Just finished southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Fascination. Any questions?

[ontheweb]

One more question.

 

My DW has been looking at Fodor's Caribbean and saw that there were two ports in St. Lucia with different things near each port.

 

Does the Fascination port in Castries or Soufriere?

[idil]

One more question.

 

My DW has been looking at Fodor's Caribbean and saw that there were two ports in St. Lucia with different things near each port.

 

Does the Fascination port in Castries or Soufriere?

 

Our cruise in June was at Castries ... :)

[ontheweb]

Our cruise in June was at Castries ... :)

 

Thanks for answering our question.

[ontheweb]

After reading a thread in ask a cruise question and in the carnival forum, I have 2 more questions.

 

1. Is the muster drill outside by the lifeboats or in one of the lounges.

 

2. Does the room steward service your cabin twice a day, or are you given the choice of morning or evening servicing?

[idil]

After reading a thread in ask a cruise question and in the carnival forum, I have 2 more questions.

 

1. Is the muster drill outside by the lifeboats or in one of the lounges.

 

2. Does the room steward service your cabin twice a day, or are you given the choice of morning or evening servicing?

 

For us on Fascination, it was in a lounge ... Then me had to walk to our muster stations.

 

Then, the room steward was in the room at least twice ... Every day when we were back at around 4pm it was all done up... After that whenever we came back late at night the bed was turned down, he put a towel ornament, and the next day information pamphlet on the bed too 😀👍🏻

[ontheweb]

When is the muster drill?

 

The reason I ask this is we were considering since sail away isn't until well into the night going off to explore San Juan some after boarding (and getting something to eat and maybe a swim). But, then it occurred to me that at some point they have to have the mandatory muster drill. I can't imagine it would be during any of the dinner seatings.

[idil]

When is the muster drill?

 

The reason I ask this is we were considering since sail away isn't until well into the night going off to explore San Juan some after boarding (and getting something to eat and maybe a swim). But, then it occurred to me that at some point they have to have the mandatory muster drill. I can't imagine it would be during any of the dinner seatings.

 

For Barbados boarding (which we were in that group) it was I think at around 4pm... for those who boarded in San Juan it was at*night after 8- 9pm...

 

Have fun :)

[kelib]

On the first night they have open seating for dinner, then muster around 9... then sailaway is right after that. Starboard side for sailaway is beautiful with Old San Juan all lit up.

[ontheweb]

On the first night they have open seating for dinner, then muster around 9... then sailaway is right after that. Starboard side for sailaway is beautiful with Old San Juan all lit up.

 

Thanks, that makes sense.

 

For us this is a classic goo news/ bad news situation.

 

On the one hand, it does mean we have time to explore San Juan. OTOH, we are leaving for San Juan that day and have to get up very, very early to drive to the airport. DW, who normally goes to sleep early, had intended to miss the sail away. When I just told her what you posted, she said "what if I'm asleep for the muster drill?" I replied, "It's mandatory, they'll wake you up." She might as well now see the sail away, especially since we have nothing planned early for St. Thomas.

 

Open seating the first night also makes sense, but really does not affect us since we are on anytime. We are even considering the buffet for the first night.

[Nessa55]

There was a "sales" desk ... with lots of information about different ships, destinations, itineraries.

 

But, we were not able to book in advance due to work schedule etc (as mentioned in my review), we again have to wait for a last minute booking :roll eyes:

 

Thank you for this review - we have done this itinerary before in 2012 and are doing it again next year - 2017 in September - your review was long but so well put together that you did not realize the length so again thanks.

[idil]

Thank you for this review - we have done this itinerary before in 2012 and are doing it again next year - 2017 in September - your review was long but so well put together that you did not realize the length so again thanks.

LOL... I know, I know... it's long, hence the warning 😅 But, at the end, I am very happy to hear you enjoyed reading it. The notes are really for ourselves with my spouse as we get older we forget the details 😱 Hope you will have a blast in 2017. I think that's one of the best routes in the Area.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment 🙏🏻😄

[ontheweb]

LOL... I know, I know... it's long, hence the warning But, at the end, I am very happy to hear you enjoyed reading it. The notes are really for ourselves with my spouse as we get older we forget the details Hope you will have a blast in 2017. I think that's one of the best routes in the Area.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment

 

We leave on the Fascination tomorrow. You have been very helpful. Thank You!

[idil]

@ontheweb - wow! Have a fantastic trip! All of a sudden I got excited for you . I am glad I was able to help. So go celebrate it, for me too of course! ... Just by having two of the melting chocolate cakes

[ontheweb]

@ontheweb - wow! Have a fantastic trip! All of a sudden I got excited for you . I am glad I was able to help. So go celebrate it, for me too of course! ... Just by having two of the melting chocolate cakes

 

We're back. It goes so fast.

