The time when a cruise ship arrives or departs from a port often brings many passengers to the ship's public decks for a view outside. On a typical pleasant weather day, this part of a cruise can be bring hundreds to thousands of a ship's passengers outside to take a look at the view and watch the port's scenery sail by.
On Carnival's Fantasy Class ships (this includes the Carnival Fantasy, Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Elation and Paradise), there are a variety of options for getting a great view of the scenery around the ship. This blog post will only include spots that pertain to Carnival's Fantasy Class ships. I may write future posts that relate to other classes of ships and cruise lines.
On Carnival's Fantasy Class ships (this includes the Carnival Fantasy, Ecstasy, Sensation, Fascination, Imagination, Inspiration, Elation and Paradise), there are a variety of options for getting a great view of the scenery around the ship. This blog post will only include spots that pertain to Carnival's Fantasy Class ships. I may write future posts that relate to other classes of ships and cruise lines.
Getting A View From The Front of the Ship
Ship's Observation Deck
Each of Carnival's Fantasy Class ships have an observation deck above the ship's navigational bridge. You can find this observation deck on the Verandah Deck. This area allows for a great view of the ship's "mouth" and the front of the ship.
To get to this area you have two options. If you are on the Verandah Deck walk towards the front of the ship. Once you get to the area with staterooms turn to the left and walk down the stateroom hallway that is on the left side of the ship. As you keep walking towards the front of the ship you should reach a door. Open this door and you will see another door immediately following. Once you open the second door you should be outside. The second option to get to this area of the ship is to walk on the Lido Deck's outside area by the lifeboats towards the front of the ship. You should see a stairwell that will take you directly up to this area. It does not matter if you walk on the outside part of the port or starboard side of the Lido deck. Both sides have stairwells that will take you up.
Ship's Observation Deck
Each of Carnival's Fantasy Class ships have an observation deck above the ship's navigational bridge. You can find this observation deck on the Verandah Deck. This area allows for a great view of the ship's "mouth" and the front of the ship.
To get to this area you have two options. If you are on the Verandah Deck walk towards the front of the ship. Once you get to the area with staterooms turn to the left and walk down the stateroom hallway that is on the left side of the ship. As you keep walking towards the front of the ship you should reach a door. Open this door and you will see another door immediately following. Once you open the second door you should be outside. The second option to get to this area of the ship is to walk on the Lido Deck's outside area by the lifeboats towards the front of the ship. You should see a stairwell that will take you directly up to this area. It does not matter if you walk on the outside part of the port or starboard side of the Lido deck. Both sides have stairwells that will take you up.
Jogging Track/Mini Golf Course Front Deck Area
On the Sun Deck there is an area at the front of the ship that allows you to have a view of the Verandah Deck's Observation Deck and the ship's "mouth". You can find this area directly at the front of the Sun Deck. It is located by the mini golf course and jogging track area.
This area offers a similar view to the Verandah Deck Observation Area, but on this deck you are higher up and have a better view of decks that are lower.
On the Sun Deck there is an area at the front of the ship that allows you to have a view of the Verandah Deck's Observation Deck and the ship's "mouth". You can find this area directly at the front of the Sun Deck. It is located by the mini golf course and jogging track area.
This area offers a similar view to the Verandah Deck Observation Area, but on this deck you are higher up and have a better view of decks that are lower.
Getting A View From The Back Areas of the Ship
Verandah Deck AFT Viewing Area
The Verandah Deck's aft area is a great place for a view of the scenery behind the ship. On the Fantasy Class ships, except for the Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, this area is near the WaterWorks (waterslides). On the Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise this area is near the AFT pool.
Verandah Deck AFT Viewing Area
The Verandah Deck's aft area is a great place for a view of the scenery behind the ship. On the Fantasy Class ships, except for the Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise, this area is near the WaterWorks (waterslides). On the Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise this area is near the AFT pool.
Serenity Adults Only Retreat (Ages 21+)
For adults 21 and older, wishing to get away from children or for a quieter view the Serenity Adults Only Retreat is a great place to be to see the view from the back area of the ship. All of Carnival's Fantasy class ships should have a Serenity Adults Only Retreat located on the Promenade Deck at the back of the ship.
For adults 21 and older, wishing to get away from children or for a quieter view the Serenity Adults Only Retreat is a great place to be to see the view from the back area of the ship. All of Carnival's Fantasy class ships should have a Serenity Adults Only Retreat located on the Promenade Deck at the back of the ship.
There are other areas you can choose to take a look outside from, but these are a few of my favorites. Take some time to explore your cruise ship on the first day to find areas that you think will give you a great view. All 8 of Carnival Fantasy class ships have spacious outside decks that allow for viewing of the areas surrounding the ship.