Back from Fascination...not impressed

[tink77]

Quick run down of our experience on Carnival Fascination:

 

Pro's:

 

Embarkation process went quickly and smoothly, same as debarking.

 

Our room stewards were extremely great!

 

Half Moon Cay is the most amazing beach!

 

We were on vacation!

 

Con's:

 

Was told to call room service for a bucket of ice.....it never came, even after calling to check on it.

 

Anytime dining---orders getting messed up on 2 different nights and having items arrive that weren't even ordered and waiter never fixed the mistake. Special cake order was lost. Waiter spilling water all over the table and just laughing about it.

 

Buffet---drink station always was empty of coffee, cups or ice. Seemed hard to get anything to drink.

 

Food overall was pretty poor quality. We aren't picky eaters at all, but it was hard to find anything that was even "wow, good"!

 

Entertainment was meh........always loved seeing the shows, etc....this time it seemed like there wasn't much going on.

 

On our 1st cruise, we seen our cruise director frequently....on this one, didn't see/hear from him at all until our 3rd night on the ship.

 

Overall, when compared with our first cruise......this one sucked. It was our kids first cruise and they weren't impressed at all by it. Majority of the staff was pretty rude, which is not typical of Carnival staff at all! The changes to the food quality is noticeable and some days it was hard pressed to find anything besides the deli that tasted good! Debating on trying a larger Carnival ship, switching and trying RCL or even doing just an all inclusive for next time.

[champagne123]

I don't know how old your kids are....but unless YOU expressed your opinion in front of them...how would they know the difference?????

 

When someone says "the majority of the staff was rude" I automatically do not believe the poster. In ten cruises, I have NEVER, EVER, MET ONE RUDE EMPLOYEE ...no matter which cruise line I have been on.

[tink77]

I told them how much fun our first cruise was...they heard the stories of what it was like and just weren't impressed compared with past vacations that were non-cruising.

 

I would automatically not believe it either...but I did experience it this cruise! The photo staff (the ones who sold the pics) were really bad. Went to pay for my pics and he rang me up and just handed me the pics back, I asked if he could put them in the cardboard envelope so that they wouldn't bend and sighed loudly and did put them in an envelope. When I was turning to walk away, I realized he hadn't given me the "free" gifts you get when you buy pics, I turned to ask them about them and he leaned behind the podium and grabbed some of the stuff and threw it on the podium and walked away.......I didn't even inquire about the coffee mug...just decided to chalk it up and forget it.

 

The staff in the buffet area.....only ONE was friendly and actually smiled and talked. The rest looked pissed off a lot of the time and never once smiled.

 

The only staff that was friendly were the ones working directly for tips....and even then, I was 2 for 4 in the MDR that was friendly/good at their job.

 

Like I said....not typical at all for Carnival. Don't know what was going on because I had read a lot of positive about Fascination and I heard several times a day, every single day, other cruisers making remarks about it being the worst cruise that they have taken. So something was definitely different.

[2Shoes2Go]

Just back and had a wonderful cruise! We did Your Time dining with no problems at all. The Trace Adkins concert was exceptionally good. There were more than 700 children onboard. Many schools were out for their fall breaks. A little noisier, but good behavior. Adam, CD, is a really nice guy and added to the fun, for us.

Would have loved to b2b!

[TheGoodLife1010]

We were on the fascination last week and had an awesome time! As a matter of fact, I thought it was the best cruise yet! My husband hit big in the casino, I did good at the slots, my oldest daughter met many new friends at circle c, my youngest daughter and I had a lot of fun out at the pool and water slides! Trace was awesome! Tea time was fabulous! The comedy shows were funny, karaoke was typical lol. The workers we were around were all friendly and seemed happy. Our room steward always made sure we had ice! I never had a problem at the buffet with cups, ice, etc. The food was as I always remember it. Not as nice as a 5 star resort, but not any worse than a steakhouse or Applebee's. We ordered room service for lunch on the long Nassau day, it came in about 15 minutes. The only complaint there - which isn't really worth mentioning, but I will - they forgot my husband's cole slaw that came with his chicken wrap lol. I'm sorry you had a lousy experience.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[cruizinisthebest]

Kids weren't impressed? OK.

