Carnival Fantasy

The 1990-built Carnival Fantasy cruise ship was the first of CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines' 8x Fantasy-class liners - together with Sensation, Fascination and the originally "no balcony ships" Ecstasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise.

In mid-July 2020, the shipowner Carnival Corporation sold for scrap the cruise ships Carnival Fantasy (30-years-old) and Carnival Inspiration (24-years-old). Both vessels were dismantled and recycled at Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility (near Port Izmir, Turkey).

A total of 100x Carnival Fantasy cruises were cancelled - departures scheduled for the period October 3, 2020, through January 17, 2022. CCL Fantasy ship was planned for homeporting in Mobile (Alabama USA) and to operate on Western Caribbean Mexico itineraries - 4-day (to Cozumel, Quintana Roo) and 5-day (Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatan).

On July 23, CCL announced that Fantasy and Inspiration are sold but not to be scrapped. The buyer's name (new shipowner) was not specified. Carnival Sensation was relocated (changed homeport) from Miami to Mobile Alabama, taking up the pre-assigned schedules of Fantasy and Fascination. Carnival Fascination's schedule 2020-2021 based on homeporting in San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Bridgetown (Barbados) was cancelled. The ship's new homeport (mainland USA) and itineraries are yet to be announced. Carnival Sunrise was redeployed from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) to Miami, taking up the Carnival Sensation's schedule.

On July 23, Carnival Fantasy entered the Mediterranean Sea waters. The ship's AIS transponder reported as destination port ALIAGA TK. On July 28, the liner anchored in Aliga Bay (north of the shipbreaking yard) and its AIS went silent at 8:02 UTC. Fantasy was beached onshore (next to Pullmantur Sovereign and Pullmantur Monarch) and later dismantled.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 2000-passenger cruise ship Carnival Fantasy was the oldest Carnival "Fun Ship". Drydock 2008 featured extensive cabin upgrades (including flat-screen TVs), a new water park and expanded dining options. Passenger cabins were furnished in reds and golds, main dining rooms accented with plush chairs and soft lights.

CCL Fantasy was last drydock refurbished in 2016 (at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport Bahamas). During its CCL service, the vessel (IMO number 8700773) was Panama-flagged (MMSI number 353486000) and registered in Colon.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Fantasy staterooms (1028 total, in 19 grades) were most sized 170-185-ft2 / 16-17-m2 and included the cabin types Inside (408), Oceanview (564) and Suites (54, with cabin balconies sized 20-70 ft2). CCL Fantasy ship has 25x wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) and no Standard Balcony cabins. Grand Suites are the largest accommodations (330 ft2 / 31 m2 plus 70-115 ft2 / 7-11 m2 terrace) and accommodate up to 5 passengers. They feature sitting areas, spacious bathrooms (with whirlpool bathtubs, separate shower), VIP amenities and exclusive services.

The boat has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The most convenient dining option on Carnival Fantasy is Windows on the Sea buffet located on Lido Deck. Continental breakfast is served from 7 to 7:30 a.m. on sea days and starting at 6 a.m. on port days. Items offered include yogurt, bagels, and fruit. Buffet breakfast runs from 6 a.m. to noon /port days and from 7:30 a.m. to noon /sea days. An omelet station is offered at the rear of the buffet, where the pizzeria is situated. The Sushi Bar is another free dining option, at the end of the promenade, just before the Grand Atrium. This little stand, open daily from 5 to 8:15 p.m. offers several types of sushi and vegetarian options. If you're curious to taste something different, choose the Mongolian Wok, next to the grill and close to the pool on Lido Deck.

Also available on all of the Fun ships is Chef's Table - a dining experience that affords a dozen guests a multicourse dinner with a private cocktail reception, a tour of the galley and a master chef. This dining option takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Fantasy restaurants and food bars.

• Celebration Dining Room (650-seat, forward Main Dining Room (with two fixed dinner seatings) or "Your Time Dining" with themed breakfasts - "Seuss At Sea", for $5 cover charge)
• Jubilee Dining Room (658-seat, aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings).
• Windows On The Sea Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings).
• Sushi Bar (complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Grand Atrium on Carnival Fantasy spans six decks and boasts a huge skylight window, as well as glass-enclosed elevators. The 2-deck high Universe Lounge is the spot where most of the entertainment takes place. It features a space-age theme, black curtains, black carpeting with stars and planets, plush seats and red walls. Everything from Battle of the Sexes to country line dancing takes place there. Nightly shows include plenty of singing and dancing, live music, comedians and magicians.

Be aware that "what to do on your cruise" presentations are usually loosely masked sales pitches for future cruises, shore excursions, and art. You can always catch, what you consider might have been an interesting presentation, on your in-room TV later in the day. Ship's Forum Lounge, located on Promenade Deck, is significantly smaller and hosts smaller performances, such as karaoke.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Fantasy lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Ecstasy Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high midship open area served by Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts); The Fun Shops (offer "Bon Voyage" store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques)
• Universe Theatre (1300-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
• Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
• Cleopatra's Piano Bar (92-seat);
• 24-hour Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
• Club 21 Casino (450-seat, served by the 21st Century Bar)
• Via Marina Promenade and Bar (230-seat), Jewelry Shop
• Bistro On The Blvd (58-seat specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Cats Lounge and Bar (109-seat, with karaoke and dance floor)
• Electricity Disco and Nightclub (230-seat Dance Club)
• Majestic Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• The Forum Lounge and Bar (540-seat, with dance floor and stage for live performances - Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch shows)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area with padded lounges, hammocks and two Whirlpools).
• Fantasy Lido Pool area; Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (features the 4-deck high Twister Waterslide, two racing waterslides, fountains, jets, splash pool, kids area)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge with a complimentary programme and play area)
• Spa Carnival (Spa and Fitness complex with Relaxation Room, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Rooms, Beauty Salon, Gymnasium with Aerobics Studio)
• Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini-Golf Course, Shuffleboard.

Itineraries

The last Carnival Fantasy itinerary program was based on 4- and 5-day short Bahamas cruises from homeport Charleston SC. Feature port destinations included Nassau and Freeport. Ship's 7-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries also called at Carnival's private island Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk Island (Cockburn Town). Starting February 2016, Fantasy was homeported in Miami FL for Florida-Bahamas roundtrips visiting Nassau, Key West and Cozumel.

Since November 2016, the CCL Fantasy ship operated Western Caribbean Mexico cruises. The itineraries were roundtrips from homeport Mobile Alabama and visited Cozumel (4-day) and Cozumel+Progreso Yucatan (5-day).

In 2022, Fantasy was planned for homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico (replacing there Carnival Fascination).