Our Fascination Anniversary / Spring Break Getaway Cruise (with pics) - 3/26/16

[grandmarnnurse]

Thanks!! Prep work today, more posting tomorrow.

 

 

 

Thanks for coming along for the ride again! It was the first time for Patti in an interior cabin. Yes, I know I've spoiled her! :D She actually didn't mind it at all. We used the trick of leaving the television on at night with the bow view camera and the sound off. When it got light outside, it got lighter in our cabin.

 

Just happened upon this review, and am enjoying following. I, too, just retired in January, and we are free to travel more. (Just wish the budget would allow me to do more!! Lol!) We have several trips planned this year including a train ride cross country to visit children and grandchildren. I am interested to see your review of this ship. I also want to say thank you for this great idea about turning TV on to the bow view camera at night. I never thought to do this, and will try it on my next cruise (January 2017 on the NCL Getaway)

[Jamman54]

Just happened upon this review, and am enjoying following. I, too, just retired in January, and we are free to travel more. (Just wish the budget would allow me to do more!! Lol!) We have several trips planned this year including a train ride cross country to visit children and grandchildren. I am interested to see your review of this ship. I also want to say thank you for this great idea about turning TV on to the bow view camera at night. I never thought to do this, and will try it on my next cruise (January 2017 on the NCL Getaway)

 

Thanks for reading, and congrats on your retirement!

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

I sailed the Grand Celebration last year on a two day cruise. Even though it was short I had a good time. The ship has been renovated and reminds me of an NCL ship. The entertainment was outstanding.

[Jamman54]

I sailed the Grand Celebration last year on a two day cruise. Even though it was short I had a good time. The ship has been renovated and reminds me of an NCL ship. The entertainment was outstanding.

 

I would love to see the renovations in person one day.

[jbhcw]

Jeff...if you don't mind a question or two? I did book a five day on the Elation and booked a cabana...have never done that with Carnival..usually Hal and you can pick which one when you reserve...

 

We are Platinum.... but still concerned about getting on ship early enough to pick the one we want..should I contact my PCC...and ask her for early boarding....or does that not apply to Platinum since we can board early?

 

Think last cruise on the Splendor in October..we had 10:30 but cannot remember..also think we usually try to get to the port in Jacksonville around 10...10:30? thanks for any suggestions...

[Jamman54]

Jeff...if you don't mind a question or two? I did book a five day on the Elation and booked a cabana...have never done that with Carnival..usually Hal and you can pick which one when you reserve...

 

We are Platinum.... but still concerned about getting on ship early enough to pick the one we want..should I contact my PCC...and ask her for early boarding....or does that not apply to Platinum since we can board early?

 

Think last cruise on the Splendor in October..we had 10:30 but cannot remember..also think we usually try to get to the port in Jacksonville around 10...10:30? thanks for any suggestions...

 

Hey Jane! As a Platinum you have no worries, as you'll be one of the first on the ship.

 

We got to Jaxport at 9:45, parked, and was checked in about 10:10. We were the second Platinum/Diamond family there. Boarding was at 11:15.

 

Hope that helps.

[mtns2sea]

Hi Jeff. I followed Mitsugirly from the NCL boards over to the Carnival Boards and found your reviews. Have been through your Breeze trip and am now up to date on this one. Thanks for your reports. I'm a new fan. :D

[Jamman54]

Hi Jeff. I followed Mitsugirly from the NCL boards over to the Carnival Boards and found your reviews. Have been through your Breeze trip and am now up to date on this one. Thanks for your reports. I'm a new fan. :D

 

Thanks for reading!! Great to have you along for the ride!! We are also BIG fans of Kim's reviews.

[jbhcw]

Hey Jane! As a Platinum you have no worries, as you'll be one of the first on the ship.

 

We got to Jaxport at 9:45, parked, and was checked in about 10:10. We were the second Platinum/Diamond family there. Boarding was at 11:15.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Helps a lot!! Thanks so much!!

[firegal2539]

Hi Jeff, love your pics and reviews. I am sailing to Freeport in the next couple of months and appreciate your great information.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jamman54]

Hi Jeff, love your pics and reviews. I am sailing to Freeport in the next couple of months and appreciate your great information.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks for reading!

