Love The Fascination – September 20-24, 2012 - 4 Day Cruise with pictures!

[jbhcw]

Thanks for doing the review...love the pictures! Am trying to decide on a quickie in Jan, Feb...either Charleston or Jacksonville...love the Fantasy class ships! Also love food pics...so looking forward to them..and agree with you about the parking...it's jusst sooooo much easier..may cost a bit more but I am always ready to just hit the road after we debark:D

[LandlockedCruiser01]

The muster drill came and went and took about 20 minutes. We headed back to the room for sail away as it was still raining and being up on the open deck was out of the question. As you can see it was gloomy for the start of the trip but once we got about an hour out of port the skies cleared up.

Great review! I'm thinking about doing my next cruise on the Fascination, so this is really helpful. By the way, was your itinerary to Nassau and Freeport or to Key West and Nassau? I've been to Key West before but not Nassau. Was Nassau any good?

 

Hope the rain wasn't too troublesome on your drive over. I read somewhere that rainy sailaways are a good omen: they're a sign that you'll have a nice trip and come back safe. (It sounds like that came true.) Supposedly, it's nature/Poseidon/God (sources vary) christening your journey.

 

Looking forward to more posts with the pictures and trip comments.

[Brittasbay]

[/color][/size][/font][/font]Great review! I'm thinking about doing my next cruise on the Fascination, so this is really helpful. By the way, was your itinerary to Nassau and Freeport or to Key West and Nassau? I've been to Key West before but not Nassau. Was Nassau any good?

 

Hope the rain wasn't too troublesome on your drive over. I read somewhere that rainy sailaways are a good omen: they're a sign that you'll have a nice trip and come back safe. (It sounds like that came true.) Supposedly, it's nature/Poseidon/God (sources vary) christening your journey.

 

Looking forward to more posts with the pictures and trip comments.

 

This itinerary was Freeport and then Nassau. Nassau has lots of options for excursions, especially if you are willing to do a private excursion or go adventuring on your own. People seem to love the shopping in Nassau but I often find it super crowded as there are always a ton of ships and vacationers in port. I do like Nassau better than Freeport, I wish there were more itinerary options for Key West and Nassau versus Freeport and Nassau. I do love Key West!

 

Interesting info about rainy sailaways! I didn't know that info :D;)

[eoconnor]

Thanks we will be on her Nov 19th. for the second time

We are taking the kids this time. 15 and 16.

Jacksonville is a 4 1/2 hour ride got a good deal on parking at Cruise parking Jacksonville

[Brittasbay]

I forgot to mention that a ton of people on the ship had the new My Awesome Bar program cards. I didn’t think that this would be offered on Fascination so soon but some of the people who had the cards said they called Carnival and asked for them before the cruise and when they got on the ship they were given their cards. The cards are white with blue and red print and the name of the program. I only saw one guy the whole cruise who had this card who was totally trashed and didn’t pace himself. I guess because it was the first day he must have just used poor judgement? When we stopped by the atrium bar on the way to dinner, he was there, barely hanging onto to the end of the bar and then dropping on his butt on the little stage there. He was a bit loud but not obnoxious and one of his friends brought him back to his room. I think the bartenders cut him off due to his high level of intoxication.

 

We headed up for YTD, excited for some good food. Dinner the first night was awesome, especially since one of my favorite desserts was on the menu!

I finally got to try escargot on a ship. It only took 4 cruises to get it, LOL So good! I should have ordered two!

 

 

 

 

Duck Comfit, one of my favorites!

 

 

 

 

Got brave and tried to eat more fish this time. This is the tilapia, it was actually really nice and light.

 

 

 

 

DH got the lasagna even though it had spinach in it which he swears he hates. He loved this, spinach and all!

 

 

 

 

Love this black forest cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Brittasbay]

DH's favorite desert on the entire cruise.,,WMC! He talks about it all the time when we are home and even under microwaves one of his frozen meals that has a brownie in it to try to capture the WMC goodness ;) I know this is probably heresy to say on the Carnival boards but I don't really like this desert, it is too sweet for me.

