Cruising for the sixth time, previously on NCL and RCL, we were looking for a last minute weekend getaway. Given the attractive airfares out of Chicago to Miami and the fact our last cruise was on the Majesty, the alternative 3-day ship, we chose Carnival's Fascination. We arrived at Miami Airport and found the airport to more resemble freight terminal than a portal to tropical paradise. Maybe the airport authority could put out a donation box for paint and carpeting. We stayed at the lovely Miami Hilton Airport, and enjoy its lush landscape and pool the morning of our cruise. Contrary to other advise, I found the cab fare to the Port of Miami the same from our hotel as from the airport and cheaper than the per person bus fares. The bottom line, don't take a bus and pay a per person fare, (all together now) TAKE A CAB. We arrived at the Carnival cruise port (in a cab) at 1pm. Back in the 80's, a wrong turn in the port building could put you in a cargo container bound for a Moroccan freight port. On this day we where greeted by a gleaming new terminal. From the time arrived in our cab (not a bus) it took 15 minutes to check in and board the ship, quickest ever! From the time they we're launched in the 90's, the Joe Farcus designs have held a certain amount of fascination (get it?) to me. The ship did not let me down. Stepping on board I was treated to a soaring 6 story lobby popping with light and color. Making our way to Coconuts buffet, I was impressed the condition of the ship. Having been recently refurbished it could have passed for a brand new ship and was meticulously clean. I recommend grabbing the drink of the day in the goofy tumblers. It adds to the fun and helps make the buffet line food taste better. Before you load up in the first buffet line you should to, explore the 700 seat dining room for other stations featuring salads, pizza and desserts. Subsequent meals in Coconuts were all very good, my favorite being the French cruising on day two. No lame attempts to order in French are necessary, just grab and go! We ate in the Imagination dining room every evening and enjoyed the varied menu and meals. The service by our blond headed male-female Ukrainian serving duo to be efficient and professional. I can say the dining was least as good as on any cruise we have been on. We attended all of the main shows and enjoyed the enthusiastic crew and the color of the productions. I booked a Cat 6 outside guarantee and was blessed with the holy grail of upgrades, a mini suite. I did not know the cabin size until I opened my cabin door and found myself looking at the terminal building through your balcony door, exciting! The room was kept very clear and the room service was promptly 6 minutes late every order, good service over all. Having now cruised on both the Royal Caribbean Majesty the Fascination, I found advantages to both ships. With out question the Majesty has better views from the full circle promenade deck and crows nest lounge. Where the Carnival differs is in its large cabins and boardwalk style grouping of the lounges. We are not nightlife-oriented folks but the flow on the Hollywood Boulevard is just great. You can stroll from the casino past many bars and lounges and end up at the Puttin'On The Ritz Lounge, home of nightly Karaoke. Just outside the busy casino was a nice Martini bar, which offered a great lemon drop. The disco was colorful but the music was so loud it was painful, turning conversations into shouting matches. Shore excursions? I cannot comment, as we never left the wonderful ship. We had been to Nassau numerous times and elected to enjoy ship and the views of the island from the rear pool deck. We opted to carry off our own luggage, which seemed to make disembarkation go quicker. We were on our way to the airport (in a cab) by 9:30 am.

We found our cruise on the Fascination to exceed our expectations. Nice ship, nice crew and nice meals, nice! As we waited for our flight home couldn't help ask one more question: What would Carnival's Joe Farcus do with the Miami airport dEcor?