[Jamman54]

Helps a lot!! Thanks so much!!

 

Glad to be of help!

[cruise_mojo]

are a couple pics of the celebration in Freeport as it was delivered by COSTA to replace the bahammas celebration after they hit whatever it was they hit

 

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kellisnc/media/DSCF2442_zps8f56e55d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

 

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kellisnc/media/DSCF2431_zps4f5f62db.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

 

it was a few weeks later when it started sailing as the grand celebration

[Jamman54]

are a couple pics of the celebration in Freeport as it was delivered by COSTA to replace the bahammas celebration after they hit whatever it was they hit

 

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kellisnc/media/DSCF2442_zps8f56e55d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

 

http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/kellisnc/media/DSCF2431_zps4f5f62db.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

 

it was a few weeks later when it started sailing as the grand celebration

 

 

Thanks for sharing those photos!!

[Jamman54]

Just an update. I will be completing the Freeport segment, and probably starting the Nassau segment later this evening. Thanks for your patience!

[pr1vatepiles]

Just an update. I will be completing the Freeport segment, and probably starting the Nassau segment later this evening. Thanks for your patience!

 

 

Looking forward to it :)

Just an update. I will be completing the Freeport segment, and probably starting the Nassau segment later this evening. Thanks for your patience!

 

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[Jamman54]

Looking forward to it :)

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

For you it will be tomorrow morning!! :D

[cruise_mojo]

we always heard Freeport was kind of dumpy compared to other ports

 

so we more or less avoided it for years, sailing maybe 25 times and never booking a cruise with it as a destination

 

but finally we bit the bullet about 7-8 years after what was it? hurricane Andrew?

 

much of the center of the islands hotel strip was wiped out, we taxied to our lucaya area which was not as devastated and it was in good shape then, and yea really touristy but the casino was good, we didn't swim but just shopped and surveyed the place for the future

 

that ride was weird, all these hotels that at one time were beautiful I'm guess ing but all overgrown and windows blew out, and trashed

 

I almost suspect they are sitting their today, our last couple times in Freeport we stayed at the ship as the little touristy thing has sprung up right there.

 

our first couple times here, there weren't even little shacks there, just pop up tents and maybe 2 little shacks

 

now, with the few buildings and bars, people that just wanna party can be relatively happy, grab a hat or some t-shirts and a good stiff drink, conch fritters or a conch salad

 

which brings me to the point, Momma Settie's has a lightning in a bottle dish of conch salad, be prepared to hit the pineapple daiquiri place BEFORE getting the salad because it is almost THAI HOT!!!! but really really great

 

on the other side of the daquri shack is a fish place, we got conch fritters there in February, really good ones, we did see peeps getting rather large portions of fried fish there, looked good, but we haven't tried it

 

senior frogs does have food, fat Tuesday's snacks I'm pretty sure come from frogs

 

a cab ride into town is cheap and you can do the hotel beaches pretty cheap if you just work your deal with the cab guys and hotel when you get there

 

we had friends there about the same time we were, we will see them for dinner today, heck they might have been there exactly when we were but they arrived on the GRAND CELEBRATION and did the two day stay at our lucaya so cruise overnight to Freeport, get off the ship and two days in the hotel then cruise back to west palm

 

sorry don't mean to step on your toes here and I like the pics, great stuff!

 

ken:)

[Luke Saint Joe]

Jamman54, reading your reviews makes me want to join you & your wife for a drink or two! We're sailing on all 3 of your upcoming ships, but unfortunately, not on the same dates! We'll be getting OFF Sunshine the day you get ON! We're sailing Magic for New Year's Eve out of Port Canaveral and Pride in Aug 2017. Hopefully, we'll all get to meet one day! Happy Cruising! Always a pleasure to read your informative, picturesque reviews! Patty's an awesome photographer!

[ohitssunshine]

Yes! I've been waiting for this one!

