Just off Fascination, Made Lots of Lemonade

[sharecruises]

Hi. I see u say in May there were free drinks at the captains celebration.. I was on the Fascination in March and we only had a "happy hour" type of celebration. No free drinks then.

 

Again, I don't think they have had a free drinks captain party for a couple years now....

 

people may confuse the *former Past Guest party with Captain's..

they had it on 5 night plus cruiess

 

or maybe the (now defunct) Fun Farewell party?? Fun Farewell was on ALL cruises ...but not "advertised" in the Fun Times so many did not attend...thus Carnival cleverly said it would be stopped for lack of attendence

 

I was on Spirit May 22 sailing...looked for the Fun Farewell and could not find it...desk told us yeah the week before had it but we were on the week it "stopped"

 

I was on Freedom the week they made announcement to stop the FCC program....I would have bought more than one had I know :o

 

With this "track record">> I am almost afraid of what they will change during my 3nights upcoming on Glory in November LOL

[Georgiagolfer]

Well, it is time to wrap this up and offer my final comments. Not sure of exact date, but I think Fascination went in dry dock in 2011. We noticed that some areas she is really starting to show her age. Ship was clean, seemed staff was always cleaning rails, windows, etc.

 

We also found it odd that the pool was closed embark day. Had tape around area "closed due to maintenance." Not sure, but don't think I have ever seen pool closed for embark.

 

Now for our reflection on Hot Topics.

 

Baseball caps in MDR; Never really noticed previously, but made an effort to look around this cruise due to recent threads. Yeah, there were some who wore hats each night, even "cruise elegant" night. You know what, it had no effect whatsoever on the service, food, or atmosphere. As I mentioned, our table consisted of a long bench on 1 side, and 3 tables on the other. Couple beside us were on 1st cruise, and he wore hat each night. (guess I should have corrected him) We had great conversations with them, and they were a delight to be around.

 

Smoking: In May, smoking was allowed on Lido on Starboard side of deck from front bar to Buffet entrance. This time, still allowed on Starboard side, but only from Pool to bar, not in the table areas. However, staff never enforced and people would just get an ashtray and smoke anyway. BTW, I smoke and always found a seat/table in pool or bar area of Lido to smoke.

 

Chair Hogs: I am early riser, and seriously did not notice much, if any of this going on in the early hours. This may have been due to rainy mornings, or CCL could have actually been enforcing 1 of their rules for a change. LOL

 

Music: As for DW and myself, this is 1 of the biggest disappointments with CCL cuts. It is getting harder to find Public venues with live music.

[Georgiagolfer]

Overall, we had a good, but not great cruise. Seemed we had more hiccups this time, but things happen. We met some great people on this cruise, a couple we plan to stay in contact with. Hope we get to cruise with some of these people again 1 day.

 

All staff we encountered seemed friendly, and most asked if we needed anything. Also most would say "welcome back" if we had our sign & sail card around our necks. Note: We go to guest services and have the card hoe punched, as we bring our own lanyards. Easy to keep up with card by wearing.

 

When DW and I got home, we talked about the cruise on Friday a good bit. Both of us felt , well, empty. We weren't upset, or overly disappointed, but something was missing on this cruise. Not really sure how to describe, or what caused this. Someone at church this am suggested that maybe we are getting burned out on cruising. Nothing could be further from the truth. I think part of it is just the continual cut backs by CCL are starting to have an impact on us.

 

I realize that in most cases CCL is cheaper than other lines. But think with me for a minute. Fascination sails with 2000+ passengers each cruise. Raise rates by $10 pp and use 2000 passengers. That's $20,000 per cruise. Don't you think that with this they could employ some more MDR staff to help with the overload they face now. There would also be enough to employ a few more musicians, so we could have a little more venue entertainment.

 

Some posters say CCL is cheap and you get what you pay for. I totally disagree with this. Even if you pay more for another line, it doesn't guarantee "more" in the enjoyment area.

