REVIEW: 5-Day Carnival Fascination (05/02/09)

[NCTribeFan]

Great review.

 

I sailed Fascination in December, specifically to return to HMC for the 3rd time (we stopped at Nassau first, the HMC). And we did the horseback riding as we'd done that 3 times in Grand Turk and love it.

 

Trying to figure out if I can manage a B2B next spring that incorporates the Key West itinerary with the HMC itinerary. Yes, I'll even go to Nassau twice in 10 days!

 

I love the Fantasy class (2 on Fantasy, 1 Elation, 1 Fascination) and can't wait until Fascination has the Serenity Deck upgrade. I'll just camp out there the entire time.

 

Love the story about the expensive goop on your face. I think I would've just left it on and scared the dickens out of poor delivery person when I opened the door. :D

[camper49]

I have to agree...was on the Facination in Jan. (our 10th carnival cruise) and for a number of reasons it was our least favorite (of course there are no "bad" cruises) but reading your review makes me want to sail on Facination again!!!

[Anjanu]

I was on the Fascination to Key West in March and can't wait to get back on her again in June! We're doing the HMC itinerary this time. This will be my mother's (77) first cruise so I'm just along for the ride. I met several of the crew members (drink waiters and photographer) and told them I was bringing my mother with me in June and they said they can't wait to meet her and will act and treat her as though they've known her all along. She is so going to love that! I can't wait!:D

[gracie65]

Awesome review, thinking of this ship for next year. Your pictures are wonderful, what kind of camera are you using? I hope it is some small camera that has captured these awesome images.

[DGP1111]

In my last entry, I think it was obvious that my day in Nassau developed into a much better experience than I'd anticipated. Pleasant surprises are alway nice on any vacation. And, of course, a day that wraps itself around a Bahama Mama can't be all that bad to begin with.

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!! Just one additional thing about Nassau (and it's something that concerned me quite a bit). . . please be very careful about the ferry/boat you select for your transportation over to Paradise Island/Atlantis. I didn't notice this sitituation on any of the vessels being used for the CCL-arranged excursions, but saw it multiple times for those which are booked right there at the dockside kiosk. The boat owners are obviously trying to create the greatest revenue by using (literally) every available inch of passenger space, and will cram the boat to capacity . . . and then add a few more. This boat did have life jackets on the bottom level, but not a single one on the upper level. I'm certain acidents are very rare there, but it could be a really bad situation.

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DAY FOUR: Another Fun Day at Sea. The weather was (once again) totally superb, but I kept sun exposure to a minimum since it was obvious that I was going to have some peeling in my future.

 

Started the day with my final breakfast in the dining room, and it was excellent. Then went out on deck to spend some 'shade time' with the iPod. Dropped by the Palace Lounge, and watched the class on towel folding. I've observed these multiple times, and on occasion you'll see a group that just doesn't get the whole oragami concept. This was one of those groups. But everyone gets an E for Effort.

 

I tend to go to the debarkation lecture for two reasons, to show support for the crew when they make their entrance at the end, and also to videotape a portion of the cruise director's speech. I'm doing a compilation video that will eventually have a link placed here in CC. Cruise Director, Trevor Block, certainly added his own personal twist for my project. I know it's been discussed multiple times here on the boards that, for many, the CD is of little importance to their cruise experience. I usually tend to disagree, but not this time. This individual was totally forgettable. On the other hand, Dan (the assistant) was hard-working and quite visible onboard.

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I had my lunch in the main dining room since they were serving baby back ribs. Had a really (really!) delicious meal, and some enjoyable conversations with those sharing the table. Then I decided to do something active, so I went up top and played through the mini-golf course twice. Grabbed a fun picture using the shadows.

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Then it was off to the casino for some donations to the cruise line. My luck with the paid slot machines was much different from when I was playing in the tournament with my complimentary entry. Yet again, I think I was one of the lowest scores of the entire tourney.

 

Two odd things caught my attention while I was in and arround the casino this afternoon. As I was nearing the local restroom for a visit, I observed one of the dealers place something in front of the door, and then he went in. I figured if I tell the story, it'll sound untrue, so I took a picture to use instead.

