Halloween Cruise: Carnival Fascination Review & Pics-10/28/13 Sailing to LSC & Nassau

[Jamman54]

GREAT review!! Looking forward to the rest!!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Nikki was ready to perform

 

Nikki grabbed the book and made her selections.

Nigel was in charge of Karaoke this evening. He wasnt very personable in my opinion but I dont go to karaoke often so I am not sure what to expect in all honesty.

There were only two people singing. Nikki and Dave so it was funny to hear "Everyone welcome Nikki to the stage" and then Dave and then Nikki.

 

Then Nikki decorated a pumpkin for my door

 

After a while I got a bit restless (because I cant sit still for very long) and wandered a bit. I peeked into the comedy lounge aft for a peek but I didnt stay. The evening was closing in on me. I definitely couldnt sit through a comedy show. This lounge is WAY different than the one on Fantasy

On the way back to my room I decided to stop at the Casino Bar for a Miami Vice and ran into Trace

[oneboysmom]

This is such a great review! Please let me join you on your next one!!!! Or better yet, another Fantasy class ship, the Ecstasy is calling your name for March 31st!!!

Looks like you had a blast!

[obx_fintoo]

Enjoying your review! Looks like much fun was had by all! :D

[All4fun&fun4all]

YUM Miami Vice and a bartender

 

I also ran into Kyle and Jennifer here as well as Sid the cockroach. Jennifer has a really good pic of me and Sid. Then Kyle wandered off and stood in a creepy way in front of the band. Oh, Kyle!

 

I do wish to make mention about a controversial subject here on CC. Smoking. I quit smoking over a year ago and I have to say as a now non smoker, there were areas that I just couldnt stay in because of the smoke. But, as a non smoker I realize that if I am in a smoking area I should not complain so I removed myself from whatever smoking area I was in WITHOUT fanfare and WITHOUT fanning smoke away from my face. LOL. I even had a hard time with it on the smoking side of lido. It made me a little sad though that I couldnt hang out with some of my smoking friends more but that casino bar is a really tiny area for a large group of smokers to congregate. I think it's absolutely nuts that it even bothers me like this. I never in a million years would have thought this would be a subject in one of my reviews. I will note, however, I never smelled smoke anywhere in the non smoking areas. Just a little 411 for you.

I stopped by the internet cafe to send another message to Andrew before I went to bed for the evening.

Oh, and a little funny side story for you. On one of our previous sailings the Andrew disappeared on me one evening for about an hour. When he showed back up he was laughing so hard and said that we needed to check out the pictures in the morning. He took one of the cheesiest pictures I have ever seen with an ocean backdrop. I had to buy it.

So, on this cruise, I went by a few of the casual portrait set ups and finally decided on this picture to give him.

 

HILARIOUS! And then it was off to bed for me as I knew we would be in Nassau in the morning and some friends wanted to tag along on some of my adventures.

[All4fun&fun4all]

GOOD MORNING NASSAU!

I know that some folks really dont get off the ship in Nassau but I am one of those freaks who really love it here. I have been there 5 times total and I can always find something fun to do while I am there. We were in port from 9am to 8pm so I was in no real hurry to get off the ship until around lunchtime.

We had put out a room service order the previous night for some coffee and a few things. It's just Melissa and I and we put out an order for one decaf and one regular coffee. This is one of those instances that you just never know what you are gonna get.

 

Even for decaf that's a lot of coffee Melissa

 

I knew I wanted to use my free drink coupon on this morning and have some MDR breakfast so I grabbed my drink coupon and headed up to the Sensation Dining room.

 

I had the bagel with lox and cream cheese and some hash brown circles. Very tasty. I think I only ate half the bagel. I was seated with an older couple and a younger couple. I ordered my mimosa for my free drink and then after breakfast went out and took these pics.

So pretty

 

[All4fun&fun4all]

A group of us met in the atrium at 11am to hop off the ship and have some lunch at Arawak Cay (Fish Fry). Then some of us were going to walk to John Watling's Distillery, then a quick dip in the water at Junkanoo Beach then finally end up at Senor Frogs. Does that seem like a lot of things to do? Heck no! Let's do this!

Here is our little group of happy adventurers

 

Jennifer and Kyle show us where there cabin is. They had an aft balcony

 

We were in port with 4 other ships one of which was Fantasy!

 

 

Oh dear. They are already falling behind

 

I am going to get a cat herder tshirt

[All4fun&fun4all]

At one point they all ducked behind a cooler while we were walking through Festival Centre. You guys cant escape me that easy. Come on let's get movin! I have my eye on you guys now!

