All Things Fascination

[Wants2cruise]

We are sailing on May 2, 2009.

 

This is my 4th cruise, DH's 3rd, but it is our first Caribbean cruise.

 

Is the Elegant night on the second night?

 

I like the older smaller ships. This is going to be a great cruise. :p

[bobsfamily]

We are sailing on May 2, 2009.

 

This is my 4th cruise, DH's 3rd, but it is our first Caribbean cruise.

 

Is the Elegant night on the second night?

 

I like the older smaller ships. This is going to be a great cruise. :p

 

Well we were on the 4 day cruise and were told it was the 2nd night.... WRONG. We did not look closely at the Capers and went dressed up the 2nd night expecting lobster and commenting on how lame everyone looked. Then we find out it's the next night when we are in Nassau til 10 pm. What a shame! We had late seating but did not make it back until just before and we beat... never made it. I really don't like it when they have the night when you are in a port late.

[Wants2cruise]

Having Elegant night on the one night that you are in port late is just crazy. Whomever planned it that way is either crazy or trying to save the cruise line lots of money while pissing off many of its customers.

[kimmimom]

on Tuesday, sea day. We sailed Mon out of Jx, Key West on Wed, Nassau on Thurs, sea day Fri. Maybe it depends which sailing you are on-4 day or 5 day and if 5 days, which itinerary you are on.

[bobsfamily]

Having Elegant night on the one night that you are in port late is just crazy. Whomever planned it that way is either crazy or trying to save the cruise line lots of money while pissing off many of its customers.

 

Totally agree. On Sensation last March which was a 3 day and spent the night in Nassau that's the night for elegant night. 2/3's of the ship was off doing whatever.

[bellamomma]

Ok...so I lied. TECHNICALLY I've on a cruise before. But three nights in Baja Mex when I was a kid hardly qualifies me as experienced!

 

So I booked the Fascination and have already learned a tough lesson. Stateroom guarantees suck. I get to look at a pretty lifeboat off my balcony. <sigh>. Ok moving on..

 

I've got the hubby coming, and the four year old (she behaves, I swear!). We're going Freeport, Nassau route. Any recommendations? Advice? Inside information (that is legal, right ?? :D:p )

 

And I'm staying at a hotel near the airport. Have been told about some shuttle. Is that what I should use to get to the port?

S

[A&Jfamily]

i got off fascination 1/24/09 and can try to answer them. we did nassau and key west 5 night.

 

What kind of shape is the ship in? I have read reviews all over the place on this issue (I know that the rooms/baths have been redone). Some said the carpet was wearing and the the ship was showing her age....

 

I've been on the Legend and Valor and both looked great..colors galore!;)

 

Just wondering what to expect in a few weeks....

[bear5751]

OK.I'll pipe in here. I love the crew on the Fascination...I think it's one of the friendliest. Also, if you want to be in the pool but away from the crowds, go to the aft of the Lido deck and up one deck. Alot quieter up at that pool!

 

When do you go? Which itinerary? We did a B2B2B on this ship last year and and two 4 day cruises this year.

 

We're looking at the Fascination again in Jan. when it goes out of Jacksonville. Even tho' I love being able to have a balcony cabin (and you can only get one on the older ships by booking a suite), I'd give up a balcony anytime to sail on this nice ship again.

Not to horn in but I to have a question on the Fascination, my DH and I are going out of JAX on 5 day October 17. We booked cabin E-7 has anyone been in this room, good or bad? We know it is under the theater stage but arent worried as we don't plan in being in the room during the shows. We wondered about other times, I am sure they rehearse but we don't sleep in that late so are hoping it will be ok?? If anyone has any info we would love it!! Thanks

[jill.michelle77]

What kind of shape is the ship in? I have read reviews all over the place on this issue (I know that the rooms/baths have been redone). Some said the carpet was wearing and the the ship was showing her age....

 

I've been on the Legend and Valor and both looked great..colors galore!;)

 

Just wondering what to expect in a few weeks....

