Mitsugirlys FASCINATION with San Juan-review & pictorial

[mitsugirly]

We had a pretty long delay over in Tampa for this day. I believe it was around 3-4 hours.

 

So...we would be doing a lot more of this...

 

 

 

The only problem is, the "Caribbean" pictures on the cards had an iguana on it. Sakari liked the iguana picture. Sakari was not following the rules and wanted to hang on to the iguana. Ugh.

 

 

We had lunch here and more card games while the hubby managed to snag one of the business table and chairs with the charging stations and did some work to kill time.

 

We were finally able to board...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE END! :D

[cjnix29]

Thanks, Kim, for another fantastic review!!! Your reviews are always a go to for me when planning!!

[mitsugirly]

FINAL THOUGHTS:

 

Puerto Rico is AMAZING! Love this place and I can't believe it took me this long to come here and experience it. I loved everything we did, but didn't get to do everything like I wanted.

 

El Conquistador...is AMAZING! Especially their private beach. I highly recommend this place.

 

Luquillo, pretty beach and made for a nice day. I would recommend if you are just looking for a relaxing day. I personally wouldn't go back because I have already been and there's just too many other places I would like to explore (like the rain forest) next time.

 

Isla Verde, nice place, kinda touristy and you get the feeling you are in down town in a way. Beach was pretty and it reminded me of the last beach we went to here on the Breeze (Numero Uno/Pamelas). The hotel was nice despite the remodeling and I'm sure it will be beautiful once they are done.

 

Old San Juan...absolutely gorgeous and amazing. So much to see and do there that you need about a week there itself. I know I missed a lot and would like to return to spend more time there exploring.

 

I HAVE TO MENTION...Yes, I was complaining about the hot weather...when I say hot...IT WAS HOT...as in 101 degrees!!!!!!

 

The Fascination...older and smaller ship, but she was still a great ship. We didn't see anything wrong with her and she was kept in tip top shape.

 

Employees always cleaning, friendly staff, just slow on the "food" service in MDR, Seuss event, and room service. All need improvement.

 

The ship never felt crowded unless you were at the pool. I NEVER waited at any of the elevators. Push the button and ding, there is was...seriously. I was amazed.

 

The buffet is SMALL but always something to eat there. Loved the back of the ship with the sandwiches and pizza. They had a salad bar in between the back and the buffet.

 

Just remember there's an extra kiosk down by the coffee bar area outside the casino in the hall. No standing in lines in the atrium.

 

The "fake" window in the interior was a nice added touch I thought. Even though you are in an interior, it kinda made you feel like you wasn't.

 

The cruise director always made announcements and ended with "woo hoo". The time he forgot, he came and said "Oops, woo hoo".

 

Remember you will pay .17 tax when in port in PR for soda...because you are in an U.S. port and they must charge tax (that would go for anything you bought).

 

 

I can't really think of anything else. It was an AMAZING cruise. I loved every moment of it.

 

I highly recommend Linquist Beach-absolutely beautiful beach and water along with some decent snorkeling.

 

I highly recommend going to Barbados and I can't wait to return. The Boatyard was beautiful, but I did feel like that had a lot of "rules" to the place. Next time, I will probably go somewhere else to experience the beaches on down. Including the turtles in the price of admission rocks and well worth it.

 

I HIGHLY recommend Jalousie Beach in St Lucia. Simply amazing with awesome snorkeling. It's a do not miss!

 

I recommend Carambola in St Kitts. Very pretty beach, not much snorkeling, but definitely go check out the black beach on down. It's a do not miss.

 

I highly recommend Pinel Island in St Martin. Absolutely gorgeous.

 

So that's it for me. It was an extremely LONG vacation and I found myself wishing I was already home by the time the evening fell and we were still in OSJ. The last time I was gone this long and did a back to "belly" cruise...Arrive day before cruise, 7 day cruise, stay over night, then another 4-5 day cruise (I can't even remember). I swore that time that I would never stay that long again. I believe 10 days is usually my limit before I'm worn out. We managed 12 this time. Ok, so I would say 11 days is good. :D

 

 

 

I'm out...woo hoo.

