BWW Reviews: CARNIVAL FASCINATION - The Ship That Never Sleeps

Can anyone say FUN? The Carnival Fascination offers a whirlwind of excitement and entertainment that the whole family will enjoy. Departing from Jacksonville, FL and featuring stops in Nassau and Freeport, the Carnival Fascination offers a 4-day dancing, swimming and drinking excursion extravaganza. Ditch your cell phones, computers, and any access to the outside world, but be ready to "Sail & Sign" your wallet away as you cruise down the Atlantic.

Boarding Process

A necessary hassle, be prepared for long lines and waiting as you and your family clear customs and go through security to board the ship. You will part with your luggage so make sure to wear and/or carry all important items such as a bathing suit, toiletry bag, and other necessities. You may not have your luggage delivered to your room till later in the evening. Guaranteed by 6:00pm, ours arrived at approximately 3:00pm.

Accommodations

The accommodations on the Carnival Fascination are adequate and use every inch of square feet available. Some rooms offer balconies or rooms with a view; however, our one window was boarded up with no view and we had very small but sufficient living quarters. A small flat-screen TV hung in the corner. No complaints, though, as we rarely spent much time in our pod, and it was always kept in pristine condition thanks to the swift and efficient cabin stewards.

Nothing special about the bathrooms, other than showers include mounted shampoo and bath gel and plenty of towels that are always replenished. Bathrobes are also provided in the ample closets, and you are surprised with a new towel animal and chocolate every night.

Welcome Aboard/Overview

The moment you step onboard and wave goodbye to Jacksonville, you magically enter a different world. Fun is the theme of this cruise line, and fun is exactly what you have. Wait staff with drinks scurrying around, DJs playing music, strangers instantly becoming best friends as they dance, drink, eat and explore their way to FUN. Cruise Director, Paul Santley guarantees your good time and encourages everyone to eat, drink, and participate in all the nonstop, fun-filled activities the ship has to offer: shows, casinos, bars, dancing, theme nights, kids clubs, teen clubs, contests, Bingo, water slides, miniature golf, spa treatments, adults-only retreat, fitness classes, dinners, excursions, and so much more.

The crowd on deck is a nice blend of singles, families, teens, tweens, wedding parties, boisterous drinkers, seniors, and all generations without being heavily weighted in one specific genre.

The Hollywood Boulevard is on the promenade deck where you can strut your stuff in the bars and dance clubs, including the Beverly Hills Bar, Diamonds Are Forever nightclub, Stars Bar, Club O2 and more. Feeling lucky? The Casino Royale is open 24/7 and offers a fully array of slot machines, Blackjack tables, Roulette, Poker and more. A couple levels down on Deck 7, you can visit the art gallery, which features works by Thomas Kinkade and others.

Food/Restaurants

Toss your scale off the ship and be ready to gain a few extra pounds with the heaping amounts of quality food served each day. Even Cruise Director, Paul Santley warns you to save your baggiest clothing for the last day. The casual Lido buffet offers several choices, including a made to order omelet station, pancakes, bacon, sausage, deli, full salad bar, a variety of cheeses, desserts to die for, pastries, ice cream, unlimited coffee, juice and more. At night, the casual diners can enjoy pizza, rotisserie, Mongolian, or poolside grilled burgers and hot dogs. There is also a complimentary taste bar for sushi, meatballs, and other offerings, and a 24-hour room service with a number of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack choices.

Two formal restaurants (the Imagination and Sensation) offer either assigned seating or open seating options for dinner. As you enter the dining room every night, you are treated like pure royalty. Servers announce each person in your party by name, pull chairs out for you, remember your favorite drinks, and offer pleasant conversation without being overbearing. The menu varies each night but always consists of delectable, fresh food and healthy choices. The Captain's Dinner features fresh lobster tail and prime rib, and entertainment is presented in the dining room every night by the wait staff.