 

We have 2 cruises booked for 2013, and hoping for another Players Club invite for the May/June time frame so we can fill that slot.

 

Will we cruise again, absolutely. Will we cruise CCL again, absolutely, as well as other lines. Will we cruise Fascination again (this was 3rd time), maybe, but definitely not anytime soon.

 

Here's hoping all have smooth waters, full glasses, and great shipmates on all their cruises.:D

[Sh1035]

Mike,

 

You are really making me wonder if I want to have a group of 20 go with me for my 50th in May. I have been on that ship numerous times and overlooked most things but as mentioned the food and service was lacking.

 

Just on the first day I only eat burgers on rare occassions and its usually a cruise. So got my burger and oh my needed ketchup. Tried 5 tables, all empty, asked 3 staff members and got the Kmart look..finally just got a salad. Now I know it's minor but continued with long waits in the MDR, wrong food, bad steak agreed, and mom refused to even eat there again after 2 nights. On her bd night we had the deli.

 

But I think the rest of the staff from the casino crew to the room steward made me overlook all of these things like you. No drinks on us card but the pit boss sent me a lot of free drinks. They actually know me and always a joy to play.

 

Did try the monarch from RCCL a month later and found the experience about the same. But the casino staff was the most unfriendly of any casino staff ever and I gamble all over the world. The waiters were a tad better but the food about the same. Laughed at the filet! Room steward actually drank my beer...in his defense I did offer...then all he did was remind me of his tip and survey.

 

Off on the dream next week and will give it a whirl.

[junibug68]

thanks for your review. My DH and I are sailing on Nov. 5 on Fascination. I know it's risky this time of year - but we took our first cruise last October and found it was the most relaxing vacation we had ever had. We are looking forward to 5 days of sleeping when we want, eating when we want and just reading, relaxing, watching, having a good time whenever we want. Looking forward to making lemonade - if things aren't quite how I wish. Really hoping that we can make HMC - everything I read makes me want to spend a day there just enjoying the beauty God created.

 

Thanks again - I appreciated your honest review with the good, bad and ugly.

[Georgiagolfer]

Mike,

 

You are really making me wonder if I want to have a group of 20 go with me for my 50th in May. I have been on that ship numerous times and overlooked most things but as mentioned the food and service was lacking.

 

Just on the first day I only eat burgers on rare occassions and its usually a cruise. So got my burger and oh my needed ketchup. Tried 5 tables, all empty, asked 3 staff members and got the Kmart look..finally just got a salad. Now I know it's minor but continued with long waits in the MDR, wrong food, bad steak agreed, and mom refused to even eat there again after 2 nights. On her bd night we had the deli.

 

But I think the rest of the staff from the casino crew to the room steward made me overlook all of these things like you. No drinks on us card but the pit boss sent me a lot of free drinks. They actually know me and always a joy to play.

 

Did try the monarch from RCCL a month later and found the experience about the same. But the casino staff was the most unfriendly of any casino staff ever and I gamble all over the world. The waiters were a tad better but the food about the same. Laughed at the filet! Room steward actually drank my beer...in his defense I did offer...then all he did was remind me of his tip and survey.

 

Off on the dream next week and will give it a whirl.

 

As for your group, go ahead and you will still find a way to have a good time. We did, it was just not great. RCI Monarch is probably older than Fascination and her rooms are "tiny." After we sail RCI Jewel of the Seas in January, we plan to do only 7 day cruises for a while. The larger, newer ships seem to offer more options. Enjoy your group cruise.:D

[Georgiagolfer]

thanks for your review. My DH and I are sailing on Nov. 5 on Fascination. I know it's risky this time of year - but we took our first cruise last October and found it was the most relaxing vacation we had ever had. We are looking forward to 5 days of sleeping when we want, eating when we want and just reading, relaxing, watching, having a good time whenever we want. Looking forward to making lemonade - if things aren't quite how I wish. Really hoping that we can make HMC - everything I read makes me want to spend a day there just enjoying the beauty God created.

