There were 11 total in our party to go sailing to the Bahamas embarking out of Jacksonville, FL. Originally we were to sail on the Elation and we picked the Elation because of the destinations it was taking us to AND it was an upgraded ship. But 4 days before we are to embark we got switched to the Fascination which is an older ship. but we were told it was the same exact sister ship. So We should have gotten a clue of how the rest of the trip was going to be based on that and how disorganized the process was to get on the ship. Our "appointment time" was 12:30-1pm so we arrived at 12noon. We didn't get on the ship until after 2:30pm. It was MAYHEM! No one knew what they were doing and the small space didn't help for over 5000 people to be moving around. But once on the ship we thought to ourselves "ok now the fun can start and we are going to shake that stressful part off our minds". Oh no that didn't happen. all the staff was running around like a chicken with their heads cut off.We didn't get our luggage OR the 12 pack bottle of water that I prepaid to have waiting in our rooms until after 4:30-5pm! And then we even had to go get the luggage OURSELVES! Luggage was piled up by the elevators just sitting there on baggage carts. So we go and try to shake it off ONCE AGAIN - so we go to the bar and have a drink on the Lido Deck. Bartenders were RUDE and didn't care what experience you had getting on the ship or if you are having a good time at all! The whole ship was dirty, outdated,old, and the most unstable I think I have ever heard people talk about! ever! People that sailed before were disgusted at the quality of the ship. We were very disappointed as soon as we stepped outside and looked around. One pool for 2000 people! come on! The food was like a cafeteria quality food and really the servers in the main dining room looked like they hated being there. the only reason our kids had a good time is because they could eat at all hours of the night and it was free food! The comedy show was good the 1st night but downhill after that. No funny jokes and no funny comedians. We didn't get to go on our shore excursion due to be rerouted to Freeport. The one reason I chose this ship sail date was because it wasn't going to Freeport but we ended up being detoured to Freeport anyways. Freeport was a waste of time but we had no choice to try and have a good time. I dont want to save money for 9 months and take time off from my work for a "NO CHOICE" kind of situation ever ever again! we will NEVER EVER EVER GO BACK ON A CARNIVAL CRUISE OR ANOTHER CRUISE AGAIN!!