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

[Jamman54]

Once the tender tied up to the Fascination to unload the passengers, some idiot decided that it would be cool to jump off the tender into the water. Once they fished him out of the water, it was evident that the captain of the tender, and Carnival’s security staff, were not too pleased with his antics. I don’t know what the outcome was, but it was a stupid move on his part.

 

We got back to our cabin in time to watch the tender we just got off, head back to the island…..

 

 

Patti took these last shots of the island from our balcony…..

 

 

 

The last tender arrives back at the ship…..

 

 

The last of the crew getting back on the ship…..

 

 

After we sailed I went down to the Shore Excursion Desk to see if I could get a refund for Ryan’s missed excursion. I had paperwork from the ship’s doctor to prove he was still being treated for his injuries from Nassau, but I didn’t need it. They cheerfully, completely, refunded his excursion, and said that they hoped he felt better. Now that’s GOOD service.

 

Before dinner, I played in the blackjack tournament, and managed to qualify for the final round which would be held after dinner at 9:30.

 

Dinner and service was again very good, and I’m sorry to say that we forgot to bring the camera, so no food porn today. Sorry. Patti had the pasta, and a fish platter. Ryan really enjoyed the bacon macaroni and cheese. I had the Thai chicken tenders, corn chowder, and the blackened chicken.

 

Afterwards, Ryan went to meet his friends at club O2, Patti went to do a little shopping, and look at pictures, and I went to play in the Blackjack final. Luck wasn’t with me as I busted out during the 6th round. I stayed in the casino for a couple more hours, and wound up winning another $100 or so.

 

We were all back in the cabin by midnight as it was a tiring, but very fun day. We just love HMC, and we know we will be back! Here is tonight’s towel animal, and our invitations to tomorrow’s VIFP party…..

 

 

Coming up: Our final sea day, debarkation, and final thoughts.

[blondie151o]

Did you book an excursion for hmc or you just walked up to the beach.. Also the island BBQ? You just pay when you're hungry or how does it all work? Thanks

 

 

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[Askewview]

Ah, HalfMoon. Such great memories. August 2010 got married on the island. We had priority boarding and were shuttle bused up to the far tip for the ceremony on the beach to help avoid the crowds that far up the beach. We decided to walk back along the beach to the main area and it was so neat. You know the "wave" at sports stadiums? It was like that but with applause as we walked past all the people relaxing on their chairs. A rolling thunder of applause and "congrats!" as we walked on by. It just didn't stop, we felt like rockstars. I don't get the same reaction when grocery shopping with the wife here in my hometown. Hey, where's the cheers in aisle 8? lol. Have to head back, we're way over due. That and we never really got to enjoy the beach, the whole time was the prep of the wedding, the ceremony, the pictures, etc etc. We need to just be beach bums on our return. Thanks for helping us relive that day with the review. Cheers.

[Jamman54]

Ah, HalfMoon. Such great memories. August 2010 got married on the island. We had priority boarding and were shuttle bused up to the far tip for the ceremony on the beach to help avoid the crowds that far up the beach. We decided to walk back along the beach to the main area and it was so neat. You know the "wave" at sports stadiums? It was like that but with applause as we walked past all the people relaxing on their chairs. A rolling thunder of applause and "congrats!" as we walked on by. It just didn't stop, we felt like rockstars. I don't get the same reaction when grocery shopping with the wife here in my hometown. Hey, where's the cheers in aisle 8? lol. Have to head back, we're way over due. That and we never really got to enjoy the beach, the whole time was the prep of the wedding, the ceremony, the pictures, etc etc. We need to just be beach bums on our return. Thanks for helping us relive that day with the review. Cheers.

 

GREAT story!! You do need to get back to experience the beach.

[Jamman54]

Did you book an excursion for hmc or you just walked up to the beach.. Also the island BBQ? You just pay when you're hungry or how does it all work? Thanks

 

 

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HMC is a private island that HAL owns, and Carnival calls at, so no excursion is needed to go there. You just need to book a cruise on HAL or Carnival that stops there. The Island BBQ is free.

[blondie151o]

HMC is a private island that HAL owns, and Carnival calls at, so no excursion is needed to go there. You just need to book a cruise on HAL or Carnival that stops there. The Island BBQ is free.

 

 

Wow that's awesome. It looks so nice ... Hope to go there one day! Thanks for the info

 

 

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[AidenandCasensMommy]

A few questions about HMC. Is the kids water slide area free? Also, what have you found to be the best shaded areas of the beach? I'm hoping we can get on an early tender to find a nice shade since out little ones will be with us.

[freddymale]

loving your review, bookmarking my place

looking forward to reading the rest of your review

[Jamman54]

loving your review, bookmarking my place

looking forward to reading the rest of your review

 

Thanks for reading. I hope to wrap this one up in the next two days, then go right into my Carnival Liberty review.

[Crusin Karen]

Oh, Jamman, we are twins from another mother and both LOVE Carnival, GT and HMC! :D Been there so many times and I am still in awe when I see the pictures. Thank you for taking me there again. ;) Don't know if I will ever get back in this lifetime, but memories are recalled with reviews like yours! Can't wait to read about your Liberty cruise! :)

[Jamman54]

A few questions about HMC. Is the kids water slide area free? Also, what have you found to be the best shaded areas of the beach? I'm hoping we can get on an early tender to find a nice shade since out little ones will be with us.

 

Yes those slides are free. There is plenty of shade to be found on HMC. In fact in her review, Wrigley80 found shade in that very area. If it is in your budget, consider renting a cabana. It's a great investment in keeping the little ones from over heating.

