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MSC Cruises - MSC Fantasia
MSC Fantasia
As the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, and one of the ten biggest cruise ships in the world, the MSC Fantasia is the perfect choice for anyone seeking relaxing and fun-filled voyage, with all the amenities of a world-class resort.
The Fantasia is the flagship of MSC Cruises and, like its sister ship, the Splendida, is a Fantasia class vessel that was built by STX Europe in Oslo. It was completed in 2008 and was named in Naples by Sophia Loren.
Perfect for young couples and families with small kids or teenagers, the Fantasia is a stylish and comfortable ship that boasts plenty of modern amenities and luxuries to leave you feeling completely rejuvenated by the end of your voyage.
The vessel regularly departs on voyages around the Mediterranean, with popular destinations including Palermo, Tunis, Barcelona, Marseille, Malaga and Rome. Trips to the Canaries are also offered, with stops in Madeira and Casablanca on the way.
Ship stats and features
Passenger capacity: 3,959 Year entered service: 2008 Beam (ship width): 124.3 feet Draught (ship depth): 27.72 feet Length: 1,093 feet Tonnage: 135,000 Crew: 1,325 Maximum speed: 23 knots Number of passenger decks: 13 Number of lifts: 14 Number of swimming pools: 4 Number of cabins: 1,354
Food, cuisine and dining
Going hungry on the Fantasia should never be much of a problem, as it offers a broad range of dining venues for passengers to choose from.
Il Cherchio d'Oro is the main restaurant. Located in the aft section, it spans two decks, plenty of space and provides a traditional cruise dining experience. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering Mediterranean-style cuisine, while snacks and lighter meals are available throughout the day as well.
Another option is Red Velvet, an Italian eatery that's sumptuously decorated in - of course - red velvet. It provides a more intimate venue than the main dining room and it offers a fabulous wine list to go with its mouth-watering meals.
If you prefer a more casual option for mealtimes, then there are two buffets also on the ship, which offer a delicious variety of hot and cold items. Meanwhile, the Piazza San Giorgio is an ice-cream and dessert bar that's sure to have a sweet treat or two that will tickle your taste buds.
Other options include L'Etoile, which offers French-inspired service and fare, as well as El Sombrero for those desiring Tex Mex. And if you're in the mood for a delicious coffee with a pastry on the side, then Il Cappuccino - a coffee bar- is the place to go.
On-board entertainment and activities
Passengers of every age are well catered for on the Fantasia. There's an Interactive 4D cinema, which includes not just an amazing audio-visual experience, but the chairs actually move to add to the effect, making guests feel like they're part of the movie.
There's also a Formula 1 simulator, which car and racing enthusiasts are sure to enjoy. You'll feel like you're behind the wheel in one of these high-octane vehicles, navigating each turn and twist to try to win a race.
Other options include the L'Avanguardia show lounge, where productions like cabaret acts, concerts and comedy are held on a nightly basis. There are also a number of bars and lounges where you can enjoy live music in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Passengers who have chosen suite accommodation will also have access to the MSC Yacht Club - a VIP area featuring a complimentary bar, 24-hour butler services and private swimming pool and sun loungers. Guests to this part of the ship will also be amazed by the breathtakingly beautiful Swarovski crystal floor, while the glass ceiling offers stunning views to the starry skies.
Spas and fitness facilities
Passengers in need of some proper rest and relaxation during their cruise should head off the Aurea Spa for some pampering and tranquillity.
This large section of the ship includes a peaceful thermal suite with a Turkish bath and aromatherapy steam rooms. Alternatively, why not book a treatment session? Options range from facials, body wraps and massages.
A thalassotherapy pool is also available for guests who want to enjoy the health-giving benefits of sea water. Meanwhile, healthy snacks, juices and herbal teas are also available.
There's modern gym with large windows looking out to sea. It's fitted with exercise machines and includes a space specifically for yoga and aerobics classes. Elsewhere on the ship, you can find a tennis court, squash court, mini golf and a jogging track.
Cabins
The Fantasia has more than 1,600 rooms for guests to choose from and an astonishing 80 per cent have an outside view - most of which also include balconies.
For those wishing to be spoiled by the best amenities and service, then booking one of the 99 suites in the MSC Yacht Club is the best option. These rooms offer not just access to the VIP area and a number of specialist services, but the staterooms are also enormous, with stylish furnishings and a separate bedroom.
Alternatively, if you're a bit more budget-conscious, then lower-priced cruise deals can be found elsewhere on the ship.
No matter which type of room you select, you'll enjoy a private bathroom and plenty of storage space. Each room is equipped with an interactive television, a mini bar and a safe.
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Scholes, Barton On Sea on 28th Apr 2013
After arriving in Venice
in the rain the queue to
drop off luggage was
horrendous, but to be
expected with over 3000
passengers to get on
board. After dropping off
your luggage you then had
to queue...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Canaries
By Kewley, Eastbourne on 26th Apr 2013
We sailed on the MSC
Magnifica in January 2011
out of Venice so decided
to go with this cruise
line again. We arrived
in Genoa and the transfer
from airport to the MSC
Fantssia was quick...
