Fantasy, Fascination, elation or Paradise?

[NOSaints1]

Which ship would you pick for a 5 day cruise? If you can compare them that would be great.

 

 

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[GeorgiaMomof4]

I'm interested in seeing what replies you get here also.

 

We sailed on the Fascination earlier this year in February and absolutely loved the ship and the staff. This was our first small ship and we weren't sure what to expect and if we would enjoy it since we had cruised on bigger ships previously.

 

We reluctantly booked the Paradise for this coming February because we wanted the different itinerary that she offers, otherwise we would have definitely sailed on the Fascination again. I've heard she has a great staff but lacks some of the upgrades the Fascination has. I guess we'll find out in about 5 months.

 

Looking forward to what others think!

[beamqueen]

I've only been on Fascination and we loved it! Are you looking at any specific itineraries?

[sjn911]

I have only been on the Paradise...the upgrades do not matter to me..she has the Serenity which I loved and I just loved the "smaller" ship. Next time I am on this class I am doing the Behind the scenes tour and the Chef's Table. The tour is less expensive on this class and the Chef's table is more affordable than other lines and very special and good from reports..I do not know if that cost is same on bigger ships but they have more dining venues..

 

People on these ships on a 4 day and 5 day probably even better due to less of the crazy booze crowd (while that is everywhere..it is just a bad unfair wrap I believe..most of the time)..on these small ships one just relax, find their way quickly and have fun. Nobody is on show and many are so appreciative. See Jamman's review of Fascination. Paradise was great...spa was really great that trip as was food..but twas 2009.

Edited September 2, 2014 by sjn911

[trvlgirlmq]

I would say it also depends on if you are travelling with children.

 

The Elation was ok for a 5 day but the pool is super small and has a slide that goes right in making it not fun for the adults. We chose our Elation cruise because we could more easily drive to New Orleans and we wanted to see Mayan ruins. The Progreso stop and our excursion to Uxmal were the absolute highlight. We didn't get off the ship in Cozumel due to pouring rain all day but I have heard great things about the beaches.

 

I am going on the Fascination in 3 weeks and although I won't be taking the kids this ship looks way more kid friendly. They have a waterworks in a dedicated area and the pool is more inviting for adults. We chose this cruise partly because it is a small ship as I recently broke my leg and partly because it stopped at Little Stirrup Cay and we have always wanted to try one of the private islands.

[NOSaints1]

I want to go to New Orleans, love the city and hoping to catch a Saints game. I also like the Fantasy or Fascination, DW says I get to pick the cruise and she gets to pick the stateroom, which is a suite cause likes the tub, what do you think of the suites and are they worth money?

 

 

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[2Shoes2Go]

We've sailed on them all. Agree with all that has been previously reported in this thread.

New Orleans is wonderful to sail out, but simply must have a balcony, which Elation doesn't. The suites, to us, are overpriced for their features. The 7 nights from there are very nice.

Charleston port is dreadful as far as terminal. Once underway, the trip out is fine. Beautiful city. Fantasy is a bit sad, to us. Gotta make your own fun.

Paradise, Tampa, also no regular balconies. The ship cleanliness and crew morale is improving with addition of a great new Hotel Director, Andrew Brown. I see us cruising Paradise more next year.

Jacksonville, so easy and friendly! Fascination is our favorite as far as crew. Good spirit onboard and the ship is clean. Prices often the most reasonable of the three. Main problem is lack of good offsite parking. So, because we drive down morning of, we just pay and park at port.

Fascination gets our vote. :)

[AidenandCasensMommy]

We have been on the Elation & Fascination. Our kids went with us 2 times on Elation. Then, DH & I went without them last year on the Fascination. We are going on Fascination again in 11 days, with the kids this time. I think they will like it more because of the kids slide area on the back. N.O. is so much closer to us but we just love the balconies on Fascination so it wins out for us.

[dsnygrl]

I've done the Fascination and the Paradise both several times. My favorite Carnival ship is the Fascination. I like the smaller ships. I like the Fascination because she has a great crew, I like the size, I like the upgrades she does have and we love to book the itinerary that goes to Half moon Cay because it is a beautiful island and a great free beach day.

 

That said, we also like that Paradise which is basically the same ship. It also has a great crew and I would rather do Grand Cayman and Cozumel over Nassau and Freeport Itineraries that do not include half moon cay. I wish though that the Paradise would have some upgrades to the cabins and do miss the waterpark that the Fascination has.

