Fascination or Dream

[jewel1]

This will be the second cruise for myself, husband, and 13 year old daughter. Our first was on the Disney Wonder. I'm having trouble deciding between the Fascination and Dream for Sept 2011. The Fascination is an Eastern Caribbean to Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk, and the Dream is the Western Caribbean itinerary. We will be driving to either port, so that's not an issue. I like the Dream because it's newer, with more to do and has the Cove Balcony rooms, but I am worried about the crowds. I like the Fascination because of the stops in Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!:)

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Dream way too crowded for my taste Half moon cay is fabulous

[Tapi]

I like the Dream because it's newer, with more to do and has the Cove Balcony rooms, but I am worried about the crowds. I like the Fascination because of the stops in Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!:)

 

Hmmm, I love the Fascination (in fact I'm booked to sail on her in about a month). But I wouldn't necessarily recommend it over the Dream for your first Carnival experience. The reason why we're sailing on her again is because it's our infant son's first cruise. We wanted an easy drive-to departure point, as well as two ports that are easy to navigate with a baby stroller (Key West and Nassau), and no tenders ashore.

 

Fascination is an older, smaller ship. However, it does have the Evolutions of Fun upgrades which include the Carnival Waterworks, updated cabins (with flat screen TV's, freshened decor, and bathrooms), new balcony cabins, and Adult's Serenity Area. But think of it as an older hotel that has recently gone through a rennovation.

 

Carnival Dream will have much more for the whole family. Oceanview cabins are larger than similar cabins on the Fascination (185sq ft vs. 220 sq ft). The Water park on the Dream is actually the largest in the Carnival fleet. Facilites for kids are much better and larger, Movies under the Stars, and overall, the ship has many more (and modern) facilities.

 

I would DEFINITELY pick the Dream over the Fascination for a 7 night cruise.

[Tapi]

One more thing:

 

You're sailing during hurricane season. Although your chances of visting all the port in your itinerary are very good, I wouldn't pick a cruise based on where it's scheduled to stop.

 

Even without a hurricane, ports like Half Moon Cay and Grand Cayman are notorious for being cancelled ports of call if conditions aren't just right.

 

I would really concentrate more on what your ship has to offer rather than where it's headed, just to avoid any dissapointments later on.

[mrpayroll]

I would go with the Dream...

[jewel1]

Thanks for the replies. Just what I was looking for!

[st pete mary]

Jewel, no comparison. Fascination is old, Dream is new. I have been on both. Sailed Dream last December with hubby, sisters and BIL's. It is an a wonderful ship. Yes, lots of people but the only problem we experienced was on Lido (food lines) and waiting time for elevators. Hey, if you can do steps, that's the answer. The teen club is huge and the teens were having a ball. Hands down, so much more to do on this ship, large jumbotraun screen by the pool, showing concerts and movies. Personally, don't take an old ship. Mary, 10 Carnival Cruses.

[navybaby1113]

I would definitely pick the Dream. Gorgeous ship! The ports are a ton of fun too.

[HokieDeb]

My pick is the Dream - especially if you've been on the Disney ship. The Dream is a beautiful ship with LOTS to offer. We sailed the Western itinerary in January and missed one port (Costa Maya) due to rough seas, but felt blessed to have an extra sea day to enjoy the ship. Splurge and treat yourself to the Spa Pass (if you're not booked in a Spa Cabin). DH and I LOVED using the thelassotherapy pool and sauna rooms.

 

DH, myself and our two boys will be sailing on Fascination during week of Thanksgiving. We've told our boys that it will be a much different cruise (especially the balcony cabin on Dream vs inside cabin on Fascination) than the one in January. But it will still be FUN, FUN, FUN! After all, it's all about attitude! So whichever you choose, relax and have FUN!

[jaxcruiser23]

I just got back from the Dream a week ago,and she is big but she is no different from any other carnival ship that i have been on.The only problem that we had was with the crowd on the deck with the casino and shop's,it could get pretty crowded some time's.The pasta bar on there was great a lot less crowded than the regular lido deck option's.Oh....and our cove balcony was good but it's the same as any other balcony,just closer to the water.

 

But as for the Fasination never been on it,and sailing on her in December,so maybe when we go on her we can tell you what we think.Hope this helped you out on your decision.;)

[DGP1111]

My vote: Carnival Fascination. :)

[k2excursion]

I would pick the Dream. She is a beautiful ship with so much to do, and the "crowds" were no worse than on other Carnival ships I've been on. In fact, the smallest ship I've been on, the Holiday, had longer buffet lines and longer elevator waits than the Dream. I think that people get a little scared when they hear the number of people the Dream can hold, but the ship can actually handle it. (It may be more crowded than other cruiselines or the Spirit class, but it's no worse than Holiday, Fantasy, or Conquest classes, from my experiences.) If you've ever been to the Grand Canyon in the summer, or any major sporting event, or any amusement/water park in the summer, the Dream will feel practically empty by comparison.

[jewel1]

Thanks for all of the info. I think we have decided to go with the Dream. My daughter is going to take a friend, and I think they will enjoy the Dream. I'm just happy to be going at all!

[k2excursion]

Thanks for all of the info. I think we have decided to go with the Dream. My daughter is going to take a friend, and I think they will enjoy the Dream. I'm just happy to be going at all!

 

Absolutely! Any cruise is a great cruise to take! Your daughter and friend would definitely love the Dream, especially if they love waterslides. In my Dream review (the link in my signature), I included several pics from all over the ship and all 4 of the western ports. Read up on all the little secrets of the ship, such as the different lunch options on sea days beyond just the lido buffet. There's also food on the lanai and the amazing pasta bar. Pasta bar and other lunch options will be busy during the noon-1:00 hour. Get to the theater early for shows if you want a good seat. Of course, that's with all ships.