Carnival Fascination March 25-30 - A trip report

[JP4GA]

The similarities are more then the differences. Did you sail Elation out of NOLA or Mobile?

 

 

 

 

We sailed both the Elation and Holiday out of Mobile. Our extended family lives in Pensacola so we loved the Mobile Port. We are hoping that one day ships will sail out of it again.

[Naomi John]

We sailed both the Elation and Holiday out of Mobile. Our extended family lives in Pensacola so we loved the Mobile Port. We are hoping that one day ships will sail out of it again.

 

I do too. Carnival owes Mobile big time right now. Maybe they'll keep the Triumph there and send another ship to Galveston.

[Naomi John]

Hope this works:

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[Naomi John]

Our Balcony was port side, which means this morning, the sun came up on our side. No need to run up to Lido to get the shot:

 

 

[Naomi John]

I planned to get my base tan this day. Sprayed my SPF 50 on, told DH and DD where to find me, then at 10 AM up to Veranda aft to get some vitamin D. DD went to Camp Carnival, DH, I do not know.

 

It was cool up there, the north wind was still blowing and I had goose bumps. I also had my kindle and a new book. By noon, I had 2 kids bags under my chair, DC elder other cousin, (17) in the chair next to me, and all the children under 14 on the slides. The sun warmed up the deck and the north wind was no longer an issue.

 

Lets Slide and Play:

 

DD under the spout:

 

DC coming down the slide:

 

Both under the spout:

 

DN #2 on the slide:

 

Another comparison, on the Elation in January, 2013, the Open deck bar servers were really pushy. We would have a bucket of beer, with two left and they would try to bring us another. They would pester you every 10 minutes. Really aggravating. Fascination no problem at all. Some would pass and not even ask if they saw you were busy. But one was always near if you needed something, I liked that a lot.

[cruise_gal21]

If you have any specific questions, please ask.

 

Thanks so much! You're review is wonderful so far. You may be getting to it, but I was wondering if you went to any if the new shows on-board? I have heard they are shorter, but supposed to have more lights, music, entertainment factor, etc. Did you enjoy any and what were they exactly? Not many posters reporting on it since they changed it back in January. Thanks again, and enjoying the review!

[Naomi John]

Thanks so much! You're review is wonderful so far. You may be getting to it, but I was wondering if you went to any if the new shows on-board? I have heard they are shorter, but supposed to have more lights, music, entertainment factor, etc. Did you enjoy any and what were they exactly? Not many posters reporting on it since they changed it back in January. Thanks again, and enjoying the review!

 

Never made the shows. A little story to that, but I was pleased to see they were repeated over the course of the cruise.

 

I will also add the Motor City show came out to the Grand Atrium on the second night. We were in line for a group picture when the performers appeared. It was actually a lot of fun, too bad I miss the whole show.

[luvsviola]

Thanks for the review. We are on Fascination in October, and am really excited, so the more pics you post, the better!

[Naomi John]

By 3 PM I decided I had enough sun. DH was with me, I packed up my bag, and headed for the room. Changed and went to the Stars Bar. Met up with DBIL and his sister and future BIL, who were enjoying the Casino. Were informed we needed to be dressed for the nights dinner by 7 PM, to eat and take pictures. OK, DH and I were planning to go to the 7 PM show then dinner, but hey, why rock the boat? two hours later we were at the same bar again, waiting for the picture places to start up again. See the photohogs were up from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM then 7:15 until 9:30. We waited for those who wanted pictures to be finished then made our 12 person party to the Sensation dining room. This was about 7:30 PM. guess what, there would be a wait. So the party of 12 went to the Atrium area to get in line to take a group picture. Best thing to happen was the Motor City show at 7 PM flowed out into the Atrium. It was great, the singers and dancers were out in that area and encouraging people to dance and have fun. I really enjoyed that part. Got my grove on and made the best of a bossy situation.

 

We finally took the group picture and the buzzer went off, (at 8:30 ish). Went to the dining room, ate lobster X2 and enjoyed my DD dance to "That's Amore" with Mohamed.

 

Back to the room for the mandatory towel animal shot:

 

 

The night on the Balcony was very night with a full moon and hubby's great picture.

 

 

That's my Wallpaper soon!

[Naomi John]

Thanks for the review. We are on Fascination in October, and am really excited, so the more pics you post, the better!

 

Thanks, I do not have many pictures inside the ship. It's a Fantasy class ship, and the layout is the same, just different names.

 

I love this class of ship and I do hope you will agree. So easy to navigate. One other tip, if you want anytime dining, do not pick a room in the back of the ship. You will have to navigate around deck 8. Either walk forward then up, or use the back, (Aft) elevators to go up over and then up or down again.

[cuppettmd]

Great Review! I've been on the Fascination five times as we live in North Fla. We have not been this year yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing the new shows. The old ones were very good, especially "Far From Over", the eighties show. As far as the tug boats, they only help if the wind is blowing strong, like it was last Oct. Keep It Up! Mikey<><

[Naomi John]

Great Review! I've been on the Fascination five times as we live in North Fla. We have not been this year yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing the new shows. The old ones were very good, especially "Far From Over", the eighties show. As far as the tug boats, they only help if the wind is blowing strong, like it was last Oct. Keep It Up! Mikey<><

 

Thanks

[Naomi John]

I'll post the Fun times from 03/26 a little later.

