Just off Fascination 4-18 thru 4-23 w/pics

[SunnyDayz4me]

Hey all.....though I would take a shot at reviewing this trip for everyone to share ! Hopefully I can make this as fun for you as it was for us !

 

This cruise was myself and my two sons. It was my second cruise and the first for both my guys. We live just north of Charlotte NC, so we decided to drive to Jacksonville since it was only about a 7 hour trip. We left out on Friday morning, excited and looking forward to a wonderful vacation.

 

We got into Jacksonville about 4pm....a thankfully uneventful road trip...no traffic jams (going our way at least). We did see about a 20-30 mile backup of traffic (total gridlock mon :eek: ) on the northbound side of I95 about 50 miles north of Jacksonville. All we could keep saying was how glad we were to be heading south !!

 

We had reservations at the LaQuinta Inn so we decided to check in before trying to see some of Jacksonville. Since LaQuinta offers free wi-fi, we "tried" to look up some things to do for the evening. We settled on going down to check out the RiverWalk.

 

Once there we saw some beautiful sights...buildings, bridges, etc.

 

(Let's see if these photos come out for you before I go on :confused:)

 

 

[bubba hubby]

bjc5243, pics look great!Keep them coming.We sail the Fascination in Sept. and we will also be driving down from N.C.(near Greenville).Hope to hear how you liked the LaQuinta.We're still trying to figure out where to stay.

[punkidoodle]

I live in the Jax area and was on the Fascination last November....can't wait to read more of your review and see more pics!!

[divinmule]

Ditto the others. Keep the review coming.:)

 

Can't get enough of Fascination reviews. We sail her in 30 days.

 

Yeah!!!!

[SunnyDayz4me]

Ok...That worked !! To continue...

 

We walked along the Riverwalk for awhile just checking things out.

 

 

This little guy decided to join us for awhile....

 

We saw this sign but I never did see any.....I really wanted to get a pic of a real one !!

 

 

Anyway....we found a bar along the river and stopped in for a drink. After that, we decided we were hungry. I had read somewhere on CC about a place called Jackie's Seafood so we headed off to find it.

 

We saw quite a few interesting buildings in town....I had never seen a lighthouse attached to a building....

 

 

Or a building with windows like this....

 

 

Here's a beautiful church we passed....

 

 

[SunnyDayz4me]

So...we finally made to it Jackie's Seafood....thank goodness for Tom Tom !

 

 

I have to say I was a little worried that maybe this wasn't the place to eat as there were hardly any cars in the parking lot....but we decided to give it a shot....and we so glad that we did ! The food was excellent ! My youngest had the popcorn shrimp....I also had shrimp....my oldest had scallops, crab cakes and shrimp. We all left with full tummies :D

 

This pic is just outback of Jackie's....there was a lady feeding the gulls and we stopped to watch on our way out.

 

[SunnyDayz4me]

Since we were full (and happy as contented cows), we headed back to the LaQuinta to call it a semi-early night. The hotel was just fine....nothing fancy but was clean and that's all I really care about. The cost was $60 for the night. When we got back, I went into the front desk to see if they had a "park and cruise"....which they did for $5 per day. When I asked what time the shuttle went to the pier....they said they could get us on the 11:45am shuttle....so I opted to save myself $50 over pier parking and signed us up for the shuttle. After all, $50 will buy a few DOD's. :D I just figured I'd keep my fingers crossed that we'd get there in time to get a cabana for HMC.

 

After we walked down the street to the convenient store to get a few drinks....we stayed in the room and called it a night. Tomorrow was the big day and we were all so excited we could hardly sleep !

[KroozFoolz]

Happy to see you found Jackie's and enjoyed the food!

[SunnyDayz4me]

Day 1 - Embarkation Day

 

We got up early and went out for breakfast....nothing fancy. The front desk had told us to be up front about 11:30 for the shuttle....well, we were so excited that we were there at 11:00...bags unloaded and waiting !

 

 

Turns out it was a good thing we were there waiting as Steve (the shuttle driver) was quick that morning ! We left out of the hotel around 11:30....which of course meant 15 more minutes on the ship ! It took about 15-20 mins to get to the port. I had heard such horror stories about embarkation at Jacksonville...well....I'm here to tell you that (at least for us)....they are just that....stories ! We were through the line and on the ship by 12:15 ! Woohoo !!

 

 

As we were walking to the Guest Services desk so I could set up our account (so far, I've always done a cash account.....great feeling to not owe any money when you get off the ship)...there was no one at the excursion desk so I sent my oldest over to ask about the cabanas....see if any were still available. Well....there must have been several still up for grabs as he was yelling to me from the excursion desk..."Mom...which one do you want?" "Mom....what do you want to drink?" "Mom...what size shoe do you wear?" "Mom....I got you #7 just like you wanted !!" Such a good boy !! :rolleyes:

[sammee]

Since we were full (and happy as contented cows), we headed back to the LaQuinta to call it a semi-early night. The hotel was just fine....nothing fancy but was clean and that's all I really care about. The cost was $60 for the night. When we got back, I went into the front desk to see if they had a "park and cruise"....which they did for $5 per day. When I asked what time the shuttle went to the pier....they said they could get us on the 11:45am shuttle....so I opted to save myself $50 over pier parking and signed us up for the shuttle. After all, $50 will buy a few DOD's. :D I just figured I'd keep my fingers crossed that we'd get there in time to get a cabana for HMC.

