Just finished southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Fascination. Any questions?

I'm sorry I don't have a lot of time for an in-depth review but did want to offer myself up if you have any particular questions about the ship, itinerary, etc. Thanks!!!

1. San Juan (hung out in old town)

2. St. Thomas (hung out downtown)

3. Day at Sea

4. Barbados (took 4-hour tour of the island)

5. St. Lucia (walked around downtown, took cab to beach)

6. St. Kitts (walked around downtown)

7. St. Martin (took private cab to Maho Beach, Marigot, Philipsburg)

8. San Juan (stayed extra night in Ocean Park)

I asked a question earlier today so if anyone else is reading, I apologize.

I am wondering if the lone sea day is crammed with the activities that are normally spread out over the multiple sea days that other itineraries see, or if they still put some of those on port days. For instance, there is normally a "sea day" brunch and a Dr. Seuss brunch. I know we could do both (e.g. do one for breakfast time and one for lunch time), but then isn't that evening "elegant night"? Seems like so much food for one day.

We are new to Carnival so I'm just trying to get a feel over how the sea day will go. I am so excited about the ports, but I wish there was maybe one more sea day. Ah, well. Can't have everything. ;)

Edited to add: How did debarkation go?

They did add a few more activities on the sea day during the day but nothing exceptional. The only thing that was really different was that they had a nicer menu. For example, steak and eggs for the breakfast/brunch and a small filet (I think) and lobster for the dinner. All in all, it didn't seem THAT different.

Yes, it's a lot of food but, of course, you don't HAVE to eat it!

Debarkation was a breeze. We did not do the organized debarkation since we all had carry-on luggage only. After breakfast, we simply went to the 3rd deck and then were ushered into a building to go through customs. The customs agent only asked us if we were bringing any food items (we weren't) and then sent us on our way.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

I asked a question earlier today so if anyone else is reading, I apologize.

 

I am wondering if the lone sea day is crammed with the activities that are normally spread out over the multiple sea days that other itineraries see, or if they still put some of those on port days. For instance, there is normally a "sea day" brunch and a Dr. Seuss brunch. I know we could do both (e.g. do one for breakfast time and one for lunch time), but then isn't that evening "elegant night"? Seems like so much food for one day.

 

We are new to Carnival so I'm just trying to get a feel over how the sea day will go. I am so excited about the ports, but I wish there was maybe one more sea day. Ah, well. Can't have everything. ;)

 

Edited to add: How did debarkation go?

Were there daily trivia contests? (I won 3 trophies on our last Carnival cruise.)

What time can you check in? Last time we left out of San Juan we checked in about 10am then spent the rest of the day walking around old San Juan, But I heard something about assigned check in times?...I hope not.

Thanks,

Scott

Bugs like me...I will get the best repellent and all when I go...how was the mosquito thing..used to wearing repellent here at a lake and rivers I go to...will be testing the newest and best stuff....thank you...

I am past any child issues but still would like to avoid as much as possible but live life. Were many complaining about being bitten??

I can't vouch for daily contests but just because I wasn't looking for them. I know they had the throughout the cruise as they were having them sometimes when I was passing through.

Were there daily trivia contests? (I won 3 trophies on our last Carnival cruise.)

Our documents said anytime between 2:30 and 8:30. I'm not sure if any other class of customers (e.g., VIP) had earlier times.

What time can you check in? Last time we left out of San Juan we checked in about 10am then spent the rest of the day walking around old San Juan, But I heard something about assigned check in times?...I hope not.

Thanks,

Scott

No one was complaining but I did get a few. It's the Caribbean, after all.

Bugs like me...I will get the best repellent and all when I go...how was the mosquito thing..used to wearing repellent here at a lake and rivers I go to...will be testing the newest and best stuff....thank you...

 

I am past any child issues but still would like to avoid as much as possible but live life. Were many complaining about being bitten??

What tour did you do in Barbados? One through Carnival or a private tour? If private, what company did you use?

It was a private tour. I don't remember the name but it was through one of the operators in the shopping area immediately after you got off of the ship. I think it was $40 / pp and there were 12 of us in a passenger van for about 4 hours.

What tour did you do in Barbados? One through Carnival or a private tour? If private, what company did you use?

No one was complaining but I did get a few. It's the Caribbean, after all.

Thanks...that is reality!!

Welcome back!!!

How was the ship?

We were ready to pull the trigger on this itinerary last year, when Liberty was doing this route, and then Carnival got the ingenious idea to put one of their oldest ships there.

Turned us off completely.

I know many will say this particular itinerary is all about the itinerary and not the ship, but we still enjoy our time on the ship.........

Thanks!!!!

Hi, Thank you for answering my questions. I heard that our ship would be the only one on each island. Did you find this to be true?

What 2 days were formal ones?

Did you need to tender at any island?

Were you able to walk to any beaches? If yes, which island.

Thanks again :)

Can you please tell me about where you stayed in San Juan pre and post?