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Those are Banyan trees. All those things that look like additional trunks are actually aerial roots.

 

Thanks for the info. They are so pretty.

 

The famous statues in and around Old San Juan are:

Christopher Columbus in the center of Plaza de Colon - which you got a photo of:

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=old+san+juan+statue+Christopher+columbus&view=detailv2&&id=DB7EEF82A6E930E3FB66235792A1F632FC623F1F&selectedIndex=3&ccid=0KAANpBj&simid=608011931110477577&thid=OIP.Md0a0003690637b42887a75b670c55345o0&ajaxhist=0

 

Ponce de Leon:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147320-d147762-Reviews-Statue_of_Ponce_de_Leon-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

Next time, go here for brunch:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147320-d1802112-Reviews-Caficultura-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

Try the coconut French toast with pineapple if you like these flavors - but if not everything on the menu is good and the waitstaff is fantastic! Also the coffee is very, very smooth.

 

or go have Puerto Rican food at:

Barrichina - this is where the Pina Colada was invented:

www.barrichina.com

 

El Jibarito

http://www.eljibarito1977.com

http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/old-san-juan/restaurants/el-jibarito

 

Cafe Manolin:

http://cafemanolinoldsanjuan.com/index.html

 

La Mallorquina - which may be the first restaurant ever opened in San Juan:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147320-d7256268-Reviews-La_Mallorquina-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

Most of these restaurants were very, very close to your hotel - in fact you even had a photo of La Mallorquina. I hope you got to try Puerto Rican food at one of them and it's just not posted yet.

 

 

Thank you, I will keep this in mind for next time.

[mitsugirly]

Kim

 

Enjoying every bit of this review and all the pictures! I think I am going to have "reading review withdrawal syndrome" when you are done with this and have no review posted till after your next trip! :D:p

 

Hey, only 1 month, 23 days, 14 hours, 6 min and 22 seconds from now. :p

 

oh my goodness, the second you mentioned "that" smell, I knew you were headed to Pinel! What a beautiful place, we LOVE Pinel Island! But that smell by the ferry? Holy Moly! I have never smelled anything like that in my whole life! I can't believe you had to walk in it!:eek:

 

 

Isn't it the nastiest stuff ever??

[mitsugirly]

Thanks, Kim, for another fantastic review!!! Your reviews are always a go to for me when planning!!

 

Thank you...for taking the time to stick with me and enjoying it. I appreciate it. :)

[NYGirl1002]

Kim thank you for the outstanding review. Your reviews have a habit of making me feel like I'm right there with you guys. I love your family dynamic and I can tell you guys have a great time together.

 

Your pictures were amazing as usual.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write it and hurry up and go on another cruise.

[SuiteTraveler]

Great review Kim, thank you so much for all the work you put into these!

 

Looking forward to your next review!

[mitsugirly]

Kim thank you for the outstanding review. Your reviews have a habit of making me feel like I'm right there with you guys. I love your family dynamic and I can tell you guys have a great time together.

 

Your pictures were amazing as usual.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write it and hurry up and go on another cruise.

 

Aww, thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate it.

 

Great review Kim, thank you so much for all the work you put into these!

 

Looking forward to your next review!

 

Thank you for coming along with me and giving me all this added knowledge. I appreciate it.

[mitsugirly]

I just looked up this same ship/itinerary for next year for Sakari's spring break...and the price is STILL THE SAME as this time. I don't understand why it's so cheap, but I'm not complaining.

 

I may have to do this again next year...or, my other option I'm considering is the Conquest out of FLL to Grand Turk and 3 new ports for us...Aruba, Curacao, and La Romana! Hmmm :)

[spencercoop]

Loved your review and wish it wasn't over!

 

After reading your review you have me seriously considering this cruise!

[1959kar]

*tears* it's over *tears* another awesome review Kim, thanks!!!

