Fantasy having mechanical issues

[egesicki]

We were on this sailing, currently at O'Hare waiting for our connection home. No a/c or toilet issues for us on deck 2. We did appreciate that DCL told us when to expect announcements and did make them at that time. We did get to make free phone calls at guest services - we contacted our shuttle company but did not rebook flights hoping express walk off and TSA pre check would be enough for a 2:47 flight. It was nice not having to rush at breakfast, but it was a little stressful wondering if we'd make our flight-we did. We were traveling without kids, the risk probably would have been much more stressful if we were. I have to say express walk off in the Walt Disney theatre was really crowded, and trying to retrieve all the suitcases from the little lobby was a bit chaotic. But even so, they told us first pax would be off at 12:30 and they actually cleared us about 11:40, so it was better than expected.

 

[Dug720]

We had clusters the two times we've boarded/debarked on RCCL... the second time they even outright refused to let my husband and I use the shorter line for repeat cruisers even though I had the right paperwork for her and everything. I have no idea why. I'm glad you've had good experiences, but I haven't... personal anecdotes shape each person's brand loyalty I suppose.

I agree. Both debarkations with RCCL were clusters. One time ONE of my bags was placed in the correct area, but the other one was put on the complete opposite side of the terminal leading to an extra hour hanging out and waiting for the majority of people to have gotten their bags so I could finally see it. Even the people working in the terminal trying to help me could not understand how my bag number which was clearly visible got put so far away from the area where that number was supposed to be. The second time while yes, they controlled us getting off the ship by numbers, they were in no way, shape, or form communicating with the terminal where the bags were being put on a conveyer belt airport-style and numbers were assigned to different ones. They were at least three numbers behind on each belt which led to a huge back-up and crowd of people trying to find their luggage.

On the flip side, the times I was not able to use OAC with Disney I've had no problems finding my luggage - it's been right there with the character it was supposed to be (and this was in PC where you just leave when you're finished with breakfast). The other times I've been able to use OAC and it's been easy peasy. Sometimes being all "do it yourself-y" isn't a good thing.

 

[Dug720]

Pretty silhouette of the Fantasy on the PC webcam right now.

 

[tinkerone]

Before my cruise people on DIS talked about walking right off when you wanted. We had a 45 minute wait in line. It was very stressful. They have no system.
So yes, I prefer the systems the 5 other other lines i cruised used. Priority given based on your travel plans, go to an assigned public room to wait your turn to leave in comfort. Pastries and juice and coffee set up while you wait. Walk right off....when it was my turn.

I agree. We were on one cruise trying to disembark, there were CM's directing how and where to go. This was a cruise we booked taking our adult children and their families. A CM pointed to where he wanted us and that's where we went. The mother of the family beside where we were standing started yelling at us, it got loud and verbal. I called the CM over and he told us to stay where we were but didn't say a word to the mother. There were hundreds of people lined up waiting to leave, it was utter chaos. No one knew where the line started or ended. I was embarrassed, the mothers husband was embarrassed, my children were embarrassed. No organization at all. We have always found two lines where no one knows actually who is first or last. Its a free for all. Never bothered me until that one time.

Now, when we went on RCL last year I was in fear of much the same as they have 6000 guests to DCL's 4500. I figured we would be a long time getting on and off. Not so, they have tons of luggage scanners and a separate line at check in for each floor, very organized. It was 15ish minutes from curb to being on board the ship. Getting off was about the same 15ish from walk off to curb side. So organized. This is PC I'm talking about, other ports could be very different however I have never used any other.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

Before everyone starts saying what was and wasn't fixed, we might want to wait a week or 2 and see what happens. It's entirely possible that the vibration was fixed and this new vibration had to do with whatever failed. There are issues that pop up from time to time that are completely normal for ships in service. For example. If someone flushes something that's not supposed to be flushed, and it blocks a pipe, it.could take an hour or so to track down. And it could take several dozen toilets down with it before its fixed. Ac in the rooms can be changed by the mechanics on board. If you get someone that like the room warmer it's possible the ac was changed bybthe previos occupant.

Now, I'm not saying the Fantasy came out of dd pristine and like new, but we may have to wait a little bit for the dust to settle to see what the results are.

Agreed, as the vibration before was linked to higher speed. On the Eastern Caribbean, we only noticed strong vibration on the trek back from St Thomas to Castaway Cay, when the ship needs to maintain higher speeds to make it to port on time. The ship should have been in no rush the 1st and 2nd nights of this 3 night double dip cruise. Even the 3rd night, depending on what time they left, they wouldn't have needed to push too hard.

 

[iZon]

Fantasy still in dock. Amazing shot of the sun off the boat.

 

[Dug720]

Fantasy still in dock. Amazing shot of the sun off the boat.

Estimated time of departure 2100 hours. (9pm)

 

[bcwife76]

Pretty silhouette of the Fantasy on the PC webcam right now.

Yes! a gorgeous pink and orange sky behind her right now!

 

[Dug720]

Yes! a gorgeous pink and orange sky behind her right now!

The silver lining of the problems! These beautiful images!!

 

[DisneyPups]

Fantasy still in dock. Amazing shot of the sun off the boat.

