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Why I Should've Spent More on Sunscreen and Less on Rum: A Fasc Review 10/1/11

lag2a1979

By lag2a1979,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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After 10 years of marriage, 8 months of waiting and who knows how many hours researching on CC, we finally set sail on our “Happy Anniversary, Let's Ditch the Kids!” Cruise! It would not have been as wonderful without all the fabulous trip reports I read while planning. Hopefully, this review will help some other newbie :)

 

 

We chose this cruise because it fit within my fall break (I am a teacher), HMC looked amazing, and it was within driving distance. We left Murfreesboro (the exact center of TN, in case you wondered) after work on 9/30 and drove to my parents' house in east TN. We slept for a few hours and left eeeaaarly in the morning (3:45 EST, to be exact) and started the 7-ish hour drive to Jax. With only the two of us, the ride was uneventful and pretty quiet. In fact, I didn't even wake up until after Atlanta.

 

 

I booked the Jax Park and Cruise a few months back when they were running a special. If you are driving to Jacksonville, I recommend this place! Parking was only $5/day and we got $5 off. So, we only spent $20 to park there for a 5 night cruise. It was very secure, organized, and a great company to deal with. The shuttles were new, clean, quick, and comfy.

 

 

Once the shuttle dropped us off, our very friendly porter took our bags...and tried to take my carry-on! Wouldn't have been a problem except that this very special bag had our wine and soda, so he would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands. I had already measured and knew it would fit through the scanner. My hubby was concerned (because, he said, the porter “probably” knew more about it than I did...ha!) After the bag went through and we were going to the ship, DH realized all my research would pay off.

 

 

After boarding, we went to the Shore Excursion desk to pick our cabana for HMC. I got my first choice, #8, and was really excited about that. We grabbed some lunch at the Coconut Grill and were lucky enough to find a place to sit and eat. We had extra room so when we saw another couple searching for a spot, we invited them to join us. They were very nice and we had a good time chatting while we waited for our rooms.

 

 

I initially booked a forward PH cabin on the Main Deck but was offered a OV on the Riviera deck (aft) after I saw a price drop--but for some reason we didn't qualify for OBC. We were in cabin R236 and it was fabulous! We met our room steward, Jose, and got settled in. He was fantastic. We didn't see him very much but never went without ice and our room was always taken care of. He was our "room ninja." ;)

 

 

I ordered a bottle of Malibu rum from BV. A side note here: We learned that after having 2 boys (6 and 3), we are not quite the drinkers we thought we were! I thought that getting BV rum would be a money saver but it turned out we didn't drink all of it. We would've been better off just getting some DODs every day. Oh well...

 

 

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For sail-a-way, we went to the Serenity Deck. That seemed to be our favorite place to hang out on the ship. We got to see a few dolphins by the bank and just relaxed as Jax disappeared...

 

 

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These toes are officially on vacation!

 

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Next up: Our first night aboard the Fascination!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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First Night (Sorry, no food porn!)

 

We had early dining in the Imagination Dining Room. Our head waiter was Arsenio and he was incredible! He remembered how I liked my steak (I ate beef 4 out of 5 nights--don't ask me why but it was yummy!) and that I liked water, etc. We met our tablemates and began chatting. They were fabulous and we really enjoyed hanging out with them every night at dinner. I had the chicken a la grecque. It was really good. DH had the tilapia and he loved it. This was also the first (and only!) night I had the warm chocolate melting cake. Don't get me wrong, it was fabulous...but there were so many other desserts I wanted to try (and with the exception of one, I am glad I did!) After dinner we walked around a bit.

 

Since we (or actually, he) had been up since 3:45 a.m., we decided to call it a night after spending some time on Serenity. I had big plans to go to all the shows...didn't happen. But, hey, it was vacation! And we had this little guy waiting we got back:

 

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Day 2--Sea Day

 

This was our first of 2 sea days. We ate our breakfast on the outdoor deck outside Coconut Grill. We had the most amazing views every morning.

 

Of all the meals we consumed on board, breakfast was by far the only meal I wasn't so crazy about. I don't think it was the food per se, but more that I am not quite a breakfast person. DH loved the food and never complained. I was happy with my hot tea and grapefruit.

 

Our view each morning:

 

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We spent the rest of the day...guess where?...hanging out on the Serenity Deck.

 

Eventually, it was time for Elegant Night. I recommend the prime rib!

