SouthCaribbean2017

We just sailed on Fascination last week. We were on deck 6 (Upper) and slept great until reaching port each morning. The noise begins about 30 - 60 minutes from port: A lot of noise including horn blowing and the whole boat shaking... a lot. I'm not sure if it was engine noise, propellers reversing (I'm pretty sure we backed into most ports), stabilizers or a combination of all. Also, we had a balcony room and my neighbors found it necessary to let their exterior door slam shut as they went in and out of the cabin. We were courteous and held our door so it would close relatively quietly. My mornings began every day (except sea day) at about 5:45.

Question: Island time and Ship Time are 100% the same at all ports this time of year, right? You never have to change your watch?

Of course I conveniently chose the time to cruise this itinerary after Liberty, and before full 2.0 upgrades. Heh.

I was told in a different thread about the Fascination that maybe that is why Carnival has paired this ship with this itinerary. The ports on this itinerary is in high demand. A smaller ship with not so many features can be easily sold out just for the ports alone. Maybe that's what Carnival's thinking is.

 

This will be my first time in 18 cruises with Carnival on this small of ship, but I am still looking forward to this cruise. Mainly for the ports, and with only 1 sea day, I don't think I will be disappointed.

Right, I'm in for the ports too...it's always the itinerary that sells me. Having experienced the 2.0 features previously though, I thought most were on this ship, despite it being older. It's OK though, I'm pumped for my vacation.

Maybe because there is no Alchemy Bar on Fascination.

That would explain it. :confused: I swore I read somewhere that it did. Alas, this ship has less 2.0 features than I thought...kinda surprised it has the itinerary that it does right now then...I'll be cruising it in a few months, and now I'm a bit jealous of the folks who got to take Liberty on the same trip. I was really looking forward to Guys and Alchemy again, as after this cruise it will be a while until my next one. :( Oh well.

I always use this site to check on amenities of the ships. Click on the tabs that say "Ships, Stats, CL info, Features, Dining" to see what each ship has.

Fascination has Mongolian Wok but you will also find the generic grill, deli, and pizza besides the buffet. Look at the deck plans to see lido deck layout.

 

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/cruiseline.php?line=Carnival

This seems to be outdated for Fascination...there's nothing on the deck plans for Alchemy...

It's interesting...literally every price drop for my upcoming cruise would result in 1) loss of OBC (which was OK if the drop made up for it and/or 2) loss of cabin and 3) entire cruise must be paid for immediately.

The itinerary was more important than the exact cabin to me, ended up going with the best drop I had seen yet ($100+) a few months back (which resulted in all 3 of the above). It ended up being a smart move, as my cruise is in a month and a half and no other price drop has come close.

I guess now I'm confused. What Funship 2.0 amenities does Fascination have, and which ones does it not have?

So this site is wrong? It says Fascination has Guy's and Blue Iguana...

http://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Carnival-Fascination-610

I did the chef's table on my last cruise. It was definitely worth it.

On my last cruise, I only discovered the Alchemy Bar on my final day. As it was closing. That Cucumber Sunrise was incredible.

It will be where I head first on my upcoming cruise, and my goal is to blaze through the cocktail menu!

Yes; so virtually any drink will be covered

 

 

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Excellent, looks like I'll be having more wine than I expected!

Right, so last time I cruised was 4 years ago, and it appears as though Cheers has changed slightly in that time. I plan to purchase Cheers again.

I feel like I'm misreading the website though:

"All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer and wine (and Champagne) by the glass, with a $50 USD or lower menu price per serving"

Does this mean 1 Cheers applicable drink = any drink that is $50 or less?

Time for another check-in! Anyone?

Ok, to clarify further:

Month: June

Departing from Puerto Rico

Arriving in St. Thomas

7am should be 7am?

If the itinerary states arrival is 7am, what time can one leave the ship, generally?

The Hub App is now live on the Fascination!

Great news!

Why would you even consider a comp for this?

I was just thinking in terms of...your itinerary includes some destinations...if you don't get to see one of them, or your time there is abbreviated...

Just wanted to re-iterate this fact: I'm a young adult. Unmarried. No kids. And I happen to like the no-kids aspect of Serenity.

I'm not in any "older" demographic whatsoever...so let's not suggest the only people who interested in having a no-kids area are older.

Many people in this thread say that kids act crazy or misbehave in the pool. Can you please explain this to me? I have never seen this on any cruise I have been on. I sit on the edge of the pool and watch my children at all times. I don't like to be splash but it happens. I don't expect to sit near a pool and not ever get splashed.

It's not just splashing. Kids yell and scream and make noise. Granted, this is standard kid behavior. Which is why it's nice to have a pool away from all of that.

Very sad...I knew when I read the story it had to be someone from a balcony.

Just curious: When the cruise experiences an unexpected travel delay due to something like this, do guests receive any comps or anything?

Boy do I feel lucky to be on the Fascination this summer...as a non-parent young adult, I appreciate(d) the Serenity deck with no kids!

Pretty certain there's an extra charge for red bull if ordering a drink with cheers...e.g. if you're ordering a vodka + red bull, cheers will cover the vodka, not the red bull.

So it was supposed to be rolled out a week or 2 ago...anyone experience it on the ship??

Now to the unasked question. No worries if you have a private excursion. The operators know how this works. If they want you off the ship immediately, they understand there's a routine procedure.

 

Hope that helps.

Indeed, that was the unasked question here.

Are these times one and the same?

E.g. if the itinerary says you arrive in St. Thomas at 7am, does that mean you can leave the ship at 7am? Or does that mean the ship arrives at 7am, and it may be a bit later until you can leave the ship itself?