[Jamman54]

we always heard Freeport was kind of dumpy compared to other ports

 

so we more or less avoided it for years, sailing maybe 25 times and never booking a cruise with it as a destination

 

but finally we bit the bullet about 7-8 years after what was it? hurricane Andrew?

 

much of the center of the islands hotel strip was wiped out, we taxied to our lucaya area which was not as devastated and it was in good shape then, and yea really touristy but the casino was good, we didn't swim but just shopped and surveyed the place for the future

 

that ride was weird, all these hotels that at one time were beautiful I'm guess ing but all overgrown and windows blew out, and trashed

 

I almost suspect they are sitting their today, our last couple times in Freeport we stayed at the ship as the little touristy thing has sprung up right there.

 

our first couple times here, there weren't even little shacks there, just pop up tents and maybe 2 little shacks

 

now, with the few buildings and bars, people that just wanna party can be relatively happy, grab a hat or some t-shirts and a good stiff drink, conch fritters or a conch salad

 

which brings me to the point, Momma Settie's has a lightning in a bottle dish of conch salad, be prepared to hit the pineapple daiquiri place BEFORE getting the salad because it is almost THAI HOT!!!! but really really great

 

on the other side of the daquri shack is a fish place, we got conch fritters there in February, really good ones, we did see peeps getting rather large portions of fried fish there, looked good, but we haven't tried it

 

senior frogs does have food, fat Tuesday's snacks I'm pretty sure come from frogs

 

a cab ride into town is cheap and you can do the hotel beaches pretty cheap if you just work your deal with the cab guys and hotel when you get there

 

we had friends there about the same time we were, we will see them for dinner today, heck they might have been there exactly when we were but they arrived on the GRAND CELEBRATION and did the two day stay at our lucaya so cruise overnight to Freeport, get off the ship and two days in the hotel then cruise back to west palm

 

sorry don't mean to step on your toes here and I like the pics, great stuff!

 

ken:)

 

Not stepping on any toes at all!! I encourage and welcome all comments and points of view. Thanks for all the wonderful information! :)

[Jamman54]

Jamman54, reading your reviews makes me want to join you & your wife for a drink or two! We're sailing on all 3 of your upcoming ships, but unfortunately, not on the same dates! We'll be getting OFF Sunshine the day you get ON! We're sailing Magic for New Year's Eve out of Port Canaveral and Pride in Aug 2017. Hopefully, we'll all get to meet one day! Happy Cruising! Always a pleasure to read your informative, picturesque reviews! Patty's an awesome photographer!

 

Thanks for your kind words! We'll take you up on that drink, first rounds on me! Seems that you like the same ships as us, so I'm sure we'll meet one day. :)

 

Yes! I've been waiting for this one!

 

Thanks for coming along for the ride! We enjoyed your Fascination review!

[ohitssunshine]

Okay, we’re back! Just to let you know that the beginning of this segment is going to be a bit wordy, so if it becomes too much for you, feel free to scroll down to the first picture. I will not be offended. When I make a statement that something was the WORST ever, I feel like I need to back that statement up with an explanation.

 

When I last left you, Patti was going back to the cabin to unpack, and I was going up to the Lido Bar for an hour or so, until it was time for the muster drill. I would then go back to the cabin to meet up with Patti, and wait for the alarm to sound. What happens next was the worst muster drill in my 45 cruise history, over six cruise lines. It really bothered me that this happened because of the make-up of my fellow passengers. Let me try to explain.

 

Sitting at the Lido Bar talking to, and watching other passengers as they come up and order drinks, you can learn a lot about the people you are sailing with. Believe me when I tell you that almost everyone had a blue card, and if not blue, they had a red card. Now having a blue card means you are a first time cruiser on Carnival. It doesn’t mean you have never cruised before, but not on Carnival. A red card means you have cruised at least once on Carnival, but not that many times. I did not see that many gold or platinum cards at all, and I held the only white card on the ship as a diamond. So all in all, it appeared to me that this was a ship with mostly inexperienced Carnival cruisers. This is to be expected during these spring break cruises, as veteran cruisers avoid these like the plague if they can. Also, out of the about 2,600 passengers on board, about 1,000 of them were under the age of eighteen.

