Carnival Fascination Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This is by far the smallest ship we have been on in our years traveling with Carnival but it was an unexpected plus in our mind as there was rarely a wait to get on and off ship and to get food, there was always a seat outside in the sun or inside at the shows and it was nice seeing people you met along the way a bit more as the ship was small and you would cross paths more. Also I felt like we were not as jammed into the buses and vans on excursions as we have been on past larger cruises.
We would LOVE if dining room buffet opened at 5. We only eat in the actual waiter/waitress/full service dining room once or twice when on cruise and you can only eat so many Guys Burgers and Pizzas- saw many people just like us who were coming down after a long day of excursions ready to eat some fruit and salad only to be told it wasn't open until 6. Again...minor. Its not like we are going to starve on a Carnival cruise but would be a nice thing for the company to consider.
All in all - the trip was great. Loved the destinations- very interesting. Everything was up to par with what we expect from Carnival.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Our room steward "Tito" was incredible. The room was always impeccable and he remembered our names from day 1. We had a balcony room on floor 6. Good location for drowning out "people" noise but the ships mechanical noise could get a little loud there. Also because the ship in smaller I heard a lot of people saying they could feel swaying and rocking more then on the bigger ships. Smaller ship = less stabilizers maybe? I don't know but... If you get sea sick in any way I would suggest you remember your motion sickness remedies. I never had a problem but definitely felt my "sea legs" a little when going in to ports and on the way home- felt like I was still walking on a moving cruise ships some even when off the ship.
One minor complaint is that on other ships- a balcony room generally meant you had a cabin mini fridge- something we did not on this cruise. We like to keep cold pop and water in room so that kind of stunk. Only JR suites and above come with fridges on Fascination
Port Reviews
San Juan
Love Old San Juan! Feels very safe and LOTS of little shops and restaurants to try with reasonable prices. We came in a day early so we could enjoy it to the fullest- only had a few hours on a past excursion and definitely wanted more. We stayed at Sheraton Old San Juan- directly across street from Carnival port. Walk luggage across the street and hop on. Embarking and debarking in San Juan was A DREAM!! Our last cruise started in Miami and it was a long long crazy process to get on and off the ship.
Barbados
Ok so Barbados...it looks so so so sketchy but honestly we walked in to town (20 min walk or so) and everyone was incredibly friendly. We walked to the Boatyard beach club which could use some more signage to make it easier to find from the road but beyond that was a good deal- $25 got you a drink, a chair and an umbrella on a beautiful clean beach with various water trampolines and swing rope you could use and a ride back to cruise dock. It also included a boat ride/snorkel out to see turtles but honestly- in less you get there right when they open the chances are your name will not be called before you have to head back to ship. Kind of a bummer there but still an enjoyable day. You can buy food and drinks there- pricey for just burgers and chicken strips but expected. They do allow vendors on beach but they were not in your face and took no for an answer politely and easily. We never felt like it was bothersome. Some of the beach clubs next door seemed to have more of a problem controlling that issue. Also beach club next door had jet ski rides and tubing but once you have on a Boatyard wrist band- you are not allowed to use those or they will throw you out. Boatyard has insurance policy- jet ski and tube places apparently do not. And it shows- they looked dangerous at the speeds they were going. Luckily Boatyard had a very clear designated swim area that those boats could not access so I felt safe swimming. Good day all in all.
St. Lucia
Beautiful and my husbands favorite port stop on this trip. Stops were good and we learned a lot.
St. Thomas
Beautiful. Poor areas and incredible beauty scattered throughout.