Carnival Fantasy

The 1990-built Carnival Fantasy cruise ship was the first of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line’s eight Fantasy-class liners—together with Sensation, Fascination, and the originally “no balcony ships” Ecstasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, and Paradise.

In mid-July 2020, Carnival Corporation sold for scrap the cruise ships Carnival Fantasy (30 years old) and Carnival Inspiration (24 years old). Both vessels were dismantled and recycled at the Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility near Port Izmir, Turkey.

A total of 100 Carnival Fantasy cruises were canceled—departures scheduled between October 3, 2020, and January 17, 2022. The ship was originally planned for homeporting in Mobile, Alabama and operating Western Caribbean itineraries—4-day cruises to Cozumel and 5-day cruises to Cozumel and Progreso.

On July 23, Carnival announced that Fantasy and Inspiration had been sold, but “not to be scrapped.” The buyer's identity was not disclosed. Carnival Sensation was reassigned from Miami to Mobile, taking over the schedules originally planned for Fantasy and Fascination. Carnival Fascination’s 2020–2021 program (homeporting in San Juan and Bridgetown) was canceled. Her new homeport and itineraries were yet to be announced. Carnival Sunrise was redeployed from Port Everglades to Miami, assuming Sensation’s schedule.

On July 23, Carnival Fantasy entered the Mediterranean. Her AIS transponder listed Aliaga, Turkey as her destination. On July 28, she anchored in Aliga Bay (north of the shipbreaking yard) and her AIS signal went silent at 08:02 UTC. The ship was later beached next to Pullmantur Sovereign and Pullmantur Monarch, and subsequently dismantled.

History – Construction and Ownership

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) is a US-based cruise company, a trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. CCL was founded in 1972 by Ted Arison (1924–1999), co-founder of Norwegian Cruise Line.

CCL operates the largest fleet within Carnival Corporation, both by number of vessels and gross tonnage (GT). In 2023, CCL held approximately 9% of global cruise industry revenue and about 19% of passenger volume. In 2024, Carnival Corporation accounted for ~51% of the US$64+ billion cruise market.

The 2,000-passenger Carnival Fantasy was the oldest of Carnival's “Fun Ships.” Her 2008 drydock featured extensive cabin renovations (flat-screen TVs), a new waterpark, and expanded dining venues. Staterooms were styled in reds and golds, with plush seating and soft lighting in the main dining rooms.

CCL Fantasy was last refurbished in 2016 (at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas). During her Carnival service, the vessel (IMO number 8700773) was Panama-flagged (MMSI number 353486000) and registered in Colon.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Fantasy staterooms (1,028 total, across 19 categories) were primarily sized between 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²), including Inside (408), Oceanview (564), and Suites (54, with balconies sized 20–70 ft²). The ship offered 25 wheelchair-accessible cabins and no standard Balcony cabins. The Grand Suites were the most spacious—330 ft² (31 m²) with balconies up to 115 ft² (11 m²)—accommodating up to 5 guests with sitting areas, large bathrooms (whirlpool tubs and separate showers), VIP amenities, and exclusive services.

The vessel had 13 decks, of which 10 were accessible to passengers and 5 contained cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options – Food and Drinks

The most popular dining option onboard was the Windows on the Sea buffet on Lido Deck. Continental breakfast was available from 7:00–7:30 a.m. on sea days and from 6:00 a.m. on port days, featuring items such as yogurt, fruit, and bagels. Full buffet breakfast ran from 6:00 a.m. to noon on port days and 7:30 a.m. to noon on sea days. An omelet station was located at the rear of the buffet near the pizzeria. A complimentary Sushi Bar was located at the end of the Promenade near the Grand Atrium, open daily from 5:00–8:15 p.m. For adventurous eaters, the Mongolian Wok offered made-to-order stir-fry options near the grill by the pool.

Carnival Fantasy also offered the Chef's Table experience—a multicourse dinner with a private cocktail reception, galley tour, and interaction with the master chef. Limited to 12 guests, this exclusive event could be booked onboard for USD 75 per person.

Dining venues included:

• Celebration Dining Room – 650-seat forward main dining room with two fixed dinner seatings or “Your Time Dining” (includes themed breakfasts like “Seuss at Sea” for a $5 cover charge)
• Jubilee Dining Room – 658-seat aft main dining room with two fixed dinner seatings
• Windows on the Sea Buffet Restaurant – 722-seat self-service venue, operating as a bistro in the evenings
• Sushi Bar – complimentary

Shipboard Entertainment Options – Fun and Sport

The Grand Atrium spanned six decks and featured a massive skylight and glass-enclosed elevators. The 2-deck-high Universe Lounge was the primary entertainment venue, with space-themed decor, plush seating, and vibrant performances, including live music, comedy, magic shows, and dance revues.

Note that some onboard presentations were sales-oriented, promoting future cruises, shore excursions, and art auctions. These could be viewed later via in-cabin TVs. The smaller Forum Lounge hosted karaoke and more intimate performances.

Entertainment and recreational venues included:

• Ecstasy Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high central lobby with Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Café (24-hour)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Formalities Shop; The Fun Shops (gifts, jewelry, duty-free liquor, souvenirs, fashion)
• Universe Lounge (1,300-seat, 2-level main theater)
• Circle C (kids’ lounge with movies, games, and activities)
• Cleopatra’s Piano Bar (92 seats)
• 24-hour Video Arcade; Club O2 (teen lounge with movies, karaoke, parties)
• Club 21 Casino (450 seats), served by the 21st Century Bar
• Via Marina Promenade and Bar (230 seats), Jewelry Shop
• Bistro On The Blvd (58-seat café and patisserie)
• Cats Lounge and Bar (109 seats, karaoke and dancing)
• Electricity Disco (230 seats)
• Majestic Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• The Forum Lounge (540 seats, live shows, Punchliner Comedy Club)
• Serenity (adults-only retreat with loungers, hammocks, and whirlpools)
• Fantasy Lido Pool; Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (4-deck Twister slide, splash pools, fountains)
• Camp Carnival (supervised kids’ program)
• Spa Carnival (with gym, steam rooms, saunas, massage rooms, salon)
• Sports facilities – basketball/volleyball court, jogging track, mini-golf, table tennis, shuffleboard

Itineraries

The final Carnival Fantasy itinerary program featured 4- and 5-day Bahamas cruises from Charleston, South Carolina to Nassau and Freeport. Seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages also visited Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk Island. In February 2016, Fantasy was homeported in Miami for Bahamas cruises to Nassau, Key West, and Cozumel.

From November 2016, the vessel operated Western Caribbean cruises from Mobile, Alabama—4-day sailings to Cozumel and 5-day sailings to Cozumel and Progreso.

In 2022, Carnival Fantasy was scheduled to be homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, replacing Carnival Fascination.