Ship Reports - Fantasia

MSC Fantasia

MSC Cruises’ new flagship Fantasia is one of the largest ships at sea and is promoted as a travelling universe! Elaine and Ian from our Sutton Coldfield branch enjoyed a 10 night on Fantasia in February 2009 to the Canary Islands. Read their report to find out more or call us on 0121 250 2201 or 01543 412768 to book your cruise on Fantasia.

Embarkation

We flew from Gatwick to Genoa and enjoyed an overnight stay in a hotel before joining MSC Fantasia. Embarkation was fast, friendly and efficient and from the very first moment we boarded the ship, and were taken to our cabin via the crystal stair case and glass lift, we knew it was going to be special.

Public Areas

Spread over sixteen decks, this floating resort had it all – a well being centre, five restaurants, four swimming pools, 12 hydro-massage pools, coffee bars, shops, a children’s area, a Formula 1 simulator and an interactive 4D cinema.

There was plenty of open space outside on Decks 14 to 16 and even on days at sea, you could still find quiet areas with few or no people around, even though the ship holds 3,500 passengers and 1,300 crew. This was the same inside when enjoying a drink in any of the bars – you were never crowded and staff were always on hand to take your drink orders and the service and manner in which they served them was perfect five star treatment.

Cabin

The cabins were very spacious and ours were in the middle of the ship on Deck 11. Cabins start on Deck 5 and go up to Deck 13 – from Deck 7 to 13, all outside cabins have a balcony with a table and two chairs so you can sit and watch the world go by at your leisure.

Daytime Entertainment

A full programme of activities were available throughout the day including painting and dancing. We did not take up any of these as just walking around the decks, swimming in any of the four pools, sitting in one of the 12 spa baths or enjoying a drink or two were all that were needed to pass the time.

Restaurants

Food was abundant and varied. Breakfast was either in your cabin or from the buffet in the restaurant where you helped yourself to anything and everything. Depending on what time you ate the buffet could be a little crowded from 8.30am to 9.30am, however after 9.30am it was no problem. Lunch was more or less the same set up and dinner was only served in the restaurants at two sittings – 6.30pm and 8.45pm. We opted for the 8.45pm sitting and after ordering the five or six courses from the menu that changed every day, we were still enjoying a glass of wine at the table at 11pm.

Evening Entertainment

The evening entertainment was as relaxed or as upbeat as you wanted it to be and included dancing, live jazz, classical or modern music and the casino. All this, plus the theatre giving two performances a night (to tie in with the dinner sitting) meant that we never got to bed before 1am any night.

Each night we were left a mini magazine with all the following day trips, offers and activities and the suggested dress code for the following evening. During our holiday the dress code was casual two nights, informal for 6 nights and formal for 3 nights. I would say that at least 75% of the passengers followed the dress codes.