Fascination 11/3 Review - Detailed

[LegalCat]

We booked this cruise about 3 months ago. Travelling with three other couples so we had four cabins in total. We had 4 cabins in a row on the Upper deck. We had 1 cat 12 balcony cabin which was U69 then three outside cabins U63, U65 and U67. We paid $200 per person for the outside cabins and $400 per person for the cat 12. I normally wouldnt bother with a balcony on such a short cruise... but with the three other couples we thought it would be nice to have extra space and also the balcony. My husband and I have been on the Fascination 3 times prior. The other three couples never have, two couples had never cruised before and one couple had cruised twice before.

 

We arrived at the port at 12:30. There was pretty much no line but when they saw that we had skippers club we were almost forced out of line and into the skippers club lounge... they checked us in at the skippers club lounge and then gave us a plastic "VIP" card which we were to show at each check point... we got to our cabin about 20 minutes quicker than the other three couples...

 

There were signs on the fire doors saying the cabins would not be accessible until 1 or 1:30, but we saw people coming in and out so we went ahead in, we didnt see any stewards cleaning rooms and all the doors were closed. Our room was finished and the wine we had ordered was already in the room.

 

Cat 12 Balcony Cabin - U69

 

Full walk in closed with safe, his and hers side for hanging and plenty of drawers. Bathroom had wall mounted hair dryer - this was kind of like a reverse vacuum hose, it got really hot to hold and took a long time to dry.. next time I will bring my own... there was a jacuzzi bathtub/shower... there was pretty good water pressure and there was no problem getting hot water. There was a Dove Shower Gel and Shampoo dispensers in the shower. The little sample bowl contained disposable razors, dove styling products, energy power and lots of crest toothpaste.

 

There was a really nice sitting area.. flat screen television... fridge was empty per our request... we had ordered three bottles of wine for the cabin and they were already there, lots of glasses and two buckets of ice... I dont know what else to say about the room, we got a lot of use out of it and loved the balcony, we spent lots of time out there drinking wine and chatting with the other couples.

 

We were very impressed with the newly renovated ship, the bed was really comfy and the room seemed brand new... I dont have any complaints about bad smells or dirty carpets or anything else.. Im a very easy going cruiser... I did constantly notice people cleaning. The only time I made any mention of anything wrong was once when I went into the ladies bathroom next to the Ritz lounge and two of the three toilets were backed up and the smell was awful... I reported it and when we went in there again an hour later it was all cleaned up...

 

The other three rooms were equally nice except obviously smaller. They did not have hair dryers and we had to request them. Also they did not have mini bar fridges.

 

Our cabin stewards name was Nelson and he was great. We only met him when he came by to introduce himself. Our room was kept very clean and we always had fresh towels etc. The only complaint I could have would be that he never replaced the glasses with clean glasses, so I just washed them in the sink and left them to dry on towels... not a huge deal, but it would have been a nice touch to come back to fresh glasses. He always kept our ice buckets full etc.

 

BTW we carried on one bottle of whiskey and one bottle of rum and also about 5 bottles of coke. We had no problems coming on and we carried everything on ourselves.

 

So... we went and had lunch on the lido deck... our dinner was 5:45... we were at table 281 which was in the Imagination and was a large round table for 10... no other couple showed up... we noticed in ALL dinners that a lot of tables were empty... the bar and soda coupons I had ordered were delivered about

 

One thing I noticed was the emergency drill was different at least for us, on all prior cruises you would go up on deck to your station... this time we all went to the Palace lounge, sat, listened to the whole thing, then they escorted us up to the deck, so it was twice as long...

 

So lets see what was memorable....

 

We played in the casino on Friday night and I won 5,000 nickels ($250) from only .10 CENTS on the luck of the irish slot .5 cent slots... I have great luck on nickle slots, I'm so easily entertained lol... one of the other couples also won $50 from about $10 on quarter slots.

 

The waters were very rough and the ship was very rocky... we were I think 2 hours late docking in Nasauu and I think almost all of the ship tours that involved water were cancelled...