[Cruzlover7]

The fascination was the ship that got me and my children hooked on cruising. I have sailed 11 cruises with Carnival and never saw an unfriendly staff person. I truly don't look to deep into the small stuff. I just want to relax and enjoy the sunshine on ship and in the ports. Perhaps the OP happened to run into the only staff people that may have been having a bad day. They are human!

[tink77]

When I first cruised the Inspiration, I remember reading a lot of reviews about how bad it was.....we went on it and had an amazing time, same week read others reviews and they didn't have a good time.

 

Like I said, the pro was we were on vacation....the con's were things we noticed in comparison to cruising Carnival BEFORE, not bad mouthing Carnival.

 

I appreciated all the employees.....just used to more friendly ones based on my past experience with Carnival!

 

I am glad someone got room service!! lol But it was a port day and not a lot of people were on the ship when we came back around 4pm....so that would explain that. However, I know we never got the ice we ordered the entire cruise......the one lady I was talking to in line one night said they didn't get ice for 2 nights after ordering....and then the last night we ordered room service, it took an hour and a half for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple juice to come.

 

Sorry if my perception is different than others. It is MY review of what I seen/encountered on MY cruise, which obviously is going to be different than someone else's!

[PathfinderEss]

Quick run down of our experience on Carnival Fascination:

 

Pro's:

 

Embarkation process went quickly and smoothly, same as debarking.

 

Our room stewards were extremely great!

 

Half Moon Cay is the most amazing beach!

 

We were on vacation!

 

Con's:

 

Was told to call room service for a bucket of ice.....it never came, even after calling to check on it.

 

Anytime dining---orders getting messed up on 2 different nights and having items arrive that weren't even ordered and waiter never fixed the mistake. Special cake order was lost. Waiter spilling water all over the table and just laughing about it.

 

Buffet---drink station always was empty of coffee, cups or ice. Seemed hard to get anything to drink.

 

Food overall was pretty poor quality. We aren't picky eaters at all, but it was hard to find anything that was even "wow, good"!

 

Entertainment was meh........always loved seeing the shows, etc....this time it seemed like there wasn't much going on.

 

On our 1st cruise, we seen our cruise director frequently....on this one, didn't see/hear from him at all until our 3rd night on the ship.

 

Overall, when compared with our first cruise......this one sucked. It was our kids first cruise and they weren't impressed at all by it. Majority of the staff was pretty rude, which is not typical of Carnival staff at all! The changes to the food quality is noticeable and some days it was hard pressed to find anything besides the deli that tasted good! Debating on trying a larger Carnival ship, switching and trying RCL or even doing just an all inclusive for next time.

 

Sorry that things did not go well for you on this cruise.

 

[Spurschick]

Kids weren't impressed? OK.

 

Is it fair to assume you don't travel with kids?

 

A family vacation is for all to enjoy parents and kids alike. If our DD doesn't like a ship we don't do it again - simple. Why waste money taking kids somewhere they don't want to be and having a miserable time. :confused: We are lucky there is only one cruise DD did not enjoy. She has loved the others. But as reasonable parents we take DD likes into consideration when planning any vacation.

 

Children are entitled to opinions just as anyone else is. I appreciate the feedback from the perspective of all who travelled

Edited October 18, 2014 by Spurschick

[CocoaMom]

Question if you don't mind - did you ask your cabin steward for ice? I know you can order via room service, but I've always gotten it via cabin steward.

[javamom]

 

 

 

Like I said....not typical at all for Carnival. Don't know what was going on because I had read a lot of positive about Fascination and I heard several times a day, every single day, other cruisers making remarks about it being the worst cruise that they have taken. So something was definitely different.