 

Thanks again - I appreciated your honest review with the good, bad and ugly.

 

Thanks. DW said well, things may not be as we hoped for, but she did not have to plan meals, cook then clean up, make bed, clean toilets, etc. Even with the sometimes bad/ugly, it is still a cruise and vacation break from our normal routine. HMC is the prettiest beach we have ever been to in all our cruises. You will love it.

[DGP1111]

Again, I don't think they have had a free drinks captain party for a couple years now....

 

people may confuse the *former Past Guest party with Captain's..

they had it on 5 night plus cruiess

 

or maybe the (now defunct) Fun Farewell party?? Fun Farewell was on ALL cruises ...but not "advertised" in the Fun Times so many did not attend...thus Carnival cleverly said it would be stopped for lack of attendence

 

That particular comment is definitely incorrect. There were at least two ships that did not introduce the Fun Farewell . . . choosing, instead, to keep the original Captain's Celebration intact (w/ complimentary cocktails). For those ships, that experience went away at the same time as CCL discontinuing the Fun Farewell.

 

.

[Georgiagolfer]

Forgot to list the Comedy Club in the entertainment part of the review. DW and I went 1 night just to check it out. The "Comedian" (not how I would describe him) had such a vulgar mouth, we got up and left after about 15 minutes. I don't consider DW and myself goody-goody by any means, but why do entertainers feel they have to talk so trashy to be funny?:confused: I realize it said Adults Only, but I don't think either of us were prepared for this.

[Georgiagolfer]

Thanks for all the comments from everyone, and the corrections to my memory from others. Hope all your future cruises are smooth waters.:cool:

[SASA13]

Enjoyed your review. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[mj]

Thanks. DW said well, things may not be as we hoped for, but she did not have to plan meals, cook then clean up, make bed, clean toilets, etc. Even with the sometimes bad/ugly, it is still a cruise and vacation break from our normal routine. HMC is the prettiest beach we have ever been to in all our cruises. You will love it.

 

Thanks for your review and your point of view. HMC is a gorgegous private island and will take a ship that has it as a stop.

 

Enjoyed my two trips on the Fascination. Glad you had a good time.

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks again for sharing your trip with us. Happy cruising to you and DW! :) Hope you make it to HMC some day! ;);)

[cuppettmd]

Hey, Mike; I really enjoyed the review! I totally agree about the comedy, if I want to hear trash, I'll just stay at work! (I work in a prison). One question, did you ever find what happened to the "Meet and Greet"? We sail on the Fascination in three weeks and this will be my first M&G I've signed up for. Also our first trip on the Fascination, we missed HMC due to weather, but have been since. Very Nice! Thanks! Mikey<><

[Georgiagolfer]

Thanks again for sharing your trip with us. Happy cruising to you and DW! :) Hope you make it to HMC some day! ;);)

 

Thanks Karen. Actually we have been to HMC. We were there in May of this year on the same cruise. But as all who have been there before, it is definitely a "must see."

[Georgiagolfer]

Hey, Mike; I really enjoyed the review! I totally agree about the comedy, if I want to hear trash, I'll just stay at work! (I work in a prison). One question, did you ever find what happened to the "Meet and Greet"? We sail on the Fascination in three weeks and this will be my first M&G I've signed up for. Also our first trip on the Fascination, we missed HMC due to weather, but have been since. Very Nice! Thanks! Mikey<><

 

Have not found out what happened with Meet & Greet. Only 2 people on roll call have posted and 1 of them was selected for mixologist contest, and the other had not planned to attend. I probably just went to the wrong place as we had discussed several venues.

[Spring1onu]

[/color]

 

I feel I need to re-emphasize that not every little mis-step or situation was a Lemonade Event, but they added up to Lemonade Makers. But that is also 1 of the reasons we love to cruise. We just have to make adjustments and find/try things different from planned things. This is good sometimes because it may help us (DW and me) get out of our comfort zones.

