Just off the Fascination after a 7 year break from cruising

[kerovick]

I have to admit that I was alittle worried hearing all the negative things that people say on here about how Carnival has gone down hill. I hadn't been on a boat since 2006, alot can change in 7 years.

 

One thing that I was disappointed with was the lack of live bands on the baot. They DO however have several very talented solo musicians. One guitarist in particular always had a flock of 20 somethings floating around him sighing. It was quite humorous. The gentleman in the piano bar was a blast. Unfortunately I cannot recall his name.

 

I'd like to preface my next comment. I am a guitarist. I have been know to stand in front of an amp for hours torturing my ear drums, that being said.

 

The music on the Lido deck was to damned loud.

 

Especially when there was a DJ. The backgroud music was loud but acceptable.

 

I saw absolutly no reduction in quality of the food or the service. Egg-cept the eggs. (spelling error intentional)

 

At no point did I feel like I was taking a Walmart cruise.

 

At no point did I see anyone in appropriately dressed.

 

No kids running in the halls, although they did pretty much take over the hottubs.

 

I did not attend any of the shows this time. I'm not much of a showcase type of guy. We did haunt the comedy club everynight and enjoyed the comics very much.

 

Junkaroo Beach in Nausua, I know some people have complained that there was glass on the beach. It is true, there is some glass on the beach. Regardless we had a great time there. We picked up what was in out area and put it in the trash and went about our beach day. no biggy. The staff were SUPER friendly and if I ever find myself in nausau again I will be back. I even friended them on Facebook! Furthermore, The glass the was there very well could have been seaglass cause most of it was rounded somewhat already. I have a friend in Washington state that collect seaglass and this looked very similar.

 

In closing, I'd like to give a quick shout out to our goto crew members on the Fascination. Our wait staff Milton, Sooksan and Uberney. our Lido deck buddy Jaeger (spelled differently) and our Comedy club waitress Oelyssa whom went out of the way to reprint some recipts for a member of my party. Unfortunately the casino wouldn't accept the reprinted receipts for the casino credit for the classic cocktails.

 

I few random thoughts:

 

Although the fosters can is the best bang for the beer buck, I cannot drink it. I just don't like the flavor.

 

I like the smaller more intimate ships.

 

I'm not as young as I used to be!

 

We all hada super time on this cruise and would do it again in a second. however the 15 hour drive from MD to FL each way was not my prefered way to travel. Next time I fly.

[GTO-Girl]

I have to admit that I was alittle worried hearing all the negative things that people say on here about how Carnival has gone down hill. I hadn't been on a boat since 2006, alot can change in 7 years.

 

One thing that I was disappointed with was the lack of live bands on the baot. They DO however have several very talented solo musicians. One guitarist in particular always had a flock of 20 somethings floating around him sighing. It was quite humorous. The gentleman in the piano bar was a blast. Unfortunately I cannot recall his name.

 

I'd like to preface my next comment. I am a guitarist. I have been know to stand in front of an amp for hours torturing my ear drums, that being said.

 

The music on the Lido deck was to damned loud.

 

Especially when there was a DJ. The backgroud music was loud but acceptable.

 

I saw absolutly no reduction in quality of the food or the service. Egg-cept the eggs. (spelling error intentional)

 

At no point did I feel like I was taking a Walmart cruise.

 

At no point did I see anyone in appropriately dressed.

 

No kids running in the halls, although they did pretty much take over the hottubs.

 

I did not attend any of the shows this time. I'm not much of a showcase type of guy. We did haunt the comedy club everynight and enjoyed the comics very much.

 

Junkaroo Beach in Nausua, I know some people have complained that there was glass on the beach. It is true, there is some glass on the beach. Regardless we had a great time there. We picked up what was in out area and put it in the trash and went about our beach day. no biggy. The staff were SUPER friendly and if I ever find myself in nausau again I will be back. I even friended them on Facebook! Furthermore, The glass the was there very well could have been seaglass cause most of it was rounded somewhat already. I have a friend in Washington state that collect seaglass and this looked very similar.