 

Not just untypical for Carnival but not at all typical for Fascination either. I have been on her more than any other ship. Now, the hotel manager did leave BUT I sailed in June and Fascination was still wonderful.

 

Now as to anytime dining, you get what you ask for. It's not typical, it's not scheduled, it can't be consistent.

 

I just don't want this post to deter anyone from my second favorite Carnival ship!

[KPfromCT]

Not just untypical for Carnival but not at all typical for Fascination either. I have been on her more than any other ship. Now, the hotel manager did leave BUT I sailed in June and Fascination was still wonderful.

 

Now as to anytime dining, you get what you ask for. It's not typical, it's not scheduled, it can't be consistent.

 

I just don't want this post to deter anyone from my second favorite Carnival ship!

 

Just curious, what's your FAVORITE Carnival ship?:D

[trvlgirlmq]

We had the opposite experience a few weeks ago on Fascination. Our couple of issues was with check in and the CD. The port staff was not very organized. We kept asking about luggage drop off and people kept pointing us this way and that and by the time we were all checked in it was too late and we had somehow missed it so had to carry on all of our stuff. Our check in agent also did not give us a number card. I asked him several times for one and he indicated we did not need one. OK, we have always needed one so we would know when it was our turn to board. It took asking other staff to get into a boarding group. Sigh.

 

I also did not care for the CD. He sure didn't plan very many activities and I was so bored. We went to his Q&A and I thought he came across as spoiled and full of himself due to some comments he made about his previous ship. He seemed to indicate that being on the Fascination was slumming it.

 

Otherwise the staff was great especially in the MDR. I had broken my leg and was down to a walking boot and cane during this trip. The ATD hostess always sat us close to the doors and we found a great team with Charlie and his assistants. Our room steward was very personable and did a great job as we have always had.

 

I did realize this trip though that I do prefer a bigger ship that has more activities and a nicer pool configuration. This might be a consideration for you as you indicated. If your budget allows the Breeze and Dream were really loved by my kids and might be an option.

[Anita Latte]

Well. Every cruise is unique. No two people, even on the same cruise, experience the same cruise...KWIM?

 

Very sorry that the OP had a rough time of it.

 

This was not the experience that we had on Fascination in September.

 

We never called room service for ice. We never even asked our room steward. We never even officially met our room steward. But we had purchased a bucket of beer and decided to keep the bucket to take to them room for some sodas/bottled water that we had there. Our room steward was smart enough to realize that we wanted ice...especially when I put the wine bottle next to the bucket the next morning. We came back to the room to two buckets...one with the wine and one with the waters/soda.

 

I can agree about some of the food. I wasn't super impressed with the buffet food...except for the made to order food (omelets and stir fry)...and the cut for you desserts. The pizza, however, was awesome. And the Mexican midnight buffet was really, really good. The Sea Day Brunch had hits and misses. Same with the MDR...but I find this true in any restaurant.

 

We had Any Time Dining...and we only experienced one rough service.

 

We also much have been on track with Adam, the CD, because we liked him a lot. And we saw him a lot.

 

The house entertainment was a bit "meh".

 

I could go on but my point in posting here is to say that there is something of a "luck of the draw" aspect to cruising...a right place, right time...and whenever you deal with humans, the results can be mixed.

[OCruisers]

Fascination does cruises out of JAX which is a convenient port for us.

Otherwise, we would be unlikely to cruise on Fascination. ;)

LuLu

[marshhawk]

Fascination is my favorite ship for cabins, Elation for interior and the Legend for my roll call friends, well that might be the Fascination too. The truth is I dont look for other people to entertain me. I bring my own party (in my head) and just being on the water and going to warm climates, and happy little fruity drinks with umbrellas and I am in heaven.

I understand about the ice bucket problem, our last cruise on the Fascination had the same problem, we would get one, and then it would disappear the next day, and we would ask our steward, and he would get one, and again it disappeared. Any one can spill water, that should not upset you, and he may have laughed because he was embarressed. Not getting what plate you ordered? Well if you didn't eat it, and you went to the maitre'd to complain then I am sure that they would fix the problem. If you ate it, well then I guess the waiter thought they brought the right thing.