 

Enjoying your review and love your attitude! Having a good time is really what you make of it - sure some things don't always go as planned but attitude is a huge factor. Glad you chose to make lemonade and find the silver lining - glad you had a great cruise :)

[leadout_kv]

Life is too short to get uptight about some things. We are just thankful we are able to cruise.

 

I was enjoying reading your review and really wanted to keep reading but your comment made me stop and think and say to myself...you know, I wish everyone in this world had the attitude that you have.

 

I hope everyone who wants to complain about their cruise reads your review and especially this comment. :)

[jbanana1]

Enjoyed your review and your attitude! We've been on the Fantasy in 08 and the Fascination in 2011 and loved it both times. Our whole family also loved the flat iron steak both times. It's best ordered "medium" or it can be too dry. I would suggest trying it again sometime but ordering another entree also in case you still don't like it.

[skye02]

Thanks. DW said well, things may not be as we hoped for, but she did not have to plan meals, cook then clean up, make bed, clean toilets, etc. Even with the sometimes bad/ugly, it is still a cruise and vacation break from our normal routine. HMC is the prettiest beach we have ever been to in all our cruises. You will love it.

 

I agree with your wife. This cruise was our least favorite so far and there were lots of things we could have obsessed about and let ruin the trip, but someone made my bed in the mornings, cooked food 24 hours a day, my child was thrilled with the waterworks and, most of all, we were in the middle of the beautiful ocean on a cruise ship!!! Just gotta keep a proper perspective.

 

I think it's important to remember that not every trip can be the best of your life, some will be better than others. Reviews are so subjective and opinions vary widely between travelers on the same cruise. We don't depend on the ship's activities for our entertainment. Our favorite activities are playing with our daughter in the pool/slides, reading, napping, people watching and the theater and comedy shows. So it really takes a lot to mess up our cruise experience since we do our own thing. We enjoy cruising but after the experience last week we will drive farther to a larger ship or maybe even try another cruise line since there aren't any real incentives anymore to be loyal to Carnival.

[Georgiagolfer]

Enjoying your review and love your attitude! Having a good time is really what you make of it - sure some things don't always go as planned but attitude is a huge factor. Glad you chose to make lemonade and find the silver lining - glad you had a great cruise :)

 

Thanks. DW says there is a rainbow in every cloud. Me, I'm not as positive as that, but I'm working on it.

 

I was enjoying reading your review and really wanted to keep reading but your comment made me stop and think and say to myself...you know, I wish everyone in this world had the attitude that you have.

 

I hope everyone who wants to complain about their cruise reads your review and especially this comment. :)

 

Thanks. But there are times we have to stand up and say "enough is enough." I just don't think those times happen often on a cruise.

[Georgiagolfer]

I agree with your wife. This cruise was our least favorite so far and there were lots of things we could have obsessed about and let ruin the trip, but someone made my bed in the mornings, cooked food 24 hours a day, my child was thrilled with the waterworks and, most of all, we were in the middle of the beautiful ocean on a cruise ship!!! Just gotta keep a proper perspective.

 

I think it's important to remember that not every trip can be the best of your life, some will be better than others. Reviews are so subjective and opinions vary widely between travelers on the same cruise. We don't depend on the ship's activities for our entertainment. Our favorite activities are playing with our daughter in the pool/slides, reading, napping, people watching and the theater and comedy shows. So it really takes a lot to mess up our cruise experience since we do our own thing. We enjoy cruising but after the experience last week we will drive farther to a larger ship or maybe even try another cruise line since there aren't any real incentives anymore to be loyal to Carnival.

 

I think the bigger, newer ships may be part of the solution. We just have decided no more 5 days on the smaller ships for a while. That is after our Jewel of the Seas cruise in January 2013.

 

Although we have 16 cruises on CCL, we still are not Loyal just to them, but are Loyal to cruising.

[winddawn]

Day 3, HMC

 

Get up early and when I get to Lido, it is really raining hard. Had to move further under shelter several times, as the wind was whipping rain around. Take DW breakfast around 7 am, and it is just a small rain.