 

My favorite lighthouse

 

I love it soooo much

 

Senor Frogs...we will be back there later

 

We stopped in front of the McDonalds for a little break and Jennifer gave a man a dollar for getting Kyle and Valarie across the street safely. We should have paid someone to bring him back too. He wandered off a little.

 

Then we ran into Bubba and Caz and they decided to join us for lunch

[All4fun&fun4all]

Walking. Oh, and they added a Fat Tuesday right next to Junkanoo Beach!

 

More walking

 

OOOOO a bar! Nope, keep walking

 

And then it was time for a break. I think at this point some of the group were second guessing their journey and adventure with me

 

I will just take some pics while y'all rest

 

And after a little more walking.....we have arrived. The lady in the yellow shirt is selling some real fruit drinky drinks. I bought one on the way back out.

Edited November 11, 2013 by All4fun&fun4all
Fat Tuesday

[All4fun&fun4all]

Twin Brothers.

 

I took this opportunity to look for wi fi so that maybe I could Skype with the Andrew. No luck. The signal here was too weak. So, I called him instead. I have no idea how expensive this phone call is going to be. I guess I will find out next month. It was good to hear his voice though.

 

Lunch with friends.

 

We are still friends....right?

 

"Why did you make us walk so far Nancy?"

 

 

Kyle takes a direct approach

[All4fun&fun4all]

Great food and great service

 

Cracked conch and fries

 

 

Oh look! We found a Nikki!

 

After lunch, half of our group decided to take a jitney and go to the beach. Tanya, Tony, Nikki and her mom Glenda decided to continue with me on to the John Watlings Distillery. I hope they still like me after this walk.

We stopped and took a few pics on the way back

 

Pinch pinch

 

Looking towards the ship

[All4fun&fun4all]

Shadow picture!

 

Nikki needed to lay in this hammock a moment

 

As we approached the street that leads to the Distillery we initially were a bit concerned. The street leading up there looked a bit sketchy and we almost reconsidered our trip there but we found another couple that were headed up there so we went for it.

You did notice I said the street leading "up" there right? Yeah, it's a bit of an uphill walk. (Sorry friends)

Church on the way to Distillery

 

Up we go

 

Keep going!

Are they still back there?

[All4fun&fun4all]

We made it!

 

Beautiful

 

The architecture is stunning and so are my friends. We are still friends....right?

 

Steps leading up to the porch

 

I think I lost a few friends again

 

The tour of the Distillery is self guided. There have plaques on the wall that tell you about the house and the stuff inside the house. I couldnt focus long enough to read it all though. Must have been the Bahama Mama I had at Twin Brothers and the fruity drink I got from the little stand outside Twin Brothers. I was really hoping there would be someone to walk us through and tell us a little about it.

You cant go up here but I want to

[All4fun&fun4all]

Nikki, Glenda and Tanya went on to the bar that is onsite while Tony and I walked through the actual Distillery.

Out back

 

Info

 

Really deep hole

 

 

Back side of house

[All4fun&fun4all]

Inside the Distillery

 

 

They hand package the bottles and they are all numbered

 

And more

 

When you walk back inside there will be a guy there handing out samples. You can sample all three types if you like. The white rum was $28.00 per bottle, The dark rum was $35.00 and the fancy pants one was $55.00. I got Andrew the dark rum and a rocks glass. The glass was $6.00 and had John Watlings etched on the side.

 

And then I went into the bar area where my friends were waiting and I took a picture with the bartender

 

And did this

[All4fun&fun4all]

I believe at this point everyone was ready to head to the beach to cool off and have a drink or two.

Headed back on the way to Junkanoo Beach. Downhill was much easier

Almost!

 

Trees!

 

The tiki bar. I brought my own beverages so I just made a cocktail to enjoy on the beach

 

I headed out into the water with my drink in hand. I was very mindful to watch my bags since I didnt have Andrew to watch them. There was Security walking the beach but I still like to stay alert.

 

We stayed here for a good long while just swimming and drinking and chatting. I packed a thin sundress in my backpack so I went to the bathrooms really quickly to take off my wet swimsuit and throw on my dress. I hate sitting around in a wet bathing suit and I knew we would be spending some time at Senor Frogs so this worked out well.

On our way to Senor Frogs I found the FML Group of Companies! FML...hahahaha

[Dare2Believe]

 

Here is what our cabin looked like looking from the door to the portholes (E-7)

 

 

And from the corner of the room looking towards the door

 

 

 

I'm loving your review!!

 

We are on the Fascination in less than 100 days (but who's counting?!;)) so I decided to read your review..lo and behold, we've booked cabin E7! We also have E3 next door..so glad you had good things to say about the cabin..we were a little hesitant to book a porthole cabin because of some things we'd read, but couldn't turn down the little bit of natural light for an interior price!