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That's what I call the ultimate pee-shy. (Can I say that here without getting in trouble?)

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The other odd observation was the signage for the smoothies. I'd not really paid close attention to them until I was seated at the casino bar in front of this one. Makes total sense that the alcohol version would be more expensive, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why it would cost more to add the souvenir plastic glass to one than the other. I asked the one bar server (who'd been so nice the entire cruise) if there was a reason, and she was surprised at it as well, and said she'd never noticed and no one had ever asked. No big deal, just odd to me.

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[DGP1111]

My final towel critter was cute, but I don't have a clue what it was supposed to be. Perhaps they used one of the passenger-created ones from earlier in the day. :p

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Went to check out the Dakota Band one last time, and enjoyed their entertainment again.

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This ship was just fun . . . simply put. Perhaps it was actually no different than the others in its class, and I was just SO in need of a work break that it seemed that way. No matter, I highly suggest it, and would go again without any hesitation.

 

I was having a grand time on Carnival Fascination during the daylight hours . . .

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. . . . and also each and every night . . .

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[DGP1111]

 

Don, please write and let me know how you uploaded the pics OR did you cut and paste everything (including pics) from Word?

 

Lisa, I typed the text in MS Word, and would then cut-n-paste sections to place between pictures (that I'd uploaded on WebShots). I made lots of goofs in my attempts, but it got easier with each successive post.

[DGP1111]

Don, please write and let me know how you uploaded the pics OR did you cut and paste everything (including pics) from Word?

 

Lisa - - I typed the text in MS Word, and would then cut-n-paste sections to place between pictures (that I'd uploaded on WebShots). I made lots of goofs in my attempts, but it got easier with each successive post.

 

I'd recently upgraded to Internet Explorer 8, and it still has some hiccups. Lost my efforts on more than one occasion. :(

[DGP1111]

Don,

 

Great review. You have probably been asked this question previously, but what type of camera do you own? The pictures are great.

 

Thanks, Janice!!

It's just a simple Sony Cybershot W170 (10.1 megapixels)

I keep it on the higest resolution setting, which uses a lot of memory, but when I crop/shrink later, I'm usually pleased with the results.

[DGP1111]

Trying to figure out if I can manage a B2B next spring that incorporates the Key West itinerary with the HMC itinerary. Yes, I'll even go to Nassau twice in 10 days!

 

I have to be honest and say I researched the exact same future scenario after I got back. Would be a perfect b2b. They only thing keeping me from going ahead and booking it is the current hesitation of Jacksonville. It truly wasn't that bad, but just not as organized as the other local options. And I'm still wondering how long CCL will continue to remain there, since the new port plans flopped.

[DGP1111]

Don - I wouldn't be surprised to see Cheryl hanging more with you than with me on our next cruise together. She said that there appears to always be more exciting things happening when you are around.. LOL

 

Be sure she has the super-dooper memory card for her camera, as I can definitely become that 'magnet for the weird'. :) :)

[JaniceB]

Don, thanks for the information on the camera. I currently have a Olympus Stylus 770 that I bought for a trip to Hawaii. It is waterproof/shock resistant. It takes some very good pictures, but yours seems very good. I have 2 new granddaughters and there mothers need a good camera. I will definitely check yours out at the store.

I haven't upgraded to IE 8, but coworker has and said the same thing you did. I am a little leary.

Your review keeps getting better, the bathroom sign is hilarious!

 

Janice

[gracie65]

Yes, thanks for the camera info. I am a professional photographer so mine is one of the big SLR's. Makes in a bit in cumbersome to lug around on many excursions. I use Canon & purchased a small one a few years ago & only got it because it used the same memory card as my SLR. The pictures are horrible from it. A friend has one of the cybershots & has been really pleased with it but I have not seen any pictures from it yet. this one does a great job for such a compact camera. I'll have to go on the site I buy from & check them out before my next cruise.

[Hockey Addict]

Thanks for the great review! I am glad that you did share with us! I agree with you 10000%... HMC is PERFECT!

 

We loved the ship as well! We loved her so much we are going back on her again! Oh yeah... and we live in Jax!

[hometownmedic]

Wonderful review...thank you!!!