 

Around 8 am, we arrive off HMC, not raining but very windy. Around 9 am, Captain made announcement that we would not be able to tender to HMC due to weather conditions. Think Lemonade at this point. Boy are there a lot of disappointed cruisers, including DW and myself,:( although I think this was good move by Captain, as someone could possibly have been hurt on the tenders it was so windy. Ironic, but about 1 hour after we leave for Nassau, the sun popped out and was out the remainder of the day.

 

Nap after Lido lunch, dinner, casino, then off to bed. There was no Production Show this evening.

We have had this happen a couple of times too. It is very disappointing when your favorite port is cancelled.

 

Wow, georgiagolfer, you sure sleep a lot. LOL!!

[winddawn]

Day 5, Sea Day

 

Not really a sea day. The Captain had announced the afternoon that we missed HMC, that the ship had received permission to stop in Freeport to compensate for our lost stop.

 

Well, for DW and I this was not interesting as this is our least liked Port. We were in Freeport from 7am to 2pm. If you have never been to Freeport, you have to take a taxi or van to town from the dock as it is in an Industrial area of the Island. Been there, done that for us, so we were not overly excited for the stop, but to new cruisers, I'm sure it helped somewhat with missing HMC.

 

They have added a few little shops at the dock since we were last there, so we did get off and walk around for about an hour. Back on ship for our last lunch at Lido. I think I tried to eat everything I hadn't tried previously. After lunch, went to MDR to try and use our free drink coupons. As Platinum, you receive a coupon for 1 free drink in the MDR at breakfast or lunch or at the Comedy Club Brunch (if available). Maitre'd took us next door to Piano Bar next to MDR where we redeemed our coupons.

 

Took our drinks to Serenity and enjoyed the afternoon here. Both of us took a short nap in Serenity, but soon it was time to head back to room to do some pre-packing and get ready for our last evening on the Fascination.

Did you notice there is a Senor Frogs right at the port area now in Freeport?

[winddawn]

Well, it is time to wrap this up and offer my final comments. Not sure of exact date, but I think Fascination went in dry dock in 2011. We noticed that some areas she is really starting to show her age. Ship was clean, seemed staff was always cleaning rails, windows, etc.

 

We also found it odd that the pool was closed embark day. Had tape around area "closed due to maintenance." Not sure, but don't think I have ever seen pool closed for embark.

 

Now for our reflection on Hot Topics.

 

Baseball caps in MDR; Never really noticed previously, but made an effort to look around this cruise due to recent threads. Yeah, there were some who wore hats each night, even "cruise elegant" night. You know what, it had no effect whatsoever on the service, food, or atmosphere. As I mentioned, our table consisted of a long bench on 1 side, and 3 tables on the other. Couple beside us were on 1st cruise, and he wore hat each night. (guess I should have corrected him) We had great conversations with them, and they were a delight to be around.

 

Smoking: In May, smoking was allowed on Lido on Starboard side of deck from front bar to Buffet entrance. This time, still allowed on Starboard side, but only from Pool to bar, not in the table areas. However, staff never enforced and people would just get an ashtray and smoke anyway. BTW, I smoke and always found a seat/table in pool or bar area of Lido to smoke.

 

Chair Hogs: I am early riser, and seriously did not notice much, if any of this going on in the early hours. This may have been due to rainy mornings, or CCL could have actually been enforcing 1 of their rules for a change. LOL

 

Music: As for DW and myself, this is 1 of the biggest disappointments with CCL cuts. It is getting harder to find Public venues with live music.

Carnival doesn't enforce the smoking rules in the casino either. There were plenty of people smoking on non-smoking machines in the Fascination casino. I just got off Fascination yesterday. It was so smoky in the casino I had to get up and move several times.

 

I also noticed that the ship is showing wear. I agree it was very clean though. The staff were all very friendly and helpful except in the casino. The male casino hosts were downright grouchy. Not sure what was up with them.

 

I enjoyed reading your comments, georgiagolfer. :-)