 

 

We were just on the ship 1/5/09 and I thought it was very nice. Common areas were kept very clean, decor was nice....especially if you like pink (which I DO! :D) and the rooms were very comfortable and nice. Sometimes the stateroom corridors smelled like smoke....but it wasn't overwhelming. Public bathrooms could have been cleaner....atleast the girls...hubby says the men's were fine. All in all....I was impressed. :)

[jill.michelle77]

Not to horn in but I to have a question on the Fascination, my DH and I are going out of JAX on 5 day October 17. We booked cabin E-7 has anyone been in this room, good or bad? We know it is under the theater stage but arent worried as we don't plan in being in the room during the shows. We wondered about other times, I am sure they rehearse but we don't sleep in that late so are hoping it will be ok?? If anyone has any info we would love it!! Thanks

 

 

I don't know anything about that specific room....but as far as rehersals for the shows....I am fairly certain all the rehersing was done in the late afternoon's. After bingo but before the cocktail parties (Captain's and Past Guest's). HTH!

[jill.michelle77]

Ok...so I lied. TECHNICALLY I've on a cruise before. But three nights in Baja Mex when I was a kid hardly qualifies me as experienced!

 

So I booked the Fascination and have already learned a tough lesson. Stateroom guarantees suck. I get to look at a pretty lifeboat off my balcony. <sigh>. Ok moving on..

 

I've got the hubby coming, and the four year old (she behaves, I swear!). We're going Freeport, Nassau route. Any recommendations? Advice? Inside information (that is legal, right ?? :D:p )

 

And I'm staying at a hotel near the airport. Have been told about some shuttle. Is that what I should use to get to the port?

S

 

Are you doing a 4 day and just going to the Bahamas or are you going to Key West too? We were just on this trip 1/5/09 and did the 5 day to Nassau and Key West.

[Wants2cruise]

As usual there are several threads about norovirus and illnesses on various cruise ships. So I decided to check the CDC website to see the Fascination inspection scores. The Fascination was inspected earlier this month with a score of 98. :p

 

While it only take one staff member or one passenger to cause an outbreak at any time, the ship is doing its part to keep it clean and us healthy.

 

So party away knowing that we are in good (clean) hands.

[bobsfamily]

Ok...so I lied. TECHNICALLY I've on a cruise before. But three nights in Baja Mex when I was a kid hardly qualifies me as experienced!

 

So I booked the Fascination and have already learned a tough lesson. Stateroom guarantees suck. I get to look at a pretty lifeboat off my balcony. <sigh>. Ok moving on..

 

I've got the hubby coming, and the four year old (she behaves, I swear!). We're going Freeport, Nassau route. Any recommendations? Advice? Inside information (that is legal, right ?? :D:p )

 

And I'm staying at a hotel near the airport. Have been told about some shuttle. Is that what I should use to get to the port?

S

 

If you have a balcony you are either cat. 11 or 12... and if you are worried about a lifeboat you are in a cat. 11 on the Verandah deck.. You will LOVE it and camp carnival is on the same level. The obstructed view in not really that bad... you can still see the water!

In Freeport if doing it on your own go to Our Lucaya by taxi @ 5pp shared cab and do a little shopping/eating/beach/drinking/etc. Come back and laze around the pool on board. In Nassau go over to Cable Beach to Wyndham - pay the fee - and have a wonderful time at a nice pool/beach/casino.

[cruz.n.carebear]

I just got off of the Fascination on Thursday - we had a BLAST! The crew was fantastic and I thought that the ship was in great shape. There were several times during the sailing where I saw guys out painting and of course there was always cleaning going on.

 

The cruise director was fun and upbeat. My only negative was the dancers were just all right. Nothing close to the Vegas style shows that you expect. If they would just do a little changing - like stage positioning of the dancers (it's weird to see a little dancer in the middle of the tall ones - makes them look like they are off) it would make a huge difference.

 

Sailing out of Jacksonville is super convenient and I look forward to sailing on the Fascination again!

[bear5751]

I don't know anything about that specific room....but as far as rehersals for the shows....I am fairly certain all the rehersing was done in the late afternoon's. After bingo but before the cocktail parties (Captain's and Past Guest's). HTH!

thank you so much for the info, I feel better already! We picked the room as it was high

up deck wise and on the deck plan it looks to be alittle larger than the standard room, all the great things I've heard about the Facination, I can't wait!!

[Hockey Addict]

Hey guys...