 

When we finally did dock the other three couples went to walk around the shops.. my hubby and I walked around a little and then took a taxi ($10 total) to Atlantis hotel. We spent several hours at the hotel and didnt have to pay to see the aquarium... I will post pictures... the cost was $29 per person but we kept walking around and no one ever said anything to us and we got to see everything we wanted to see... We also went to the casino and won $30 from $1 on the $1 slots.

 

We took a taxi back to the town ($8 total) and went to do some shopping. I got surprised at one of the watch retailers and so that really made my day. We also priced out some liquor (jw blue was $5 cheaper in town than on the ship... about 129 in town about 135 on the ship)... but didnt buy anything.. we ended up purchasing our liquor on the ship and spending the extra few dollars for convenience sake.

 

We didnt do any pictures except the welcome aboard picture... we had seen some people complain that the picture was in front of some plants and didnt even have the name of the ship, however when you get the pic it has like a picture border around the picture which has the name of the ship and date of sailing and i think its really much nicer than the original way of doing it... we did get this pic even tho its a pricey at 19.95 but we have the welcome aboard picture from every cruise we have taken so we didnt want to miss this one...

 

The dinners were really nice... always a lot of choice and also standard extras such as salmon, grilled chicken breast and sirloin steak if there isnt anything on the menu that catches your eye... I really enjoyed the tenderloin on the last night... our waiter was pretty good... he would bring us extra food even if we didnt order it... like on formal night for those who got lobster he brought out second servings... and on the third night i didnt order a salad and he brought me one anyway since I had ordered it the two prior nights...

 

We thought the comedian was awful... there was a juggler who was corny but cute... and funnier than the comedian... also the karaoke was hilarious as usual but the female host wasnt too funny...

 

We did attend the art auction as we always do. We have purchased many pieces of art... you get a small free piece of art just for signing up for an auction card even if you dont buy anything.. also since we already had a park west charge card they gave us a free choice of "$650 value" paintings, we picked a mona lisa pixelated pic as it was the only one we didnt already have.. we also purchased two from the "secret auction"... if any one wants to know more detailed info about the art auction let me know.. otherwise I wont go into detail...

 

Ahh! the spa!! We had a couples massage after dinner at 9 pm on the first night. They gave us $15 off any spa service on first night so we saved $30 on the couples massage. I believe it came out to be $121 per person AFTER tip... we didnt like the very hard product sell, I had specifically told them when we arrived that we werent interested in purchasing products but they tried really hard... but we really enjoyed the massage... also they gave me $30 off the seaweed wrap massage which I booked for sea day and that came out to be $147 after tip... two of the ladies we cruised with also had massages, one said they tried hard to sell to her and the other said they didnt even ask or offer any products...

 

Lets see what else... we did attend the captains party which was at 7:15 or 7:30 on Saturday night, we got our cruise worth in free drinks, LOL...

 

My husband and I did not attend any of the shows but the other couples did and they said they were great...

 

On Monday morning we didnt get our bill so we had to go down and pick it up... it did finally arrive under our door about 2 minutes before we got off... we purchased 6 bottles of liquor on the ship (for 2 people), declared it all and had no problems... in the past we had to go to wait in designated waiting areas, this cruise they asked us to wait in our cabins and leave when they called our level... we were doing the "self assist" which we have always done... we were off the ship by 7:15.. it was very easy....

 

Lets see... oh, they left accidently in our room for the cruise before a letter to the cruiser for platinum cruiser benefits, I had never heard of that but it said once you have 10 cruises or more youget it automatically and you get personalized letterhead, petit fours delivered on one night... free entry to slots tournament and some other things.. that was interesting to know as we had never heard of it...

 

So i think thats it, ask away...

[racegrrl]

Welcome back & thanks for the review! We will be on board in a week, and really look forward to it. Folks are big nickel slots fans, so I will have them seek out that machine. :D Would love it if they could win a few bucks. It's their first cruise, and I want them to love it!

[anyone4cruisin]

HI LegalCat,

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on the Fascination is 13 days!!

I am wondering if there is a dvd player or vcr attached to your tv in the suite.

[gkrnjlr]

Welcome home! Thanks for posting the review. I'd love to see your pictures that you took. I'd also love to see pictures of the ship. We'll be going on the Fascination (for the second time) in a couple of weeks.

