Fascination Review (Feb 27-March 3rd)

[Terab85]

Woke up early to catch the sunrise again.

 

 

DH and I went down for breakfast before we had to leave. It was so peaceful.

 

 

 

 

 

[Terab85]

We decided to do self disembarkation, and since we were FTTF, we had to meet in the Sensation dining room by 7:45. Once the platinum passengers were escorted off, it was our turn. They took us down the elevator and into the terminal where we had to go through customs. For the most part it was easy, except for when the drug sniffing dog got a whiff of my husband. Apparently someone on deck in the morning was smoking a little contraband and I guess he was in close proximity. After a few minutes, we were let through and out to the car. We were loaded and out of the parking lot by 8:30.

 

 

 

[Terab85]

View of the parking lot. Looks pretty full.

 

 

 

 

[Terab85]

Oh that's great! Since laying on a lounge chair in the sun watching the ocean go by is one of my favourite things to do, I was starting to re-think going on that ship! Glad to hear there are lots of spots :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can see from this view, there are lounge chairs on both the right and left side, some facing ocean and others facing poolside. I don't think you will have a problem finding one.

[Terab85]

Really enjoying your review. We leave in 21 days for the Fascination. I am so glad you posted the pictures of the cabana's, because I am hoping to get #11, and your pictures really helped out a lot.

 

 

 

If I had to do it again, I would probably go for #12. If you want it really quiet, go down farther to #14 or #15.

[sparks1093]

Great review and it makes us want to board the Fascination now! And thanks to your pictures DW wants to take an itinerary that includes HMC:).

[Terab85]

My overall thoughts about the Fascination. Loved the ship. It was small and easy to get around. Not sure I would want to be on it longer than a 5 day. We didn't do many of the shows except for the comedy shows. We did catch the Divas & Motown briefly and both seemed worth seeing the whole show.

 

Besides the lack of service at the Shore Excursion desk when we first got on board, service was exceptional. Our room steward Ramil, who I forgot to mention early was wonderful and all our wait staff was friendly and attentive.

 

We have booked a 8 day out of Port Carnaveral Sept 2017 on the Magic and I can't wait to try a new ship :D

[Terab85]

Great review and it makes us want to board the Fascination now! And thanks to your pictures DW wants to take an itinerary that includes HMC:).

 

 

We would do a itinerary with HMC in a second, even if we had to suck it up and go to Nassau again ;)

[sparks1093]

We would do a itinerary with HMC in a second, even if we had to suck it up and go to Nassau again ;)

 

DW just said something similar after seeing your pics:). It looks like the Pride includes it on the Eastern Caribbean itineraries it does and we wouldn't mind going on the Pride again for that itinerary.

[GaHawkeye]

Great review Teresa. Glad you enjoyed the smaller ship. Your pics of HMC were great. Water looked much calmer than when we were there last Sept. Looking forward to planning for the Magic in 2017.

Hank

[mbrownferrier]

Great review. Your sunrise pics are beautiful!

[OCMama]

My overall thoughts about the Fascination. Loved the ship. It was small and easy to get around. Not sure I would want to be on it longer than a 5 day.

 

I'm booked on Fascination in July when it will be used for the 7 day southern Caribbean out of San Juan. This has been my concern when I found out it is a smaller ship. Hopefully the cocktails will keep my mind off it.

[Terab85]

Great review Teresa. Glad you enjoyed the smaller ship. Your pics of HMC were great. Water looked much calmer than when we were there last Sept. Looking forward to planning for the Magic in 2017.

Hank

 

 

Thanks Hank! Kind of rushed through this review, but I'll be sure to take lots of notes on our next one. Looking forward to traveling with you guys. Can't believe we have to wait so long :(

[Terab85]

I'm booked on Fascination in July when it will be used for the 7 day southern Caribbean out of San Juan. This has been my concern when I found out it is a smaller ship. Hopefully the cocktails will keep my mind off it.

 

 

Depends on how you like to spend your time. If you need being entertained, you'll probably do all the shows. We're all about relaxing, reading, drinking, and people watching ;)

[cec311]

One week from today well be in the Fascination. Thanks for the review and pics.

[undercat]

Thank you for your review and photos! Those sunrises, sigh....

[sjn911]

Thanks so much for sharing your family and sweet review and wonderful pics..I just love those Fantasy ships..and had friends in your rooms from my table on mine, a nice little treat......they make a perfect 4 or 5 day like you said. They are smaller ships with some bells and whistles and a little history, and I think the staff often is happy on them...great cruise...thanks for sharing!!!