 

The ship arrived at Key West around 6:30 AM. I knew we were docking as the whole room shook with the side thrusters. Woke DH and myself up. No rush, been to Key West before as a land vacation for about 2 hours.

 

Sun not up for Key West

 

 

To quote one of our party, "I don't want a strict schedule, just want to relax and spend time with my family", well that must have gone out the window because at 7:00 AM a knock at our door. My DN#2 advised he was there to collect DC as they were leaving the boat at 7:30 AM. OK. Great way to have no schedule. Anyway, My family got dressed and went for breakfast on the Lido. DH advised we would meet up with SIL and family on the pier. We did. Both families rented an electric car. A four seater was $129 for the day, a six seater was $169 for the day. Very nice operation. Sign up on the pier, they drive you to their shop about two blocks away, and show you how to operate the car.

 

[Naomi John]

Getting one of those cars was great. We drove around the downtown area from one end to the other. No need to follow a group or stand in line unless we wanted too. First, we passed the Hemmingway House to see the line, not too bad, but we will return. Next stop was "The Southern Most Point" where the in laws got there picture taken. Then on to the Cemetary. It reminds you of the older tombs in New Orleans. Most are above ground and some are very old.

 

 

 

[Naomi John]

This was taken the first day at sea. This is how close we were to the Florida coast line.

 

[Naomi John]

I'm sure this place has been posted here before, but, love the name:

 

 

We went down Duval street for souveniers, then to the boardwalk.

 

Afterwards the group finally split and DD and I went to the Hemmingway House for six toed cats.

 

 

 

 

 

[Naomi John]

 

 

 

 

Kitty Cat Graveyard

 

[Naomi John]

Did I mention the tempurature was only a high of 65 degrees with a north wind. Locals said this date was one of the coldest in history.

 

After the Hemmingway House, it was around 12:30 PM. the boat was leaving at 2:30 PM, so we decided to return the car, find some food and beer and walk around Malory Square for a bit.

 

 

My retirement island:

 

 

Key West is a nice place for artsy people like myself. I wish we could have seen more of the museums and homes off the main drag. Duval Street reminded me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, not impressed. Our DC wanted to find a beach, but I explained to her this was not the place for a beach day. We went back to the ship a little before two. The kids went for swimming and ice cream, DH and I ordered room service. It came very quickly. I had a turkey sandwich and DH had the beef loin sandwich. Both were fine and helped us until dinner. How's this a treat from your balcony while leaving Key West, a school of Dolphins:

 

 

 

 

It was just us three for dinner, I had a salad, shrimp cocktail, and mango soup. I was not impressed with anything else on the menu this night. I'm not sure what DH had, DD ate Mac and Cheese. I was not feeling well, my stomach was not right, so I turned in early and DH, DD and some of the family went to the DIVA show. I was asleep by 10 PM.

[Naomi John]

Have to work a little today.

[cruise_gal21]

Still enjoying the review very much! Too bad you missed the shows, but looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your vacation so far :D

[cruise_gal21]

Oh, and loving all the pics! I'm a pics person myself. Always got the camera at hand on vacation lol.

[Naomi John]

Still enjoying the review very much! Too bad you missed the shows, but looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your vacation so far :D

 

One thing I did like about this ship is, although they only had two production, Motor City and Divas, they played several nights, so if you missed them one night, you could try and catch it another night. But, because of being on someone else's schedule, I Missed them both.

 

Attached are the fun times for the first sea day. Next post will have them for Key West Day.

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[Naomi John]

Here they are.

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[Naomi John]

We were able to see the port around 11 AM, Parked about 11:30ish.

 

Nice scenes arriving.

 

 

A Carnival Sprit class ship, (I think the Sprit, lol), and a Norwegian ship was already there:

 

 

A RCL ship came later.

 

Just before we had clearance to debark, SIL called and advise "we" were going to leave the ship about 12:30 PM, do a little shopping then go to a beach a person at guest services told her about that was free, had changing rooms, and chairs, Cabbage Beach, (oh lord I thought). Was also advise "we" could take a 20 minute cab ride, or the water taxi to the island. In my head were the read words I have seen about the water taxi and attempted to suggest to take the land taxi. Nope, was out voted. So at the ordered time, we debarked and walked around near the port area and to the straw market. Didn't like that too much. I do not like bartering and I do not like badgering. Here's a shot along the port area.

 

 

I was not impressed by Nassau at all. While shopping, we got our usual stuff, a shot glass, some t-shirts, etc. Was at first impressed by a guy painting beach scenes, but walked a few blocks down and saw another guy painting the same thing. The straw market booths were the same things after another. Same baskets, jewelry, bags, etc. Just different people selling them.

 

Around 2 PM we made our way to the water taxi area and watched as one was leaving. I knew we would not leave until the next boat was full, but we all piled in, and waited, for 40 minutes for the boat to fill up.

 

Finally Full:

 

[Naomi John]

The Taxi dropped us off, and not person in our party knew how to get to Cabbage Beach. We walked here there and everywhere through parts of Atlantis. About 30 minutes later we found the beach, there were a lot of land taxis parked right in front. Anyway, as we walked up the hill we were again badgered by people hawking beach chairs, etc. Fun fun. Once on the beach we looked for a changing room or bath room. Oh, you have to walk all the way down the beach to Atlantis to use the rooms. Drinks? $5.00 a beer, $8.00 for juices or mix drinks. Think I was back on the ship.

 

We procured some loungers, (6 for $60 plus a tip). and let the kids play in the surf. That wasn't too bad.