fascination was a little dead

[girlsjustwannacruise]

i want to go on a ship with a bit more of a night life. we went on the fascination in a group and most of the group were first timers. The cruise itself was great, no complaints other than the entertainment. I was very disappointed that most nights, except for deck party night, everything just died. After the late dinner there was nothing going on on the ship hardly anywhere and the lido deck was dead as a door nail. When we cruised the fantasy we at least had SOME music, Dj'd on the lido. Nope, not on this ship. i was so disapointed. We went to check out the nightclubs which were also dead, but i want to see some music, even if DJ's on the lido deck. Am i the only one?????

[girlsjustwannacruise]

also... i have to comment on the 'hey mambo' show. umm... we left half through because none of us are great spanish speakers and it was mostly in spanish?????

the second show was FAB! would like to see that again!!! idk, i the one thing i would change on this ship is entertainment.

 

who knows a more lively ship to go on???

[RuthlessBoss]

So much depends on who's on that cruise. I've travelled one ship 3 times. Last week, my fellow cruisers were the most inactive group I've ever sailed with.

[Coqui of the Seas]

also... i have to comment on the 'hey mambo' show. umm... we left half through because none of us are great spanish speakers and it was mostly in Spanish?????

 

So let me get this straight. You went to a Spanish themed show and left half way because it was mostly in Spanish??? Exactly what did you expect?:confused: Many times, you don't need to understand the language to appreciate the cultural and artistic value.

 

For your next cruise, definitely avoid anything out of San Juan, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Lots of Spanish there!

[cuppettmd]

Hey; You can try ships where there are larger (translate: more expensive) ships sailing from the same ports. I sailed on the Inspiration out of Tampa while the Legend seemed to pull the older more sedate cruisers to it, the wild crowd sailed the Inspiration and didn't slow down the whole cruise. I like the Fascination because it is a little more laid back. Try the Sensation out of Port Canaveral. That should keep you busy!:rolleyes: Mikey<><

[crusinfamof4]

I just got off the Fascination on Saturday and yes, there was nothing to do. Elegant night, was dead. We saw Hey Mambo too, I watched no less than 6 couples leave. The Spanish part didn't bother me, it was the thongs in the face the entire time of our 13 yr old son, we stayed the entire time though. And Far From Over, um, yeh, the motorcycle scene was the most risque I have ever seen on a cruise. And Karaoke, I mean, it was the same guy every other person going up there. He was also at all the trivia too.

 

It was Gospelfest 2012 on our cruise, I am not sure if it had something to do with them and they having rooms/spaces taken or something else?

 

We did the adult comedy, but it was the same show as we had seen the day before, but we stayed as there was nothing else to do.

 

We did the Diamond Club, but they played 95% Lil Wayne with the occasional Rihanna song mixed in. Plus the smoke was really bad.

 

We have sailed larger ships, I told my DH we will stick to that.

 

Let's not even begin to mention the fuster cluck that was debarkation.

[Brenna's Mom1]

I think sailing the Fascination is definitely one of those "you get what you pay for" ships. It sails from a non-destination port, has the very worst itinerary in the caribbean, it is small, it is a brief cruise, and it seems to attract a lot of first timers and bargain hunters. I just can't see the "swinging" set choosing it as their first choice, but I could be very wrong.

[GTO-Girl]

We have sailed on the Facination twice and are doing a third in January. I agree it doesn't have as much entertainment, but when we go it is for the rest and relaxation as much as anything else.

 

But hubby and I pretty much have a good time where ever we go......;)

[Tapi]

I think sailing the Fascination is definitely one of those "you get what you pay for" ships. It sails from a non-destination port' date=' has the very worst itinerary in the caribbean, it is small, it is a brief cruise, and it seems to attract a lot of first timers and bargain hunters. I just can't see the "swinging" set choosing it as their first choice, but I could be very wrong.[/quote']

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way. We live in Atlanta and we chose to sail on the Fascination because of A) The short drive, B) The rock bottom prices, and C) because we wanted ports that we were familiar with and close to the US mainland since we were taking our infant son along for the first time, and weren't sure what to expect.

 

Long story short, this cruise was one of the worst in my 30+ years of cruising. Did we get our money's worth? YES (since we paid $229 for an OV on the Empress deck for 5 nights). But the entire experience felt cheap and considerably sub-par when compared to other cruises we've taken. In fact our experience on the Fascination made us try other cruise lines.

 

From reading these boards, I know that the Fascination has a very loyal following who love her to death (and deep down inside, I understand this feeling. It's like cheering for the local baseball team, even if they suck). I also know that first time cruisers who don't know the difference will think she's amazing. But others should sail on her with REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

 

Fascination is a great ship to get away on a budget. Cheap fares, No airfare required, easy ports of call (even if they are a bit repetitive). But anybody looking for a more memorable cruise experience will definitely need to spend a bit more on a different ship/cruise line/itinerary.

[stormynow]

Anyone with comments about the 5 day Paradise out of Tampa. Going in Jan.