[perfect match]

Dive St. Lucia or Scuba Steve's Diving - depending on which resort we were staying at. Both are very good.

That was not my dive video, btw. But that's what it's like.

 

Suite Traveler, thanks for the info on the dive shops in St Lucia. I have saved their info along with the info you shared on Old San Juan. Hopefuly, I will be able to use all of it soon.

 

Thank you for all your comments. Glad you seem to think it's a decent place.

 

At this point, we don't have any place to practice swimming because everything is closed now that Labor day and come and gone. Hopefully she'll catch on quickly.

 

We won't be joining her at this time. However, I was looking at their full snorkeling mask they sell and they did say I could get in the water when she does and try it out before I buy one. So I might do that and watch her a little bit.

 

That sounds like a wonderful day. Pinel is very pretty.

 

Oh, I forgot about pools being closed after Labor Day. :eek: Our pool being open all year is just one of the many things I love about living in Florida!

 

I am sure Sakari will catch on to anything she needs to learn really fast. I wish I had been able to be in that program when I was her age, but that was a long time ago and the program didn't exist then. :eek: :p

 

We were in my local dive shop a couple of weeks ago to get my regulator serviced and my DH was eyeing a full face snorkel mask. He does not dive but will snorkel with me sometimes. He thought he might like the mask, but has not bought one yet. No pool at the dive shop, so not as easy to try one out. I would be interested to know what you think if you try one.

 

Thank you for taking the time to do yet another awesome review! I will be looking forward to your next one, as it will be just in time to help me with my own post cruise blues. We will be returning to PC the day after you sail on the Epic, so remember to wave as our ships pass in the night. :D

[Stinger-pr]

Kim, as a fellow "reviewer" I understand the labor that goes into making one of this things, especially one as detailed, expansive and picture heavy as the ones you do. That being said, I want to thank you for sharing your memories, experiences and your awesome family with all of us.

 

On the other hand, you just made my upcoming cruise and review so much harder to plan out!! I was always wishing you'd never do this itinerary because of this. I have enough having to review last year's August cruise so close to other fellow cruiser which shall remain nameless this time (you know who you guys are:D:D). But I'm planing on having a few new tricks up my sleeve this time around...*evil laugh*.

 

Your experiences had me checking and even re-planning some of the things I had already planed. I am basically repeating most of the thing from my past cruise but this time with a new partner whose new to most of this things (last two cruises for her were "stay on the ship" or "disembark, shop for a while, return to the ship" kindda deals so she's hyped up for this one). I'm seriously considering changing my stop a Sapphire beach to Linquist at St. Thomas (we're also doing Coki for a bit just before).

 

Again, thank you for sharing and I am so happy you enjoyed PR even with the *bleeping* heat and humidity and (I'm sorry to say) incompetent service at most of the places you went to eat. Hope I can personally say hi on your next trip!!

Edited September 19, 2016 by Stinger-pr

[rjl1977]

For all the time and effort you put into this review. I really enjoyed your pictures and like others have said, now I'm thinking about doing this cruise next year. I was thinking Magic out of Port Canaveral but this itinerary has the same stops plus 2 as the other sailing. I hope school goes well for you and I can't wait for your next review next year.

[Stinger-pr]

I just looked up this same ship/itinerary for next year for Sakari's spring break...and the price is STILL THE SAME as this time. I don't understand why it's so cheap, but I'm not complaining.

 

I may have to do this again next year...or, my other option I'm considering is the Conquest out of FLL to Grand Turk and 3 new ports for us...Aruba, Curacao, and La Romana! Hmmm :)

 

I'm guessing Carnival understands that in order to stay ahead of the game, they need to keep prices low on this ship since PR only has 3.8 Million (and decreasing..) residents and one other year-round ship, RCCL's Adventure of the seas with a similar itinerary. They also understand that they have to also contend with THREE other seasonal ships, another from RCCL, one from NCL and one from Celebrity and the fact that out-of-town cruisers need to fly in which can sometimes be even more expensive than the cruise itself. They also have a smaller, older ship compared to all others. But even so, prices for the Fascination have been more expensive than they were for the Valor or Liberty before it. Less rooms, same amount of travelers=artificial demand and higher prices. Still, they are lower than average for Carnival and those of the competition. We booked our cruise early Feb. 2016 and with the exception of a small price drop a few weeks after, our room (ocean view) prices have gone nowhere but up since then.