256
views 1
comment 5 of 7 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Silman, Doncaster on 24th Apr 2013
When we booked our cruise
we were so excited it was
for our silver wedding a
present to ourselves. As
the month grew nearer I
started to read some
reviews and the more that
I read made us...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Haakonsen, Bushey on 24th Apr 2013
The MSC Fantasia is a
great ship and the
amenities were superb, I
would highly recommend
this sort of cruise to
any new or potential
person unsure about going
on one...
528
views 1
comment 12 of 12 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Williams, Chippenham on 16th Apr 2013
I joined the MSC Fantasia
in Venice on Sunday 24th
March 2013, a seven
night, eight day cruise
from Venice stopping at
Bari (Italy), Katakolon
(Greece), Santorini
(Greece), Piraeus
(Greece), Corfu...
460
views 1
comment 5 of 7 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Transatlantic
By Cattell, Wisbech on 13th Apr 2013
I have recently returned
from a cruise from Santos
to Venice on the MSC
Fantasia. As usual, the
deal on price of the 18
night cruise was amazing
and as there were no
single supplements, many
people...
6301
views 29
comments 37 of 55 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Transatlantic
By Millea, Huddersfield on 26th Mar 2013
March 4th, 2013, 04:09
PM
I have survived the
security at Manchester
airport. I wasted 40
minutes of my life
kettled in a single-file
cordon, folded many times
over and in which
progress was often...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / South America
By Pocock, ELY on 22nd Mar 2013
Upon checking in at Genoa
no one told me that due
to some strikes the ship
itinerary had changed and
now would no longer be
calling at Maderia and
instead Gilbreatar...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / South America
By harrop, Waterlooville on 9th Dec 2012
Lovely ship, lovely
cruise, BUT.
Smoking was permitted in
a number of areas around
the ship, including
lounges. In some the
smoking areas was greater
than the non-smoking
areas...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / South America
By Thomas, RHOOSE on 8th Dec 2012
Where to start is
difficult as overall we
had a wonderful time on
this cruise with only
some minor points of
irritation.
First thanks to Cruise
1st for packaging this
cruise together with 3
days in...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / South America
By Jolly, Westbury on 3rd Dec 2012
My friend and I traveled
together and the reason
for choosing MSC was that
we were able to secure a
single cabin with no
supplement added.
The Fantasia is a very
impressive looking ship
which does...
2768
views 13
comments 52 of 65 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / South America
By KNIGHT, Bromsgrove on 30th Nov 2012
MSC NEVER NEVER AGAIN
I am a 61 year old who
regards himself as being
fairly well travelled
over a period of 45 years
having travelled around
the world over 12 times
and spending a
considerable...
993
views 6
comments 4 of 4 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Dent, Hertfordshire on 10th Nov 2012
Marseilles to Genoa
Travel agent fails to
provide any support
A minor panic began when
MSC rang us (not our
travel agent) at the
airport on the eve of our
flight to advise we had
to be on...
1856
views 4
comments 17 of 42 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By JM, Hornchurch on 7th Nov 2012
MSC Divina & Fantasia
- never ever ever will I
cruise with this company
again. The worst 2 weeks
of a holiday I can ever
remember and we holiday a
minimum of 4 weeks a year
with various cruise...
2875
views 27
comments 6 of 39 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Canaries
By roach, Exmouth on 18th Oct 2012
msc fantasia..when in
Rome and all that, well I
couldn't be as rude and
ignorant as the rest of
the passengers,
unfortunately due to the
passengers attitude this
rubbed of on the staff as
well...
1095
views 1
comment 7 of 11 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Davis, Aguilas on 8th Oct 2012
Firstly I have to say I
booked a guaranteed
inside cabin in group 1
but received and balcony
cabin on deck 11 group 9.
The cabin was excellent
very good size huge
balcony, excellent service
from the...
1441
views 7
comments 5 of 20 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Slinn, Union Mills on 2nd Oct 2012
Just returned from a
cruise on Fantasia.
Evening meals in the
restaurant were very poor
and disappointing.
Service poor and the
waiters could hardly
understand English...
862
views 3
comments 8 of 8 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Kennedy, Kingswinford on 30th Sep 2012
Flights
We booked a package
through an agent with MSC
flying from Heathrow.
This was changed with the
issue of the e-tickets to
Gatwick without request
or consent...
857
views 1
comment 6 of 8 people found this useful
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By Callaghan, Bury on 29th Sep 2012
Well, where do I begin?
Having previously sailed
on the Windsurf in the
caribbean we were a bit
apprehensive about
sailing on such a large
ship. Having read the
reviews of the Fantasia
we started to...
MSC CRUISES / MSC Fantasia / Mediterranean
By kirby, Malton on 27th Sep 2012
Wow Fantastic Msc
Fantasia cruise , went
for a week 7th september
the ship is huge . Inside
the ship is spotless and
i thought it was more
like 5* than 4*. The food
was fantastic and the
quality and...