Fascination Trip report 7/22 w/few photos

Simple Fascination Trip Report 7/22/2013 Sailing-(Ports-Leaving out of Jax to Nassau and Little Sturipp Cay)

Little about us, From Huntersville NC family of 4.. Myself 45,Wife 40,Son 15 and Daughter 10. This was our second time on Fascination other time being Easter 2013.

Day before we drove down the 5 hrs. to Jacksonville and stayed this time in the Hampton Inn Suites Bartram Park. Was nice place to stay, should have stayed again at Embassy Suites but we wanted to try something different..No issues just thought it was simple for price. No happy hour and Breakfast was very bland and eggs were like dry packing peanuts. Embassy has Happy Hour and omelets cooked to order among other great hot foods and Embassy has extra room in front of suite with pull out couch where Hampton Inn was just 2 simple queen beds.

During day before we were to Jax Pier and just walked around watched the locals fish some from the pier. They charge $1 PP. to walk up the pier,But it was really nice out there. For dinner that night we went to Whiteys Fish Camp. Great food and great prices no less had a salad bar included with dinner. Whiteys was located about 20 minutes from hotel. Great place overall on a river and campground on property.

Will have day 1 ect later today

Looking forward to the rest of the trip

Day 1- Seaday

Woke up and had breakfast at hotel and headed to port at 10 am. Ride over was 20 minutes and we got there and just drove past Zoo area to waist a few minutes as we decided last minute to park at port to be able to get on road asap as we had a event to attend sat afternoon. We got back to gate at terminal at 10:35 and were allowed in. Parked right in front row and staff was right there to take luggage right as we popped open trunk. Tipped the porter and went directly to terminal to check in. We had FTTF again and the door on left was FTTF and VIP lane. Went thru security no issues and has roll on full of water and sodas (12oz bottles). They never checked water or anything. When thru security they escorted us right to desk and direct again to seating area. From car to seat to wait less than 10 minutes. About 10:55 they started boarding with VIP Plats and Wedding party followed by FTTF . We were in our cabin by 11:10 and luggage was in front of both cabin doors. We had 2 Inside cabins Upper deck midship. My first time in a Inside kids second. I thought they were ok and no issues..No less being this was a academy trip being second so close to first so cost played into choice of Inside..Would I do it again..YES

We did have a small sewer oder on the upper deck and a few other areas..But that was gone by next morning. Ship was clean and staff was friendly as always.

We then headed to Lido deck for lunch and it was nice with no lines. After lunch we went to water park area to get some slide time in. We also wanted to be on top when we passed under the bridge. We didn’t get to see the ship from above deck as we were 2 hrs late leaving port due to a death of a crew member. Later on we went and got ready for dinner, We had ATD and our luck we got another amazing waitress “Napa” . Again hard to put in many words..Just she's is a truly sweet woman and glad we got to meet her.

Rest of the night was pretty simple and we did the smaller stuff on the fun times and got kids all set for there groups clubs then finished unpacking and headed to bed at 11pm.

More later

Random food porn...

We also had Napa on our last cruise......just love her.......I agree just so sweet and pleasant.

She also has a wonderful sense of humor if you get her going.....LOL

Thanks for sharing. Sailing her at the end of August and can't wait!

Will have rest of days Monday

Ok..Not Monday but here is a little more..

First full sea day Tuesday-

Really a easy laid back day spending time at pool. Did a bunch of afternoon activities and played Bingo. Didn’t win at Bingo but won 25 on Pull Tab. Pool side was not that bad, There were chairs about had to look a little but no chair hog issues. Was another great sunny day and not to hot. Lido buffet was decent like always nothing special but it’s a buffet just like most. Went and changed late in afternoon for Elegant night. We didn’t go to crazy just dressed what we felt was confortable for us. Headed down and took some pictures with different back drops then headed to MDR. Again we had ATD and being Elegant night it was crowded early like always on Elegant night and we had to get a beeper as we requested Napa again. Wait was only 10 minutes or less. Service was great and all our meals were great. Wife and daughter had the Lobster and Shrimp. Myself and son both chose the Lobster dinner and Prime Rib Dinner..We also requested 2 extra Lobster tails and that as always was no problem.

After dinner we headed to Motown show, During the opening they asked for people to help. Not knowing what they needed as always I stood up and hoped to be picked..Bingo again I got chose (last cruise I also got chose for another game). Little did I know it was a dance demo myself and 2 other men got chosen for. Then to make things even more funny they came and placed wigs on us.. All in good times doing a dance routine on stage. Show was good even thou we saw same show during Easter cruise its just nice to sit and watch. It did have a few different cast members from last cruise so it sort of had a twist for us.

Paul was the cruise director, We liked him a lot better other director during Easter cruise. Paul was very funny every time he opened a show or what ever he was doing.

After show we headed to casino just to sit and relax at a slot machine, Not not high roller by any means...Just want to play for fun and chose penny slots. We set up account for players bank and started with a small amount for fun..$10. That was enough to last over 1 hrs. as machine kept paying small amounts back to keep the machine warm..LOL

I’ll have more tomorrow on Nassau and Little Sturipp Cay, I may have missed...well I'm sure I missed something already I'm sure. If you want any info just ask I can TRY and help..LOL

Hey Express Man, noticed you had started another thread on your cruise. Why don't you contact the Mods and ask them to combine the 2 threads?

My family and I just booked this cruise for January! Great review!