 

The announcement in the Fun Times word for word as it was printed said this: IMPORTANT: Today at approximately 3:15pm will be our Mandatory Safety Briefing. When the signal sounds, please go to your assigned muster station as printed on your Sail & Sign Card.

 

Patti and I were sitting in the cabin, waiting for the alarm to sound. At about 3:25 our stateroom steward Raj, knocked on our door, and said that the muster drill had started. Funny, I hadn’t heard the alarm, and it is unmistakable. No problem, we made our way up two flights of stairs to the Promenade Deck, and into the Puttin’ on the Ritz Lounge, which is our Muster Station “E”.

 

When we arrived the lounge was full, and we wound up standing in the back. Had we really not heard the alarm? After standing there for ten minutes, the alarm sounded. What the heck!! Then it dawned on me why the lounge was already full when we got there. All the newbies read in the Fun Times that the muster drill was at 3:15, so they just went there at that time. Good for them, since I believed that the muster drill would be over that much quicker. Boy was I wrong.

 

We stood there for over half an hour, and nothing was heard from the bridge. The natives were getting restless, and the crew members in charge of our muster station kept saying that we will hear something in five minutes, five minutes, five minutes. Some of the people who were standing in the back sat down on the floor, and were admonished by the crew. Finally, Cruise Director Felipe came on and read the first part of the drill, up to the crew members demonstrating how to put on the life jackets. By this time many people were not paying attention.

 

On the Fantasy Class ships, the second part of the muster drill is when you are led up one deck to Deck 10, where you would actually go to board your assigned lifeboats. I have to say that the crew members did a very good job in controlling the passengers during the exodus from the lounge to upstairs, but once up there chaos ensued.

 

The crew was not doing a very good job in getting people to line up properly so the drill could continue. People were sitting down on the deck, at the tables, leaning over the railing. You could tell that many of the passengers were done. We stood up there for another fifteen minutes or so without hearing another announcement. Meanwhile, the ship had begun to sail.

 

Then the crew members said that the drill was over. I never heard that announcement! To top it off, they skipped the spiel where they tell you “If this were an actual emergency this is where you will board your lifeboat, women and children first, the lifeboats are commanded by able bodied seaman, unsinkable even when flooded, blah, blah blah”. None of that was said at all. Patti and I just looked at each other and said “pray that nothing happens, because not many people will know what to do!” We really said something else, but the mods wouldn't like it! In summary, that whole mess took over an hour.

 

Patti told me that she wasn’t feeling well, and she was going to go back to the cabin to rest. Actually she wasn’t feeling too great before the muster drill, and that circus just did her in. It would be my job to take pictures of our sail away. I hope I made Patti proud!

 

As I mentioned before, the ship sailed before the muster drill was over. We are now out far enough so that the ship can spin around and head down the St.John's River, then out to sea……

 

 

To be continued……

 

We had a similar experience on our Fascination cruise in February. We only went once we heard the announcement and the thing lasted well over an hour, with most of it sitting in silence waiting. Definitely not the best way to start your cruise!

[Jamman54]

Patti was feeling a little tired, so she decided to head back to the ship, snapping these pictures along the way. Here is the HOHO bus. Not sure of the cost…..

 

 

The Freeport Harbour Store Directory…..

 

 

The fountain in the Plaza…..

 

 

Looking across the way at the Grand Celebration…..

 

 

The Carnival Fascination docked in Freeport…..

 

 

The Ultra Vibes Band is playing in the Gazebo…..

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

After a few more hours, I made my way back to the ship. Once back in the cabin, it was nap time. Patti was already napping when I got back.

 

We slept right through sailing away from Freeport. Bummer, but there really isn’t much to see.

 

We hung out in the cabin until it was time for dinner. Here is today’s menu…..

 

 

The Casino sent us a bottle of wine…..

 

 

Tonight, we both started with the spring rolls…..

 

 

Patti also had the tropical fruit plate…..

 

 

I had my usual shrimp cocktail…..

 

 

For her main, Patti chose to have the fried shrimp and French fries…..

 

 

To be continued…..