 

In closing, I'd like to give a quick shout out to our goto crew members on the Fascination. Our wait staff Milton, Sooksan and Uberney. our Lido deck buddy Jaeger (spelled differently) and our Comedy club waitress Oelyssa whom went out of the way to reprint some recipts for a member of my party. Unfortunately the casino wouldn't accept the reprinted receipts for the casino credit for the classic cocktails.

 

I few random thoughts:

 

Although the fosters can is the best bang for the beer buck, I cannot drink it. I just don't like the flavor.

 

I like the smaller more intimate ships.

 

I'm not as young as I used to be!

 

We all hada super time on this cruise and would do it again in a second. however the 15 hour drive from MD to FL each way was not my prefered way to travel. Next time I fly.

 

 

So glad you had a good time!! We do love the Fascination for our 5 night getaways.......in fact we are leaving again this Saturday.....:D :D

[Express Man]

Great report..Sounds like ya had a great time.

 

We just returned Easter and had a awesome time also..Going back on in July now..:D

[Express Man]

Was other Port HMC or CoCo Cay..?

[kerovick]

Freeport and Nausau were our ports.

[bafinegan]

we to love the Fascination and the port of Jacksonville. 5 of our 11 cruises have been from that port adn we have 2 more coming up. It's an easy 4 hr drive from us, and the port itself is a breeze. I just wish they had more 7 nighters from there...

 

baf

[ready2cruzagain]

Thanks for your review. Glad to hear that the Fascination is still in great shape. Loved the staff. I also miss the live bands. One of my main reasons for looking at other cruise lines.

 

When we were in Nassau the last time we also went to Junkanoo beach. I loved it! Now, everytime we go to Nassau we will definitely go to Junkanoo Beach! The people there were so friendly!

[marshhawk]

Thanks for the review, we will be on her in 185 more days:eek:, but this will be our third time on the Fascination. Great ship, close to home! I have yet to go to Freeport, what did you do there?

[kml2000]

Thank you for the short review. We are a little over a week away and I can't wait.

[dallas52]

glad you enjoyed your cruise, we enjoyed the ship last year also.

[MrsBB1973]

Hi KML2000 we will be on the same cruise, except we haven't cruised since 2000. We have one more family member now, and well our child aged 5 then is now a high school senior ready to graduate. We are excited and nervous, thought I would get some reassurance from some folks that have recently sailed, especially with all of the negative pr lately for Carnival.

[Shelleywood]

Was the beach within walking distance from the port in Nassau? We're going to the Pirate Museum and wanted to just hit a public beach for a short while before going back to the ship. And... was there places to buy drinks and stuff on the beach? Thanks for the info and glad you had such a good time.. nice to get an honest review too.

[kml2000]

Hi KML2000 we will be on the same cruise, except we haven't cruised since 2000. We have one more family member now, and well our child aged 5 then is now a high school senior ready to graduate. We are excited and nervous, thought I would get some reassurance from some folks that have recently sailed, especially with all of the negative pr lately for Carnival.

 

You should join our roll call.

 

We don't get to cruise as much as I would like to. This cruise was kind of a last minute decision that I don't regret at all. I understand there is a lot of bad press, but think everything will be fine. For me, cruising is what you make of it. On our last cruise, the dining room experience was just sub par from wait staff to table mates. I ordered a baked potato and he brought me one on a plate - never offered butter, nothing. I watched them go around the other table with all the condiments, just never offered at our table (not the only story, just an example). However, our cabin steward was wonderful. They were so good to us. We had a great cruise, even with the not so great dining experience.

 

As for all the other stuff, I just go with it. I am not down playing any of the things that happened recently, bad things happen. I just choose to look at the glass as full!

 

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

 

My daughter turns 20 tomorrow. I remember her on our first cruise. I can't wait for this one.

[kingoftheicedragons]

Great report, thanks.

[camper49]

Nice review..so glad you enjoyed your cruise!

Do you happen to remember the guitarist name? Several years ago we had "Gerry" on the Inspiration....he was awesome!!

