We are 47 year old married couple who like night life. We have traveled throughout Caribbean -- Aruba 7 times, Cancun 3 times, Play del Carmen twice, Bahamas twice, San Juan once, Dominican Republic once and we have been on 2 cruises. We went on the Carnival Fascination cruise out of Jacksonville sailing to Key West ,FL and Nassau, Bahamas Monday -- Saturday 8/27/12-9/1/12. We flew in on Saturday but did take a taxi from the airport on Monday to the cruise terminal. Ride is about 20 minutes. Plenty of taxi's both cars and minivans available for the ride. We have sailed on the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Destiny in previous years. We traveled with my sister/husband and there 2 kids (8 & 12).

EMBARKATION -- We booked a Grand Suite U112 which is on Level 6 Upper (mid ship) on the port side of the ship. This room level afforded us VIP status and we did not have to wait in the huge holding area with the other passengers. Went to a separate room for 5 minutes then escorted right to a customer service rep who checked us in and gave us our package. All told from the moment taxi dropped us off until the time we were actually on the ship was 25 minutes. Definitely the way to go if you can afford it.

ROOM -- Biggest room we have ever had on a cruise and bigger than any hotel room we have had in any big city. You enter and there is a walk-in closet on your right and opposite that the bathroom. Plenty of hangers, at least 20. Also in the closet was more shelving and a safe which did fit my Ipad but would not fit a laptop. Safe is free and operates with the swipe of any credit card to close and open. Must use same card to open that you used to close. This level room also has an actual Jacuzzi tub/shower combo. This however requires a step up from the bathroom floor of almost a foot. So head room when taking a shower is about 6' 2". This allows for more shower room width wise than rooms with just shower but would be tough for a tall person (I am 5' 11'). Also, a little awkward if you are older trying to get in to the tub/shower. Room had king bed which faced a counter on opposite wall that was entire width of room with a flat screen TV above the counter. Plenty of drawer space. Also had a sitting area to the right of bed which had a chair, coffee table, and sofa (which pulls out to a double bed). Right next to the sofa is a door which leads to your balcony which has 2 chairs and little table. Room was nice, clean, there was some carpet wear and stain. To be expected for ship built in 1994. Read more