Carnival Fascination Review April 13, 2013

[PC Cruisin]

This review is my first one on cruise critic. Me and my husband are from Missouri. This was our 4th cruise with Carnival. We went on this cruise with my sister and her husband. This is their second cruise with Carnival. I had to work Friday April 12th and once I got off of work ... I went home to change out of my work clothes- say goodbye to my babies (dogs) and get in a car and drive for 1 1/2 hours to AR where my sister lives. Once we get to her house. We loaded our luggage into her car and start our 15+ hour road trip. This cruise was so special to my husband and I. It was our 27th wedding anniversary cruise! Last minute booking which our bosses were so kind to give us off. We work in a high end hotel in Branson, MO.

It was a long drive but we make it to Jacksonville, MO around 10:30AM. We parked in a lot outside the cruise port ... it was very easy and they provided a shuttle for us to get to the cruise terminal.

Once inside we go through security without any problems. They never checked our carry-on bags. Went through the X-ray machine and we were on our way to the ship.

We were very tired at this point but I didn't want to sleep. I am on vacation!!!

Went to our rooms to put our carry-on bags away and went to the lido deck to have our first meal.

The muster drilled went fine ...

Then it was time for our sail away ... YEA!:D

Ship goes under the Dames Point Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

[PC Cruisin]

More pictures of the bridge and views of the sail away ...

 

[Express Man]

More...More..More....:D

[PC Cruisin]

We wanted to try the early dining and requested a table for 4 but for some reason we were seated at a larger table.

*Side note ... My husband and I work in a high level hospitality hotel and talk to people all the time. We are on vacation and just wanted a small table to relax and enjoy our time with my sister and her husband.

Anyways- I tried to get a hold of John Heald on his Facebook page and asked if he could help us. He asked me to remind him 7 days before our cruise and which I did but when we went to the dining room to see where we were seated ... and it was at a large table. No biggie. We went to the Maitre'D to see if he could help us and he said all the booth and smaller tables are taken. I must of looked very disappointed. I asked him if something opens up could he put us in one of those tables. He took down my name and cabin number and we walked off.

After the muster drill we went to the cabin and I noticed that we had a note slipped under the door. It was from the dinning room letting us know our table was switched! YEA!!!:D

 

Our view:

The menu for 1st nights meal ...

Food Porn:

Cream of garden broccoli soup

 

Chilled shrimp cocktail

[PC Cruisin]

More food porn:

 

Smoked Hudson Valley Duck Breast

 

Spinach and artichoke dip

 

Fried vegetable spring rolls

 

Indian vegetarian dish

 

Braised beef brisket in gravy with mash potatoes and roasted vegetables

 

Cinnamon, Pumpkin, squash, yam and cheddar pot pie

[cynthe66]

The Dames Point Bridge...we had a port hole cabin on our honeymoon and the day we returned I looked out as we were going under it I knew we were almost home. (we live in Jacksonville). But I knew that was just the first of many cruise yet to come. Can't wait till October when we go on the Victory.

[PC Cruisin]

Pan seared fillet of tilapia with mac n cheese

Banana split

 

Chocolate melting cake with vanilla ice cream

 

After dinner we walked around but we were so tired after the long drive we called it a night. This is what was waiting for us ...

[DEERINH2O]

Love it thanks for the menus and all the details. We leave in 23 days and my daughters love seeing the menus.

 

Thanks again

 

Kathy

[deedle7544]

Loving your review, especially the pictures! We will be on her in September - thank you

[Macklovin38]

Subscribing- thanks for the review!

 

 

Follow me on Twitter: @SarahELewis38

[PC Cruisin]

Our first sea day ...

 

What our favorite thing to do is relax at the serenity deck with my iPod shuffle. We did this most of the day. My sister and her husband are not sun people so they tried their luck with trivia but didn't win a ship on the stick which was our goals to do this cruise (more on this later) ;)

 

My view for the day:

 

 

Tonight was Elegant night ...

 

The sun was so bright coming into our table so we had to shut the curtain :mad: I kept peeking out of the window loving the view ;)

 

 

I am sorry but I forgot to take more pictures of the menu but we did have a variety of plates for you to view ...

 

[bobsfamily]

Ok, we are going end of May. Love to hear more...

So Looking forward to getting away.

[PC Cruisin]

Greek farmer salad

 

Spicy alligator fritters

 

Zucchini and eggplant parmigiana

 

My husband and brother in law held out for prime rib and lobster ...

 

Prime rib

 

and two plates of lobster ...

 

 

 

[PC Cruisin]

The sun went down and we finally were able to open our curtain up to enjoy our beautiful view ... :p

 

 

A bottle of wine to go with the view ... :p

 

 

We had some entertainment ... My sister enjoying it :o

 

 

[PC Cruisin]

Now Dessert ... I don't know where we put it :rolleyes:

 

Bitter and blanc

 

Of course more chocolate melting cake with vanilla ice cream. It is to die for!!! :p

[deladane]

Great review :) thanks for taking the time to post all these great photos!

[PC Cruisin]

After dinner we walked around the ship. We went into the library to play a few games and listened to some live music down in the Grand Atrium ...

 

We decided to call it a night since tomorrow we will arrive in Nassau around 9am.

 

This little guy waiting for us ... Good Night!

 

[vacationlover16]

Thank you for posting this review. We don't cruise until October so I have to live vicariously through others until then. :D

[jbhcw]

Thanks for the review and pictures:). Sailing in November. Love going out of Jacksonville.

[kml2000]

Thanks for the review. We sail on MONDAY!!!!!!!

[Georgiagolfer]

Thanks for the review and pictures. DW and I sail in just over 4 weeks, our 4th trip on the Fascination.

[dremn2004]

I am loving your reveiw so far. We will be on her in August, and I can not wait!! Until then, I have to live through others!! Need more.... more... more... lol.

[JP4GA]

Thanks for the review. We sail at the end of May and I am looking forward to it and hearing more about your trip.

[cruise_girl2002]

thanks! the food looks great! we are sailing may 11th on the fascination! cant wait

[Cruisegirl6]

Thank you for all of that as your getting me excited I Leave less than a week. Question, do the cabins have a blow dryer and have you tried it are they good?