 

Next up, HMC!!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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Cool t-shirt! Go Blue! We are from Manchester, and our oldest son goes to MTSU. We cruise in 29 days on the Ecstasy. Cant wait to see the rest of your review.

 

 

Wow! You are just right down the road, lol. DH and I both graduated from MTSU :) Great school. On our cruise, we met 3 other families from Murfreesboro b/c they were wearing MTSU stuff or saw DH wearing his. What a small world!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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Jacksonville is convenient isn't it? MTSU alum here as well.

 

It really was! Add in the fact that you can go to Half Moon Cay and we are already talking about our next cruise on the Fascination :D

 

Go Big Blue!!!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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Oh good stuff! You guys don't look old enough to have been married for 10 years by the way. I would guess you both to be in your mid twenties. I love the review thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks! Actually we are 32 and 33 :) We were high school sweethearts so we've actually been together 16 years!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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Can't wait to read more. Your in laws must live near me since you said they are in East TN and about 7 hours from Jax Port. I am in Kingsport.

 

 

Not that far...they are in Chattanooga. My parents just moved there last year and love it!

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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Elegant Night

 

 

Elegant Night was great. So much fun to dress up and the food was delicious! Another observation: I know people complain a lot about dining room attire (especially on Elegant Night), but I have to say everyone we saw in the dining room looked great! We saw tuxes, suits, evening gowns, dresses...but no jeans, t-shirts, etc. It wasn't something that would've ruined my dining at all, but I couldn't help be notice how nice everyone looked.

 

 

Food- I had the strawberry soup (YUM!) and the prime rib. For dessert, I had the bitter and blanc. Excellent! DH had the shrimp, lobster and something fabulous for dessert...I think it was the warm melting cake.

 

 

After dinner, we went to “Hey Mambo!” We really enjoyed the show. Looking back, I wish we had gone to more of the shows but we also enjoyed just relaxing and looking at the water. One thing about the Palace Theater, though...I'm not sure if the water was extra rough that night or if it was just because we were so far forward on the ship, but I really felt the ship move in there. I was wearing a patch, so it didn't make me sick but it was quite an odd sensation.

 

 

After the show, we came back to this:

 

 

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Then it was time to rest up for Half Moon Cay (which, incidentally, is pronounced “Key.” Now you know...we sure didn't!)

 

 

Half Moon Cay

 

 

All throughout my planning, I was so concerned about the weather on our HMC Day. What if it was windy? Or stormy? Or raining? Or the water was rough? No tendering meant no HMC! And no cabana that my notoriously “frugal” husband suggested we reserve for our special trip! I actually laid awake at night before the trip wondering if we'd make it or not.

 

 

We did! And, let me tell you, when people say it is a beautiful spot, they are lying. It is way more than beautiful.

 

 

 

We got on the first tender over to the island and got to our cabana before the staff had finished stocking them. Didn't matter to us as we were in paradise!!

 

 

There really isn't much to say so I will let the pics do the talking:

 

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Cabana 8!

 

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Our view for the day:

 

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Without a doubt, it was the warmest, clearest, softest water I've ever been in.

 

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lag2a1979

lag2a1979

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More HMC...

 

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Such soft sand. It was like baby powder!

 

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Truer words were never spoken!!

 

But, eventually, all good things must come to an end. Around 3 a thunderstorm moved in. We waved good-bye to paradise and took the tender back :(

 

We'd gotten quite a bit of sun that day. I wasn't burned by any means (I have good Italian tanning abiltiy) and DH decided to wear a tech shirt while he was in the water to keep from burning (he is quite pale, lol). A warning, though: it is so easy to "underestimate" the amount of sun you are getting there. And trust me, we were applying and re-applying our SPF 50 like there was no tomorrow. The crystal clear water and white sand just reflect all over the place!

 

DH noticed my face was a little "pink" so our first stop before dinner that night was a trip to the Fun Shop to get me a big floppy hat!

 

After dinner (where I had the flat iron steak---again, it was beef perfection! Perfectly cooked and just pink enough in the center!), I crashed in the room while DH went to the adult comedy show. He said it was good. I took his word for it and relaxed.

 

Next on our list, a soggy day in Nassau!

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gusandgidgetsmom

gusandgidgetsmom

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Great review. We are on a b2b but not until next Oct--just got back from Alaska! We always get cabana #9. Really like that area. Haven't been to HMC for 3 years now so are really looking forward to it. You really took me back with your review!We are taking our first cruise with just the two of us and we are platinum . Think it will be like a honeymoon!

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