[PC Cruisin]

Love your HMC pictures!! We will be doing a B2B in January and can't wait to be there. Our first time on HMC!:D

[Jamman54]

Oh, Jamman, we are twins from another mother and both LOVE Carnival, GT and HMC! :D Been there so many times and I am still in awe when I see the pictures. Thank you for taking me there again. ;) Don't know if I will ever get back in this lifetime, but memories are recalled with reviews like yours! Can't wait to read about your Liberty cruise! :)

 

Hey Karry!! Always good to hear from you. I was hoping you guys would be doing the NYC to SJU repo.

[Crusin Karen]

Yes those slides are free. There is plenty of shade to be found on HMC. In fact in her review, Wrigley80 found shade in that very area. If it is in your budget, consider renting a cabana. It's a great investment in keeping the little ones from over heating.

We have been to HMC probably 1/2 dozen times. Always wanted to rent a cabana because I trust Jamman so much and he always does, but it's just not in the budget. I always bring folding umbrellas. They fit very easily in your suitcase and beach bag and perfect for shading on the beach.

 

Hey Karry!! Always good to hear from you. I was hoping you guys would be doing the NYC to SJU repo.

In my dreams...I play the lottery every night and keep my fingers crossed. When I heard you were on this cruise I bought TWO lottery tickets! :p Would LOVE to cruise with you and have a few Mudslides! "Problem" is the air fare. Just can't swing it....hoping to do Pride from Baltimore in 2016 unless CCL brings "something" to Manhattan in the meantime. I am hoping the Breeze or Liberty! ;) Wishful thinking and in the meantime, will live vicariously thru you!

[funinthesun1964]

Hi Jamman, I am really enjoying your review. I was on the Fascination in February of 2011, so it's good to have a look at the ship again and refresh my memory.

 

I have sort of a strange question for you: Does the front theater in the ship have windows? I ask this because We were on the Fantasy at the end of July, also a fantasy class ship, and we went there for our muster drill. I was shocked to see windows! We hadn't been on another Fantasy class ship since Sept. 2011, and I don't remember that one (Ecstasy) having windows either. If it did, it must have been dark and I just don't remember. Do you have any other pictures of the front theater? Crazy question I know.

 

Hope your son's knee/leg got much better quickly. Thank God it was not any worse!

 

Looking forward to the Liberty review also!! Thanks!

[Jamman54]

Hi Jamman, I am really enjoying your review. I was on the Fascination in February of 2011, so it's good to have a look at the ship again and refresh my memory.

 

I have sort of a strange question for you: Does the front theater in the ship have windows? I ask this because We were on the Fantasy at the end of July, also a fantasy class ship, and we went there for our muster drill. I was shocked to see windows! We hadn't been on another Fantasy class ship since Sept. 2011, and I don't remember that one (Ecstasy) having windows either. If it did, it must have been dark and I just don't remember. Do you have any other pictures of the front theater? Crazy question I know.

 

Hope your son's knee/leg got much better quickly. Thank God it was not any worse!

 

Looking forward to the Liberty review also!! Thanks!

 

Thanks for reading!! Ryan has fully recovered from his injuries.

 

Yes, the front theater on all Fantasy Class ships have windows, but most of the times the curtains are closed, so you don't notice them. I will be posting more photos of the Palace theater on the Fascination in my next segment, where you can see the windows. I have not uploaded them yet, or I would have posted them now.

[funinthesun1964]

Thanks for reading!! Ryan has fully recovered from his injuries.

 

Yes, the front theater on all Fantasy Class ships have windows, but most of the times the curtains are closed, so you don't notice them. I will be posting more photos of the Palace theater on the Fascination in my next segment, where you can see the windows. I have not uploaded them yet, or I would have posted them now.

 

 

Ok, will look forward to seeing them. Funny how I forget little things on our first few cruises. Almost all ships we've cruised since then have been Conquest class, so I'm getting used to those now. :)

Edited September 2, 2014 by funinthesun1964

[Star24K]

I always enjoy reading your reviews and seeing your great pictures.

[Mutumbojimbo]

I'm glad Ryan wasn't hurt too badly, it looks like you had a great cruise. I'm looking forward to your next cruise

[Jamman54]

I'm glad Ryan wasn't hurt too badly, it looks like you had a great cruise. I'm looking forward to your next cruise

 

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned as I finish up the Fascination review, and begin what will probably be a very long Liberty review.

[Jamman54]

Hello again everybody! It’s time for me to tell you about our final day at sea, our debarkation experience, and give you some final thoughts.

 

 

Ryan and I are sleeping in, but Patti got up, grabbed the camera, and took a lot of pictures of an obviously still sleeping ship. Here is the entrance to the Coconut Grove Bar and Grill…..

 

 

The Breakfast Grill, port side…..

 

 

Continental Breakfast…..

 

 

 

The ice cream machines…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

The Deli and Pizza area, all the way aft on Deck 10…..

 

 

 

Coconut Grove seating…..

 

 

Outside seating, Deck 10, starboard aft…..

 

 

 

Putting on the Ritz lounge, (Punchliner’s), Deck 9 aft…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Patti continues with her photo tour. The next 3 pages were taken along the Promenade on Deck 9. Looking forward on the Promenade…..

 

 

The Diamonds are Forever Dance Club…..

 

 

 

Bogart’s Coffee Bar…..

 

 

Passage to India Lounge…..

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

The Future Cruise Desk…..

 

 

The Stars Bar (Casino Bar)…..

 

 

 

The Casino Royale…..

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Formalities, look at all the yummy candy…..

 

 

The Grand Atrium Staircase…..

 

 

Club O2 (15-17 years old), Deck 9 Grand Atrium…..

 

 

 

 

The Backstreet Video Arcade, Deck 9 Grand Atrium…..

 

 

To be continued…..