Our Fabulous Fascination cruise (with pics!!) 8/2/14

[Jamman54]

Here is Patti playing in the final round, looking to win that $500 first prize…..

 

 

She just fell short, finishing in second place, which won her a seat at the Ultimate Slot Face-Off Tournament Grand Final Event, aboard the Carnival Breeze, sailing November 8th…..

 

 

Being a teacher, there was no way that she could go, but until the Splendor deal came along, I was considering going in her place, since the certificate is transferable. Of course, you still have to book the cruise. We now possess two of these certificates, and since we can’t go, we would be willing to transfer them to anyone that can use them dirt cheap. They have to be transferred by October 25th, so if anyone is interested, my email is jpmaskall@verizon.net. The entry fee for this final event is $500 if you wanted to buy in on board.

 

After the slot tournament, I spent the rest of the afternoon playing blackjack, winning back about $100. Meanwhile, Patti and Ryan went to play the afternoon session of bingo, a three game event. Pictured is the assistant CD Gary…..

 

 

It is at this point that I need to tell you a Kevin story. Please forgive me, as I briefly turn this review into an episode of Long Island Medium.

 

We believe that existence doesn’t end with the physical world. We believe that our loved ones are still with us, just in a different way. We believed this before we lost Kevin, and we believe it even more now. You can read a dozen different books, by a dozen different mediums, and they will all basically say the same thing about spirit, and how they will leave us “signs” to let us know that they are ok and are still with us. You just need to know what to look for. Skeptics will say that these signs are no more than mere “coincidences”, and we respect that everyone has a right to their own opinions and beliefs. We also believe, when you experience a string of “coincidences”, you need to stand up and take notice. Each of us has received at least one such “sign” since Kevin’s passing, but the “sign” he gave Patti this afternoon at bingo truly boggled our minds! Pictured below, is the bingo card that Patti bought and received. What is unique about this card, are the five numbers in the “I” column…..

 

 

Before I explain the significance of those numbers, let’s talk about odds. What are the odds that those particular numbers wind up on the same bingo card? There are a possibility of fifteen numbers that could wind up in the “I” column. Those odds aren’t that bad. Well then, what are the odds that they wind up in that exact order on the same bingo card? Those odds are much, much higher. Then consider that there were probably a couple of thousand bingo cards aboard the ship, and a hundred or so people playing at this session of bingo. I might not have been a math major, but I do know that it was lottery type odds that Patti would receive this particular card.

 

Now let’s talk about the numbers. The first four numbers in the “I” column 18, 20, 26, 24 are our birth dates. The fifth and last number in the “I” column is Kevin’s death date (22). There is even more. During the course of the three games, none of those numbers were ever called. Lastly, Ryan, playing his own card, won one of the games by himself, winning $150. We now return you to your regularly scheduled review. Ryan’s winning bingo card……

 

 

Ryan proudly showing off his winner…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Around 5pm, Patti and I made our way to the Serenity hot tubs. We find that at this time, most people are making their way inside to get ready for dinner, and the evenings activities, leaving the pools and hot tubs nearly empty. We hung out there for about an hour, until it was time to get ready for Elegant Night dinner. That’s me relaxing in the hot tub……

 

 

Patti and Ryan went to the 7pm family comedy show that featured both comedians, and were not impressed. Dinner though, was a different story. Everything was just wonderful. Ryan and Patti…..

 

 

Dad and Ryan……

 

 

We all enjoyed everything that we ordered tonight. I started with the stuffed white mushrooms……

 

 

Next, I had an order of the alligator fritters…..

 

 

Then, I had two orders of these babies…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

For dessert, I had the cherries jubilee…..

 

 

Patti enjoyed her spring rolls, lobster, and banana cake. Ryan as almost always, stuck to the chicken. Then it was show time…..

 

 

They gave their best rendition of “That’s Amore”…..

 

 

Afterwards, Ryan went off to Club O2, Patti went to do a little shopping before turning in, and I went to the casino to play blackjack for a while. There was a live band playing at the Stars Bar on the Promenade. They were called “Remembering Melanie”, and they were pretty good…..

 

 

I played until it was time to catch the 11:30 adult comedy show. I had won another $100, so I was back to being even for the cruise. Tonight’s comedian was James Sibley, and he was very good. Be sure to catch one of his shows if he is on your cruise.

 

After the show it was time to head to bed. Tonight along with our towel animal, we were given our Platinum gifts, which were the Tervis Tumblers. We love them…..

 

 

It had been another great day!!! Good Night!!

 

Coming up next: Nassau, a Ryan story, and even more food porn!!

[Sinjai]

Nice pictures.

[kybluecruiser]

Living the review looking forward to the liberty review.

[GeorgiaMomof4]

All of a sudden I can't see the pictures. There is just an X where they should be. Any ideas?

 

Loving the review! I'm very sorry for your loss. Having a 19 year old daughter is who commuting back and forth to college this year I pray that God will watch over her and keep her safe while traveling. Can't imagine the loss you must feel. I pray that God will be with you and your family as you deal with your loss.

[deedle7544]

Couple of things from a local that loves the Fascination too. That isn't a nuclear power plant. The are two conventional power plants in this area that feature that type of cooling towers - the one you photographed in the Arlington area and another about 35 miles southwest in Palatka.

 

The "string art" bridge you photographed is commonly called the "Dames Point Bridge" but is officially the "Broward Bridge" for former Florida governor Broward.

 

Great review you have going - I'm looking forward to the rest!!

 

Adding to the local POV, Sand Dollar is excellent and not too far from the port!

[lookfwd2]

Sailing under the I-295 bridge…..