I hope your next cruise is fun. Did your kids do Camp Carnival?

I never expect the CD to do anything. It makes my life easier that way. Jen was my favorite, but that was because I ended up being on the same ship with her 3 times. Miss her out this way After that didn't matter.

[skiwee]

Is it fair to assume you don't travel with kids?

 

A family vacation is for all to enjoy parents and kids alike. If our DD doesn't like a ship we don't do it again - simple. Why waste money taking kids somewhere they don't want to be and having a miserable time. :confused: We are lucky there is only one cruise DD did not enjoy. She has loved the others. But as reasonable parents we take DD likes into consideration when planning any vacation.

 

Children are entitled to opinions just as anyone else is. I appreciate the feedback from the perspective of all who travelled

 

 

 

I agree. My DD didn't like the Epic so she won't be taken back on that one. She loved DCL so that is on her list to go back. lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[cruizinisthebest]

Is it fair to assume you don't travel with kids?

 

A family vacation is for all to enjoy parents and kids alike. If our DD doesn't like a ship we don't do it again - simple. Why waste money taking kids somewhere they don't want to be and having a miserable time. :confused: We are lucky there is only one cruise DD did not enjoy. She has loved the others. But as reasonable parents we take DD likes into consideration when planning any vacation.

 

Children are entitled to opinions just as anyone else is. I appreciate the feedback from the perspective of all who travelled

 

Never good to assume. You know what they say. Our last two cruises have been with our children. I only raised my keyboard eyebrow at the comment since it was the kids' first cruise. Even as an adult I loved my first cruise (which was on the Fascination) because I had nothing else to compare it to.

 

I agree that children are entitled to their own opinion. I wouldn't repeat a ship with my kids if my kids didn't like it either. And as for taking them into consideration when planning vacation, my 6 yo hand picked our next cruise. I thought she did a pretty good job, so we booked it! ;)

[linbobky]

Question if you don't mind - did you ask your cabin steward for ice? I know you can order via room service, but I've always gotten it via cabin steward.

 

we were on the oct. 26th. liberty cruise and ask our room steward 3 different times for ice and a ice bucket. on the 4th day, they gave us a plastic pail with ice in it.:eek:

 

everything else on the cruise was great. just had a bad steward!! the worst we have had in 16 cruises.

[tink77]

Question if you don't mind - did you ask your cabin steward for ice? I know you can order via room service, but I've always gotten it via cabin steward.

 

Yes, we asked him first and he said we get it through room service and to call them.

[tink77]

Fascination is my favorite ship for cabins, Elation for interior and the Legend for my roll call friends, well that might be the Fascination too. The truth is I dont look for other people to entertain me. I bring my own party (in my head) and just being on the water and going to warm climates, and happy little fruity drinks with umbrellas and I am in heaven. That is how we vacation, we have our own fun. My comments were just what we witnessed, it didn't have any impact on our fun nor ruin our cruise--just wanted to post some of the con's based on what I seen--not on how it affected our vacation!

 

I understand about the ice bucket problem, our last cruise on the Fascination had the same problem, we would get one, and then it would disappear the next day, and we would ask our steward, and he would get one, and again it disappeared. Any one can spill water, that should not upset you, and he may have laughed because he was embarressed. Not getting what plate you ordered? Well if you didn't eat it, and you went to the maitre'd to complain then I am sure that they would fix the problem. If you ate it, well then I guess the waiter thought they brought the right thing. We aren't complainers, plus, I know how hard those people work on those cruise ships, so we never said a word when the order was wrong, just simply pushed it aside and waited for something else. There was no way I wanted to put them any more behind by fixing the order. We knew if we were still hungry, there was something to eat elsewhere on the ship without having the MDR work even harder than they already do! The spilt drink didn't ruin our vacation--nor did it even ruin a second of it! I liken it to seeing a trapeze artist flying through the air--once in awhile they fall and it shocks us because it just isn't typical to see--same with this situation!

