We left New Orleans on Monday, November 13, 2006. We had stayed Saturday and Sunday night in New Orleans and took a cab to the pier. Getting on the boat was a breeze. We were on the boat by noon and had lunch (which was a typical buffet). We met up with friends we met on the Cruise Critic Board. Enjoyed the afternoon with them until we had to go to the muster call.
Muster call was very unorganized and way too long. However, this is the only negative I have about the cruise. This was the seventh cruise we have been on. None of the other muster calls was as complicated and disorganized as this one on the Fantasy.
Everything else about the cruise was great. In fact, better than great. The service on the ship is incredible. I have never met such friendly people. Our room steward's name was Sheldon, but he insisted that the women call him "Bond". He was very friendly and very efficient. Everything we needed he got for us ASAP. The room was kept clean and stocked. We had late seating and our waiter was Roberto and his assistant was Catherine. They were the best. We hated leaving them at the end of our cruise. We tipped both of them extra.