We scheduled this cruise based on the dates and the intinerary. We were supposed to go to Disney with family, but that fell through and we were left with plane tickets and time already scheduled off from work. We booked this last minute and got a great deal.

We were first time cruisers and did not really know what to expect. Carnival and Fascination blew us away! Embarquation took awhile, but was not terrible. Once we got on the boat we could not believe how beautiful it was and clean. We had lunch on the lido deck and were able to get into our room pretty quick. We had an inside stateroom and it was bigger than I thought it would be. We had plenty of storage space and it was fine for the 2 of us. The bathroom was much bigger than I thought it would be! Our only complaint with the inside room is that you don't know when the sun comes up in the morning so it is a little disorienting. Our steward was amazing! He was friendly and kept everything picked up and the ice bucket filled. I cannot imagine how hard those guys work and I saw it with my own eyes.

The food was great. We loved the deli sandwiches, pizza, and the mongolian grill even if you did have to stand in line for awhile during peak times. The dining room was gorgeous. We loved our table companions and our waiters could not have been nicer or more attentive. After the first night they remembered which of us liked iced tea and that one of the guests always wanted a shrimp cocktail with his dinner no matter what other appetizer he ordered! We were very impressed with everything except the fish which was dry and overcooked, but now worries they went right away and got us something else. We had the Chocolate melting cake at least 4 nights! Read more