I hope your next cruise is fun. Did your kids do Camp Carnival? Yes, they went one day and didn't care for it. I think that was more not knowing anyone then the activities/camp itself. I really don't think they are "cruise kids". I don't allow them to run all over the ship unattended. I just think they'd rather be outside hiking, tubing from our boat, ziplining, etc and didn't like the confines.

I never expect the CD to do anything. It makes my life easier that way. Jen was my favorite, but that was because I ended up being on the same ship with her 3 times. Miss her out this way After that didn't matter.

I don't expect the CD to make our vacation--it was more on day 3 we were like, wait, isn't there a CD...we seen him everywhere on our other cruise and didn't even know the voice/name for this one initially!

[momosbee]

We cruised on the Fascination October 6. Kids had a great time, as it was Fall Break and they made a lot of new friends. Since my kids were into their own things I was alone a lot of the time. I did a lot of people watching, both staff and guests. People being people, I observed people having such a great time that I was envious. Seems these folks were usually part of a group of friends or family. Then I observed some folks sitting at their tables, etc., who just looked like they would rather be someplace else. As for the staff, after many cruises (4 since June), they are just like any other people. Some love their job and some just count the days till they can go home. We have experienced both. If a staff member is rude, I avoid them if possible. But I must add our overall experience with staff has been excellent. On this particular cruise, I saw a young lady working at the morning buffet who had been one of our waiters on the Fantasy when it was in New Orleans some years ago. I made a point to tell her that I remembered her and she was all smiles. I did prefer the Dream to the smaller ships, but that is just personal preferance. Gonna try the Sunshine for Christmas! Cruisin......you either love it or ya don't.

[tink77]

We cruised on the Fascination October 6. Kids had a great time, as it was Fall Break and they made a lot of new friends. Since my kids were into their own things I was alone a lot of the time. I did a lot of people watching, both staff and guests. People being people, I observed people having such a great time that I was envious. Seems these folks were usually part of a group of friends or family. Then I observed some folks sitting at their tables, etc., who just looked like they would rather be someplace else. As for the staff, after many cruises (4 since June), they are just like any other people. Some love their job and some just count the days till they can go home. We have experienced both. If a staff member is rude, I avoid them if possible. But I must add our overall experience with staff has been excellent. On this particular cruise, I saw a young lady working at the morning buffet who had been one of our waiters on the Fantasy when it was in New Orleans some years ago. I made a point to tell her that I remembered her and she was all smiles. I did prefer the Dream to the smaller ships, but that is just personal preferance. Gonna try the Sunshine for Christmas! Cruisin......you either love it or ya don't.

 

I think for us, cruising will be a couples thing/with friends instead of a family thing from this point forward! We tend to enjoy relaxing and just soaking up the sun, our kids just like to be active, even on vacation!

 

I think this was just an off type thing. We would try Fascination again (adults only), especially to see Half Moon Cay again! I think I am definitely going to try a larger/newer ship next time!

[Tapi]

Debating on trying a larger Carnival ship, switching and trying RCL or even doing just an all inclusive for next time.

 

We've been on the Fascination 4 times. The experience has ranged from awesome, to mediocre. In fact, some of my best cruising memories were on the Fascination, and some of my worst cruising memories were also on the Fascination (just different sailing). Interestingly, our last sailing on the Fascination is what prompted us to take a break from Carnival (we had been sailing on them exclusively for years) and try other cruise lines.

 

In a nutshell, trying other cruise lines has been a great decision! Since that sailing, we have trotted from Royal Caribbean back to Carnival to Holland America to Royal Caribbean to Princess, and traveled to new ports and new regions. It has been such a welcome change, and everything just feels fresh and new every time we try a different cruise line. And when we sailed on Carnival again after taking a break from them, the experience also felt fresh again. So I highly recommend that if you were not satisfied with your last cruise, that you try something different. :)