 

 

 

 

We made it…..

 

 

I was feeling hungry for a deli sandwich, so I began to make my way there, snapping some photos along the way.

 

The Lido Stage, Deck 10 mid ship…..

 

 

Looking aft towards the funnel…..

 

 

To be continued…..

 

this photo is awesome, it actually shows its scale. never saw the stairs before

[KrusII]

So sorry for your loss. our prayers are with you.............

[pghsteelerfan]

I'm finally caught up and really enjoyed hearing your "Kevin" story and am so happy you got that sign. That gave me chills, but good chills.

 

I'm really enjoying this review and love the pictures, just as I have your previous reviews. For some reason, and from what I've seen in other reviews, I really like the Fantasy Class ships and would love to try one and soon. I'm looking forward to the rest and I'll definitely stay tuned for your Liberty review.

[freddymale]

great review, i feel like I'm right on the cruise with you,

thank you for sharing with all of us

[cruisetrail]

Thank you for the review.

[pinniped71]

Thank you for this review and I am so sorry for your loss. We are sailing on Fascination in January, 2015. It will be our 8 year old sons very first cruise. I will think of you when we sail away!

[jimbo5544]

Nice review Jeff, cannot wait for part B (Liberty).

[Jamman54]

Hello again everybody! It’s time to tell you about our day in Nassau.

 

 

I woke up around 6:30am, and looking outside saw that the sun was just beginning to rise, and it was a beautiful day. Patti and Ryan were still sleeping, so I grabbed the camera and made my way up to the open decks. Join me for an early morning tour of the ship, and as we sail into our first port of call, Nassau.

 

The sun is rising in the east…..

 

 

Early morning view of the Lido Pool area…..

 

 

The sun is rising over the port side lifeboats…..

 

 

The Nassau pilot boat is coming out to meet us…..

 

 

Nice comfy chairs on deck 11, overlooking the Lido Pool…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here’s another view of the Lido Pool…..

 

 

Looking aft from the jogging track on Deck 12…..

 

 

The sun is getting higher in the sky…..

 

 

The City Sports Park on Deck 12 forward…..

 

 

The official mini golf rules…..

 

 

View of the mini golf course…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

The Bahamas flag being flown on the mast…..

 

 

View of the other side of the mini golf course…..

 

 

The entrance to the Nassau harbor is dead ahead…..

 

 

The bow of the Fascination…..

 

 

Close up of the ship’s bell…..

 

 

The forward observation deck, which is above the bridge…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

We are now entering the Nassau harbor…..

 

 

 

The lighthouse on the tip of Paradise Island…..

 

 

It looks like we’re the first ship in port today. I hope we get front row parking!

 

 

The sun is rising over the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island…..

 

 

Where will we dock?

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Looking back at the harbor entrance…..

 

 

Here are a couple points of interest. This is a view of Junkanoo Beach. It’s about a 15 minute walk from the ship…..

 

 

Shown here is Fat Tuesday’s. The Segway tour leaves from the cargo container that you can see in the background…..

 

 

The Fascination will be spinning around to back into its berth…..

 

 

View looking aft from Deck 12…..

 

 

This ping pong table is located on Deck 11 on the port side. There is another one on the starboard side…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here are a couple more points of interest, as we continue to back into our berth. This is the British Colonial Hilton. You can buy day passes to use their beach…..

 

 

Ah, Senor Frog’s. This is always a fun place to visit while here!

 

 

We continue to back in, but we will not be docking at the closest berth…..

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

A view of the outside seating area all the way aft on Lido Deck, behind the Coconut Grove Bar and Grille…..

 

 

The Festival Place is the cruise terminal for the Port of Nassau, but during our visit there this time, it was closed for renovations…..

 

 

We are almost in…..

 

 

Seems that we have picked up another passenger…..

 

 

The port people are securing the ropes…..

 

 

We are now officially docked. It is 7:30am…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[mishka422]

Love love love it!

[Jamman54]

I went back to the cabin to find Patti and Ryan getting ready to go to breakfast. Here were a couple of shots that I took from our balcony…..

 

 

 

The Disney Dream has followed us into Nassau, and is now spinning around to back into its berth…..

 

 

We went up to the Coconut Grove for breakfast, and went to the omelet station for some omelets. I don’t ever remember jalapeno peppers and mozzarella cheese being offered for omelets before, but I was happy to see them!

 

We were not in a hurry to get off the ship today, as we had not planned any excursions. We have been to Nassau and Paradise Island dozens of times on cruise and land vacations, so sometimes we don’t even get off the ship any more. Patti and I decided that we would just take a water taxi (ferry), over to Paradise Island, and just walk around the Atlantis Marina area. Ryan just wanted to do a little shopping on Bay Street, then get back on the ship. We left the ship together a little after 10am…..

 

 

The gangway of the Fascination, located on Deck 3 forward…..

 

 

The Carnival Fascination and Disney Dream in Nassau…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Ryan took the obligatory Bahamas sign photo of us…..

 

 

The stern of the Disney Dream…..

 

 

Another view of the Carnival Fascination and Disney Dream….

 

 

Looking over the harbor towards the Atlantis Resort…..

 

 

The stern of the Carnival Fascination.....

 

 

The Disney Dream in Nassau…..

 

 

To be continued…..

Edited August 28, 2014 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

The water coaster on the Disney Dream…..

 

 

The crew of the Fascination taking a lifeboat for a spin…..

 

 

View of our balcony, the last one on the right…..

 

 

The Fascination docked in Nassau…..

 

 

Welcome to Nassau sign…..

 

 

The boat used for the glass bottom boat tour…..

 

 

To be continued…..