All Things Fascination

[NCTribeFan]

I don't have them bookmarked here at work. I know there's some Wiki page. I think you can just Google for "group cruises" and find some links.

 

Someone here recently posted a link to a new site that was trying to get people to post their groups. The problem, of course, is whether the people setting up a group cruise would actually think do this, or do it even if they know they can!

 

It's next to impossible to know if there will be a large group on your cruise. :(

[code_d]

I would like to know how early we can board aswell, we want to get a cabana on HMC.

[IB4cruise]

I am looking at booking a cat 11. Several of the rooms look like they are behind life boats. Does anyone know to what degree these rooms have obstructed views? How intrusive are the life boats? Thanks for any information you may have.

[NCTribeFan]

The deck plan shows which are "supposed" to have obstructed views. At least the first 2 on each side, probably 3. I just think they're a whole lot of money for what you get.

 

I'll probably never have a Cat 11 or Cat 12 on a Fantasy-class ship unless they upgrade me to a Cat 12 for next to nothing.

 

I don't even want a Cat 11 because of the location (motion sickness issues and high, forward cabins don't mix well). :o

 

Have you checked Webshots or a similar site for photos? Not always easy to find, but I love browsing the photos anyway. Just drives that anticipation even higher!

[KroozFoolz]

I am looking at booking a cat 11. Several of the rooms look like they are behind life boats. Does anyone know to what degree these rooms have obstructed views? How intrusive are the life boats? Thanks for any information you may have.

This thread (an oldie but a goodie :)) should give you some information on Fantasy class category 11 suites -

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=298868&highlight=Fantasy+class+suites

 

A picture is worth a thousand words ~

 

[VABeach]

I feel so bad!

 

I was on my way to work this morning, and was channel surfing, when I hear some DJs talking about heading to Jacksonville for their Rock 96 Bahama Cruise!!!!

 

:eek:

 

So I just went to their Roll Call, and there was no mention of it. And I'm sure everyone's already on their way to Jax or the port and won't see my warning.

 

Those folks hoping for a nice, peaceful, relaxing few days in the sun will be in for a surprise when they discover that not only are they sharing the boat with a bunch of Rock station listeners, but there are two bands who will be playing concerts.

 

Even if you like the bands and are young and want to party with the folks cruising, unless you pay their exhorbitant prices (website had insides at around $650 per person!), you don't get to join in the activities. So you get to suffer the crowd and noise without getting to take part.

 

I keep checking to see if I can find groups booked on my upcoming cruises, but sometimes they aren't listed on the few sites that disclose these things.

 

All I know is that it is really annoying to book at a hotel and find that it's been taken over by a group (ANY group). Because they all act as though it is their own private resort. Even if they don't intend to be that way, they end up being loud, annoying, and inconsiderate, just due to the sheer volume of people.

 

I would be livid if I booked a cruise and found out I was sharing it with ANY group.

 

I just wish I had heard about this earlier and could've gotten some warning to them. :(

 

Well, when I was on my Christmas cruise two years ago, my Cabin Stewart was complaining that the previous cruise had a group of "Gay Nudist" and that the passengers were constantly complaining about naked men running around the hall ways...

 

Given that it was a Holland America cruise and the typically older, more conservative passenger base they have, I'll bet it was an interesting week for everyone involved. :rolleyes: You don't really think about those things happening, but appearently they do.

[Hockey Addict]

Hi everyone...

 

I know that on our cruise 11-1-08 outta Jax the Fascination we will have the "Mayberry Fan Club" on board with us. Our roll call is excited about that. They have look alike's that will be onboard with us!

 

I guess we got lucky.... I would hate to see Barney, Andy or Floyd the Barber running around naked!!

[BEEZALAR]

Yes we just debarked this morning with "VIP"status(HaHa) this was an utter joke. As posted by previous posters i feel it is largley due to the amount of passengers utilizing the policy of ATTEMTING to carry their luggage off. We were at our assinged area at 8:30 and did not leave until after 9:00. In fact they called numbers 1-8 at the same time we were leaving the lounge. I will just compare this to debarkation on the Glory in June for which we were assinged # 29 and off the ship by 10:00. Embarkation was not much better

either we walked in the door of the terminal at 12:30 aprox. 1 hr later we were taking our boarding picture. There were two nice ladies trying to handle way too large a crowd.

Well we made platinum on this cruise and for the embarkation/debarkation it was a huge disappointment.

JaxPort and Carnival do not have it down yet with the Fascination.

Oh by the way last Oct embarking and debarking the Celebration was WONDERFUL.

 

The same thing happened to us...we were finally allowed to debark at the same time they called 1-8 and it was a big mess. Took us so long to get out that my kids (not vip's) were already out and car loaded before we got there. They had a good laugh about that.

