review of the Fascination out of San Juan

[glentally]

Carnival Fascination

Southern Caribbean- 7 day cruise out of San Juan

17th cruise- various cruise lines

 

San Juan Airport

Much nicer than I remember 10 -12 years ago

$24 cab fare to cruise ship- for 2

 

Embarkation

Arrived 3:30 pm on the ship in 15 minutes

prior to getting on the ship there is a liquor store with I thought great prices. Bought a bottle, when we went through security shortly after they put a orange tag on the bag, there is maybe 50 feet to walk before getting on the ship so during that short walk if you but that bag into another one you can walk right on to the ship with your purchase, no questions asked , no further screening. If you don't and they see your tag they will store your purchase until you get off.

 

Safety drill was a mess. Having cruised so many times I was in the cabin unpacking but never heard the official go to your muster station. Finally the room steward knocked on the door. So I was basically one of the last to arrive ( not intentionally) and there was still another 20 minutes of waiting. Then the instructions TWICE because one was in Spanish- which I understand. Then another trek to the life boat area. My sister can't negotiate stairs so we sat and what what seemed like forever for all the areas to get up to the boats.

 

OK, lets get sailing. Remember it isn't leaving until 10:30 pm so you get a beautiful night view of San Juan. They light up the city side of El Morro Fort, very neat.

 

Carnival Fascination

Having been on this class/size of ship multiple cruises it was what I expected. Smaller but extremely negotiable when getting around. Two dining rooms, one for early and late , other for YTD. Ship was in good shape. Only problem was the bathrooms malfunctioned the last night. Toilets went from no water in them to black water ( thank goodness not smelly) kind of unsettling. Throughout the night , same problem but cleared up by morning. Not just my cabin but others.

 

Main Theater Entertainment

I was a bit disappointed by the main shows. The second night was the welcome aboard show. OMG don't come early. We came about 10 minutes early and on the screens to the left and right was videos of towel animals talking/yelling. 10 seconds would be bearable but 15 minutes at sound levels that were unbearable. We both left as it was starting as we had headaches! It looked like it was going to be one of those meet the singers, the staff and the cruise director shows with no real production. Sea Day had the Divas show. I think some of the singers lacked that ( wow, what a voice) ability. The Divas show had a malfunction right before the finale. We had to wait another 8 minutes or so and then they started it back up. Just, so so. Wednesday was a hypnotist. I don't believe in it and didn't want to just sit around. One couple said she liked it but her husband was like me a skeptic, your call. Thursday was Viva Variety, It started out with a female singer from Chicago ad libbing songs people shouted out from the crowd. Then she says let's turn the lights on and see the crowd. As soon as I heard that we bolted for the doors. It already started out slow and I wasn't going to sit through her picking out people to sing to. Friday was the Love and Marriage Show. I of course have seen way too many but I thought my sister who had only cruised once before might get a kick out of it. Choosing the couples went fairly fast but then the whole process of getting going, getting the husbands off stage seemed like forever. When we heard there were 8 questions to each wife and then of course 8 to the husbands we didn't have the patience or stamina to tough that out so another bolt for the doors. Last night was the Motown Show. Nicely done, and I had seen it recently on the Ecstasy. Your typical Motown songs and skits and then they take it out to the atrium where they get the whole crowd into a few more songs on all levels of the atrium. It was fun but the singers ( mainly the two leads) just lacked that wow factor that made the Ecstasy better.

 

Other Entertainment

 

Comedy was outstanding. One of my favorite comedians Manny Oliveira was there the first part of the cruise another with another great comedian JR. Adults shows were the best. There was a break of two days and then another set of comedians came on board. They were equally good.

 

Casino Band

The Fascinators played a lot of variety and I thought were good.

 

Nightclub

Didn't go in there but on the last 3 cruises it seemed like not many people did.

 

Karaoke

Went in once, very few people, I thought the person doing the karoke was supposed to be able to sing? This guy didn't.

 

Piano Bar

Never went

 

Atrium Singers

There was two and they were ok.