 

I think we'll follow in your footsteps and hit the nickle slots!

 

Glad you had fun and thanks for the review!

[Vanessa L]

Thanks for the review!! We sailed the Fascination in January and as my DH's first cruise it will always hold great memories for us. We sailed in U94, also cat 12 and wasn't that great!?!?! I loved being so close to the water.

[ESMBDS]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing again on her in January.

We know that the ship was in drydock. What changes did you see?

 

Stacey

[Tigeress297]

Thanks for the review! We will be going on this ship for our first cruise in 20 days! I have read some of the other reviews since she came out of drydock and they all complained about a very noticable vibration with the ship. Was this noticable still? Thanks!

[LegalCat]

HI LegalCat,

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on the Fascination is 13 days!!

I am wondering if there is a dvd player or vcr attached to your tv in the suite.

 

 

No there was no dvd or vcr. But it was the new nice flatscreen television. Also I forgot to mention in my review that they played good movies, 3 movies every day... we watched Davinci Code and Devil Wears Prada and I know they had other recent movies also... also you got some local chanels and we were able to watch Amazing Race and Desperate Housewives, LOL.

[LegalCat]

Thanks for the review! We will be going on this ship for our first cruise in 20 days! I have read some of the other reviews since she came out of drydock and they all complained about a very noticable vibration with the ship. Was this noticable still? Thanks!

 

 

We only noticed a vibration once and it was for a short period of time and we heard some people say it was because they were 'putting out the stabalizers' as the water was very rough... it was a very short time and wasnt really that bad we just noticed the water glasses kind of rattling a little... I think you will love it!

[LegalCat]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing again on her in January.

We know that the ship was in drydock. What changes did you see?

 

Stacey

 

 

Well I havent been on the fascination for at least a year so I dont know if its changes or just lack of memory, lol... however there was definately a new bathroom.... the tub and sink counter looked brand new.. the sink was a marble or fake marble and was pristine and it looked new and the jacuzzi tub looked new also... there was a flat screen television in the room mounted on the wall and the bedding and carpets were pristine and looked new... all the flooring looked really new... also the ship as a whole seemed very clean and revitalized...

[LegalCat]

Welcome back & thanks for the review! We will be on board in a week, and really look forward to it. Folks are big nickel slots fans, so I will have them seek out that machine. :D Would love it if they could win a few bucks. It's their first cruise, and I want them to love it!

 

Im a big nickle slot player, lol.. Im really not a gambler, Im easily entertained by slots and rather than wasting "real" money on $1 slots I figure nickle slots are just as entertaining... I should also say they had .01 cent AND .02 cent slots... and we played some of those also.. at one point I was up $13 on the .02 slots.. lol... the casino definately makes no money from me... I tend to give myself $20 to spend and then thats it... I always seem to win "big"... $250 from .10 cents... Ive always won on slots.. last cruise we won $75 from $1 and in the same cruise $200 from about $5 ... and we always walk away as soon as we win, lol... there are a couple of irish slot machines, the one I won the $250 on was in the back of the casino where there is another bar... the opposite corner from the casino there is a small hallway where i think there is another bar and also an exit to the elevators... that one was fun.. but the one that was more fun is in the same area against the back wall its also a nickle slot but it has funny bonus rounds where you get small wins like 50 nickles at a time, but its really entertaining and you "win" easy and its really drawn out...

[Crablegs77]

Thank you for the review. We found it very helpful.

 

We are flying to Miami for the Nascar race on Sunday Nov 19th. Decided to fly in a week early and take in a cruise before the race.

 

We will be on the Fascination Nov 13th.

 

Really looking forward to it.

 

Thanks again...

[racegrrl]

Im a big nickle slot player, lol.. Im really not a gambler, Im easily entertained by slots and rather than wasting "real" money on $1 slots I figure nickle slots are just as entertaining... I should also say they had .01 cent AND .02 cent slots... and we played some of those also.. at one point I was up $13 on the .02 slots.. lol... the casino definately makes no money from me... I tend to give myself $20 to spend and then thats it... I always seem to win "big"... $250 from .10 cents... Ive always won on slots.. last cruise we won $75 from $1 and in the same cruise $200 from about $5 ... and we always walk away as soon as we win, lol... there are a couple of irish slot machines, the one I won the $250 on was in the back of the casino where there is another bar... the opposite corner from the casino there is a small hallway where i think there is another bar and also an exit to the elevators... that one was fun.. but the one that was more fun is in the same area against the back wall its also a nickle slot but it has funny bonus rounds where you get small wins like 50 nickles at a time, but its really entertaining and you "win" easy and its really drawn out...

