Fascination - Christmas Week

[ParrotRob]

Not really a "review" per se, but just a few observations. I may write more later and I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone might have.

 

First of all, we had a blast. I will call attention to a few bad things, but they did NOT "ruin our cruise" or any of the other conclusions a few others jump to sometimes.

 

The itinerary:

Monday 12/24 - Embark Miami

Tuesday 12/25 - Key West

Wednesday 12/26 - Cozumel

Thursday 12/27 - Sea Day

Friday 12/28 - Debark Miami

 

First, the good:

- The ship was beautifully decked out for Christmas. There was green garland, red bows and gold ornaments all over the atrium railings, a Christmas tree on the atrium staircase. There was holiday music throughout the ship

- The Lido deck staff was over and above. Both in the Coconut dining room and poolside, they were friendlier and more attentive then I'd remembered from previous Carnival cruises

- Priority (VIP) embarkation was quick and efficient. We got to the pier around 11am. I was literally the very first passenger on board the ship at about 11:20am.

- The cat 12 suite we were in (U89) was huge in comparison to our previous cat 8's on Destiny-class ships.

- Embarkation and Debarkation in Key West was smooth, fast and easy.

- Snorkeling in Cozumel was a blast. The entire jeep tour was fun.

 

The not-so-good:

- This itinerary forces a very early and brief port stop in Key West. There was very little open at 7am, and it was made worse by the fact that it was Christmas Day. Both of my favorite breakfast haunts (Blue Heaven and Camille's) were closed for the holiday.

- The dining room staff was merely adequate. The only reason I knew our waiter's name was because it was on his tag. Never introduced himself or went out of his way in any way.

- Ditto for the cabin steward. I only spoke to him one time all week, the first night when they come around for you to sign the sheet acknowledging they've met with you. Never saw him again. The room was taken care of, but again, just adequately. I guess I kind of expected a little more attentive service in a cat 12. It wasn't BAD, it was just, well, adequate.

 

The downright ugly:

- Had a 2pm shore excursion in Cozumel. Had to meet in the Palace Lounge at 12:15. It wasn't until 12:45 that they led us out of the lounge for the tenders, and we ended up standing in a hot stairwell for well OVER NINETY MINUTES (no exaggeration) waiting to tender off. The crew blamed is on disorganization because it was the first tendering in Cozumel for the staff in two months. Our excursion got started nearly an hour late as a result and ran into the night. It also meant we had to come right back to the ship without the hour or so we planned to kill in town. There were an ENORMOUS number of furious passengers as a result of the tender debacle in Cozumel.

[TennisLover]

We were on the same cruise, same ship last year during Christmas week. The early stop in Key West was fine for us. We also had a bad experience with the tender situation in Cozumel. We had not signed up for a ship excursion so we couldn't get off the ship till close to 2:30. Didn't get to the beach till about 3 pm and only had a few hours there. The tender line -- it was a a line in name only -- was completely unorganized to get back on the ship.

 

We had a really good cruise, but I am going to stay away from itineraries with short port stops. Just not enough time to really do anything there, even enjoy the beach!

[cathyoo]

Tennislover, thanks for the review. Ninety minutes.. wow, I have problems standing that long. I can imagine it was a physical nightmare for quite a few folks.

[shipty2]

I was on this ship too however our waitstaff were the best as was our cabin steward. We were on the first tender in Cozumel so we had no problems at all and came back at abut 9pm so no line to return wither. We did book a ship sponsored excursion to the El Cid resorts so were off asap.

[ParrotRob]

I was on this ship too however our waitstaff were the best as was our cabin steward. We were on the first tender in Cozumel so we had no problems at all and came back at abut 9pm so no line to return wither. We did book a ship sponsored excursion to the El Cid resorts so were off asap.

 

Did your excursion meet at the Palace Lounge at 12:15?

[caesar68]

Thanks for the info....the good and the bad.

 

What can you tell me about shows, nightlife food etc.?

[ParrotRob]

Thanks for the info....the good and the bad.

 

What can you tell me about shows, nightlife food etc.?

 

Hmm, probably not much. The only show we saw was one that you won't see - it was the special Christmas gala - typical song and dance with a Christmas theme, and special songs by the Camp Carnival kids. Very festive and entertaining. The Fascination Dancers were especially nice in their "naughty Mrs. Claus" costumes ;-)

 

I don't know if it was the holidays or not, but the nightlife was very quiet this week. The piano bar was uncrowded, the bars and clubs practically dead. That's not really my scene, though, and I spent most of the evenings (after the late dinner seating, that is) in the casino. There was a very happening craps table in there most nights.

 

The food was typical Carnival fare - nothing better or worse than usual. It was a little different, though, in that the lobster tails were not served on formal night - they were on the first night, and not by themselves. It was a dish of one lobster tail and two large shrimp. The lobster tails were small, but tasted pretty good. The second night of the cruise was formal night and it also happened to be Christmas. they had some unusual (for Carnival) menu choices that night like your "classic" Christmas dinner (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce).

 

To be honest, nothing I ate really stood out with the exception of one appetizer - there was a "duet of norwegian salmon and seared ahi tuna" or something like that. Two very small pieces of fish that were outstandingly done. I could have eaten ten of those appetizers. Also one dessert - on christmas night there was a strawberry yule log that was to die for.

 

Entree-wise, I had the lobster tail and prawns one night, a sea scallop dish another night, and I don't even remember what my third entree was. The other night (Wednesday) was a late port night in Cozumel (beef wellington on the dinner menu) so we just ate at the lido restaurant when we got back on. There were some very tasty pork chops and garlic mached potatoes on the lido that night.

 

Although we didn't eat there, the late night gala buffet was incredible. There was an enormous gingerbread house, several beautiful ice scupltures, all sorts of tropical foliage made from pineapples and watermelons