 

Ports

All excursions were booked and planned privately.

 

Monday- St. Thomas

Started out shopping in downtown. Having been to St. John's in the past ( highly recommend it) we decided we wanted a beach day but not the taxi to Red Hook- the ferry- another taxi to the St. John beach so we opted for Limbergh Beach. Just sat at a bar on the beach and didn't do much except relax.

 

Tuesday – Sea Day

Typical ice carving, hairy chest contest ( entered but didn't win) Contribute to St. Jude. Carnival donates 100% of the proceeds. $10 gets you a t shirt, $20 gets you a cute bear that I buy and give to the first kid I see that would enjoy it.

 

Wednesday- Barbados

Calabassa Catamaran

Wonderful excursion, owner Gina treats you like family, tons of delicious food and drinks. Great 1st mates Bobby and Andrew. Swim with turtles, then snorkel two ship wrecks, stop for leisure lunch and swim, nice!

 

Thursday – St. Lucia

Spencer Speedboat Tours

Outstanding day. Spencer has multiple options. Speed boat to the beach, speedboat-then land tours, climb the Pitons, etc. Google him for more details. About 15 of us got in a speed boat and he dropped off 9 at the first spot where they got in cabs for the land tour and eventually he picks them back up in his speedboat and brings them to the beach for lunch. Of the 6 of us remaining we went to the beach that is sitting between the two huge pitons. Pitons are eruptions that never blew their top and spewed lava, pretty awesome. The beach is separated by a pier. One side is a resort ($1200) per night. You can use the beach for free but the chairs are $50 I was told. The other side where we went had free chairs, nice, some in the shade some not. So 4 of us stayed the entire time on that beach and it was one of the most relaxing and fun days I have ever spent. Great snorkeling just a short distance away. After lunch and lots of beer and punch Spencer and his crew take you one scenic tour back on the boat, bat caves, celebrities houses, ( George Foreman, Sophia Loren, Mick Jagger) You can get brought back to the ship or we opted to do some local craft shopping in the nearby Pelican Village which was walking distance to the ship.

 

Friday – St. Kitts

Arranged a private taxi with Lis Perria. Nice short tour through town stopping/slowing to see some sites. Nice opportunity to take a picture up on a cliff of one side the Atlantic ocean and the other side the Caribbean Ocean. We went to “The Reggae Bar and although we had fun the food was pretty bad and the service was so so so I wouldn't recommend the tour or the bar and restaurant as I think there is cheaper and better options out there but I can't tell you what as you will have to dig into it further. Not a bad day, but I think we were so in awe of the two previous days the bar had been raised substantially.

 

Saturday- St. Martin

I was going to rent a car as I have done it twice before and if you truly want to see the whole island that is the way to go. Always has been my favorite island other than Hawaiian islands and now St. Lucia is creeping up as another one. In my opinion there are 4 or 5 things to do on the island. Maho Beach to watch the planes land and enjoy a beach and bar, Marigot- French dining and atmosphere, nice fort to visit with scenic views, Grand Case - ( never been there-was planning on it but never materialized) and then Orient Beach. We took a cab ( $7PP) to Orient Beach and was glad we did. Rented loungers and umbrella for $25 ( there are places for less) and spent the entire day watching all the activities, jet skis, pair sailing, etc. etc. beautiful water and sand. There are times this beach has lots of seaweed so be aware of that. We had nothing but awesome breezes, lapping water and just a great day. There is a nude beach close by if you want to feel free. They stopped the total nudists from walking down the entire beach. I was glad they did because it seemed in years past they were being more of exhibitionists than just enjoying the nude part of it so now they are all one one beach.

 

Food on the Ship

I was pretty disappointed. Having done two solo cruises on identical class ships in the last year the food on the Fascination was average. Some entrees were good, none was outstanding including the lobster. The options were bad. Like I was choosing a Denny;s menu. A bit of an exageration but mac and cheese, meatloaf, lasagna? I would expect that in the buffet on the lido but dinner? Rolls were boring from the last cruises, just overall nothing better than good. Even the two times we had shrimp cocktail it either tasted bad or there was no taste. Then they had the waiters doing the dances which were pretty lame. They made them put on plastic red white and blue jackets to sing and dance. It just made the whole experience seem cheap.