 

Platinum on the Fascination was a big joke the whole time. On the first of our b2b I didn't even receive the letter or any of the perks untill I went and fussed at the pursers desk days later. The second cruise they did it right because I told the head purser what happened, as he was the one that took us off and back on for our b2b.

[annabell08]

just wondering if embarkation and debarkation in Jacksonville has improved. Inspiration spoiled me on our first cruise

[IB4cruise]

Thanks for the information. I have decided to stay away from the Cat 11. The picuture tells alot. If the cabins toward the stern are directly behind the lifeboats, it would be a lot of money for very little view. I agree, I think they are overpriced for what you get. Thanks again for the replies.

[ALEZ]

just wondering if embarkation and debarkation in Jacksonville has improved. Inspiration spoiled me on our first cruise

 

We just got off the Fascination yesterday. We decided ahead of time that we would not be in any hurry to get off the ship. We left our rooms about 8am and headed to the Lido for breakfast. We just sat around eating and talking and waiting our turn to get off. We were in the last group called to get off the boat. Our number was 24 of 25.

 

We had no problems at all. We walked down, grabbed our luggage, and walked right through customs after only a short wait (the line was moving fairly quickly). We were pulling out of the parking lot onto the main highway at 10:10am. I thought the process was very quick and smooth compared with what many had said before.

 

Embarkation was also very smooth. We got to the port about 11am. We unloaded and walked straight in. We didn't really have to wait in any lines. They sat us down in the order that we came in and when the time came (we had to sit for probably 20 or 30 min), that is the order in which we boarded. We were having burgers on the Lido deck at 12pm.

[Hockey Addict]

ALEZ.... thanks for the great news about embarkation and debarkation! We plan on getting to the port at 11am on Saturday. I'm glad to hear that was a good time... I know it could be different tho Saturday, but I don't care, I'll finally be getting on that ship!! :D

[NCTribeFan]

And we expect a full report when you return.

 

You know you could save your fellow CC friends some money and offer your guest room and driveway for pre-cruise sleepover and parking. And shuttle to/from the port, since you live so close!

 

:D

[Hockey Addict]

I will do a review... I LOVED reading the reviews on here for the past 150+ days! I've gotten SO much help around here... I really appreciate it!

 

Funny you mention our spare bedroom. This Saturday (when we leave) is the big Florida/Georgia game. There is a TON of people coming to town. Hotel rooms are usually hard to find. DH said... we could let them use our spare room Friday night for some of the people on our roll call. I don't know... I wouldn't feel right doing that!! lol :confused: Luckily everyone got a room... I would do it if someone was stranded, but it would be kinda wierd!

[schmoozin]

Just came from the 10/23 sailing and couldn't be happier! Everything was FABULOUS and everyone was WONDERFUL! If you have an issue with seasickness, BE PREPARED! In speaking with some of the staff, it is very common that this ship rocks the first couple of days coming out of port. Personally, I found it to be relaxing and fun, but that's just me! I was on vacation and being rocked like a baby! Who could ask for more! Remember: proper planning..... yada, etc.

Embarkation and Debarkation could NOT have gone any more smoothly! I was ready for just about anything and was amazed! Upon arrival before noon we walked straight through. The only stop at check in then turned and walked onto the boat. No stopping, no waiting. Picture taking began in No time! Lunch and drinks were ready and waiting! Debark was just as smooth. We chose self assist. Got up, had breakfast in Celebration, hung around until last call for self assist and walked off. Just a glance and a word for customs. They asked if I had any purchases, I held up a couple of Carnival bags and they said have a nice day. Geez! Gotta love that! We were in the parking lot and heading out of port within minutes.

I will say that it has taken me about 3 days to recover once on land, but that seems to be age and maybe lack of wisdom in the way I spent my time:rolleyes:. I'd book again in a nanosecond! This was a great trip and I am still LOVIN CRUISIN!

[DrTigger]

We also loved the Oct. 23rd trip! The only problem was that 4 days was not enough. Everything went smoothly, and the service was excellent. My daughter met several friends in the Circle C club and enjoyed hanging around with them on the ship. The Halloween decorations and staff costumes were great on the last night. We even had special Halloween desserts at dinner. The 80's show was "totally awesome!" It was one of the best shows I have seen on a cruise ship. The Fascination is a big upgrade for Jacksonville from the Celebration.

If you have any questions, please ask.

