Carnival Fantasy to Bahamas

The Carnival Fantasy was the first of the truly big Carnival cruise ships when she entered service way back in 1990. So successful was she as a design that the Florida based cruise giant would build an astonishing seven, similar sized sister ships to join her. All eight ships are sailing successfully to this day.

It was with Carnival Fantasy that the line first introduced the eye popping, multi storey Atrium Lobby, with bars, shops and restaurants fanning off from it. Later, the line added a lobby bar, and this makes the whole area much more of a functional space than when new.

At 70,000 tons, the Carnival Fantasy carries around 2,200 passengers on short, fun fuelled jaunts to the Bahamas and the Florida Keys. With three separate clubs for young sailors, running from toddlers to teens, she is a great, stress free option for families of all ages. The little ones also enjoy their own water park, so that parents can enjoy their own outdoor spaces.

Those spaces centre around a large, central pool deck and a far more sedate, adults' only Serenity Zone that looks out over the stern. Complete with plush loungers, hot tubs and soothing, ambient music, it forms a welcome counterpoint to all the fast paced fun of the main pool area.

Inside, the ship crackles and sizzles with energy at night, from the vast casino to the string of bars that line the elegant interior boulevard. Here, you'll find everything from a piano bar to a pounding disco, and soft rock to salsa via reggae. Carnival Fantasy is a complete resort in and of herself.

Cabins are larger than average, with both inside and sea view rooms being roughly the same size. If you need more space, there are some new balcony cabins, and even some seriously swanky terrace suites, set down low in the hull.

Food is on tap from dawn till dusk. It's plentiful, has huge variety, and can be enjoyed in one of the two main dining rooms, or almost round the clock from the large, aft facing Lido Buffet.