[sjn911]

I'm booked on Fascination in July when it will be used for the 7 day southern Caribbean out of San Juan. This has been my concern when I found out it is a smaller ship. Hopefully the cocktails will keep my mind off it.

 

I think on a port intensive it will be very nice. They are not so small there is nothing going on..shows, movie, karaoke, piano bar, tea, comedy, spa, several bars, disco, etc...free sauna in spa. Great serenity to look out back of ship with a cocktail!!!

 

And less crowded to get on and off in all your ports...they are just small since they started building behemoths...I think you may like it....and service us usually just better...less people to worry about...and many are not so.."spoil me spoil me" on these ships...just nice people..especially on this longer cruise..not so much party only...but you can find that too...think you may really like it. Some small ship service perks o a more affordable line!! Especially in main dining...

Edited March 20, 2016 by sjn911

[ohitssunshine]

We came onto the ship on deck level 2 or 3 and I ditched my family and immediately ran up the stairs to 7 so I could book our cabana for HMC.

 

Reached the Shores Excursion desk at about 11:27 and had one person in front of me (waves to ohitssunshine). We were told someone would be there at 11:30 but it was well after 12:00 before someone showed up. There were several people in line already at this point. I, unlike someone who will not be named (cough ohitssunshine cough) didn't really have a list of cabanas I wanted. Figured I'd start at 9/10 and work my way higher. I was able to book the one I wanted (#10). When you pick your cabana at the excursion desk, you need to tell them what size snorkel equipment you need (shoes size) and what sodas you wanted (Coke, diet, sprite and orange). You get 8 drinks for 4 people. We actually had 5 people use the cabana and they will charge you for any over 4 but I never told them and they never asked :p

 

We headed with my family to our stateroom (V14) to check it out before heading to Lido for lunch. Now we upgraded from a oceanview room to a junior suite since there were 3 of us sharing this stateroom. The extra room was nice.

 

 

Yes!! I'm so excited you decided to write a review! And I love the shout out, it was so much fun racing to the desk!

[ohitssunshine]

After laying out for about an hour, went back to the room for a nap before getting ready for formal night.

 

I love to getting dressed up for formal night and since our whole family was together, it was a requirement for all. :p The family met up about 5:15 so we could do family pictures together before dinner. If this is your thing, they had plenty of backgrounds to chose from. We took pictures with almost every background. I'm sure my family was hating me after awhile ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Formal night dinner – Had the strawberry bisque and guacamole & chips for appetizers. Dinner had roasted duck (which was a little dry) and for dessert, birthday cake. Service was excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful pictures!!

[tiff54]

I enjoyed your review. We're leaving on the Fascination Saturday and I'm sooo bummed we don't get to go to HMC. :( I think we're sticking to the ship in both Nassau and Freemont, because I'm not crazy about neither of those ports.

 

We're also staying at the Springhill Suites Friday night...Do you remember what kind of restaurants are close by?

 

Thanks again!

[Terab85]

I enjoyed your review. We're leaving on the Fascination Saturday and I'm sooo bummed we don't get to go to HMC. :( I think we're sticking to the ship in both Nassau and Freemont, because I'm not crazy about neither of those ports.

 

We're also staying at the Springhill Suites Friday night...Do you remember what kind of restaurants are close by?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

I wish they would do cruises just to HMC :p

 

 

The three places to eat that are within easy walking distance is Longhorn Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, and Zaxby's. Down the road, on the east side of I-95, there is a huge variety of places to eat (Five Guys, Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc) Just try Google Maps.

[tiff54]

I wish they would do cruises just to HMC :p

 

 

The three places to eat that are within easy walking distance is Longhorn Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, and Zaxby's. Down the road, on the east side of I-95, there is a huge variety of places to eat (Five Guys, Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc) Just try Google Maps.

 

I've never been to HMC and wanted to go this trip, but when you only have a certain time period to cruise, you kind of have to take what's available. It looks So beautiful and relaxing.

 

Thanks for the restaurant info.... :)

[RedBeard78]

Thank you for the pictures of HMC! This definitely will help us pick our cabana in 3 weeks :-)

[Terab85]

I've never been to HMC and wanted to go this trip, but when you only have a certain time period to cruise, you kind of have to take what's available. It looks So beautiful and relaxing.

 

Thanks for the restaurant info.... :)

 

 

 

No problem! HMC was everything we had hoped it would be (warmer water would have been a plus).