 

Brunch on sea day is to die for. I had filet and eggs, asked if I should have the pork chop instead and he brought both and they we awesome. Waiters were good most nights but then there were pauses in service or you had to ask for water or bread.

 

Disembark took a long time. Lots of self disembark and although they started the process of self disembark at 7:30 am no one else could leave until about 8:45 am. Don't book a flight before 10 am unless you self disembark. Don't forget to get your luggage run through the food inspector machines before getting in linre to check them on the plane.

 

Didn't take the cruise for the ship, just the ports and was rewarded with one one the top 5 cruises that I have been on. Have fun

Edited May 14, 2016 by glentally

[RuthlessBoss]

Thank you for the review. I too would not be on a ship that size for an extended time, but the itinerary sounds perfect.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.

[I Luv Crusin]

Thank you for the review. I too would not be on a ship that size for an extended time, but the itinerary sounds perfect.

 

I like the Fantasy Class ships but also didn't book this for the ship but for new ports! I'm hoping she gets upgraded before we cruise fall of 2017.

[RuthlessBoss]

I like the Fantasy Class ships but also didn't book this for the ship but for new ports! I'm hoping she gets upgraded before we cruise fall of 2017.

 

I'm a fantasy class lover too, on shorter cruises to get my fix. I wouldn't want to spend 7 nights on one unless there was something like this itinerary.

[cricket_7]

Leaving tomorrow on the Fascination. Thanks for the review!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Keith1010]

Excellent report.

 

Thank you.

 

Keith

[ontheweb]

DW wanted me to ask if they have the big screen showing movies.

 

I am assuming none of the ports is a tender port. I hope I am right.

 

When is the second elegant night. (Assuming the first is on the sea day.)

[MCFTJCH2V]

We always purchase a 3 pack of booze and bring it onto the ship. Miss the days where they would deliver it to your cabin as a courtesy. Always have leftovers though.

[glentally]

DW wanted me to ask if they have the big screen showing movies.

 

I am assuming none of the ports is a tender port. I hope I am right.

 

When is the second elegant night. (Assuming the first is on the sea day.)

 

ask all you want, that is why I wrote the review to help.

 

no tenders

cruise elegant is Tuesday and Thursday

 

I saw no mention of movies I have all the fun ship pamphlets and was going to add those to the official review on cruise critic.

 

quick glance 3 of the 7 no mention of movies

[ranchette]

We always purchase a 3 pack of booze and bring it onto the ship. Miss the days where they would deliver it to your cabin as a courtesy. Always have leftovers though.

 

I thought you could not bring liquor on the ship. Is it different in Puerto Rico?

[Stinger-pr]

I thought you could not bring liquor on the ship. Is it different in Puerto Rico?

 

Carnival Fascination

 

Embarkation

Arrived 3:30 pm on the ship in 15 minutes

prior to getting on the ship there is a liquor store with I thought great prices. Bought a bottle, when we went through security shortly after they put a orange tag on the bag, there is maybe 50 feet to walk before getting on the ship so during that short walk if you but that bag into another one you can walk right on to the ship with your purchase, no questions asked , no further screening. If you don't and they see your tag they will store your purchase until you get off.

 

 

Didn't take the cruise for the ship, just the ports and was rewarded with one one the top 5 cruises that I have been on. Have fun

 

What he said ▲▲▲.... It is not allowed and while I don't encourage it, there ways around it.

[Steve Dore]

I thought you could not bring liquor on the ship. Is it different in Puerto Rico?

 

Enforcement of the policy is very lax compared to other embarkation ports. No TSA wannabes with a John Wayne complex pulling out every can/bottle/carton and shaking it. Best embarkation port ever.