 

While I like both the Fascination and the Paradise, if I had to choose between the 2, I would choose the Fascination. It's a little closer drive for us, I like that it has been upgraded, I love half moon cay, and enjoy the waterpark.

[Tapi]

what do you think of the suites and are they worth money?

 

IMHO, no. For what Carnival charges for a suite, you can book a balcony stateroom on a 7 night cruise aboard a newer, larger ship, and on a more upscale cruise line if you so desire. Booking an expensive cabin on these older ships relegated to short, cheap itineraries kinda defeats the main purpose of selecting these cruises to start with.

 

Suites on Carnival have zero perks, except for priority embarkation. Yes they cost less than suites on other cruise lines, but those others deliver the full suite experience.

 

About which ship to choose, I would pick the one that's most convenient and which provides the most desirable itinerary. For me, it would be Paradise going to Grand Cayman and Cozumel, but since you want New Orleans, I woukd definitely lean towards the Elation. Yes, there are differences between these ships, but in my opinion they are not enough to make them the deciding factor.

[NOSaints1]

We would be flying out of Buffalo, which is probably the cheapest for airfare.

 

 

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[SadieN]

Of your choices I've only sailed on the Paradise and Elation when they were both on the West Coast. They are the youngest of the Fantasy class sisters.

 

Both have slides into the Lido pool. 11aft has a smaller pool and two hot tubs instead of the water park.

 

Their bathrooms have more storage with larger sinks and medicine cabinets.

 

They have an extra (pencil) drawer in the vanity.

 

The buffet has a slightly better setup. Can walk to any table when the buffet is full.

 

The smoking section of the casino bar is closer to the tables. No smoke traveling down the center stairwell/elevator shaft.

 

Both ships have Azipods so they have more of a vibration aft than regular propellors.

[NOSaints1]

What about if you were flying from Buffalo?

 

 

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[Mutumbojimbo]

I've sailed on the Fascination, and twice on the Paradise. The Fantasy class ships will be fairly similar, but the Fascination has some non-suite balcony cabins and Waterworks, which the Paradise and the Elation lack.

 

I've enjoyed the shows on the Paradise, and if he's on board, Steve Cassel adds to the entertainment as CD.

 

I would prefer Cozumel to Nassau, but that's a matter of preference. If a stop at Half Moon Cay was on the Fascination itinerary, that might push me towards that cruise.

 

If you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

 

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[sjn911]

I want to go to New Orleans, love the city and hoping to catch a Saints game. I also like the Fantasy or Fascination, DW says I get to pick the cruise and she gets to pick the stateroom, which is a suite cause likes the tub, what do you think of the suites and are they worth money?

 

 

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They are spendy, I think people reason, a spendy way to go on the budget group of the budget shipline ....but they have amazingly large private balconies and I think they are far lass than other suites their size on other lines in Carnival and above..have not looked in a long while there.....yes, in general people argue there are less suite perks on Carnival...but but those private balconies on Cat 12 are great. I have a friend who loved cruising them before he got so busy being a daddy, Cat 11 are much smaller no privacy balconies..but less expensive and fun...saw them with a couple of gals and a single from my table for singles on the Paradise..a nice splurge for one. The Cat 12 has the tub. The big deal is the privacy of the balcony , and just a much larger room and couch living area to relax in; and that balcony is just more enclosed and large wood floor etc.. than so many whatever class or line these days..suite wise..they are a classic dream feel to me..I snuck a view getting off the ship.

Edited September 2, 2014 by sjn911

[SOMBRERO6]

I have two questions.....I have read that this is a "small" ship. So how does it compare to the Valor or Glory? I am assuming smaller ship/less passengers. Also Can I choose the dining room we want to use, so we would not have to walk so far or is there really not much difference? Our cabin is toward the front of midship.

[SkyMaster]

I've sailed "Paradise" a number of times recently, and had a BLAST each and every time. Shows aboard "Paradise" are far superior, and the itinerary is better, IMO. Crew aboard "Paradise" is also outstanding, and the Port of Tampa and the Tampa Airport are among the best as well. You probably won't go wrong with any of them, but IMO, "Paradise" is a sure winner!

 

"SKY"

[portocaller]

I booked the Elation because the port of New Orleans is the most convenient. We also wanted that class of ship. I am curious what will be coming once she gets out of dry dock but I kinda prefer the lack of upgrades.

 

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