[tiggerman101]

Having been on the Fascination three times now, I have to say I rather enjoy the ship. I think so much depends on the time of year and the crowd you are going to get. Personally, I don't do the clubs, etc so I probably fall into the more "sedate" crowd (even at 39). I love the 5 day Nassau/HMC itinerary. I have always had a nice and decent crowd on board.

 

Having said that, I think the crowds out of Miami and Ft Lauderdale are going to be a bit more active. I have also sailed the Imagination three times out of Miami and that ship was a bit more "alive". My last cruise was on the Liberty out of Miami in October and the ship was pretty rocking the whole time. We had a blast and met a ton of new people.

 

I don't go to the shows much anymore as I have seen them all many times. I also don't look to Carnival for major productions.

[vacruizer]

We sailed the Fascination in early November 2010 and found the same thing. I'm wondering if time of year plays into it? It was a DIRT cheap cruise. Our sailing we took my parents and MIL - all in their mid-sixties. They were the young folks onboard. DH and I were just babies in the crowd we had. They unloaded bus after bus from a retirement home on embarkation day. Combine that with what was a terrible entertaiment staff at the time and the ship was dead by 9pm. We would go in the nightclub and there be all of 3 or 4 people in there. It's the only cruise I've ever been bored on. THankfully we had family along to hang with and entertained ourselves. There would be long stretches with nothing scheduled in the Fun Times. Then add to that a night with no show and one of the others got cancelled due to rough seas (which was completely understandable) but the "replacement" show of the band was only done during late dinner. We did have the best waitstaff and steward of any of our cruises. They were fantastic.

 

I'd still sail her again as I really enjoyed the ship itself. I just chalked it up to an "off" sailing, time of year, and crappy entertainment staff at the time which can change.

[okgirl]

I was on the Conquest in September and looking at the fun times, the only thing going on out on the Lido were on the Seaside Theater...they had a Concert at 6:45, a PG movie at 8:30 and an R rated movie at 10:15. I've never known much more out on the Lido deck and actually find it kind of creapy late at night. Even the main pool and bars close around 10pm, the aft bar stays open later because of the pizza place.

 

Most all of the other activities were down on the Promenade where the comedy club, karaoke, piano bar and casino are all in full swing until late...

[cuyahoga11]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels that way. We live in Atlanta and we chose to sail on the Fascination because of A) The short drive, B) The rock bottom prices, and C) because we wanted ports that we were familiar with and close to the US mainland since we were taking our infant son along for the first time, and weren't sure what to expect.

 

Long story short, this cruise was one of the worst in my 30+ years of cruising. Did we get our money's worth? YES (since we paid $229 for an OV on the Empress deck for 5 nights). But the entire experience felt cheap and considerably sub-par when compared to other cruises we've taken. In fact our experience on the Fascination made us try other cruise lines.

 

From reading these boards, I know that the Fascination has a very loyal following who love her to death (and deep down inside, I understand this feeling. It's like cheering for the local baseball team, even if they suck). I also know that first time cruisers who don't know the difference will think she's amazing. But others should sail on her with REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.

 

Fascination is a great ship to get away on a budget. Cheap fares, No airfare required, easy ports of call (even if they are a bit repetitive). But anybody looking for a more memorable cruise experience will definitely need to spend a bit more on a different ship/cruise line/itinerary.

 

Looking at your history, you have sailed her four times. Were they all sub-par?

[Tapi]

Looking at your history, you have sailed her four times. Were they all sub-par?

 

Just the last time. I don't think that the actual ship is the problem (we actually considered her to be in better shape this time after the Evolutions of Fun upgrades). But the onboard experience was definitely not as enjoyable as the previous times. I would say that the less enjoyable experience was due to a limited number of activities as well as a different atmosphere and clientele onboard (my previous sailings on the Fascination were when she was sailing out of Miami).

 

As someone mentioned above, I found myself walking the length of the ship back and forth on sea days looking for something to do. Also, this was the first time in all of our years of cruising with Carnival when we felt overwhelmed by cigarrette smoke. It seemed like there was a larger percentage of smokers who unfortunately didn't respect non-smoking areas. It was everywhere. It seemed like there were many fellow passengers attracted by the dirt cheap prices, but who apparently don't get out much and who just didn't know how to follow rules or behave in public.

 

While the actual cruise wasn't bad, the experience just felt cheap. But then again, we paid a dirt cheap price for it, so we got our money's worth...It's hard to complain when you're paying $45 per day for an oceanview cabin on the Empress deck!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Imagination, same class as Fascination, really lived up to Carnival's "Fun Ships" ad campaign. There were people out and about at all hours of the day, even the night before debarkation. The dance club was usually full, although not packed to capacity. The lounge was empty at times. The deck party must have had half the ship gathered there. At the same time, I never saw any obnoxious college spring break-type behavior. Just the usual good kind of craziness that loosens people up and makes cruising fun.