[Ilovepj]

Last Nov, my son said he was going to treat me to a cruise, I have been on a lot of cruises, but I moved to florida about 2 years ago, and I don't get to see my sons very often. He did not have a lot of money to spend and picked the fascination, I did not say anything negative to him, but at first I thought, old ship, small ship, oh well its a week with my son. Well to my surprise I had a great time. Not only because I got to spend 5 great days with my son, but the ship was really nice. I had a great time, the service was great, the comedy club was great, etc.

 

I would for sure if I and hubby were looking for a short cruise, would for sure do it again, the port is about 45 minutes from my house. lol.

 

Everyone booked on this ship, be excited, its really a very nice ship.

 

Helen

[kml2000]

Thanks!

 

WE are a little over a week away from sailing and I can't wait!

 

Karen

[Goldmoon]

Great to hear all the positive things. My son and I are going on his first, my ninth, but our first cruise on the Fascination and first out of Jacksonville. Usually cruise out of New Orleans, which is only about 5 hours from home, but found out Jacksonville is only 8 apposed to Port Canavaral which is a little over 10.

A cruise is what you make of it, and so far I have had only one cruise with just standard room service, the rest were above and beyond, and all my dining room staff has always been above and beyond. Food varies ship to ship and cruise to cruise, but I always find something I like and something good and something excellent. And a whole vacation of no cooking, no cleaning, beautiful sites, relaxation, and wonderful new people to meet (at least mostly).:) Can't wait to go, will give dh and I, and my friend and I a new port to go out of, with new places to see.

[kerovick]

Thanks for the review, we will be on her in 185 more days:eek:, but this will be our third time on the Fascination. Great ship, close to home! I have yet to go to Freeport, what did you do there?

 

 

We took a 30 min bus ride to Tania Beach, 14$ round trip per person and chilled on the beach, had some beers and took some pics. Which was exactly what our party wanted to do. Chairs were $5.

[kerovick]

Was the beach within walking distance from the port in Nassau? We're going to the Pirate Museum and wanted to just hit a public beach for a short while before going back to the ship. And... was there places to buy drinks and stuff on the beach? Thanks for the info and glad you had such a good time.. nice to get an honest review too.

 

Yes the beach is within easy walking distance. Just head towards Senor frogs and then walk around the big building that it's part of. I very nice young lady named Weronica that was making bloody Mary's on the boat told me about it.

 

They do sell drinks and stuff also.

[asumatty]

We sailed on the Fascination back in February and the Guitarist, whom i presume is still on the boat, was Tommy Green Jr. I bought his CD, and its on Itunes, if you want to take a listen. He is awesome!

[bobsfamily]

We will be on her the 27th of May (Memorial Day) for my wife's birthday. Have sailed out of Jax before on the Fascination and am glad to hear all the good reviews. We generally have an Empress oceanview cabin but opted to try one of the port hole cabins on M deck. Anyone ever have one of these? It was just to cheap not to try, plus I used some of the savings to book a cabana at Little Stirrup Cay. So ready!

[Georgiagolfer]

We will be on her the 27th of May (Memorial Day) for my wife's birthday. Have sailed out of Jax before on the Fascination and am glad to hear all the good reviews. We generally have an Empress oceanview cabin but opted to try one of the port hole cabins on M deck. Anyone ever have one of these? It was just to cheap not to try, plus I used some of the savings to book a cabana at Little Stirrup Cay. So ready!

 

We sail the day you get off. This is an Anniversary Cruise (46 years on June 3). We also have had an Ocean View room on empress each of our previous 3 cruises on Fascination. However, we just booked this last Thursday and the best we could fond was an Ocean View on upper Deck. Empress deck sold out.

[bobsfamily]

We sail the day you get off. This is an Anniversary Cruise (46 years on June 3). We also have had an Ocean View room on empress each of our previous 3 cruises on Fascination. However, we just booked this last Thursday and the best we could fond was an Ocean View on upper Deck. Empress deck sold out.

I will TRY to leave you some Rum, but no guarantee!

[KirkNC]

Welcome home, sounds like a overall good time. By the way, non of us are as young as we used to be ;).