[Hockey Addict]

Thanks DrTigger and Schmoozin for the great news! I can't wait! This time tomorrow we will be heading over to our friends to pick her up and drive over to the port. We think we should get there about 11am. I hope we won't have a long wait.... our friend will KILL me if we have to wait a long time in line. I'll just remind her that once we get on there she will forgive me. :D

 

Did you guys go to the casino? Is it true that the Hold 'Em table is electronic? No live dealers anywhere for Hold 'Em?

[DrTigger]

Sorry, I am a slot machine girl, so I am not sure about "Hold 'em." We quickly learned the the slot machines were the hottest on the first night.

[Hockey Addict]

Hey everyone!!

 

We had a BLAST!!! We LOVED it!! It was SO sad Wednesday night and Thursday morning! I'm almost done with my review.

 

If you are planning on sailing on her don't worry about a thing!

 

If you see G-Men on the lido tell him that his buddy Steve and his DW Steph says HI!!

 

And if you get the pleasure of being at Charnel and Samson't table in the Sensation dining room.... tell them Lucky #7 and her DH misses them both. :o

 

Ohhh and BTW... the Hold 'Em table is electronic and there is only one table.

[bhughey]

Forgive me if this has been covered in this thread -- I tried to be thorough in reading through all 15 pages! I am researching a cruise on this ship and was wondering if the ship has undergone the refurbishment, which according to the carnival website, was as supposed to happen in '08?

[NCTribeFan]

For anyone who sailed recently...

 

I know Carnival offers the opportunity to book future cruises on only a handful of ships. I thought I read that Fascination was one of those.

 

Although I have NEXT December's cruise booked already, I'm thinking about a surprise cruise out of San Juan in May, as a graduation present to DD (and me, of course). If I can get a deal, or lower deposit, or whatever, by booking while onboard, I'll wait and do it then.

 

Does anyone remember seeing anything about this while they were on board?

 

Just over a month to go!

[travelntreats]

I did not see it offered at the end of Sept. when I was on her, and if I am not mistaken, the only "perk" is some OBC provided and no reduced deposits. But I may be wrong.

[kindercruiser]

We're sailing the Fascination on the 4 nighter in February. I'm paid in full and looking at planning my excursions. We are doing Atlantis Aquaventure when we're in Nassau via Comfort Suites. I'm thinking about doing the Dolphin Encounter in Freeport, the excursion offered through Carnival, but need some feedback on this excursion if any one has done it. My biggest question is on the 4 night cruise, which night is the lobster dinner? I have to know because I want to make sure we're back in time from any excursion to make the main seating time that we have. Does anyone know which night for sure? Thanks!:)

[tigeringa]

We're sailing the Fascination on the 4 nighter in February. I'm paid in full and looking at planning my excursions. We are doing Atlantis Aquaventure when we're in Nassau via Comfort Suites. I'm thinking about doing the Dolphin Encounter in Freeport, the excursion offered through Carnival, but need some feedback on this excursion if any one has done it. My biggest question is on the 4 night cruise, which night is the lobster dinner? I have to know because I want to make sure we're back in time from any excursion to make the main seating time that we have. Does anyone know which night for sure? Thanks!:)

 

 

Just finished this cruise. We went to Atlantis on our own and booked our "sea lion encounter" through them directly. It saved us about $80 vs. booking through Carnival.

[kayjo]

Just off this ship and am loving Steph's review. Just thought I would add a few positives and negatives that I haven't seen covered yet.

 

First of all, this ship is CLEAN!! And I am picky- it was spotless. The cabin steward wiped down the entire room every day and you could see the vacuum marks on the carpet. On one of the port days they washed all of the windows in the atrium and the exterior windows of the staterooms.

Also, the entire staff was pleasant. I had read on other reviews that the Carnival staff tended to be rude- not true on the Fascination. Everyone always had a smile and tons of patience. Trevor, the cruise director did a great job and so did his staff. The dining room staff was exceptional and so was the entertainment. We also used the steam room and showers in the spa and they were great.

 

Now for the negative: I hate to complain about anything, because this cruise really did exceed my expectations, but there were a few things that could be improved upon. There were kids in the adult only hot tub. One of them even did a canonball off of the side- the kids have the use of the other hot tubs on the ship, so they should be restricted from the adults only one. Also, the whole thing with the soda cards could be improved- It would be nice to have soda stations on the ship. As it is now, you have to go to the bar and get a refill. Several times when I was sitting at the bar enjoying a drink there were packs of kids crowded around waiting for soda refills and swiveling around on the barstools.

 

I also think on my next cruise I might look into one that offers free-style dining. While I really enjoy meeting new people, our tablemates were just awful. It wasn't just us, by the end of the cruise everyone knew who our tablemates were because of their nonstop attention getting antics including "mooning" several people at Half Moon Cay.

 

Other than a few negatives, I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone!