Carnival Fascination POST refurbishment/dry dock......

[Timmay77]

The Fascination is scheduled to go in to dry dock/refurbishment Nov 2020. We are looking to book a Spring Break 2021 or summer 2021 cruise. We like the Fascination's itinerary. Based on the reviews, the ship is in pretty bad shape. How well do they refurbish the older ships in these dry docks? Of course they do not redo the rooms, but do they bring the ship back to "like new" condition? With the less expensive cost of an older ship, we can afford to book a suite, so we will be in one of the larger/nicer rooms......

 

Thoughts?

[LittleYiaYia]

Our cruise next month will be our 4th on the Fascination.  We do not find this ship to be in " pretty bad shape".  We cruised her in 2017,  2018 right after dry dock and this past February.  We had new carpet and bedding in our cabin after dry dock.  They made changes on Lido and added many amenities.  If you are looking for a ship that looks brand new.... with all the bells and whistles, you are looking in the wrong place.  We find our cabin and public areas to be clean and well maintained.  The crew is very friendly and you will never wait in line for anything.  We do this ship because we love the itinerary, the prices are great and we like the smaller ships and our favorite port is Puerto Rico.  Go with an open mind, remember Fascination is an older and smaller vessel without all the bells and whistles. 

[Timmay77]

I am not looking for all the bells and whistles. Ship age means little to me, knowing how often the refit the ships and update everything. I hear people talk about enjoying the smaller ships. I have only been on, I guess, "mid size" ships. The allure of the mega ships does not entice me. I do not feel "the more the merrier". 

 

Specifically, what about the smaller, older ships, do you like? Is there enough to do for people that don't really participate in the planned activities? Pools good? Hot tubs good?

 

I appreciate your post, but didn't really answer my question about the extensiveness of a dry dock/refurb of only a few weeks.

 

Almost every review I am reading mentions how terrible the ship looks. Rust, worn out..... everything...... due for a dry dock. 

 

My main attraction to this cruise is the itinerary.  I just want to make sure we aren't disappointed in sailing on a recent refurbished ship, and it still looks like it needs retired.........

[LittleYiaYia]

Sorry I guess I can not give you the information you are seeking about the extensiveness of the dry dock that will take place in Nov 2020.  I can only speak to what took place on the dry dock  2018. The Redfrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, Guy's Burgers and BlueIguana Tequila Bar were added. Bonsai Sushi was added by the casino.  The lido deck was updated (those plastic palm trees gone etc.)   As we had the same cabin as the year before we did notice that we had new carpeting and a new mattress and bedding.  They needed to replace the curtains.  Maybe someone else can chime in if they know what usually takes place at a routine dry dock.

 

Since we do this ship and itinerary for the ports, we and most others on this sailing are tired when we return from ports.  Dinner and a show and maybe a comedy show and some down time in the casino is all we can manage, we are early risers and usually off the ship soon after it docks.  We do not participate in organized activities.  They do have the usual Carnival offerings in the evening. Usually good live bands can be found in the casino and in the Passage to India nightclub.  The latter has a very good Latin band most nights.  Since this cruise originates in Puerto Rico, it attracts many locals who love to Salsa dance. Don't know much about the daytime as we are always off ship.

 

We like the older smaller ships because they are easy to navigate, no crowds and usually a minimum amount of children.  We have never waited in line for anything on this ship.  No tenders=no lines to get off and on the ship.  Show up 10 minutes before the shows and comedy club and you can walk right in and get a seat.  We do Anytime and have never had to wait.  If we find a wait staff we like we ask for the same table every night.  We have always snagged a chair on lido and Serenity on the one sea day.   Don't use the hot tubs so I'm not the right person to talk about them. 

 

Haven't noticed a lot of rust.  Looking back at my pictures of the outside of the ship, I don't see more rust than the usual.  I guess these things just do not bother us, rust or a worn carpet or torn fabric does not effect our cruise. Now dirt and grime does bother us and we have never noticed that. 

 

Hope this helps some.

 

 

  

 

[MeganGC1983]

We sailed her 9/18 had no problems. It’s a very port intensive sailing. That’s why we booked her, yet there was still plenty to do in the evenings and on our 1 sea day. You’ll have a great time. Enjoy! 

Edited January 1, 2020 by MeganGC1983

[Timmay77]

This helped tremendously. Thank you.

[soonernstlouis]

Timmay77,

As you should with any vacation, I would recommend going in with an open mind.  If you feel things like a few spots of rust, lack of amenities that the newer ships have such as more dining options (pay and inclusive), lack of larger pools, hot tubs and such are a deal breaker-look elsewhere.  It’s a Fantasy class ship so expect Fantasy-level amenities.
 

This ship/itinerary is basically designed for the cruiser looking to explore the 5 islands it ports at & at a reasonable cost.  I would save the money you are looking to splurge on a suite & spend it on tours, meals, etc once in port.  
 

Funny that LittleYiaYia mentioned being tired getting back on the ship; we were absolutely exhausted by the 5th island & just grabbed an aft lounger for the final sailaway.  Almost needed a vacation after our vacation but are still new to cruising so that’s our fault.

[Timmay77]

I appreciate the replies.....

 

I always go on vacations with an open mind and ready to have fun. I FULLY understand people having a positive attitude and going on vacations to have fun, but at the end of the day, if the ship is a rust bucket, with worn out carpet and smelly rooms, it WILL have an effect on your mood. 

 

The meat and potatoes of this post was to try and get a feeling for the level of refurbishment Carnival puts in to their shorter dry dock sessions. I was hoping someone had been on a ship DIRECTLY after a dry dock to see what their opinion was.........

[Timmay77]

I also realize I am on a cruise forum, in the Carnival section, talking to people who love to go on cruises, so of course most people will say "it's awesome, go and have fun."

[Joebucks]

I went on her last year, a few weeks out of dry dock. It's not the Taj Mahal of the sea, but that wasn't of any concern. The ship was just fine. This itinerary is fantastic. In general, I've found the kind of people to point out the condition of the ship are those who are often miserable and/or hard to please. Listening to reviews of cruise ships is quick way to get turned off from the actual fun.

[Timmay77]

Thank you all. Decided to book it..........

[jabberjaw070596]

For the time of year that I cruise I just cannot justify paying more for the cruise out of San Juan than a 7 day out of Miami on a newer ship.  I love this cruise we have done it four times but will not book it again until another ship comes to San Juan

[so,ton saint]

On 12/31/2019 at 8:42 PM, LittleYiaYia said:

Our cruise next month will be our 4th on the Fascination.  We do not find this ship to be in " pretty bad shape".  We cruised her in 2017,  2018 right after dry dock and this past February.  We had new carpet and bedding in our cabin after dry dock.  They made changes on Lido and added many amenities.  If you are looking for a ship that looks brand new.... with all the bells and whistles, you are looking in the wrong place.  We find our cabin and public areas to be clean and well maintained.  The crew is very friendly and you will never wait in line for anything.  We do this ship because we love the itinerary, the prices are great and we like the smaller ships and our favorite port is Puerto Rico.  Go with an open mind, remember Fascination is an older and smaller vessel without all the bells and whistles. 

 

Hi we are joining Fascination in Barbados having done a stay on the Island first doing the cruise and stay through Virgin,

what i would like to asked is there a room you can do a little ironing like trousers and shirts just to freshen them up a bit,

thanks in advance

Howard

[amyotravel]

12 minutes ago, so,ton saint said:

 

Hi we are joining Fascination in Barbados having done a stay on the Island first doing the cruise and stay through Virgin,

what i would like to asked is there a room you can do a little ironing like trousers and shirts just to freshen them up a bit,

thanks in advance

Howard

Each ship has laundry facilities where you can iron.

[so,ton saint]

19 minutes ago, amyotravel said:

Each ship has laundry facilities where you can iron.

Hi thanks for coming back nice and early its great to know, we normally cruise with Marella were you have to see your bedroom steward to get any thing pressed ,  have done most of the Caribbean islands but the two we have not done are St Thomas and San juan so looking forward to those, I see Fascination is also doing Grenada Antigua and Dominica, later in the season that will be different for Fascination cruisers.

Howard

[kylesplash]

I am booked for the fascination October 10th 2021, curious what the dry dock will include.