 

I assume you had no trouble with motion sickness or anything like that? How was the amount of motion in the cabin, if you don't mind me asking? We have one friend traveling with us who gets mild seasickness so she's a little concerned! Would love to be able to ease her mind...

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review..subscribing now!

[All4fun&fun4all]

I'm loving your review!!

 

We are on the Fascination in less than 100 days (but who's counting?!;)) so I decided to read your review..lo and behold, we've booked cabin E7! We also have E3 next door..so glad you had good things to say about the cabin..we were a little hesitant to book a porthole cabin because of some things we'd read, but couldn't turn down the little bit of natural light for an interior price!

 

I assume you had no trouble with motion sickness or anything like that? How was the amount of motion in the cabin, if you don't mind me asking? We have one friend traveling with us who gets mild seasickness so she's a little concerned! Would love to be able to ease her mind...

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review..subscribing now!

 

Thanks for reading! This has been my 3rd time booking a porthole cabin. I love them. I always check to see if portholes are available when I book my cruise because they are such a phenomenal deal. How cool is it that you are staying in my cabin. Look in the top drawer on the underside and see if the post it note I left is still there!

 

This sailing was probably the smoothest sailing I have ever been on. I didnt feel weird or wonky one time on this cruise. I did take ginger root everyday, twice a day for the week prior to the cruise and while I was on it. There was some motion at night while I was sleeping but it was minimal.

 

I really enjoyed the convenience of being on Empress Deck. Everything was close by and taking the stairs wasnt as hard as when we have stayed on lower decks. I stayed commited to those stairs from day 1 and only took the elevator a couple of times.

[Dare2Believe]

Thanks for reading! This has been my 3rd time booking a porthole cabin. I love them. I always check to see if portholes are available when I book my cruise because they are such a phenomenal deal. How cool is it that you are staying in my cabin. Look in the top drawer on the underside and see if the post it note I left is still there!

 

This sailing was probably the smoothest sailing I have ever been on. I didnt feel weird or wonky one time on this cruise. I did take ginger root everyday, twice a day for the week prior to the cruise and while I was on it. There was some motion at night while I was sleeping but it was minimal.

 

I really enjoyed the convenience of being on Empress Deck. Everything was close by and taking the stairs wasnt as hard as when we have stayed on lower decks. I stayed commited to those stairs from day 1 and only took the elevator a couple of times.

 

 

Thanks for the info...I think she will be taking Dramamine everyday as a precaution, so I think she'll be fine - barring any super rough seas, of course!

 

We will definitely look for your post-it! How cool!

[willow028]

Can't wait to hear what happens next!!!

 

And now, a slight review crash - loved the shout out but I probably won't write a review this time as this one is already too awesome!!!!

 

Lookie ~ I found Drunk #4 on Prom Night!!!

 

 

And now, the TRUE Nassau story ~ she's already making us run!

 

 

I think we're getting grief for being too slow!

 

 

Step away from the camera!

 

 

And we're off again!!!

 

 

I swear I had more pictures I said I was going to tag team you with but... hmmmmm

 

Thanks for sharing the distillery pictures ~ much more fun to read than to walk! :) Love ya Penguin!

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[wrigley80]

I just got done making our name tags for our meet and greet. We've got one 4 weeks from today on the Carnival Sunshine.

[All4fun&fun4all]

I swear I had more pictures I said I was going to tag team you with but... hmmmmm

 

 

Thanks for sharing the distillery pictures ~ much more fun to read than to walk! :) Love ya Penguin!

[/size]

 

And I love ya right back. Thanks for adding to the review. I was hoping that you would do so. Feel free to add as many as you want.

 

Oh, and if you want to sail again in May and you come along I will be more than happy to take you for a little walk to John Watling's. LMAO. It's just a little ways UP the road. :p I will pack a papoose so I can tote Kyle next time.

[funinthesun1964]

Hi Nancy, I'm enjoying reading your review. I'm going to try and work on mine a little more today too, I'm up to Nassau /Halloween day at this point! I haven't been to that distillery yet, will have to check it out one day.

[All4fun&fun4all]

Hi Nancy, I'm enjoying reading your review. I'm going to try and work on mine a little more today too, I'm up to Nassau /Halloween day at this point! I haven't been to that distillery yet, will have to check it out one day.

 

Thanks! I will have to check your review out as well. :)

[NCTribeFan]

This is, as always, a great review, Nancy.

 

I didn't know anything about the distillery. Next time I'm in Nassau (and not solo), I'll hike up there. Maybe you can be my tour guide. I promise I won't lag behind. :p