Fascination Review (w/pics...I hope) 4/20/15-4/25/15

[mike_ga]

DW and I are on this ship October 19th, for our first ever cruise so it was nice to see this review. We were worried that we were missing out by not being on one of the newer ships. After reading your review I am certain we will have a great time. It would be nice to have Guys burgers and the Dive in Movies, but won't miss the crowds of the bigger ships that everyone always speaks of. Thanks for the insight.

 

 

You're not really missing a lot. The Fantasy Class ships aren't as crowded the actual burger at Guy's isn't any different as far as I can tell, than the ones served on the Lido Deck on Fascination, you're just missing some toppings and condiments. I do wish Fantasy Class had a steakhouse, but I survive with the flat iron in the MDR.

 

With only one Pool on the ship Dive-in Movies would be unbearable. I try to make it a policy not to spend my time on a ship watching TV or movies (this may change with Vista's IMAX). I also don't bother enabling the mobile network on my phone. With the new internet packages I might be interested in web access more than in the past.

 

But Honestly I can stare at the horizon, down at the water breaking, or the wake for hours and I feel a lot more rested than I do watching a film.

Edited May 1, 2015 by mike_ga

[Bobkat26]

Thanks for the review. we leave in 13 days.

 

Did the dining rooms have the new menus?

 

kathy

[Kristi Williamson]

Thanks for the review. we leave in 13 days.

 

Did the dining rooms have the new menus?

 

kathy

 

 

My DH and my cousin's DH both ordered the alligator fritters, so I'm going to say yes. However, I need to admit that I'm a basic soup, chicken, potato, WCMC kind of girl, so I didn't pay a lot of attention. :o;)

 

The food was actually really good on this cruise. We all mentioned that it was better than we'd had in a while. Everything was HOT if it was supposed to be and COLD if it was supposed to be! Imagine that? :D

[Kristi Williamson]

You're not really missing a lot. The Fantasy Class ships aren't as crowded the actual burger at Guy's isn't any different as far as I can tell, than the ones served on the Lido Deck on Fascination, you're just missing some toppings and condiments. I do wish Fantasy Class had a steakhouse, but I survive with the flat iron in the MDR.

 

With only one Pool on the ship Dive-in Movies would be unbearable. I try to make it a policy not to spend my time on a ship watching TV or movies (this may change with Vista's IMAX). I also don't bother enabling the mobile network on my phone. With the new internet packages I might be interested in web access more than in the past.

 

But Honestly I can stare at the horizon, down at the water breaking, or the wake for hours and I feel a lot more rested than I do watching a film.

 

 

I'm a little weird on burgers because I actually like the OLD Carnival burgers better than Guy's burgers. And I was thrilled to have the old french fries back on the Fascination. I HATE the fat, mushy fries that Guy's serves.

[DarthGrady]

You're not really missing a lot. The Fantasy Class ships aren't as crowded the actual burger at Guy's isn't any different as far as I can tell, than the ones served on the Lido Deck on Fascination, you're just missing some toppings and condiments. I do wish Fantasy Class had a steakhouse, but I survive with the flat iron in the MDR.

 

With only one Pool on the ship Dive-in Movies would be unbearable. I try to make it a policy not to spend my time on a ship watching TV or movies (this may change with Vista's IMAX). I also don't bother enabling the mobile network on my phone. With the new internet packages I might be interested in web access more than in the past.

 

But Honestly I can stare at the horizon, down at the water breaking, or the wake for hours and I feel a lot more rested than I do watching a film.

I agree about the pool, that was one of the biggest problems with the Evolutions of Fun "upgrades" to some of the Fantasy Class ships. They definitely need more than one pool. I really enjoyed Paradise last year because she still has the old aft pool in place.

[cmecruise1962]

I'm going on the Ecstasy in about 2 weeks with my Mom...having been on several larger ships, I will miss the Dive In movies (I am not a movie-goer on land, but something about the Ocean Air, a blanket and a lounge chair changes the experience!) and Guys Burgers! But other than that, I think I'm good! I loved my cruises on the smaller ships...and I hope my mom feels the same!!! :D

Edited May 1, 2015 by cmecruise1962

[Jenandbabysarah]

A question: did they have still have live music on the deck?

 

 

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[Drumbum675]

Fascination has a DJ on deck. No live music on deck.

[Kristi Williamson]

Fascination has a DJ on deck. No live music on deck.

 

 

This is correct. He was good, though and wasn't as loud as many we've experienced. Also, you can't hear anything in the Serenity area if you don't want the DJ. I really miss the calypso bands and wish they'd bring them back...

Edited May 3, 2015 by Kristi Williamson

[The4Cruisers]

Nice review! Glad you had a good time. We sail on this ship a few months from now. Can't wait!

 

Aside from last year's sailing on the Liberty, all of our cruises have been on Fantasy or Holiday class ships. We wouldn't trade them at all for the newer ones.

We really like the intimacy the smaller ships offer. Heck, now that Celebration is back in FLA, that may be worth a trip to sail on her again!

[CityGirl214]

Great review! I just booked the Fascination for June 6 and I'm so excited. We were on her 10 years ago in June as well for a different itinerary. Sounds like we will love it just as much this time!

[cajunlady102]

Thank you so much for all the great reviews! My husband and I are going on the Fascination in October to the Bahamas to celebrate our wedding anniversary and his birthday! So excited! Can someone tell me how we go about upgrading, suggestion on excursions, etc.