 

I carried on five boxes of the Gasolina pouches, a bottle of rum and two bottles of wine I bought at the port, and no questions from any of the screeners. Just a smile and have a nice cruise.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Steve Dore

[ontheweb]

ask all you want, that is why I wrote the review to help.

 

no tenders

cruise elegant is Tuesday and Thursday

 

I saw no mention of movies I have all the fun ship pamphlets and was going to add those to the official review on cruise critic.

 

quick glance 3 of the 7 no mention of movies

 

As long as you say ask all you want---here's the question everyone has been avoiding, mosquitos. Were they a problem? Was any warning given about mosquitos and the zika virus?

[gfountain1]

We were on the Fascination a few years ago and the first night the roof was leaking pretty bad as you came inside from the lido deck. We had a really fun time, but I wouldn't want to be on that ship more then 3 days max.

[glentally]

As long as you say ask all you want---here's the question everyone has been avoiding, mosquitos. Were they a problem? Was any warning given about mosquitos and the zika virus?

 

I had mosquito netting over my bed in the cabin, OK poor attempt at humor. I live in Florida and rarely get bit. I was shocked when I heard someone report that mosquitos bite during the day. There were NO bugs on the beach , I did.t do land trips. Bought and brought a bottle of mosquito repellent. Never thought to even look at it.

[glentally]

What he said ▲▲▲.... It is not allowed and while I don't encourage it, there ways around it.

 

And we wonder why we see fewer and fewer reviews. Just the facts maam.

[kelib]

Just came back yesterday from the same cruise.... will update what I thought in my review. Some things I agree with, somethings they have changed in the last week. ( I only saw on red,white blue jacket... think they scrapped that whole routine. )

[ontheweb]

I had mosquito netting over my bed in the were cabin, OK poor attempt at humor. I live in Florida and rarely get bit. I was shocked when I heard someone report that mosquitos bite during the day. There were NO bugs on the beach , I did.t do land trips. Bought and brought a bottle of mosquito repellent. Never thought to even look at it.

 

Thanks that is good to know.

 

We were once on a Western Caribbean cruise that we mostly did Mayan ruins. For our excursion in Belize, there was a warning about mosquitos, but we never saw any. The people from the excursion were pissed off when they heard that the cruise line description of the excursion included a warning about mosquitos.

 

Though the next time I attempted to donate blood to the Red Cross, I discovered that because we went to Belize outside of Belize City, I was prohibited from donating blood for a year.

[kelib]

I saw those little green tags on other bags at the airport and was wondering what they were. Not one person said a word to me about them and I never ran anything through a scanner...go figure ...did you take the Carnival transport to the airport? I just took a taxi.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Stinger-pr]

And we wonder why we see fewer and fewer reviews. Just the facts maam.

 

My message was not to criticize what you, and quite frankly, a lot of people do. You gave a pretty accurate description of the process to bring liquor on board and the lax policing of the rules when embarking from San Juan. My message was meant to people that don't read the complete posts/reviews and ask questions whose answers are in the review itself.

 

Having done two reviews myself I know the work and time involved in making them and I do appreciate you took time to do one. I will be making my third round on the Southern Caribbean route with Carnival this Oct. and having some insight on the Fascination is much welcome since it's a bit of a departure from the two ships I had sailed in before (both Conquest class).

[Roz326]

We are sailing in 19 days. Asked the agent if any ports are tendered and the answer was no. Hope that helps a bit!

[bizeebeth]

Thanks for the review. What time can we start boarding ship in San Juan? We are going on the Fascination in a couple weeks!

 

Thanks!

Elizabeth

[Roz326]

Thanks for the review. What time can we start boarding ship in San Juan? We are going on the Fascination in a couple weeks!

 

Thanks!

Elizabeth

 

We are on the June 5th sailing out of San Juan. Boarding begins at 2:30. We are working on booking various shore excursions (have St. Kitts and St. Lucia nailed down), have all our paperwork printed, some special services ordered (case of bottled water, soda cards and airport shuttle) and are talking what clothes to pack. So looking forward to this cruise!