 

I actually had the melting chocolate cake 4 times. (Twice we ate at the buffet and once I had the apple pie for dessert.) When I first ordered it, I told the waiter I had not had it in 3 years and hoped it was as good as I remembered it to be. When I took the first taste, it was even better! I could feel the expression of joy that was on my face, and the waiter commented on how he could see how much I enjoyed it.

[telebax51]

I did this cruise 2014 and going back 76 more days, i know everyone raves about the BITTER AND BLANC tried it last week on the Legend to Alaska ordered 2 but could not eat one the bread was hard and not flavorful, we did our POST stay at the DOUBLETREE in CONDADO they offer warm cookies and the restaurant there makes the best bread pudding out of those cookies i have ever tasted, i won't be staying there this time but will stop by post stay just for it can't wait

[Smaztex]

Has anyone bought the Faster to the Fun excursion for this cruise leaving out of San Juan? Read somewhere that it isn't worth it because everyone loads at the same time.

[telebax51]

Has anyone bought the Faster to the Fun excursion for this cruise leaving out of San Juan? Read somewhere that it isn't worth it because everyone loads at the same time.

 

no everyone does not load at the same time but it could be that the cruise does not leave SAN JUAN until 10pm which gives you time to embark at your leisure have lunch, tour the ship, disembark see the town and go back on board so its not worth it to me. Maybe others fill different and can tell you why

[Bringonthesun01]

We did not have FTTF when we did this cruise in 2012. One of our three rooms were ready when we got on the ship, so thankfully we were able to put our carry ons in that room and lock up our valuables that we did not want to carry around in Old San Juan. When we were able to get on the ship, it was around 12:30pm and most of the rooms were still blocked off not allowing passengers in. With this ship being smaller, they might have a quicker turn around time to get rooms ready, but we did not want to chance it this time around so we got FTTF because we have 6 rooms going this time.

[idil]

We're back. It goes so fast.

 

I actually had the melting chocolate cake 4 times. (Twice we ate at the buffet and once I had the apple pie for dessert.) When I first ordered it, I told the waiter I had not had it in 3 years and hoped it was as good as I remembered it to be. When I took the first taste, it was even better! I could feel the expression of joy that was on my face, and the waiter commented on how he could see how much I enjoyed it.

 

Hahaha .. Good for you :D because we simply couldn't resist the temptation seeing it on the menu every night ... and we ate two of them some nights! I agree it goes by fast, very fast ... even today, we were talking about the trip we had ... what an amazing vacation that was!

[ontheweb]

Has anyone bought the Faster to the Fun excursion for this cruise leaving out of San Juan? Read somewhere that it isn't worth it because everyone loads at the same time.

 

We were on last week. Our plane was scheduled to land at 1 PM, but was late. Our boarding pass read boarding 2:30 to 830. We started in the line at 2:15, and were through the process by 2:35. Our room was ready. I don't see how FTTF would have changed anything except what we paid to Carnival.

[Smaztex]

We were on last week. Our plane was scheduled to land at 1 PM, but was late. Our boarding pass read boarding 2:30 to 830. We started in the line at 2:15, and were through the process by 2:35. Our room was ready. I don't see how FTTF would have changed anything except what we paid to Carnival.

Thanks for the info!

[casinoboss]

Have they stopped putting refrigerators in the cabins? Someone also mentioned her cabin had no hair dryer. Did you have a hair dryer? TY for your reply.

 

No fridge. Can't remember about a hair dryer. Didn't need one. Don't think there was one.

[casinoboss]

I am curious to know about the safety of these ports. St. Lucia was listed as one of the 10 most dangerous ports. Has anyone experienced any issues of feeling threatened or unsafe at any time while in any of the ports? Also, is there a lot of harassment by local vendors like in Mexico? It makes for a very unpleasant time when you can't walk down the street without people trying to sell you something or get you on a tour.

 

I've been on Mexican and Caribbean cruises and felt more safe in these ports. Yes, there are your standard buskers and tour guides who will hound you but didn't have an issue or hear of any issues.

[casinoboss]

Thanks for doing this!

 

What the best side of the ship to sail on?

 

And where abouts was your cabin and how was the noise?

 

I don't know that there was a better side. Didn't spend too much time in the cabin which probably affected that.

 

The cabin was in the center / rear, mid deck. No noise problems.

[casinoboss]

One more question.

 

My DW has been looking at Fodor's Caribbean and saw that there were two ports in St. Lucia with different things near each port.

 

Does the Fascination port in Castries or Soufriere?

 

The main cruise port is Castries