 

We did our first on the Fascination on 11-1-08. LOVED IT

 

We WERE going to do our 2nd out of Tampa but saw the prices for the Fascination and we live in Jax so decided to do her again... 9-19-09. No Brainer. We are saving $450+ just for the cost of the cruise alone!

 

Here's a link to my pics... I have a ton of them....

http://s476.photobucket.com/albums/rr125/HockeyAddict13/Our%20First%20Cruise/

 

And a link to my review with pics in it too...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=871444

 

She is very clean. I didn't see any wear anywhere. One late night they had part of the Lido deck closed... they were sanding it down and laying new "grout". It was open the next morning for everyone to enjoy.

 

ALL of the crew were awesome. Polite and friendly. Samson, our assistant server in the dining room just got a promotion and will be back on her in April... so we get to see him again!!! WHOOO HOOO! :D

 

If you have any questions I will try to answer for you!!

[A&Jfamily]

Do they have the Adult's only area - the new serenity one...I have not been able to tell from people's posts. I know they have not gotten the waterworks yet (oh, well, that's just an excuse to take another vacation for the kids when they get it). Is there a big screen on the Lido deck? Did you find it loud?

 

We like a mix on our cruise - some upbeat fun, and some quiet time as well. Any suggestions of what was particularly fun, and where to go for quiet?

 

Thanks,

[Cinderose]

Do they have the Adult's only area - the new serenity one - Not yet.

Is there a big screen on the Lido deck? Did you find it loud?

No big screen either.

 

We like a mix on our cruise - some upbeat fun, and some quiet time as well. Any suggestions of what was particularly fun, -We loved the Deck party and the Mexican buffet with the band.

 

and where to go for quiet?

I saw a lot of people in the library and they had a wall full of board games if you like those type of things.

 

See above answers

[Hockey Addict]

Do they have the Adult's only area - the new serenity one...I have not been able to tell from people's posts. I know they have not gotten the waterworks yet (oh, well, that's just an excuse to take another vacation for the kids when they get it). Is there a big screen on the Lido deck? Did you find it loud?

 

We like a mix on our cruise - some upbeat fun, and some quiet time as well. Any suggestions of what was particularly fun, and where to go for quiet?

 

Thanks,

 

No they do not have the Adult only "Serenity" yet. No new waterworks. No big screen either.

 

There are plenty of area's that you can find quiet. The "card room" is one. Believe it or not right outside the casino can be pretty quiet too. There are a bunch of tables there... quiet at times... then not at other times.

[jill.michelle77]

When we were on the boat the back (behind the pizza place and deli) outside was DESERTED! You can probably find some peace there! ;)

[bellamomma]

So, are there cabs waiting when you disembark? I"m a complete bonehead and booked a flight at 11:15. Now i'm reading the disembarkment may keep me from making it!! GRRR

[bobsfamily]

So, are there cabs waiting when you disembark? I"m a complete bonehead and booked a flight at 11:15. Now i'm reading the disembarkment may keep me from making it!! GRRR

 

People that did self-disembark were off the ship at 8:30ish... The airport is not far away. Make sure you advise them on board about your early flight and give them a copy of your flight plans. You should be able to make it... BUT I would be a bit nervous. If the ship has any problems or customs does one of it's "I want to check everybody" things then you may be in trouble. And yes there were plenty of cabs.

[CruisinCindy55]

I can't possibly add anything to this thread yet, except, "THANK YOU!" I'm enjoying reading about this wonderful ship and cruise. I'm so looking forward to HMC. After the cruise, I can chime in more, until then, I'm glad this thread is here. Thanks for all the info. I've been on 2 sister ships in the Fantasy class and love this size ship. I'm sure I'll feel at home.

[FloridaCruisinNewbies]

Cruising on this FUNSHIP in 54 days!!! 1st Cruise Ever. Cannot wait. Thanks for all the great info on this ship.

[Canuck455]

Question for Hockey Addict (PS>>I love hockey too)..Since you live in Jacksonville, where would you recommend to stay:our flight arrives at 11:30 sunday the 15th of Feb...and we cruise on the 16th. Perhaps a little shopping would be in order pre cuise...I am travelling with my 19 year old daughter. Any recommendations? Is there a mall/or downtown area that you would recommend? What areas would you stay away from?

Thanks