. In the old days you could see people walking around the ship, having a drink, swimming in the pool all with the dining room chairs still wedged tight on their buttocks.
The dining rooms have become light and airy and welcoming. I ate last night in the Celebration Dining Room which is the forward of two. I was joined for dinner by an old friend Andy Brown. Andy has been with Carnival for 17 years and I remember him being a young junior purser eager to please and always ready to help. He worked with me on the Carnival Destiny during her inaugural season and despite being as ugly as Mongolian wart hog he was very popular with the ladies……….and one man called Brian. Andy Brown has grown up with the company and here he is as the hotel director of this new and improved Carnival Fantasy. Last night we chatted about the old days and talked about the ones ahead. Later in the cruise I will slap on a video of Andy and I having a chat. Last night I enjoyed the following dinner from the extensive menu.
TIGER SHRIMP COCKTAIL
CAESAR SALAD
CENTER CUT PORK CHOP WITH PEAS AND MAC AND CHEESE
BUGGER ALL DESSERT
It was delicious and our waiter, Pang, was with me on the Carnival Freedom so it was wonderful to see him again. Talking of which, it’s amazing to see so many crew that I have not seen in so many years. They all want to shake my hand and hug and kiss me passionately………..and that’s just the male crew.
Seriously, though, it has been brilliant to see so many of the crew, especially those who have been with this amazing company for many years and are the ones who have helped it to be the world’s most popular cruise line. One thing I am glad to see is that they didn’t remove the models of the Jubilee and Celebration from the entrance to the dining rooms. They are a proud reminder of our heritage. Here are some photos of the dining rooms.
I have spoken to many guests here many of which have recognized me and it’s interesting listening to where they are from with many it seems driving to the ship. I spoke to guests from Louisiana, the Carolinas and the Pancotti family who drove in from Georgia. The guests are true Carnival people………with everyone of the 2,600 all determined to get the most out of these four days. I went to bed last night at 11:15 pm and the dance club, the Cats Lounge featuring a high energy four-piece band, the promenade, the lobby, the aft lounge and all the entertainment lounges were buzzing ……..and that was wonderful to see.
Tomorrow I am going to feature the open decks, the fantastic new lido dining area complete with Mongolian Grill and, of course, the amazing Carnival Fantasy water park. I will also have some videos to show you as well so I hope you will stop by tomorrow. I will also answer the next and very long list of questions you have sent me.
I have spent much of the day preparing everything for the Bloggers Cruise. I won’t go into specifics but I will say that Hotel Director Andy “Ugly “Brown and his hotel staff have been terrific. Big Rhode Island the CD is superb and those of you who will be sailing with him either here on the Carnival Fantasy of in April on the Carnival Valor are in for an huge treat………..he really is very talented.
However, there is one thing that has impressed me more than anything. It’s something I have not experienced for a long time and that’s……rumpy pumpy with my wife …sorry, I mean that’s the small ship feel. I mean, it is ludicrous to call a 70,000-ton ship small but when cruise lines are building ships as large as the Carnival Dream and ones even bigger like the Ihavebeenstandinginlinewith5000otherpassengerswaitingforacheeseburgerandfries of the seas……..I guess the Carnival Fantasy really is small.
And that’s a good thing. Because that small ship feel where you make a new friend who won’t get lost in the crowd but who you will see every day is something rare these days. OK, maybe the facilities we have on our larger and newer ships are bigger and grander but they do tend to lose that special feeling only a smaller vessel can provide. I remember now how much I loved this ship and I am falling in love with her all over again.
Let’s quickly mention the port of Grand Turk which as you will see has become the must-
visit Caribbean destination.
GRAND TURK CRUISE CENTER EXPECTED TO HOST RECORD 500,000 PASSENGERS IN 2009
GRAND TURK, B.W.I. (January 30, 2009 ) — With 229 cruise ship calls scheduled for 2009, the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) is on track for hosting a record 500,000 passengers in the coming year.
The unprecedented half-million passenger mark is a 25 percent increase over 2008, during which the GTCC was closed for 30 days following Hurricane Ike.
A key reason for Grand Turk’s continued popularity is the wide array of organized excursion opportunities for visitors, from horseback riding and kayaking to world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing.
For those guests who want to explore the island on their own, the new Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals recently opened at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. With this new service, guests visiting Grand Turk will be able to discover the island’s numerous historical sites, gorgeous white-sand beaches, quaint Bermudian-influenced architecture and friendly locals at their own pace.
“The Grand Turk Cruise Center is poised for a record-breaking year and we look forward to showcasing our island’s magnificent beaches and diverse shoreside experiences to cruise-ship visitors,” said Mike Reimers, general manager of the GTCC. “Additionally, the new on-site car rental agency provides GTCC guests with yet another option for experiencing and exploring the fascinating beauty of this island paradise,” he added.
Commented Todd Foss, Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals general manager, “We are extremely excited about expanding our operations to the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals has a well-deserved reputation for quality and we look forward to providing cruise ship visitors with this much-needed service on the island.”
The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which can accommodate up to 6,000 passengers per day, consists of a 13-acre complex including an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool, expansive recreation area with a diversity of retail shops, FlowRider® surfing adventure and the Caribbean’s largest “Margaritaville”-themed bar and restaurant.
For more information about the island, the Grand Turk Cruise Center, as well as the 2009 cruise ship schedule, shore excursion offerings, and a copyright-free photo library, visit grandturkcc.com.
For information on Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals visit their web site at gracebaycarrentals.com.
For press inquiries, please contact Jennifer de la Cruz or Vance Gulliksen, Carnival Corporation & plc Public Relations at 305-599-2600, ext 16000.
Remember, we have a variety of ships that visit this enchanted isle so check out www.carnival.com to discover more.
It seems our new commercial featuring the Fun Director and the giant waterslide was a great success and your comments mostly amplified this. And so, as a reward for your continuing readership, here is a look at the second of our commercials. This one features our exuberant Fun Director and a special guest star………have a look a this.
Watch the Fun Director Commercial Here
Yep, how funny is that?
So, as always I invite your comments……….what did you think? Personally…..I laughed my bottom off……..and that I assure you is a lot of laughter. I will post the next one very soon.
By the way, have I mentioned how much I love this ship?
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy
Filed under: Tales from the Ship | Tagged: Camp Carnival, Captain Pagano, Caribbean, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Splendor, Circle C, Club O2, coffee, dining, Fun Director, Grand Turk, promenade, TV Commercial
Hi John,
OMG, I love the “Fun Director” commercial. The fist punch at the end was so ….Obama and Michelle.
As for the Fantasy, wow! Your pictures are making me very excited for the Bloggers Cruise. I love the coffee bar area — I think I’ll be there a lot. Drip coffee — skim — two Equals.
Oh and hey I want to hear about the Super Bowl onboard.
Best,
Anita
Hi John,
What with meeting all these folks you have sailed with before, what will you do if you meet up with the girl in the spa who was massaging you and forced you to fart ?!
I noticed in the pics of Club O 2 that there are CRT monitors on the desk. Even the cabins have flat screens now. The kids should too !
See you in a week for the Bloggers cruise.
Phil & Liz
Hi John!
Love the commercial! It’s great! I love the towel animals. Every night on board I look forward to seeing what kind of wild animal will greet me when I enter my room! But, Carl usually walks in behind me. LOL!
Less than a week and we will be catching up with you in NOLA!
Hello to Heidi and the wee little Thingy!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
PS…. Thanks for sharing all the great photos! The Carnival Fantasy is beautiful!!! Can’t wait to see her in person!
John, Now you got me even more anxious to get on the Carnival Fantasy in just one more week.
Now were making commercials that are good, look good and don’t cost an arm and a leg to stage.
BIG ED
See you in NOLA in less then a week
John,
Love the new advert, this time differance is great its midnight here.
We were going to have a Vegas style casino built near to the Manchester City stadium, bringing in 3000 jobs, but boring Gordon Brown said NO !!
May be we should build one by West Hams ground!!!
Great photos of the Fantasy, we sailed on the Elation twice in 2000 and 2003 out of LA to the Mexican Riviera and can recall the differences.
Have a great time.
Wes and Liz
I LOVED that one, John!! That commercial is excellent! It’s not sweeping in scope… it’s doesn’t feature vistas of the sea… it’s CARNIVAL!! I LOVE the fist bump at the end, and, as always the ship’s whistle. This one I can stand behind proudly!!!
The Fantasy is LOVELY!!! I had no idea! I’ve been looking at pictures and deck plans but NONE of them showed how truly lovely she is. This will be a treat for me… and ALL of my wonderful Cruise Critic Bayou Bloggers!!!
This time next week and we’ll be at a reception!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!!
ARE WE THERE YET???
Ciao!!
Host Mach
John,
The Carnival Fantasy looks great. I am sorry we will miss BC2. The towel animals are great and on BC1 aboard the Carnival Freedom we asked our cabin steward to please leave them and we put them on the back of the sofa. It was great fun to come into the room and watch the surprise on Nancy’s face. That and the Chocolates. By brother took his son on a cruise for his graduation which happened to be their first cruise. The last day of a five day cruise while in the hot tub another lady told his wife how much she enjoyed the little chocolates on her pillow every night. My sister-in-law said hey how come we haven’t got any and my nephew got out of the hot tub and ran back to the room and locked the door as he had been getting back to the room first every night and eating all of the chocolates. Too much fun!
Jim & Nancy
first… I love the commercial.
second… you are a cruel, cruel man. I’m sailing on the fantasy in 8 days for the bloggers cruise and can barely stand the wait. Now you’ll be throwing it in my face for the next 4 days. What am I going to do?
john
ps – love the pics.
Hi John, Glad you are having fun. I LOVE the new commercial. Now that’s more like it. It really oozes Carnival.
Jo
John
great commercial.
see you soon in the Big Easy,
dont eat all the Gumbo.
tom & jane
Loved the Fantasy and the commercial. It is Carnival.
John,
Looks like a great ship and I like the look of the decoration better then many later ships.
Like the commercial sincve it is more realistic
and features real Carnival people and spirit.
Say hello to many of our Blogger friends and we will be in South America instead.
Dave Myerly
John:
I know it is not your fault, but, I am thinking that Carnival does not want my money. Yesterday I got word that Carnival had canceled our cruise on the Freedom for December 5th. That is the third time in less than a year that Carnival has canceled a cruise on us. First it was the Freedom TA. Carnival decided that is was more profitable to keep the Freedom in the Caribbean. Then we booked the Liberty Baltic Cruise and that was canceled as Europe was not a profitable destination. I guess we again have to book another cruise with the Niceguysoftheseas who will be happy to accommodate us. I do hope that some day Carnival will be able to sail with us on our 12 Carnival cruise.
Again, it is not your fault, but, I need to vent my disappointment.
Regards to you, Heidi and the blessed Thingie.
Marie
John,
ARE WE THERE YET?
This will be my 8th time on the Fantasy (oops Carnival Fantasy) in 2 years and 4 months. We sailed our first time on her when Carnival came back to New Orleans after Katrina. It was the first 5-nighter Oct 30, 2006.
Looking forward to seeing old friends onboard with the crew. Big Tex, Larry San Diego (bar tender), Rubert and Paul (gift shop), Willie (asst Housekeeping), Karen (casino manager), Pedro (Security) and many others.
Dave
The new commercial is cute, although I think the first one was better. The new concept, though, is a great way to introduce millions more to the cherished treasure we know as Carnival.
Thanks for sharing the “new look” of the Fantasy. I miss the old “small ships” — my first Carnival Cruise was on Sensation, and I’ve been hooked ever since. We’ll definitely have to check out the new Fantasy next year. (We’re already booked on Liberty this year for our honeymoon — now I just have to figure out how to top the “fairy tale” engagement you read about on your morning show on the Splendor!)
John,
Thank God your back on board a ship. You write so much better when you on the high seas. Have a great Blogger Cruise and we hope to see you in December on Carnivals Dream.
John,
The ship sounds great i hope it comes back from the BC like that. These people are really ready to break loose and party. Hope the crew is ready. Great commercial also. But I think you should be the fun director, but that’s just me. Best to Heidi and the Thingie.
Kevin
That one was great!!! I love the towel animals and have a whole photo album of all who have visited us over the last 9 cruises and will add all future friends.
I know what you mean about the feel of the smaller ships. My husband and I enjoy them also. We have been on the Fascination, Fantasy, Celebration, Sensation, and the Inspiration. They all have a really good feel to them. But the Carnival Glory will always be my first love. It is the first ship that we ever sailed on with you as the CD.
29 Days and we will be on her again. I can hardly wait. It will be our 10th.
Give my love to Heidi and Thingy.
Hope to see you again someday soon.
CarolAnn
Two home runs!
I love both of the new commercials.
This one is my favorite.
Hi John,
Love the new commercial…it’s adorable. Think it’s great to highlight a room steward AND to point out that they are so much more than that! This series of commercials is great…keep up the great work Carnival.
Also, canNOT wait to get on the Fantasy next week. It is beautiful. Not sure how I’ll remain patient for another whole week.
See you in NOLA
The Kilmartins
Dear John I loved the new ad this is what Carnival is about Fun Fun and more Fun.Loved seeing and hearing about the Fantasy the momentum and excitement is building to a fever pitch.The Krewes are getting restless.Plans being made for the invasion of N’awlins.and the cry far and wide. Are We There Yet???? Almost!! Best Wishes Gary and Bug
John, a quick question then a gushing review of the Carnival Liberty and her Crew.
Is it not tradition to blow the whistle (horn) during sailaway from the originating port? Carnival Liberty left the port of Miami silently and without any real hoopla. We learned later that Captain Marco Nogara had come on board feeling under the weather after his vacation home and the Staff Captain had been fulfilling his duties.
It has been a couple of weeks since my wife and I took our first cruise on the beautiful Carnival Liberty on January 1oth.
John, I have to admit, I was one of those that was a bit concerned about Carnival. I had bought into that party image that may have been of the past! Not to say that you can’t party if you want…certainly the beauty I found with Carnival is that you can do anything you want on Carnival. You can chill out or you can party, you can do crosswords, Soduko, play bingo, line dance, shop, etc. etc.
Okay to the exciting part, despite the fact that our poor Captain Marco Nogara was ill for the first part of our cruise after his return from his leave and being home in Italy, fellow Canadian and CD, Steve Knisley did a wonderful job being the talking head of Carnival during our 7 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise visiting San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. I do say though, I was a bit disappointed that the whistle (horn) did not sound during our sail away from Miami…but what the hey I had a “Funship” drink in hand and my wife of 28 years and I were doing a happy dance.
CD Steve Knisley reported to us during our debarkation talk that we had just over 650 “thingies” 16 years old and under…I have to say Carnival did a great job keeping the “kids” entertained and keeping them from being underfoot. In fact everyone was surprised at the number!
Talk about “Value for Dollar”….I bought my Carnival cruise experience for $1,600 which incredibly included this: A wonderful 7 day Caribbean Cruise, Return Air from Edmonton Alberta to Miami with one night stay at the luxurious JW Marriott, a beautiful balcony stateroom, transfers to and from the pier and airport. Entertaiment – Vegas style shows and great comedians – and we even had a few complimentary drinks at the Captains reception and
I highly recommend a reservation at Harry’s Supper Club. I was so totally satisfied, happy and deliriously happy with the food at the Silver Olympian Dinning room, you can imagine our pleasant surprise at the quality of food and service at Harry’s. It was my wife’s birthday and what a wonderful experience. The $30 per person truly truly is a value. To you nay sayers or Scots who would scoff at the price and say that you have already paid for a meal and why would you pay an additional $30 are missing out. The food is five star as is the service and how can you improve on the food and service of the Silver and Golden Olympian dining rooms? Truly amazing!
I loved our cruise and will do it again…in fact my wife and I purchased a $100 Certificate that in the future will earn up to $200 shipboard credit depending upon the length of the cruise. Point of clarification for those of you that were not offered this…apparently this offer was being offered on a limited number of ships.
John, I whole heartedly have to agree with you, anyone who wishes to express a negative opinion of Carnival without having cruised with them, as you would say is a bunch of “bullocks”!
Finally, I was impressed with the staff from the room stewards to the food service staff. I was also very happy to see our fine crew given the opportunity to disembark and take in the sites of the ports we visited. The staff and crew are what makes the experience come alive for us guests. Thanks Carnival and you John for pouring out your passion for your wife, your thingy, and for Carnival. Your blog lightens my days, makes me laugh and dream a little about our next cruise.
John,
By George, I think ya got it!!! Ya got the right ideas for Carnival commericals! These last two have been great! I like many can’t wait to see what animal is waiting for me at night.
Thanks for the pictures of the Carnival Fantasy! She looks absolutly stunning! I can’t wait till next week!
I love the commercial!
I was excited about the upcoming cruise NEXT WEEK, but your pictures have me wanting to leave right now! Looking forward to seeing this beauty up close and personal!
Are we there yet?
Best wishes to you, Heidi & Thingy!
Stitch
Thank you for posting pictures of the Fantasy. It looks beautiful! We cant wait until the blogger’s cruise.
This commercial is nicely done. I think the last two commercials are really capturing the spirit of Carnival.
Hi John,
First let me comment on the new Spot, I think it is different, I like it.