 

We ate too much and then headed out to walk around the ship a bit. Then back to the room to get some cocktails.

 

 

We headed out to the casino for the first of many times this trip. We played a few slots, drank too much wine and then headed back to the room. I was lucky in the casino this night, I started with $10 and left with almost $70!

DH is obsessed with room service so of course he had to order some chow before bed. We hit the hay early as we had been up and running all day.

[bucket_O_beer4john]

Wow! This is the first I've heard of the Awesome Bar program being offered on the Fascination!!!

[Tgrubbs]

I hope it is the Awesome Bar Card and not just the one for groups!

[MrsZee]

Yeah, what he said about the bar card. Gonna call them tomorrow.

[Brittasbay]

I hope it is the Awesome Bar Card and not just the one for groups!

 

I didn't think to ask if it was a group card or a cabin one. The different people who had them were not hanging out together so I assumed they were not together. Let us know what you find out!

[MrsZee]

I'm sorry to say that it must be the group card you saw. I called Bon Voyage and the Awesome Bar is not available on this ship yet and that you go get it at the main bars anyway, not call. I have also read that it is a sticker on your SS card, not a separate card.

[Brittasbay]

Day 2-Freeport:

We weren’t docking in Freeport until noon so we knew we did not have to get up super early. We didn’t get up until about 9am which is really a late sleep in for DH. I work second shift so it still felt early to me. We got a solid 8 hours of sleep on the comfy beds so I was not complaining. We headed up to the Lido for breakfast and then just relaxed as we waited to get to port. The bacon police were in full effect the entire cruise. I felt like a beggar trying to score more than 2 pieces of bacon! Never had this problem before on this ship or on Liberty so it was weird. I would ask for more and the woman would give me 1 or 2 pieces more. If I dared asking for more I got 1 piece only. I felt like saying “please ma’am, may I have another?” No worries though, we are on vacation!

 

 

 

We spent time on the balcony and read as we waited to get into Freeport. Got some pretty pictures on the way in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tomsuelaw]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this review. Great job so far! Can't wait for the rest. We are doing this same exact cruise in November...can't wait. Glad you had a great time!

[tomsuelaw]

Oh, I also have a question about Nassau port times. What time did you have to be back on the ship?

 

We are hoping to do a 2 tank dive with Stuart Cove in Nassau but the trip will not return us back to the pier until about 5:15/5:30...assuming they do not operate on "island time" :eek: if so, then who knows when we will be back ;)

[Brittasbay]

Oh, I also have a question about Nassau port times. What time did you have to be back on the ship?

 

We are hoping to do a 2 tank dive with Stuart Cove in Nassau but the trip will not return us back to the pier until about 5:15/5:30...assuming they do not operate on "island time" :eek: if so, then who knows when we will be back ;)

 

We were in Nassau from 8am to 6pm, having to be back on the ship by 5:30. That excursion might be cutting it close, especially if they are on "island time."

[Brittasbay]

I'm sorry to say that it must be the group card you saw. I called Bon Voyage and the Awesome Bar is not available on this ship yet and that you go get it at the main bars anyway, not call. I have also read that it is a sticker on your SS card, not a separate card.

 

Thanks for the info April! :o

[Brittasbay]

We rarely do much in Freeport other than go to Billie Joe’s for cracked conch so we were in no rush to get off the ship and fight the crowds. The day became gloomy and overcast but the temperatures were nice. We headed into Freeport in an over packed taxi and hit Billie Joe’s. This time we were hassled a lot by people selling t shirts, jewelry or hair braiding. This hadn’t happened to us before on previous trips to Freeport so I was surprised. I didn’t care so much, I was focused on getting some chow! Cracked conch and conch salad, yummo!

 

The Pride right next to us in port. The sun is still out right before noon!

