We struck gold on Fascination!

[APDMOM]

Here are the Fun times, as promised.

 

Click here

[APDMOM]

Great job APDMOM! Your review and pic's were not only of great quality, but it also provided us the chance to think back on our two recent Fascination cruises and the good times we had on them!

 

I tend to agree with the other poster about parking at the terminal. I choose to spend the extra money to park in the cruise lot (in a parking spot that I select) and not have to worry about my vehicle or riding on any shuttle busses.

 

The last time we cruised we were onboard, finished with lunch, unpacking our stuff while awaiting departure. My DW realized then that we may have left something in the car. I had to disembark and run out to the car to check for the item (ala the old "good" OJ Simpson Hertz Rental Car commercial where he ran through the airport). Turns out we left it at home, but at least I had the option to go back to the car.

 

Again, congrat's on having a great cruise and sharing it with us! :D

 

Thank you! :)

[RuthlessBoss]

We will have to somehow try to go at a time when it is not as busy. Since this was a summer cruise, we found sea days quite crowded - especially the promenade. The Waterworks area was nice and spacious though!

 

Now, if only they would bring the Blue Iguana onto Fascination :D

Now, you might find a Blue Iguana at Toys r Us:D so you'll have one on all your cruises!!

[tandemcruzr]

Thanks APDMOM for your review and pics. We have been on the Fascination twice, most recently this past May. I'm seeing things in your photos that I don't remember seeing on board. :D

 

You got some great photos of that May cruise. Thank you again for doing what you do.

[laumicmah]

Great review! I have been on her twice and she is one of my faves (sorry to say that the Pride recently squeezed her out...just by a bit). Glad you enjoyed her!

[APDMOM]

Thanks APDMOM for your review and pics. We have been on the Fascination twice, most recently this past May. I'm seeing things in your photos that I don't remember seeing on board. :D

 

You got some great photos of that May cruise. Thank you again for doing what you do.

 

You are welcome! The next time I go to take pictures will be significanly different, since I now know what I will be missing :rolleyes:

 

Great review! I have been on her twice and she is one of my faves (sorry to say that the Pride recently squeezed her out...just by a bit). Glad you enjoyed her!

 

Well, I for one do not blame you for finding the Pride a new favorite...we love her sister ship, Legend. I keep saying after Legend gets the 2.0 upgrade she will be my idea of a perfect ship. Glad you enjoyed the review. :)

[kcep02]

Thank you so much for the terrific pictures. We will be on her Saturday and we are so excited. Are there signs to direct you to the other parking lot that is $8 and was it a secure area? After we disembark we are going to St. Augustine for the day. Do you have any recommendations of must see or do. We will have our daughters with us they are 9 and 6. Where do you recommend for sail away.

 

How was the serenity area?

[APDMOM]

Thank you so much for the terrific pictures. We will be on her Saturday and we are so excited. Are there signs to direct you to the other parking lot that is $8 and was it a secure area?

 

Yes, as soon as you turn into the port, you will see the lot on the left. It was secure, fenced in. They do not take responsibility for the vehicle or contents, as most parking lots I have seen state on their ticket. So, it is not guaranteed, but being from this area, I felt safe leaving our car there.

 

After we disembark we are going to St. Augustine for the day. Do you have any recommendations of must see or do. We will have our daughters with us they are 9 and 6.

 

I would definitely recommend the trolley tour in historic St Augustine. It is about $25 per person, but was a lot of fun. You can hop on and hop off as much as you want to all day. Free parking is included if you take the trolley tour. Most of the guides work at the college and have amazing knowledge and fun facts about the history. If you land a trolley whose guide you don't like, just hop off and take the next one :)

 

If you don't want to spend that much money, go to the Fort for a $5 per person self-guided tour. We always go to San Sebastian Winery, where you watch a short video, get a tour, and then participate in a free wine tasting. We love their Vintner's Red! The entire historic area has beautiful buildings and some fun shops. Enjoy!

 

Where do you recommend for sail away.

 

We went to the aft area on deck 10 - my favorite spot shown in the pics. It is covered from the sun and we had a nice breeze. When we got close to the bridge, we just ran up one set of stairs to the waterworks to watch the action, then went back down to the shaded area. That is my preference, since I am careful about the Florida sun.

 

How was the serenity area?

 

I did not spend any time there, but it looked nice. It is small with two hot tubs only - no pool. It is aft though, so it has nice views of the ocean.

[crusinfamof4]

Ugh, since I am at work, I cannot see your pics! I so wish I had looked last night! Now, I have to wait until 5. Blah. I am so excited to see your pics and read the rest of the review!

[crusinfamof4]

Did you have any children sailing with you that utilized the arcade? My youngest DS really wants to see what the arcade on the Fascination looks like and we cannot find any pics for it.

[gweedo]

Thank you for such a wonderful review and pictures of the Fascination! We will be on her in Feb. We also enjoy the aft balcony area in the early morning and evenings. On the other ships we have been on it never seemed to be crowded. Wonderful way to relax!:)

[GOUSFBULLS44]

Great review with pics going September 1st can not wait.:rolleyes:

[APDMOM]

Did you have any children sailing with you that utilized the arcade? My youngest DS really wants to see what the arcade on the Fascination looks like and we cannot find any pics for it.