 

Thanks for all the info! My folks really enjoy the slots. DH & I can take it or leave it - he is too competitive and gets frustrated if he doesn't get play, so what fun is that! We will bring a few dollars to waste in there, though I am sure! We will look for the penny slots - that's right up our alley. Entertainment, not trying to pay the mortgage with the winnings! ;)

[Crablegs77]

Have a few questions.

 

What evening is the formal night on the Western Caribbean cruise?

 

Also, is there anywhere near the port to get a case of water before boarding?

 

Does anyone have a link to the menu's?

 

Thanks again

[Crablegs77]

Thanks for all the info! My folks really enjoy the slots. DH & I can take it or leave it - he is too competitive and gets frustrated if he doesn't get play, so what fun is that! We will bring a few dollars to waste in there, though I am sure! We will look for the penny slots - that's right up our alley. Entertainment, not trying to pay the mortgage with the winnings! ;)

 

Racegrrl.

 

Are you on the Nov 13th sailing?

 

We are flying in early before the Homestead race.

 

My DH races dirt track in Colorado and builds racing engines.

 

I see guys are really into racing also.

 

Email me at crablegs77@hotmail.com

[LegalCat]

Racegrrl.

 

Are you on the Nov 13th sailing?

 

We are flying in early before the Homestead race.

 

My DH races dirt track in Colorado and builds racing engines.

 

I see guys are really into racing also.

 

Email me at crablegs77@hotmail.com

 

 

We live lliterally minutes from the homestead track, I will email you.

[racegrrl]

Racegrrl.

 

Are you on the Nov 13th sailing?

 

We are flying in early before the Homestead race.

 

My DH races dirt track in Colorado and builds racing engines.

 

I see guys are really into racing also.

 

Email me at crablegs77@hotmail.com

 

Yep, we decided to make a mega vacation out of it! Cruise on the 13th, a few days of fun in the sun, then the race! We are bigtime into drag racing, muscle cars, driving and building them. Infact, it is DH's manner of living wage these days! And he couldn't be happier!! We are really looking forward to the race & the cruise. Infact, don't know what to be more excited about! :) Tough problem to have, huh! LOL

[TennisLover]

Thanks for the review. If anyone has any Capers, would love to see them (esp for Western Carib - Key West, Coz). We leave on 12/25. Getting close.... (finally).

[racegrrl]

Thanks for the review. If anyone has any Capers, would love to see them (esp for Western Carib - Key West, Coz). We leave on 12/25. Getting close.... (finally).

 

Look for my review when we return, after the 21st. We are goint to Key West and Cozumel. I will most likely do the same for the Fascination as I did for the Glory, as in my signature. :D But ya gotta wait a few weeks! Sorry! ;)

[TennisLover]

That's ok, I can wait (I think:) ). If you can check out the piano bar for us, we would really appreciate it! (Last time I asked this question someone posted the name of one of the 3 stooges -- I actually care about the answer and would love the correct info.)

 

Have a great time!

[racegrrl]

That's ok, I can wait (I think:) ). If you can check out the piano bar for us, we would really appreciate it! (Last time I asked this question someone posted the name of one of the 3 stooges -- I actually care about the answer and would love the correct info.)

 

Have a great time!

 

What would you like to know specifically? Be gald to bring back info. :)

 

Legalcat - sorry to hijack your thread! :o Thanks again for all your information!

[TennisLover]

Night time entertainment for me....

 

Day time activities for DH and our friends (I just need a lounge chair and a cocktail).

 

Thank you!!!!

[hebco]

Great Review ! I am wondering if you had a way to send or post a copy of the Capers from the Fascination ? I will be cruising on this ship in Feb. '07.

Thanks :D