Fascination July 8th review!

[Ironmen]

Day 5 was our last day at sea. The family finally got a little extra rest, I got up at 7:30 and went to the lido for some coffee and time just watching the blue sea go by! The DW, and boys got up around 9 and headed to lido for breakfast. We changed and were ready to go out by the pool by 10. The pool area was more crowded this day than any other time we had been on the boat. We spent from 10-4 out by the pool. One of our favorite moments was watching the ice carving. They also had many line dances going on that the boys enjoyed. We did the water slides that were very fun, played some more ping pong, and enjoyed the pool. DW enjoyed relaxing and reading her book. At 4, I made a visit to the casino for awhile, DW hit the spa, and the boys played some more ping pong. We went to ATD at around 6:15 and again request Rubeun and got him by a window seat. It was a sad night knowing it was the last time we would get to see Rubeun and his helper Dexter! If you do ATD I would suggest Rubeun he is great. After dinner we all headed up for a game of putt putt! Then the boys headed to play with their new friends one last time at Circle C and the DW and I headed to the final comedy show. We cashed out at the casino, walked around a little more, and just enjoyed the evening. The price had dropped so much we had a lot of OBC so before calling it a night I went to guest services and got our cash back from the left over OBC.

 

Day 6 we did self assist! We had all of our bags packed, got up went to breakfast on the lido one last time and got our bags. We walked from Deck 7 to Deck 9, showed our FTTF sail and sign cards and were put right on the next elevator to get off the boat. The shuttles for the $8 parking was waiting for us and they were very nice. Tipped them well for loading our bags. Only problem we had was when we got ready to leave there was a car blocking us in. They moved the car within 10 min. and we were on our way back home!

 

What a great vacation! Couldn't have asked for anything better?

[Georgiagolfer]

Thanks for the review. DW and I have sailed Fascination 4 times with the last being in June. Great cruise each time.

 

As much as we like Fascination, would like to see a different ship in Jacksonville, maybe a Spirit class ship or another Fantasy class. These are the only 2 classes that can go under the bridge.

[2snorkel/cruisers]

Thanks for the review Ironmen. We've seen the pictures on TripAdvisor but most of them are a few years old. We just wanted some recent pics. Can hardly wait for Oct to get here! Glad you had a great time....

[Ironmen]

The snorkeling near the rocks is the best! We saw several sting rays there. I also did alot of snorkeling near the water toys while the boys were out there playing. Saw lots of great fish where the bottom was dredged out for the toys. (The shark was the most interesting) Thank goodness he just cruised on by, look as scared of me as I was of him!

[roosterlamp]

We are sailing out of Jacksonville November 16th and we are so excited! This will be our 7th time cruising out of there....we have never stayed at the $8 parking lot - I thought I read somewhere that they had closed that lot down - I guess that was incorrect information. Were you pleased with parking your car there? Last year we stayed at a hotel that I booked that let you keep your car there and a shuttle took you to the port and then back to the hotel.

 

Two different times we parked at a Park N Go kind of place and the other times we parked at the port.

 

I was just wondering what you thought of the parking lot and if it seemed like a good option.

 

Hi GAMOM4,

 

I live in Jax and considering cruising on the Fascination in September. As for the $8 lot, it is open and being used to the max each time the ship leaves. I've never heard any complaints. Most things I've read within the boards give better reviews for the $8 lot than the parking the port authority offers at $15/day.

 

Hope you have a great cruise. If you have time to kill prior to or after, may I suggest St. Augustine. So much there and only about 40 min's south of the Jax Port.

 

Good luck!

[jgryder]

We r booked on the Fascination for the 10th! After your review I'm even more excited for my family. It will be our kids 1st cruise! 3 DD..6,10,12! We r doing the Whetstone Day pass too. Was there a reason why they didn't have the water slides ect..open? Where did you eat when you were there?

[aggiejade]

Enjoyed your review, thanks for sharing. I have family members cruising on the Fascination soon. Where are the ping pong tables located?

[Ironmen]

We had lunch there at the Sheraton! Nice, but a little expensive. There is a little place to eat right across the street.

The two ping pong tables are on Deck 11 right above the pool. Pick up the paddles and balls at the towel station.

[cruiseboys]

Yes! More Little Stirrup Cay pictures! Going there in October and am so excited!

 

Little Stirrup Cay is better known as Royal Caribbean's island Coco Cay! Just search that! It's a great day!!!!

[brwnIgir1]

Hi GAMOM4,

 

I live in Jax and considering cruising on the Fascination in September. As for the $8 lot, it is open and being used to the max each time the ship leaves. I've never heard any complaints. Most things I've read within the boards give better reviews for the $8 lot than the parking the port authority offers at $15/day.

 

Hope you have a great cruise. If you have time to kill prior to or after, may I suggest St. Augustine. So much there and only about 40 min's south of the Jax Port.