So beautiful. Would make for some great pics. I bet characters are out to ease the frustrations. A sail away party at sunset would be awesome. I'm actually jealous I'm NOT on either cruise. Loved how that one PP had such a positive attitude about being late today. Hope the Fantasy is fixed and running smoothly soon.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

A sail away party at sunset would be awesome.

We had a sunset sailaway for one of our DCL Mexican Riviera cruises (out of San Pedro).

 

[cruiser21]

To be polite, DCL certainly was my least favorite disembarkation, and I have been flamed here for over 13 years for saying that. Before my cruise people on DIS talked about walking right off when you wanted. We had a 45 minute wait in line. It was very stressful. They have no system.
So yes, I prefer the systems the 5 other other lines i cruised used. Priority given based on your travel plans, go to an assigned public room to wait your turn to leave in comfort. Pastries and juice and coffee set up while you wait. Walk right off....when it was my turn.

We have found it best to leave around 830before the second breakfast is done and the first breakfast has cleared out. We never do breakfast in the MDR. We walked right off the Dream at 815 2 weeks ago. Early check out works good. The couple times we left at 9 we waited an hour.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Just got home after driving up interstate 95 to South Carolina. Somehow I missed the announcement about lunch at Cabanas and other food items. I certainty would not have missed more food! This was my first cruise. I thought Disney handled the situation the best they could have. As others have stated, they added lots of entertainment, movies, and had characters everywhere on board. I personally was glad that I had extra time on the ship.

I have one question, which is slightly off topic - Is the desk for booking future cruises always so crowded and chaotic? Seemed like every time the desk was open, there were 40 to 50 people waiting to book a future cruise. While I was waiting one evening, there was a passenger who had a meltdown because she missed her text message that advised her that her appointment time was approaching. She yelled and screamed at one the vacation planners and requested his supervisors name. My gosh, she was rude!

You get what you pay for! Was this an inexpensive cruise?

I don't consider the price I paid for a 3 day Disney cruise cheap! I could had added a few more hundred dollars and booked a 7 day cruise on another cruise line.

NOT IMPRESSED. Trying to get off the fantasy right now. We were 7th aft. Vibration issue not fixed. At all. We shook at night. Could not sleep. Cabin had not been vacumned when we first walked in.

I was also in a deck 7 aft stateroom, 7650, and I didn't feel any issues with vibration. After I booked this cruise, I started reading posts about vibrations on the Fantasy and regretted my decision on booking aft. I booked this same stateroom for a November 2018 cruise. Maybe my stateroom was far enough from the area that usually has vibration issues?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just got home after driving up interstate 95 to South Carolina. Somehow I missed the announcement about lunch at Cabanas and other food items. I certainty would not have missed more food! This was my first cruise. I thought Disney handled the situation the best they could have. As others have stated, they added lots of entertainment, movies, and had characters everywhere on board. I personally was glad that I had extra time on the ship.

I have one question, which is slightly off topic - Is the desk for booking future cruises always so crowded and chaotic? Seemed like every time the desk was open, there were 40 to 50 people waiting to book a future cruise. While I was waiting one evening, there was a passenger who had a meltdown because she missed her text message that advised her that her appointment time was approaching. She yelled and screamed at one the vacation planners and requested his supervisors name. My gosh, she was rude!



I don't consider the price I paid for a 3 day Disney cruise cheap! I could had added a few more hundred dollars and booked a 7 day cruise on another cruise line.


I was also in a deck 7 aft stateroom, 7650, and I didn't feel any issues with vibration. After I booked this cruise, I started reading posts about vibrations on the Fantasy and regretted my decision on booking aft. I booked this same stateroom for a November 2018 cruise. Maybe my stateroom was far enough from the area that usually has vibration issues?

In the past, the vibration issue would have been felt in that room. As noted, in the past, that vibration was primarily obvious when the ship was cruising at high speed (20 knots, or so). Since this most recent cruise was really not that far out from Port Canaveral, the issue with vibration due to speed wouldn't be apparent.

Those who are reporting vibration on your cruise may reporting vibration due to a different issues. Possibly the reason she lost one prop.

 

[Dug720]

Looks like a tug or something is settling in alongside her, so she should be about to leave.

 

[JWG]

She's still moored in the front, but there have been some lights going on/off in that deck 3/4 area, so could be getting ready.

 

[Dug720]

She's still moored in the front, but there have been some lights going on/off in that deck 3/4 area, so could be getting ready.

Thanks. I can't see the ropes today (couldn't even before it got dark).

 

[crazy4wdw]

In the past, the vibration issue would have been felt in that room. As noted, in the past, that vibration was primarily obvious when the ship was cruising at high speed (20 knots, or so). Since this most recent cruise was really not that far out from Port Canaveral, the issue with vibration due to speed wouldn't be apparent.

Those who are reporting vibration on your cruise may reporting vibration due to a different issues. Possibly the reason she lost one prop.

I'm also a heavy sleeper, can sleep through severe thunderstorms and don't know anything about them until the next morning - could possibly be the reason I didn't notice anything during the night.

 

[hanscarlet]

Pretty silhouette of the Fantasy on the PC webcam right now.

Agree, she's beautiful

 

[kittymamma]

Looks like a tug or something is settling in alongside her, so she should be about to leave.

Where do you see a tug ? I can't see diddly in the water around the ship...too dark ?