Our documents said anytime between 2:30 and 8:30. I'm not sure if any other class of customers (e.g., VIP) had earlier times.

Thanks

What tour did you do in Barbados? One through Carnival or a private tour? If private, what company did you use?

TED BLADES Tours well known in Barbados for his comedic tours and ( BARE FEET ) check him out on Youtube

I asked a question earlier today so if anyone else is reading, I apologize.

 

I am wondering if the lone sea day is crammed with the activities that are normally spread out over the multiple sea days that other itineraries see, or if they still put some of those on port days. For instance, there is normally a "sea day" brunch and a Dr. Seuss brunch. I know we could do both (e.g. do one for breakfast time and one for lunch time), but then isn't that evening "elegant night"? Seems like so much food for one day.

 

We are new to Carnival so I'm just trying to get a feel over how the sea day will go. I am so excited about the ports, but I wish there was maybe one more sea day. Ah, well. Can't have everything. ;)

 

Edited to add: How did debarkation go?

I posted my review here somewhere if you haven't read it here is the link :) ps- it's a very long one though :cool: ;)

https://imaginairie.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/on-board-the-carnival-funship-fascination-is-like-living-with-aladdins-lamp/

Hi, Thank you for answering my questions. I heard that our ship would be the only one on each island. Did you find this to be true?

What 2 days were formal ones?

Did you need to tender at any island?

Were you able to walk to any beaches? If yes, which island.

Thanks again :)

Hope the OP does not mind me jumping in to answer some of your questions.

During the summer months the ship seems to be the only ship in each port, during winter months they sometimes share with a ship or some, but from what I saw there is no time where you are one of 5-6 ships in port.

Elegant nights were Tuesday sea day and Thursday St. Lucia ( not as many dressed up as much on this day)

no tenders at any port

No beaches to truly walk to, you can take water taxi in St. Martin to Greta Bay Beach, okay beach but nor great for swimming

Barbados, some people walked to the one beach, but only if you are a real trooper. All of these ports are located in towns, not beach locations.

We did this cruise in Feb of 2014 and are doing it again this October. The elegant nights on the 2014 cruise were more elegant then the past couple cruises we went on. There were women in long dresses every time I turned around. I would say it all just depends on what you want to wear. I wear a cocktail dress.

As for the ships, on our October cruise, we are the only ship in port at all the ports.

Thank you Kelib & Bringonthesun for your answers. I think the OP is very busy. I did hear that Tuesday & Thursday were the formal nights. I went on a few cruises, where it was dress casual. It'll be nice to dress up again.

I do believe we will be the only ship in port. :)

Great not to have to tender. I am going to attempt the walk to a beach, in Barbados, and take a taxi back to the ship.

Looking forward to a fantastic cruise. Thanks again!

Hey I've got a question for you.

We're ready to book this ship for January.

I'm finding some stuff online that speaks of a bed bug infestation.

I know that these critters can be anyplace!

We've never encountered them & I do not want to.

Did you heard anything about this?

Thanks!

Hey I've got a question for you.

 

We're ready to book this ship for January.

I'm finding some stuff online that speaks of a bed bug infestation.

 

I know that these critters can be anyplace!

We've never encountered them & I do not want to.

 

Did you heard anything about this?

Thanks!

I have to ask where you heard this. Also, if it were an issue, I think this board would be lit up brightly. but as you say, they, bedbugs, can be anywhere. Hope they are not on this ship though.

OP, thanks for your review, this is a cruise I would like to do.

If you google the ship name, and maybe the deck, something turned up that was written not that long ago.

Actually it was on Cruise Critic, but the member did not write a review, he/she just said ship was dirty & there was a "bed bug infestation." But on the other hand, I read good stuff about the ship too.

AWFUL!!! Can scare people like me into just wanting to stay home.

I know that this can happen anyplace.

Lord, let's pray that all the ships are diligent to take care of this when a BB problem is discovered.

It is TRUE that bed bugs can appear anywhere, but it is also true that some people perpetuate the problem by not taking care of it in their homes ... & then they drag it to other places.

One of my kids (a professional) works in public service & unfortunately, managed to bring home a bug (probably in her purse). She was very fortunate to discover the problem early & with quick remediation, she's never seen another bug in her home .... but oh golly, what a nightmare that was. Anxiety levels were so high because you don't want the bugs to multiply. Because of this, I am now aware & I watch for it.

I know it's creepy but it is good to talk about so that we all can be AWARE & be on the lookout .... & if they are discovered, to do something about it. When my husband & I travel, we use plastic vacuum bags for our clothing & when we come home, we inspect our luggage super well on the outside (bc you can pick them up in the airplane). After we empty our luggage we use the leaf blower outside to blow our luggage off, both on the outside & the inside. Then we put it away 'til our next trip.

City Lights: Thank you for the great advice. I never thought about a BB problem. If it was there, I'm sure the cruise company would eradicate it immediately.