 

 

 

The skies starting to look ominous.....

Billie Joe's!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Cracked Conch

 

Conch Salad

[Brittasbay]

Before heading back to the ship I gave into temptation and visited the hair braiding ladies. I didn’t go with the typical touristy multiple braids, just one that would keep my hair out of my face. Not bad for $5! Since it looked rainy I just had DH take pictures of the hair back at the room :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed back to the ship as the skies were looking grey and I had a spa appointment booked at 4pm. Here are some pictures I took on the way back to the ship. Now off to the spa!

 

DH looking a bit startled, LOL Actually I think he was full from the conch and the rum punch he got ;)

 

 

[sunshine&shiningstar]

great review it just makes me just want to cruise all the time:p

[Brittasbay]

The spa was totally worth the money! I spent almost 2 hours in there and I felt so pampered. If you can spend the money to try the spa, do it! The only down side was the upsell on the products they used on me. I kid you not, if I had bought “the regimen” they suggested for me, I would be out $1200! OMG! Like I have that kind of money, LOL!

 

DH took a nap while I was at the spa. I got back to the room at 6pm and we quickly got ready for elegant night. I have to apologize that I do not have more food pictures from the food this night. We met a guy and his daughter and we were chatting it up with them so I was distracted from taking pictures.

 

 

Basa Fillet

 

 

 

DH's ribs, this was one of his favorite dishes of all the cruise.

 

Bitter and Blanc

 

Just in case you want to see what some of the other elegant night food looks like, here are some pics from my January 2012 cruise where I ate the same foods at elegant night.

 

Alligator Fritters:

Pumpkin Soup-I soooooo love this soup!

Lobster baby!

 

 

[deetrayn]

Great pics! I tried conch salad in Freeport, and it was very good. Wish I had some now. :D

[tomsuelaw]

Can't wait for the rest! Thanks again for taking the time you are doing a good job.

 

Another port time question for you: What time can we realistically expect to be off the ship in Freeport? Is the back on ship time 6:30, with the 7pm departure?

 

Thanks!

[Brittasbay]

Can't wait for the rest! Thanks again for taking the time you are doing a good job.

 

Another port time question for you: What time can we realistically expect to be off the ship in Freeport? Is the back on ship time 6:30, with the 7pm departure?

 

Thanks!

 

Based on the 3 times I have been to Freeport I can tell you that you will be able to get off the ship usually within 15 minutes of the stated arrival time. The issue is that depending on when you dock there, especially if it is not at 8am but at noon, is that everyone who is doing an excursion is getting off ASAP too. This makes for crowds and possibly waiting a bit for a taxi. I think the first time we went we got off when the doors opened and ended up waiting about 30 minutes for a cab. If the time the ship is leaving is 7pm then you would want to be back no later than 6:30pm. Just remember that folks on the island live by "island time" and don't rush like we Americans do. Don't cut it too close or you will be running to the ship, freaking out :rolleyes:

[Brittasbay]

Can't wait for the rest! Thanks again for taking the time you are doing a good job.

 

Another port time question for you: What time can we realistically expect to be off the ship in Freeport? Is the back on ship time 6:30, with the 7pm departure?

 

Thanks!

 

BTW, thanks for the feedback on the review!

[Brittasbay]

The rest of the night included a stop by the shops (just to look) and more casino time with libations. I lost all my winnings from the night before, LOL! Back to the room and then some more room service for DH. We also put out the list of foods we wanted from room service for breakfast on the door and headed to sleepy land.

 

Day 3-Nassau:

 

For some ungodly reason I thought it was a good idea to book an early morning excursion while I was on vacation. But seriously, my DH wanted to snorkel this year without the rush and crowds of a Carnival Excursion. We booked a private excursion for this reason. Room service showed up at 7am with our food so we got up and got moving. I was able to catch my first sunrise while on a cruise due to being up so early. It was awesome! We sat on the balcony and watched the ship pull into port. Nice way to start the day!