[blarko]

FINAL THOUGHTS:

 

Puerto Rico is AMAZING! Love this place and I can't believe it took me this long to come here and experience it. I loved everything we did, but didn't get to do everything like I wanted.

 

El Conquistador...is AMAZING! Especially their private beach. I highly recommend this place.

 

Luquillo, pretty beach and made for a nice day. I would recommend if you are just looking for a relaxing day. I personally wouldn't go back because I have already been and there's just too many other places I would like to explore (like the rain forest) next time.

 

Isla Verde, nice place, kinda touristy and you get the feeling you are in down town in a way. Beach was pretty and it reminded me of the last beach we went to here on the Breeze (Numero Uno/Pamelas). The hotel was nice despite the remodeling and I'm sure it will be beautiful once they are done.

 

Old San Juan...absolutely gorgeous and amazing. So much to see and do there that you need about a week there itself. I know I missed a lot and would like to return to spend more time there exploring.

 

I HAVE TO MENTION...Yes, I was complaining about the hot weather...when I say hot...IT WAS HOT...as in 101 degrees!!!!!!

 

The Fascination...older and smaller ship, but she was still a great ship. We didn't see anything wrong with her and she was kept in tip top shape.

 

Employees always cleaning, friendly staff, just slow on the "food" service in MDR, Seuss event, and room service. All need improvement.

 

The ship never felt crowded unless you were at the pool. I NEVER waited at any of the elevators. Push the button and ding, there is was...seriously. I was amazed.

 

The buffet is SMALL but always something to eat there. Loved the back of the ship with the sandwiches and pizza. They had a salad bar in between the back and the buffet.

 

Just remember there's an extra kiosk down by the coffee bar area outside the casino in the hall. No standing in lines in the atrium.

 

The "fake" window in the interior was a nice added touch I thought. Even though you are in an interior, it kinda made you feel like you wasn't.

 

The cruise director always made announcements and ended with "woo hoo". The time he forgot, he came and said "Oops, woo hoo".

 

Remember you will pay .17 tax when in port in PR for soda...because you are in an U.S. port and they must charge tax (that would go for anything you bought).

 

 

I can't really think of anything else. It was an AMAZING cruise. I loved every moment of it.

 

I highly recommend Linquist Beach-absolutely beautiful beach and water along with some decent snorkeling.

 

I highly recommend going to Barbados and I can't wait to return. The Boatyard was beautiful, but I did feel like that had a lot of "rules" to the place. Next time, I will probably go somewhere else to experience the beaches on down. Including the turtles in the price of admission rocks and well worth it.

 

I HIGHLY recommend Jalousie Beach in St Lucia. Simply amazing with awesome snorkeling. It's a do not miss!

 

I recommend Carambola in St Kitts. Very pretty beach, not much snorkeling, but definitely go check out the black beach on down. It's a do not miss.

 

I highly recommend Pinel Island in St Martin. Absolutely gorgeous.

 

So that's it for me. It was an extremely LONG vacation and I found myself wishing I was already home by the time the evening fell and we were still in OSJ. The last time I was gone this long and did a back to "belly" cruise...Arrive day before cruise, 7 day cruise, stay over night, then another 4-5 day cruise (I can't even remember). I swore that time that I would never stay that long again. I believe 10 days is usually my limit before I'm worn out. We managed 12 this time. Ok, so I would say 11 days is good. :D

 

 

 

I'm out...woo hoo.

 

 

Just remember there's an extra kiosk down by the coffee bar area outside the casino in the hall. No standing in lines in the atrium.

 

 

Could you please explain what you mean by this? Do you mean there's an extra food kiosk?