 

We did not use the arcade, but there is one picture you will see when you can access it at home. It is pretty small. I assume you know it is not free and charged to you onboard account? I have read some interesting stories of people who did not know and got quite the "surprise" bill at the end of their cruise :eek: Just want to make sure you know...:)

 

Hope you can see the pics at home!

[APDMOM]

Thank you for such a wonderful review and pictures of the Fascination! We will be on her in Feb. We also enjoy the aft balcony area in the early morning and evenings. On the other ships we have been on it never seemed to be crowded. Wonderful way to relax!:)

 

You are welcome.

 

Great review with pics going September 1st can not wait.:rolleyes:

 

Thank you. Enjoy planning! I have to wait until March for my next adventure...

[Jacob's Mom]

Did you have to reserve the $8/lot prior to getting there or do you just pull in? This will be our first cruise out of Jacksonville... we did cruise on this ship back in 2005!!

[BEACHPAD04]

I am so glad to see someone HATES HIGH BRIDGES BESIDES ME. I once got caught on this bridge( me driving) at 6:30 in the morning and traffic was jamed, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

 

Have been on this ship twice and last time we did not get to sail until 5:30 because the water was so high that morning that the ship could not get under the bridge.

 

Hope u had a great cruise, pictures are great

;)

[APDMOM]

Did you have to reserve the $8/lot prior to getting there or do you just pull in? This will be our first cruise out of Jacksonville... we did cruise on this ship back in 2005!!

 

I did e-mail them to ask about reservation. They took my info and told me I was "all set". When I arrived and told them we had a reservation' date=' they did not take my name, just showed me to a spot for parking. So, I'm not sure they have an organized system :)[/size']

[APDMOM]

I am so glad to see someone HATES HIGH BRIDGES BESIDES ME. I once got caught on this bridge( me driving) at 6:30 in the morning and traffic was jamed, thought I was going to have a heart attack.

 

Have been on this ship twice and last time we did not get to sail until 5:30 because the water was so high that morning that the ship could not get under the bridge.

 

Hope u had a great cruise, pictures are great

;)

 

Thanks! I am ready to go again! If I hurry out right now, I could catch it in Mayport :D

[Sh1035]

 

Thanks! I am ready to go again! If I hurry out right now, I could catch it in Mayport :D

 

Agreed meet you at safe harbor!!

 

Only problem is every time I go back the casino staff ask me if I came back for my money :) just love the staff!

 

But after so many times I mention it to anyone here they are no not Nassau again! Heck I go just for hmc and a cabana.

 

But next up the dream since I do miss Roatan. Also, just an FYI some really cheap flights to puerto Rico at times on JetBlue. We just went for 225 each and rented a 2br by the beach and rainforest for 100 a night. Car was 100 really cheap getaway.

[getfuzzy]

Great review!

[SharkCruiser24]

Thanks for the review!! In recent memory I have only been on larger ships, grew up on smaller ones, but never have I been on a Fantasy class ship. This review really has me looking forward to my Imagination cruise! Loved the pictures!!!

[Etchdreams]

After about 2 years of taking pictures from the shore in Mayport, we finally got to board Carnival Fascination for the first time on July 21! we were quite surprised to find that we were 'Gold', even though we were 1 night short. Contrary to my understanding, we did not have to complete this cruise to become gold...

 

Here is what we received when we arrived:

 

 

 

 

Note, you could only redeem these in the MDR during breakfast or lunch. Lunch is only served on sea days in the MDR.

 

We also received the coveted invitation to the past guest party, but more about that later. This will mostly be a picture review with some comments and tips. Hope you enjoy it, but most of all find it helpful in planning your own adventures!

 

So happy for you. You have taken pictures for us, and glad you get to see it from another view. We will be back on her 9-24

[APDMOM]

Agreed meet you at safe harbor!!

 

Only problem is every time I go back the casino staff ask me if I came back for my money :) just love the staff!

 

But after so many times I mention it to anyone here they are no not Nassau again! Heck I go just for hmc and a cabana.

 

But next up the dream since I do miss Roatan. Also, just an FYI some really cheap flights to puerto Rico at times on JetBlue. We just went for 225 each and rented a 2br by the beach and rainforest for 100 a night. Car was 100 really cheap getaway.

 

Thanks for that tip! There is a Celebrity cruise I have been dreaming about that leaves from there... Too bad all next year's leave is already booked up :rolleyes: COME ON, LOTTERY! (Or rich long-lost uncle who I did not know existed :D)

[APDMOM]

Great review!

 

Thank you!

 

Thanks for the review!! In recent memory I have only been on larger ships, grew up on smaller ones, but never have I been on a Fantasy class ship. This review really has me looking forward to my Imagination cruise! Loved the pictures!!!

 

I had to smile when I saw that this is the first cruise you paid for yourself.... And your comment about being an adult. You have to start small, but at least you get to cruise:D Good for you! Enjoy your cruise.

[APDMOM]

So happy for you. You have taken pictures for us, and glad you get to see it from another view. We will be back on her 9-24

 

Yes, I have you on my calendar for that day to take pics. Toss me a Kleenex as you sail by, because I will no doubt be needing it :o