We chose this cruise because of the ports it visits. Even though we are very experienced cruisers there were three of the ports that we had not visited before so we were very anxious to experience them.

We are both Platinum with Carnival so embarkation around 3 PM was a breeze. We were on board in less than 10 minutes from the time we entered the cruise terminal. Debarkation was also easy except for the signage outside the San Juan cruise terminal which was a little confusing but that is not Carnival's fault.

Yes, as everyone has pointed out, Carnival Fascination is an older (about 24 years old) and smaller ship than other Carnival (and other non-Carnival) vessels we have sailed on. I have been on 27 cruises (17 on Carnival) and my wife on 13 (11 on Carnival). so we have some history to make this comparison. However, it is not the "rust bucket" in my opinion that some have made it out to be. Yes, there are rust spots but you generally have to look for them. I also thought it was very well kept up and clean for the most part; especially considering it's age. The one thing that was not very clean were window, both in our cabin and in public areas. But, this may be accumulated salt and other environmental dirt that cannot or at least easily be cleaned off. Read more