[Stinger-pr]

Just remember there's an extra kiosk down by the coffee bar area outside the casino in the hall. No standing in lines in the atrium.

 

 

Could you please explain what you mean by this? Do you mean there's an extra food kiosk?

 

No, not a food kiosk. What she mentioned is a kiosk where you check your Sail n sign account. You can check balances and add money if needed but not take money out.

[blarko]

No, not a food kiosk. What she mentioned is a kiosk where you check your Sail n sign account. You can check balances and add money if needed but not take money out.

 

Ahhh right! That makes sense....thanks for clarifying that.

[perfect match]

Kim, Simba the jaguar is back on LFK. I found the info in a thread on the RCI board. Since you had mentioned the whole situation on LFK in one of your other reviews, I thought you might be interested. Not sure if you already know.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2403500

[JillL]

As always... amazing! Thanks for taking the time to do this and every other review!!

[SMSACE6]

Loved your review! You and family always have so much fun (even when things go awry), love that. I also love San Juan, and would love to some day see more of Puerto Rico, but love Old San Juan, and remember walking around some of the same corners, roadways that I saw in your pics. I also love all the islands you were at, especially Barbados (did many land vacations there in the past), but have not been to St Kitts. Thanks again for posting a most entertaining review:)

[mitsugirly]

Loved your review and wish it wasn't over!

 

After reading your review you have me seriously considering this cruise!

 

It seriously should. It's a great itinerary for sure. :)

 

*tears* it's over *tears* another awesome review Kim, thanks!!!

 

Aww, thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[mitsugirly]

 

Oh, I forgot about pools being closed after Labor Day. Our pool being open all year is just one of the many things I love about living in Florida!

 

I am sure Sakari will catch on to anything she needs to learn really fast. I wish I had been able to be in that program when I was her age, but that was a long time ago and the program didn't exist then.

 

We were in my local dive shop a couple of weeks ago to get my regulator serviced and my DH was eyeing a full face snorkel mask. He does not dive but will snorkel with me sometimes. He thought he might like the mask, but has not bought one yet. No pool at the dive shop, so not as easy to try one out. I would be interested to know what you think if you try one.

 

Thank you for taking the time to do yet another awesome review! I will be looking forward to your next one, as it will be just in time to help me with my own post cruise blues. We will be returning to PC the day after you sail on the Epic, so remember to wave as our ships pass in the night. :D

 

Yea, living in the north sucks, especially for people like us that would live at the pool 365 days of the year if we could.

 

I will have to let you know what I think about the mask. I think I'll give it a try.

 

I will definitely wave as we leave. :D

 

Kim, as a fellow "reviewer" I understand the labor that goes into making one of this things, especially one as detailed, expansive and picture heavy as the ones you do. That being said, I want to thank you for sharing your memories, experiences and your awesome family with all of us.

 

On the other hand, you just made my upcoming cruise and review so much harder to plan out!! I was always wishing you'd never do this itinerary because of this. I have enough having to review last year's August cruise so close to other fellow cruiser which shall remain nameless this time (you know who you guys are:D:D). But I'm planing on having a few new tricks up my sleeve this time around...*evil laugh*.

 

Your experiences had me checking and even re-planning some of the things I had already planed. I am basically repeating most of the thing from my past cruise but this time with a new partner whose new to most of this things (last two cruises for her were "stay on the ship" or "disembark, shop for a while, return to the ship" kindda deals so she's hyped up for this one). I'm seriously considering changing my stop a Sapphire beach to Linquist at St. Thomas (we're also doing Coki for a bit just before).

 

Again, thank you for sharing and I am so happy you enjoyed PR even with the *bleeping* heat and humidity and (I'm sorry to say) incompetent service at most of the places you went to eat. Hope I can personally say hi on your next trip!!

 

 

Aww thanks so much. Such kind words. Reviews are a lot of work for sure.

 

Awww, I hope your new cruising partner loves what you have planned out. There's some amazing places to go for sure! I can't ever imagine staying on the ship or just shopping. So much to see and do and experience. That's the real reason I go in the first place.