Cruise Newbie!!

[VTX1300]

:D First I want to say THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAS POSTED SOME GREAT ADVICE!!

Hubby and I (53 and 47 yrs young) are going on our first Cruise Oct 30th On Carnival Fascination! We are heading to Freeport and Nassau!!! I can not wait!! I am so excited and nervous! :eek: Any advice on this particular ship and these ports would be greatly appreciated! I have my little (getting bigger) notebook of suggestions and ready to add more. THANKS SO MUCH!!

[paul929207]

Just wanted to welcome you to Cruise Critic. Have a wonderful cruise.

[VTX1300]

Thank You so much!

[cb at sea]

Read a guidebook on your ports, to get the most from your time ashore. There is nothing to be "nervous" about....you're going on vacation!

[t_car]

You will enjoy this cruise.

My wife and daughter and I were on this same cruise.

5 nights is excellent for a first cruise. It is an older Carnival ship, but once you are on board, you will see that this ship is in great condition.

Since you are probably driving to the port, you will like parking literally right next to the ship and terminal.

Nassau is a good shopping port. Lots of choices for excursions.

Freeport is more of an industrial area. We took a taxi shuttle to the shopping and beach area.

Best is to check out the Bahamas board and research what interests you.

 

Before the ship leaves the dock, checkout the other side of the ship. They were feeding some local dolphins and they were putting on a nice show swimming around. I was told this is a regular thing.

You will pass under a bridge on the river on the way out to sea. The ship just fits under it. This class or size of ship is the only to fit under the bridge.

If they ever build a new cruise terminal downstream of the bridge, it will open up the area to a greater variety of ships.

 

Enjoy your first cruise, you'll have a great time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Once you have taken your first cruise, you will be hooked.

You can check out your ports here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

 

[jrsrosey]

welcome to the exciting world of cruising! ;) you are leaving soon, this is great!

You'll find tons and tons of useful information here! :)

[jammen]

Check out your CC board, and ask that question. You will get good advice for some of the things you want to know about.

 

Welcome to CC.

[CAnative1]

My advice....

 

 

keep good track of time if you are out on your own exploring. When my wife and I went to Nassau, we had a beach day at Atlantis. Lost track of time while taking in the area and had to run through the resort only to find we had missed the last shuttle to the boat. We had to hope into a cab from there.

 

Other than that, just relax and have a great time.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Be sure to check out the FAQs on the Carnival website. There should also be info about your ship there too.

 

You can google each port and find plenty of tourism sites with info. Your public library will have guidebooks. If you find a particular one you like, you can order the book off of Amazon (I would worry about losing a library book -- our system charges over $40 for a lost book no matter the list cost:eek:).

 

Don't try to stuff each day (and each port day) with activities. Part of the fun of a cruise is also relaxing. But yes, keep track of the time when out in port. Bring the day's ship newsletter with you with the time to be back on board circled. Check your watches against the ship's clock before you get off the ship. Plan to be back on board before the "back on board time." (less of a line too)

 

Hopefully you've planned to be by your embarkation port before your cruise. We live about an hour's drive from our home port so we try to be on the road by 10 or even earlier. For any other port, we're going to be there the night before at the least.

[VTX1300]

Thank You for all of you replies! They have helped alot!

[VTX1300]

Did they do a Halloween Party on the cruise??

[Sixtytwo]

Welcome to the boards!

 

Have not cruised on Halloween before...uh..we will be cruising on Halloween this year! Have heard some ships have "dress up" on the 31st but no official event and others have something out by the pool on Lido. We plan to just relax and enjoy whatever happens!

[sbbquilter]

Welcome to cruising and CC. My DH and I started with a 5 day cruise as he was not certain he would enjoy it - luckily I was right and he was wrong! My only suggestion is to decide what kind of vacation you want - we look forward to relaxing and time together so don't go to many activities though enjoy the shows and check out the musicians in the bars. Look over the daily information and remember it is your vacation! We manage to pack for a 7 day in 2 22" carry on suitcases and two small totes - again, we are there to relax.

Have a great time.

[MYCRUISEVACATIONS]

:D First I want to say THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAS POSTED SOME GREAT ADVICE!!

Hubby and I (53 and 47 yrs young) are going on our first Cruise Oct 30th On Carnival Fascination! We are heading to Freeport and Nassau!!! I can not wait!! I am so excited and nervous! :eek: Any advice on this particular ship and these ports would be greatly appreciated! I have my little (getting bigger) notebook of suggestions and ready to add more. THANKS SO MUCH!!

 

You specifically asked for information on the Carnival Fascination!

The Carnival Fascination is the fourth ship in Carnival Cruise Lines' eight-ship Fantasy class of mid-size cruise ships. She entered service in 1994, and is currently home-ported in Jacksonville, Florida, she sails to the Bahamas year-round. A great ship for a first cruise but beware it can get party filled! :) If you are coming to Jacksonville's First Coast by plane there is an Aloft Hotel (excellent), Residence Inn and convenient transportation to and from the Cruise Port. Many CC clients don't even know and the Cruiseline is clueless about the opportunity of a pre-night in Jacksonville and the close proximity :) of the Jacksonville Zoo (sponsored in part by CSX rail) to the Jacksonville, FL cruise port and what a great opportunity a pre-cruise night offers towards your trip.