 

But the most popular nighttime activity seemed to be a Latin band by the Dream bar. They played a lot of salsa and meregue music, made announcements only in Spanish 90% of the time (I could understand them), and attracted a big dancing crowd of all ethnicities. The fact that the ship sailed out of Miami probably had something to do with it.

 

I'm actually glad I came across an active ship on my first cruise. I really liked the ports too. If I were on a quiet ship, Carnival or not, it'd probably color my judgment for cruising in general.

[RuthlessBoss]

Sorry, I don't believe there could be that many smoking where they shouldn't, at least indoors.

[Tapi]

Sorry, I don't believe there could be that many smoking where they shouldn't, at least indoors.

 

Feel free to read my full review of our cruise aboard the Fascination. It's under Member Reviews. There I explain at length and in detail why smoking was so bothersome on that particular sailing.

 

I'm not one of those "overly sensitive" people. Up until this cruise, I had never been truly bothered by smoke, and I haven't been bothered on subsequent cruises either.

[alymb03]

i want to go on a ship with a bit more of a night life. we went on the fascination in a group and most of the group were first timers. The cruise itself was great, no complaints other than the entertainment. I was very disappointed that most nights, except for deck party night, everything just died. After the late dinner there was nothing going on on the ship hardly anywhere and the lido deck was dead as a door nail. When we cruised the fantasy we at least had SOME music, Dj'd on the lido. Nope, not on this ship. i was so disapointed. We went to check out the nightclubs which were also dead, but i want to see some music, even if DJ's on the lido deck. Am i the only one?????

 

i think it depends on when you go. i went on the imagination two years in a row in january.

 

the first year, it was early in january and the college kids kept the night club going.

 

the second year, it was late in january and college was back in session... very dull and dead in the night club that cruise... lol

 

so for the most nightlife, go during college breaks!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

i think it depends on when you go. i went on the imagination two years in a row in january.

 

the first year, it was early in january and the college kids kept the night club going.

 

the second year, it was late in january and college was back in session... very dull and dead in the night club that cruise... lol

 

so for the most nightlife, go during college breaks!

I went on April 30, way after most college spring breaks, unless it's some private school with a weird schedule. There weren't many college kids onboard, but there was a sizable crowd of people in their early 20's. They ended up being the ones keeping the ship active at night; that and getting the party started in Fat Tuesday's in Cozumel. The older crowd ended up getting in on the fun and craziness too. Good times

[girlsjustwannacruise]

So let me get this straight. You went to a Spanish themed show and left half way because it was mostly in Spanish??? Exactly what did you expect?:confused: Many times, you don't need to understand the language to appreciate the cultural and artistic value.

 

For your next cruise, definitely avoid anything out of San Juan, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Lots of Spanish there!

 

ummm...really? I do speak some spanish i just do not prefer to watch a show mostly spoken in spanish. wasnt my preference. its my opinion.

[winddawn]

On my more recent cruises, it seems like there is more party on the Promenade deck just outside the casino once the music starts there just across from the casino bar (Fantasy class ships). There seems to be more people there partying than anywhere else the rest of the ship throughout the cruise. Even on the Lido, I did not see people dancing on the stage with the Calypso band.

 

I think the bad economy has a lot of people in a foul mood.

 

And Carnival spends a lot more of their resources trying to produce profit these days rather than trying to entertain.

[Brenna's Mom1]

And Carnival spends a lot more of their resources trying to produce profit these days rather than trying to entertain.

 

And I'm glad they are since I like to cruise at an amount I can afford and they are keeping the rates down enough (in this bad economy) to make that possible. We always find plenty to do evenings on a ship...I travel with some really fun and energetic people, so ship provided entertainment isn't a top priority for us.

 

All corporations have to make a profit or they will slowly fade out of existence (business theory 101).

[GAMOM4]

We will be on our 3rd cruise on the Fascination in 19 days. I am so excited....we were on the Dream in May and I enjoyed that ship .... but honestly prefer the smaller ships ... the window seats on ships like the Fascination & Inspiration are one of my favorite things. When we were on the Fascination in August 2010 there was definitely more activity (for a lack of a better word) than there was last December .... but we enjoyed the December cruise so much that we booked the exact same week on the same ship this year. There was just something nice about being onboard when all the Christmas decorations were just being put up ... and having an older crowd ... and fewer children and college students it was a much more peaceful cruise. We aren't into meany of the activities that they have on board and don't go to the clubs so I can't really comment on them just as I couldn't comment on the ones on the Dream.

 

I have read where some people don't like the places that the Fascination cruises to ... but we try and choose a ship (other than the Dream) that goes to Key West ... our favorite port. I just can't see any reason to drive over an hour further to go to Canaveral and get on the Ecstasy or drive 4 additional hours and get on the Imagination and go to the same places that I can cruise out of Jacksonville and go to.

 

I am so glad that we all don't like the same things in life...and if we all liked the same ships...the prices would never be as reasonable as they are now:)

[Jenna1983]

I have a feeling port/time of year plays into it because generally I joked the average age of the Freedom 11/3-11/11 was 79 years old. It was definitely a "quiet" cruise.