Review: Sailing Solo on Fascination's Repositioning Cruise April 18-24

[sjn911]

Really enjoying your review...a fellow solo cruiser. Best and first friend from childhood and 3 weeks apart...lol...is a cardiac ICU nurse. Have been blessed knowing her and helped with so many wonderful ones past few years with folks. You Have to vacation as you can and need. Thanks for your service to mankind. You will never be forgotten by so many.

Edited May 10, 2016 by sjn911

[jpm1973]

So sorry for the long delay between posts but work and life sometimes seems to get in the way of these things! Let's continue with a tour of the ship. I spent a lot of time after lunch wandering around getting pictures, so many of these are from then. But some others I got throughout the cruise so I'll include those too, just to complete the tour. Let's start up top on deck 14, Sun Deck, where you find the mini golf course, jogging track, and far forward a small observation deck overlooking the bow of the ship.

 

 



 



 



 



 

Edited May 11, 2016 by jpm1973

[jpm1973]

Moving down to Deck 12, Sports Deck, aft is where you find the funnel with a small deck of lounge chairs surrounding it. This is also where you find the entrance to the Twister and Racer water slides.

 

 



 



 



 



 

[jpm1973]

Deck 12 forward is the location for Spa Carnival, including the gym. In each locker room area there is a sauna and steam room.

 

 



 



 



 

[jpm1973]

 



 



 



 

Edited May 11, 2016 by jpm1973

[jbhcw]

really enjoying your review and the pictures! We've sailed the Fascination three times I think....love the Fantasy class ships...

 

Something you said resonated with me..perhaps the reason we love the smaller ships is that you do know you're on a ship and on the ocean...and one of the biggest reason we sail is to be on the water:):)

 

LOL...we'll see how we like the Getaway later this year...family cruise with the kids and grandkids:D

[jpm1973]

Moving down to Deck 11, Verandah. Aft on this deck is Waterworks with the water slides as well as large deck areas with lounge chairs.

 

 



 



 



 



 

[jpm1973]

You can also find suffleboard and two ping-pong tables on deck 11 in addition to lots more lounge chair space overlooking the pool.

 



 



 



 



 

Edited May 11, 2016 by jpm1973

[jpm1973]

Moving forward on Deck 11 and inside is where you find Camp Carnival (sorry no pictures from here) and the very top of the Atrium with the two glass elevators. Forward are the Verandah deck cabins, including junior suites and inside cabins. Furthest forward is another larger outdoor observation deck.

 

 



 



 

View from the observation deck looking aft.

Edited May 11, 2016 by jpm1973

[jpm1973]

Moving down to Deck 10, Lido. Aft on this deck is the Coconut Grove buffet with two outdoor seating areas on either side. Mid-deck is the pool, two hot tubs, and two bars as well as the outdoor grill and Mongolian Wok areas of the buffet. Forward on either side are outdoor areas without any seating; this is where you go at the end of the Muster drill to see where you board the life boats. At the front of these decks there are stairs leading up to the observation deck on 11.

 

Since I already posted several pictures of the pool area I'll just add a couple more here.

 



 



 



 



 

Edited May 11, 2016 by jpm1973

[crusinpsychRN]

The "trees" and thatched roof over stairs is a nice touch. They need to do that to Paradise which is a real tub.

[momof3cruisers]

I am enjoying your review! Thank you for doing it.

[jpm1973]

Thanks for following along! Sorry again for the delay. That will be it for today as I have to work later tonight. Will continue the ship tour tomorrow.

[kadikale]

Enjoying your review. About to book Fascination. Is there a Guys Burger Joint on board?

[loubetti]

Nice review, and nice photos. I like your cabin. While balconies and windows are nice, having two portholes with deadlights on them really make you feel that you are on a ship.

 

The Fantasy class ships, that some think are "small", are quite large at around 73,000 tons (larger than the famous QE2), and a lot larger than Titanic!

 

Looking forward to more.

[jpm1973]

Enjoying your review. About to book Fascination. Is there a Guys Burger Joint on board?

 

 

No Guy's on the Fascination.

[undercat]

Following along! Looking forward to the rest of your review. Keep those photos coming!

[ranchette]

How was the casino?

[jpm1973]

How was the casino?

 

I wasn't in there as much as I usually am, but didn't seem bad. Not overly smoky and an okay variety of machines. Didn't have a chance to meet the hosts this time.

[jpm1973]

Continuing the ship tour on Deck 10, the next set of pictures will be from the Coconut Grove buffet and the outdoor seating areas on either side far aft.

 



 



 



 



 

Edited May 12, 2016 by jpm1973

[jpm1973]

 



 



 



 





 



 

The next few pictures will be of the outdoor seating areas that run from far aft around either side. This is one of my favorite spots on the Fantasy class ships.

Edited May 12, 2016 by jpm1973

[jpm1973]

 



 







 



 



 

And here are some shots from the outdoor decks that wrap up either side as you make your way forward. In the third photo you can see the stairs in the distance that lead up to the observation deck on 11.

Edited May 12, 2016 by jpm1973

[sjn911]

FABULOUS PHOTOS...Really makes the Fantasy class shine...I love the his and her locker rooms with both saunas in each that all can use, no extra fees...great shots there. Loved the one Princess trip I had on Star....but the actual dressing area and locker room..before all the fancier stuff is better on the Fantasy class and having the humble sauna options there and that one window and window seat in the ladies...not sure if in men's..it is lovely...gazing on ocean and chatting away in your robe sitting there...

Edited May 12, 2016 by sjn911

[SMSACE6]

jpm1973; I am loving the photos of the ship. It is bringing back memories of my one trip on a fantasy class ship, that being my first Carnival cruise back in 2000 on the Sensation. I did love those two wing like outdoor areas just back of the buffet area, and did like the outdoor deck areas on that ship very much.

Thanks again for the review and the photos.:)

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Enjoying your review. Thanks for taking the time to write it.