I have just read a review of someone's cruise on the Fantasia and I think that they may have been on a different cruise so felt that I needed to put the record straight. The flight out with Virgin Atlantic was delayed because the aircraft neeeded de-icing, however we still arrived only about 40 minutes late but were met at the airport by the MSC rep and were pointed to the bus to take us to the ship. Our hold luggage was taken from us and we were quickly boarded onto the typical 40 seat Barbados minibus for the 40 minute transfer to the ship.

Once there we were embarked within 10 minutes, probably the quickest that we have experienced, and were in our cabin a few minutes later. It was a Fantastical balcony, spotless and well appointed and our steward, Iwan, made himself known and provided extra hangers, etc. Our luggage was delivered within two hours of us boarding.

The lifeboat drill is lengthy because of the different nationalities on board and is repeated, of necessity, each time a new group embark so you have at least two a week, but a few minutes out of a 14 day cruise is not the end of the world! Read more