[kenrod]

Thank you for your pictorial. I have never been on a Fantasy class ship, but I always enjoy seeing pictures of them.

 

I am also surprised that Carnival ships go to Little Stirrup Cay (Coco Cay). But years ago I was surprised when our Carnival ship stopped off at Half Moon Cay with the Holland American flag, not knowing that the two cruise lines were related.

 

Thanks once again!

[saltybones]

Great review! Love the Fascination!

[tch912]

Thank you for that wonderful review of the Fascination. You know some people write terrible reviews about this ship, although I am one that would go and judge for myself. I will am going with my family and friends for my 60th birthday and I am very excited. October 15th can't get here fast enough. I have been on the Carnival Inspiration, Norwegian Dawn and Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas. I chose this ship because it is a quick getaway and the price wasn't bad. It is close enough for my daughters to drive from North Carolina. There will be four of us out of the DC area and three out of Ohio. Once again thanks for that great trip report.

[TortolaDreamin]

I really enjoyed your review! I'm thinking of booking a Southern Caribbean in July 2016. I am just having issues with the age of the ship. We would only have 1 sea day. I just don't want to be disappointed. We usually sail DCL and have done Carnival Magic. Will the ship itself be a disappointment?

[sjn911]

I really enjoyed your review! I'm thinking of booking a Southern Caribbean in July 2016. I am just having issues with the age of the ship. We would only have 1 sea day. I just don't want to be disappointed. We usually sail DCL and have done Carnival Magic. Will the ship itself be a disappointment?

 

If you go for ports and see the pluses of less people more ability to give good service..especially in the dining room and realize you are going for the ports more than ship this time probably. And you read reviews like this that enjoy the plusses of the layout and sea access places and feeling ore connected to the sea in a smaller (but still not tiny) ship you will love it.

 

If, newer and Bells and whistles are what you want..you are not getting them like your previous ships...you are getting other things as mentioned..so ask yourself if you really need the wow factor or not. I like the older little details like I like the newer..so it is all good for me...I love the free sauna/shower areas in the spas on these ships with a great outside view window.......Sarah

[TortolaDreamin]

If you go for ports and see the pluses of less people more ability to give good service..especially in the dining room and realize you are going for the ports more than ship this time probably. And you read reviews like this that enjoy the plusses of the layout and sea access places and feeling ore connected to the sea in a smaller (but still not tiny) ship you will love it.

 

If, newer and Bells and whistles are what you want..you are not getting them like your previous ships...you are getting other things as mentioned..so ask yourself if you really need the wow factor or not. I like the older little details like I like the newer..so it is all good for me...I love the free sauna/shower areas in the spas on these ships with a great outside view window.......Sarah

 

Thank you Sarah!

[marshhawk]

Thank you for your review-39 more days til I am on the Fascination again! And I cant wait. Unfortunately my boss has taken the ability to see pictures, so I will check yours out when I get home tonight.

 

I love the aft portion of the lido deck, DH and I used to sit out there at night and watch the stars come up out of the ocean.

 

I too love this size ship, the fact that there is only one pool really hasn't bothered us, as we love playing on the slides in the water park area too. I just am not one to just sit in the sun, and to tell you the truth, I don't use the pool at all.

 

I also agree that on the 4 different ships we have been on, the cabin stewards on the Fascination have been the best. I read once that it was a training ship, and that helps improve the quality of work. That may still be true.

 

I am glad that you had a great time, I never did post my last review of the Fascination, well I wrote it, and submitted it, and my computer crashed. By the time we got a new computer hard drive, I just lost the interest to write one.

[marshhawk]

In response to the question about whether or not the ship has the new menus yet-the answer is no, perhaps in January, but at night they do offer a steak house option for 20.00, and the filet mignon I had last November, was one of the best steaks I have ever had.

 

there is surf and turf

filet

ribeye

lobster

 

it comes with your standard veggies, the only change is the meat on the plate-worth every penny.:D

[marshhawk]

aha! I finally got to see the pictures (mean boss took off of the work computers any link to social networking for all the employees, but since I research her vacations for her I still have CC, just cant look at pics).

 

I love the fact that you included the "little things" the table tops, the piano bar, it's those things that give each ship a personality, so thank you!

[Elaine2]

Thank you so much for all the great reviews! My husband and I are going on the Fascination in October to the Bahamas to celebrate our wedding anniversary and his birthday! So excited! Can someone tell me how we go about upgrading, suggestion on excursions, etc.

 

 

We are on the Fascinations new sailing out of San Juan next year. For the excursions we have read all the reviews ( CruiseCritic) on the different ports we r stopping at. Other than 1 excursion we are booking, we will be doing our own excursions via taxi. We have made lists of what we want to see in each port, then will haggle with taxi drivers for the price. There r 4 of us and most excursions we want to do would run about $350 or so. Figure we can haggle for a lot less AND get to see only what we want to !!

 

 

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[ImmortalxKiss]

Does the ship still offer the tastings from other ships restaurants on sea days? I know it was in that little area outside the casino on the promenade deck.

[ImmortalxKiss]

Anyone anyone, bueller? Lol

[bargainsniper]

Anyone anyone, bueller? Lol

 

Yes, there is a taste bar. As of 2 weeks ago. open only on embarkation and sea days. Also a $5 taste drink special at the Stars bar outside of the casino. It was a blue margarita one night, a glass of Chianti another night, and a rum drink the last night.