 

After we walked down the street to the convenient store to get a few drinks....we stayed in the room and called it a night. Tomorrow was the big day and we were all so excited we could hardly sleep !

 

You answered my question about LaQuinta. I have a gift certificate we are planning to use. Would this be the one on Dunne? That's the one that came up when I was searching for one in the area.

 

Keep those pics coming.

[SunnyDayz4me]

This pic doesn't show much of the ship but what the lobby (atrium) looked like while I was waiting in line.

 

 

Since the rooms weren't going to be ready until 1:30 or so....we walked around trying to get the lay of the ship and taking pics.

 

 

 

 

[SunnyDayz4me]

Ping pong anyone?!?

 

 

More from up top:

 

[SunnyDayz4me]

You answered my question about LaQuinta. I have a gift certificate we are planning to use. Would this be the one on Dunne? That's the one that came up when I was searching for one in the area.

 

Keep those pics coming.

 

 

Yes, that's the one .... 812 Dunn Ave. Jacksonville Airport North

[SunnyDayz4me]

Elevators inside:

 

 

Atrium from above:

 

We even managed to find the golf course

[WAcruisers]

Loving your review and your pictures! What kind of camera did you use? I am looking into buying a camera for our cruise and your pictures are wonderful.

[SunnyDayz4me]

After wandering for a bit, and lugging our carryons (which don't seem heavy when you start out....) we went to Lido deck to get a DOD and wait for the rooms to be ready. Everyone on board was already having a great time ! Before we knew it, it was time to head to the room. We have an ocean view on Main deck....so off we went to see the room and drop the extra luggage.

 

 

While we were there....2 of our 3 suitcases arrived, so I got busy getting us unpacked and settled in. Then it was back out to Lido for some more fun in the sun. Before we knew it, it was time for the dreaded Muster drill so we hightailed it back to the room for our life jackets and we were off again.

 

 

Our was up on Lido Deck so there was plenty of room for everyone...even chairs to sit in. It was totally painless ;) Once we were done there, I ran back down to the room to drop the jackets and grab the camera. No way, was I missing the photo ops from the top deck on sailaway! I made it up there with time to spare !

 

Jacksonville skyline:

 

 

Dames Point bridge....even this far away you could tell that it was going to be a tight fit getting under it !

 

[SunnyDayz4me]

What I couldn't believe was how close it really looks as you go under

 

 

 

We all cheered when we cleared it....and I know I felt the cruise was offically underway ! Bahamas....Here we come !!

[SunnyDayz4me]

Loving your review and your pictures! What kind of camera did you use? I am looking into buying a camera for our cruise and your pictures are wonderful.

 

 

I used two different cameras on this trip....My Olympus 850SW which is my underwater camera (and fits in the ol' purse) and then I also took my Nikon D60 DSLR. Both do a wonderful job !

[SunnyDayz4me]

The rest of the day was spent checking everything out...and a few DODs. I made my donation to the Casino that night....:eek: After that, we turned in for the night....tomorrow was our first full sea day and, after all, I needed my rest to lay around in the sun :D

 

We were greeted by this guy when we got back to the room....

 

 

We filled out our room service card, hung it on the door and called it a night.

 

Day 2 - First day at Sea

 

Wow !! Does anyone sleep any better than when on a ship ?

 

 

 

I'm usually up early early....but this morning I was still sleeping when room service showed up right on time.....6am....with my hot coffee and danish ! Great start to a great day ! Guys both got danish and cereal.

 

While drinking my coffee...I was trying to figure out a way to make the time SLOW down....it already seemed to be flying by.....never did come up with the secret to that....if anyone else has....I hope they share it with me for my next cruise !

[ahoys]

I'm really enjoying your review. I know it's a lot of time to put the review together, but you get a chance to re-live your vacation. I'm thinking of a quick trip from Jacksonville myself, so I'm enjoying taking your trip with you!

 

Can't wait for more!

[hlorac]

what cabana ? and what do they look like?

[nancydee]

I am loving this.

I am sailing this in 10 weeks.

I keep checking back. I want MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!:D

[SunnyDayz4me]

what cabana ? and what do they look like?

 

 

We had #7 which is right in the middle of the beach. They called this one Peach but it seemed more yellow to me. A little bit of a hike to get back for shore excursions (maybe 5 mins walk) but we absolutely loved the location. Far enough down to be past the crowds and a breath-taking view !

 

[Meemers2005]

Thanks for the review and great pictures!! Is it really as close as it looks going under the bridge? That is amazing! We set sail in July and can't wait!!

[SunnyDayz4me]

It wasn't long before the sun was up and a beautiful day had begun.

 

 

And I just had to check to make sure we were heading in the right direction ;)

 

 

No problems finding chairs....