 

The Fascination was given a multi-million dollar refurbishment while in dry dock during September 2006, during which all 1,026 staterooms and suites were completely renovated with the addition of flat-screen TVs, new furnishings, and refurbished bathrooms, the Coconut Grove Bar and Grill received new carpeting and upholstery, as did the Passage to India Lounge. The Imagination and Sensation Dining Rooms received new carpeting, upholstery, and sound systems and the Grand Atrium Bar was added on the Empress Deck. Bogart's Cafe, a new coffee bar, was added to the Promenade Deck.

 

A new 9-hole miniature golf course opened on the Sun Deck, the 1,600-square-foot (150 m2) Children's World, a new Camp Carnival facility, was added to the Verandah Deck and Club O2, a club exclusively for teens, was added.

 

An art gallery opened on the Empress Deck allowing passengers to view artwork available at auctions held on board, and a new photo gallery on the Promenade Deck allows passengers to view photos taken by staff on board. The 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m2) Spa Carnival was renovated with new exercise equipment and private treating rooms added while the whirlpool spas were removed; whirlpools are still available at the main pool area on the Lido Deck and the aft pool area on the Verandah Deck. The bandstand in the main pool area on the Lido Deck received audio-visual upgrades and the Palace Lounge received two new shows ("Hey Mambo" and "Far from Over: the 80s") to accompany a new revolving stage, orchestra area, stage lighting, and audio-visual equipment,in addition Puttin' on the Ritz received new décor

 

In January 2010 Carnival Fascination underwent an additional dry dock and received the "Evolutions of Fun" upgrade. This included Carnival Waterworks, Serenity Adult only area, the addition of new balcony suites, and more.

 

In January 2013,(just before I cruised on her) Carnival Fascination underwent another dry dock. During this dry dock, all 1,026 staterooms will be renovated with new bedding and lighting. Three new restaurants will be added which include an American, Asian, and Southwestern style cuisine and the main dining room will be updated with new carpet and decor. The Carnival Fascination is not scheduled to receive the "full swing" of the lines Fun Ship 2.0 initiative. However, according to Carnival's brand ambassador and senior cruise director John Heald, the ship will receive both the Red Frog Rum Bar and the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, as well as Playlist Productions (the new LED screened shows in the main theater).

 

The ship is nice and for a first cruise it will get you ready to travel again! If you like this cruise then by all means re-book on board for another Carnival Cruise with a different itinerary and become a regular on Cruise Critic.

 

For budget purposes you will probably be wanting about $100.00 for shore excursions. They can be accomplished for less but you will want to keep close track of time as to be back to the ship on time. When my wife and I were on the Fascination we enjoyed a great shore excursion in Freeport Bahama Island called "Snorkel and Sea Safari" on it we Climbed aboard a unique boat with your professional crew for an exciting and adventurous day. We enjoyed the panoramic views from the upper deck of this 72 ft. catamaran. There was food available on the boat and later Fish-feeding was a delight lots of exotic fish gathering before my eyes. Your boat is specially designed so that you can get in and out of the water with ease. The accommodating, professional staff provided expert instruction and vigilant supervision in order to ensure the most pleasurable and safest of experiences possible.

 

In Nassau travel along Bay Street, the heart of Nassau's shopping district, and home to the native Straw Market. Other highlights include views of the Government House (official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas since 1801) the Governor's Mansion, and Gregory's Arch. This stone arch was named after Governor John Gregory who served around 1850. When you pass through the arch on Market Street, you cross the line that divides downtown Nassau from other areas. You may also want to experience Paradise Island Paradise Island an island connected to New Providence by two bridges that cross Nassau Harbor. Hog Island Lighthouse, constructed 1817, is at the western tip of the island and can be seen from the cruise port.

 

The highlight of Paradise Island is world famous Atlantis. Atlantis is a magnificent resort encompassing over 3,000 hotel rooms, 20 restaurants, a wide variety of stores, a 123-acre water park, beautiful beaches and the largest casino in the Bahamas. The total cost to construct Atlantis was over $2 billion. Your tour will make a short stop at Atlantis where you will have free time to explore the amazing lobby, casino, or the shops. After your free time you will be driven back to your ship. The “Discover Atlantis Beach Pass” (adults $69, children $40) provides access to the aquarium, the beach, restaurants where you can purchase food and drink and entrance to the Dig, a maze of interconnected tunnels and chambers with ruins and underwater inhabitants depicting the Lost City of Atlantis. The “Aquaventure Pass” (adults $130, children $80) provides access to the aquarium, beach, pools, water slides, the Dig, and restaurants where you can purchase food and drink. If you go over to experience the resort, know when your ship departs and more importantly carry enough money for a cab ride back but not too much money! LOL :)

 

The ship usually pulls in at Jacksonville around 8:00 am so be sure to book your return flight late in the afternoon and consider seeing as I mentioned earlier either the Jacksonville Zoo, Caty Shack Ranch (a non-profit Tiger and Lion Preserve near the port), or Old St. Augustine (about one hour south of the port!)

 

No matter what you decide - Safe Journeys and keep plugging for more info on Cruise Critic! Have you joined a Roll Call yet? :D

[VTX1300]

Thank you!!