The Fantasy, built in 1990 and refurbished in 2002, is a 70,367-ton, 855-ft Panamanian-registered behemoth with a 103-ft beam, 10 passenger decks, and a capacity of 2,056 passengers at double occupancy. The ship cruises at 21 knots with Italian officers and an international crew of 920.
Like the company's seven other Fantasy-class ships, the Fantasywill be part of the "Evolutions of Fun" ship refurbishment program. Set to be completed by 2009, all Fantasy-class ships will undergo numerous upgrades, including: expansions of the children's waterparks; new designs and features in pool areas; the creation of Serenity adults-only deck areas; fully remodeled staterooms and suites, complete with new baths and flat-screen TVs; and the addition of atrium lobby bars, coffee bars, miniature golf courses and multipurpose conference facilities. Once those renovations are completed, the ship will be renamed Carnival Fantasy, to keep in-line with other Carnival-brand ships.
Leaving from New Orleans, this ship sails roundtrip to Cozumel in 4 days departing Thursday, and to Costa Maya and Cozumel in 5 days departing Saturday. Both sailings offer two full days at sea. Shore excursions at both Costa Maya and Cozumel include all-terrain vehicles, beach,
nature and snorkeling excursions. Dolphin encounters are also available at each port.
The skylighted seven-deck atrium and the 12,000-sq-ft spa are her focal points. The spacious public areas show the razzle-dazzle for which designer Joe Farcus is famous. Tubes of neon gas in ever-changing hues and 15 miles of computerized lights pump up the excitement in bars and themed lounges. (A room blue at noon may be red or white by 1 pm.)
Entertainment options range from a pulsating dance club to the multideck Universe Lounge staging elaborate Las Vegas-style revues. The casino is one of the largest afloat, and the shopping mall, while huge, peddles routine merchandise. The latest refurbishment has added a Roman-themed promenade, an expanded play area, a tuxedo and flower shop, an Internet cafe, and the largest conference center in the Carnival fleet. The huge spa offers relaxation, and one of the three pools includes a 115-ft corkscrew water slide. The full day at sea is the time to explore the liner's generous deck space. A jogging track encircles Sun Deck, and children flock to Camp Carnival, the line's year-round activities program. There is even a cookie turndown for children. Carnival's golf program is in full swing now, offering one-on-one instruction from 
pros and the opportunity to play at some ports of call.
The two dining rooms serve meals in noisy, energetic surroundings. Dinner now has four sittings as part of the flexible dining program, and the food has dramatically improved. The wine list has expanded considerably as well. Several alternatives are in operation for those who want more casual dining, and the nightly buffets and nonstop pizza prove popular. The pizzeria now serves Caesar salads as well. Cleopatra's Bar is a dark den with big Egyptian-inspired sculpture and sarcophagi, and Cats Lounge draws its inspiration from the late Broadway musical.
About two-thirds of the 1,020 unusually large cabins are outsides with windows. All provide phones, TVs, music channels and twin beds. Suites add sitting areas, verandas and whirlpool tubs.
This is a high-energy vessel with activity erupting every minute. The Fantasy, the first of Carnival's eight Fantasy Class ships, is still the most dazzling, more than living up to her apt name.
