Fantasy Class Cruises Oct 20-22

[PC GUY]

Hello I am thinking on taking a 5 day cruise in Oct. there are 3 possibilities - The Fantasy out of New Orleans, the Ecstasy out of Galveston or the Inspiration from Tampa. There may be a party of 4 so I might be tempted to go with a suite.

I have only cruised out of Florida - where do you fly into Galveston - is that Houston? and I see that they have 2 airports (I would be flying out Toronto or Buffalo)

[Cruise Fanatic]

Houston Hobby is closer. Airport code HOU.

[PC GUY]

Cruise Fanatic thanks for your help. I am probably going to sail on the Ecstasy from Galveston:

I see from Carnival's Website:
Travel Time:

42 miles from Houston Hobby International Airport; travel time is approximately 60 minutes.
70 miles from Houston Intercontinental Airport; travel time is approximately 90 minutes.

I now have 2 more questions:

1) If anyone has sailed on a Fantasy Class in a Cat 11 Suite - does this room have a bathtub or a shower?

2) I see some great deals flying out of Buffalo into Hobby and George Bush airports. The Hobby flights all arrive around 1:00 pm, but I see United has an earlier flight that will arrive into George Bush (10:30 am) - is a 1:00 arrival enough time to connect with the ship?

[Dave]

I've never been in a Cat. 11 on a Fantasy-class, but I think they have showers and not tubs.

[TrvlPro]

PC Guy,

If you fly to either airport 1:00pm is cutting it too close in my opinion. Ecstasy has a 4:00pm departure time so check-in will be 1:00 to 3:00pm. Check for flights well before noon to be safe. If you fly into HOU Carnival doesn't offer transfers, if IAH they do but they are pricey. If doing HOU (Hobby) you can check with www.galvestonlimousineservice.com they have transfers from either airport and are, I believe lower cost than the cruiseline.

On Ecstasy be careful of cabin selection, staterooms V23, V25, V27, V34, V38 and V42 have partially obstructed views. I checked on the bath/shower question but am perplexed. The diagram shows a tub but the description says shower.

Happy sailing, Neil

[Dave]

Why wouldn't you fly in a day prior to the cruise and stay overnight? No worries about flights then. This is a prime piece of advice I always give. Too risky to fly to a cruise on the day it leaves.

[PC GUY]

Thanks Dave - That is what I wanted to do all along - the problem with Saturday Departures is that I have to work Friday - so a Sunday or Monday cruise would be best. I plan to fly down the day before and leave the day after.

I have a nice window of opportunity at work from Canadian Thanksgiving (Oct 8) until the end of Nov

[PC GUY]

Thank you everbody for all your help and advice.

The Winner is ...... Carnival Elation, Oct 15 2007

I will fly return from Buffalo. Getting my own air was half price of flying out of Toronto - I will come down the day before and come home 1st thing the next day