 

Good luck!

 

Is the lot secure and safe for my car?

[roosterlamp]

Is the lot secure and safe for my car?

 

The lot is fenced, well lit and located at a very busy intersection. Locally, I've not heard of any reports of problems at the lot. As busy as it is, if there were problems it would have made it into the local news.

 

I read elsewhere on the boards the shuttle van that moves people from the lot to the ship is quick. I can’t speak to that aspect.

 

Have a great cruise.

[momonthego17]

Great review! We are going to be in E94 in a couple months. How was your cabin for four? Did it bug you that the two twins couldn't go together? How was the space in the cabin? Tell me all....thanks!

[saltybones]

Great review! We are going there November 25th. Can't wait! Love the Fascination! This will be our second time on her.

 

Question for you, do they still have the "De Chevre" (goat cheese pizza) on the Fascination? I know they done away with it on most of the larger ships, I hope they still have it:)

 

I do love that goat cheese pizza! YUM:D Carnival got me hooked on it.:eek:

[marshhawk]

Thanks for the review, I noticed that half the readers were from my roll call.:).

We went to the Sheritan the last time we were in Nassau, but we went after lunch, and didnt eat-we are however planning on going back this October, what did you eat, and what were the prices like? You mentioned there was a restaurant across the street? Did you notice what kind of restaurant? We of course would probably just stay the whole day and eat at the Sheritan.

On LSC did you notice whether or not the crowds thinned as you headed to the other end of the island?

Glad you had a great cruise, you know I am counting down to ours!

[medtrans10]

I used the $8 parking last year and had planned to this year, but read where the owner had been arrested and heard that the lot was closed. Glad to know it is open. I had decided to just park at the port, but we had a good experience with the $8 parking last time, so would rather do that.

[AmberTeka]

BREAKING NEWS ABOUT JAXPORT

 

President Obama came to Jax a couple of weeks ago. He said..He was giving Jax more money to Deepen...dredge the shore around Mayport and Blount Island so the Big Ships..headed for the Newly widened Panama Canal can be drydocked in Jax...or have easy access to our Port

 

NEWER bigger Ship possible in Jax...next year

[GTO-Girl]

BREAKING NEWS ABOUT JAXPORT

 

President Obama came to Jax a couple of weeks ago. He said..He was giving Jax more money to Deepen...dredge the shore around Mayport and Blount Island so the Big Ships..headed for the Newly widened Panama Canal can be drydocked in Jax...or have easy access to our Port

 

NEWER bigger Ship possible in Jax...next year

 

 

How will that help a bigger ship get under the Dames Point Bridge? There have been delays before with the Fascination due to high tides.

 

There was another thread about this and a local guy stated what they need was a terminal on the other side of the bridge, but that due to some local political "situations" the idea had been terminated.

 

A bigger ship would be wonderful for Jacksonville, but not sure if it will ever happen.

[Georgiagolfer]

How will that help a bigger ship get under the Dames Point Bridge? There have been delays before with the Fascination due to high tides.

 

There was another thread about this and a local guy stated what they need was a terminal on the other side of the bridge, but that due to some local political "situations" the idea had been terminated.

 

A bigger ship would be wonderful for Jacksonville, but not sure if it will ever happen.

 

Spirit Class and Fantasy Class are the only ships that can clear the bridge in CCL fleet.

[KiKiLove]

Do you happen to have copies of the carnival fun times? If so and you wouldn't mind posting, I would be most appreciative!! :-)

[lisalisa143]

Do you happen to have copies of the carnival fun times? If so and you wouldn't mind posting, I would be most appreciative!! :-)

 

KiKiLove, someone had posted the FunTimes for the week July 13, 2013 and I printed them for myself. I am looking for the post so that I can send you the "thread" however I have not found it.

I could scan & email you as I have put them together for the week.

Let me know if you cannot find the "thread" and would like me to send to you.

[KiKiLove]

The only one I found was the itenerary going to Half Moon Cay, our cruise is going to Little Stirrup Cay. If you have those and wouldn't mind sending them that would be great! dannys.little.girl@hotmail.com.

Thanks!!!!

[lisalisa143]

The only one I found was the itenerary going to Half Moon Cay, our cruise is going to Little Stirrup Cay. If you have those and wouldn't mind sending them that would be great! Thanks!!!!

 

I'm sorry, the ones I have are for HMC.:(

[KiKiLove]

No problem & thanks anyway!!

[dcsetman]

Thanks for the review. DW and I have sailed Fascination 4 times with the last being in June. Great cruise each time.

 

As much as we like Fascination, would like to see a different ship in Jacksonville, maybe a Spirit class ship or another Fantasy class. These are the only 2 classes that can go under the bridge.

 

Yes, A Spirit class ship would be awesome in Jacksonville. Would love to see that happen. In 2010, we sailed the Carnival Spirit to Alaska and LOVED it :)