As for the Carnival Fantasy, I still want to call her the Fantasy by the way, I am with out words….. She and the Sensation have been my favorites over the years (having cruisede on the 2 of them a combined 16 times, out of 23 cruises) so you can see where my loyalties lie. I just love the small ships as they are truely a way to get to know your neighbor anad table mate.
I am amazed as you are of the changes you have shown so far, I remember the old chairs along the promanade and the old “coffee Lounge” that never served coffee, but seem to be a place where the casino staff would hide during there breaks.
The other area I think I might like is the new lobby bar. I loved the ones on the Spirt class they are another place to just hang out and watch the world go by. But I would think that it would get a might crowed there when the pursers office and the shore desk are open. as I recall that area was small as it was…… I look forward to the other area you are going to be show casing in the comming days. keep up the good work. you are truely the Ambasador of Carnival cruise lines.
Hi to Heidi and Stephine,
Capt Bill < land locked for the for seeable future
Love the commercial–the true spirit of Carnival! Fist bump at the end was inspired!! The Carnival Fantasy looks gorgeous….haven’t been on her yet but will one day! Have a great bloggers cruise all! Gloria
John:
That’s Aquino!!! (First Head Waiter to the Left in your picture) That is Rozwin’s (karaoke host) cousin and a great friend of ours!!! He is marvelous!!!
Hi Aquino!!!!
We also love the Fantasy. We have sailed her 8 times…next week will be our 4th time….since October.
LOVE the Wall of Fame. DJ will have to look and see if his last 3 pictures are up there. I am not allowed in Club O2, because that would ruin his “reputation”. LOL You know 17 year olds can not be seen communicating with their parents in any way.
Would you do us a favor and post the first name of the Club O2 director that DJ will have? We know that Iman finished her contract shortly after we left earlier this month. Thanks!!
Be sure to give Michael H. a listen in the Promenade. He is soooo cool!!!!
This is also Ron C.’s (in the piano bar) last cruise. He reminds me of Joe Pesci. Tell him hello from one of his biggest fans!!!
This time next week…..we will be getting ready to head to the port!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John :
LOVED the commercial!!!
BTW< when we sailed with Big Tex earlier this month, he announced that he had lost 90 pounds!!!
WOW!!!
(But he will always be Big Tex to us because we gauge it on the size of his HEART!!!)
Linda (Mom of your friend~ and Big Tex’s little cruise brother~ DJ)
Hey John!
I can’t get over all the changes to the C. Fantasy. She looks so different. I can’t wait to see more.
Great commercial. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for keeping is informed and try to relax a bit in the next few days.
Take care!
David
Hi John,
That was the best commercial I have seen! Really cute. Good job Carnival!
We have our tenth cruise (on the Freedom) in 56 days, but who’s counting? LOL
Best wishes to you, Heidi and the thingy!
John – PLEASE REPLY
In your role as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Carnival Cruise lines, could I please request the following assistance:
1. Could you please have someone from Carnival Corporation speak to the Vacation Interchange Privileges program and what benefits those of us who have achieved Platinum status on Carnival would receive should we choose to sail on another line?
2. Can you please get updated information on the smoking policy aboard Cunard ships? The information on their website is out of date, as it mentions the QE2 and makes no mention of the Queen Victoria.
As you might be able to infer from my questions, I am seriously considering a Cunard voyage – specifically a transatlantic crossing. However, given our issues with smoking, I would hate to miss out on the many opportunities to dance our way across the Atlantic.
As always, my appreciation for your assistance.
Your servant,
Missingthesmokefreeparadisebutgettingbyonmostlysmokefreecarnivalships
Hey John,
Been a while since I have written, but reading loyally! I think the commercial is going back to the Carnival we fell in love with! Simple, friendly and FUN! Our first cruise with Carnival was on the, okay I’ll do it, the CARNIVAL Fantasy. It was a cruise package with a small theater group from here in North Carolina. They rode the buses with us, performed the first night for us, and the seas were so rough that I thought they were going to join the audience, LOL! We loved the Fantasy then but from the pictures it is better than it was by far. I do remember me walking with that chair stick to my back side. I didn’t think you were on that cruise! See you next Saturday for all the Evil fun!
John,
I love reading your blog! Thanks for posting pictures of the “NEW” Carnival Fantasy. We were on her last January and can hardly wait till the bloggers cruise next week. Look forward to meeting with you.
Best wishes to you, Heidi, and the thingy
Perhaps I was the only one to notice…. but was the towel animal SUPPOSED to look a bit, um, phallic?