Entertainment

The Carnival Fascination boasts loads of entertainment options for the entire family. Comedy shows (family-friendly and adults-only), game shows, singles parties, ping-pong tournaments, trivia contests, raffles, Blackjack and slot tournaments, Bingo, pool olympics, dance revues and classes, Lido deck parties, live music, karaoke, teen clubs, kids camps, adult clubs, ballroom dancing, and piano bar sing-alongs are all found aboard the Fascination.

Each evening, the cabin steward slips an itinerary of the next day's activities under your door. These activities run like precise clockwork, from the 7am yoga stretch to the 3am dance parties, and everywhere in between.

The comedy shows and 'Showtime' performances are not to be missed. The Punchliner Comedy Club features the hilarious Tony Esposito ("Big Tony") and Chaz Elsner, who perform in both the family-friendly and adults-only acts. Each deliver side-splitting audience-appropriate material that is unique and highly anticipated every night.

Located in the Palace Theater, the two shows, DIVAS and MOTOWN, are both high caliber performances that are entertaining for all ages. Colorful costumes, incredible dancing, and spectacular singing keep the audience engaged and wanting more. Bursting with talent and worth mentioning exclusively, Jarvis Manning in MOTOWN is absolutely sensational as he truly epitomizes Motown and pours every ounce of soul into his incredibly stellar performance. Someone get this guy on Broadway!

Other events in the Palace Theater include Bingo, the Welcome Aboard show, towel folding classes, and various game shows. Hosted by hilarious Assistant Cruise Director, Lisa Moretta, Cash Craze Bingo was always a popular and fun-filled event.

Spa, Salon and Fitness Center

For fitness buffs, the Carnival Fascination offers a wide variety of fitness classes (some require extra fees), health seminars, foot analysis and exercise equipment, all on the upper deck. I was impressed with the exclusive state-of-the-art Life Fitness machines, including plenty of treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent and upright stationary bikes, weight machines, and free weights. The room is filled with tons of natural light, and each piece of equipment is positioned with gorgeous views. The locker room is clean and pleasant and includes a sauna for extra relaxation.

Full spa and salon services are also offered, and if you're willing to swipe your 'Sail & Sign' card, the possibilities are endless.

Pool Side

The Lido Deck is where all the action is. Nonstop music, entertainment, ice carving demonstrations, contests, drinks, food, miniature golf, and fun all happen on Deck 10. The main pool centers Lido where two small hot tubs flank the sides. The brand-new WaterWorks and miniature golf is one level up, but easily accessible. The Serenity adult-only area is tucked away in its own private oasis, where you can enjoy relaxation sans children.

The main pool is adequate in size, but can get crowded when not docked at Freeport or Nassau.

Freeport and Nassau

The Carnival Fascination first sails to Freeport, then on to Nassau. Be prepared to wait in very long lines when departing the ship, and bring extra money as the beach in Freeport is approximately 12 miles away and Nassau is about 5. Both are a very expensive and cramped taxi ride to your destination. The water in the Bahamas is spectacular. However, the sandy beaches in Freeport are covered with seaweed. Be wary of the locals in Nassau who constantly badger you to buy drinks, clothing, hair braids, or rent surf boards, boats or snorkeling excursions. I noted several scams where they'd happily accept your money without providing the actual service. Freeport offers a much more relaxing experience free of unwanted solicitation.

Extras Onboard

Keep your 'Sail & Sign' card handy for all the extras onboard: alcoholic beverages, soda pop, specialized spa, salon and fitness classes, portraits, Camp Carnival Night Owls, Bingo, arcade games, casinos, excursions off-shore, shopping and more. Other Carnival "fun" cruises offer unlimited alcoholic drink packages, and I think the Fascination should get on board with that concept.

Conclusion

The international team of staff on the Carnival Fascination are always friendly, accessible, accommodating, and truly make your excursion a fun-filled experience. From the Italian Captain, British Cruise Director, Australian Assistant, Filipino Server and everyone in between, worldwide representation makes this cruise an exciting venture from the moment you step onboard. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced cruiser, you will be 'fascinated' with all the excitement and fun that the Carnival has to offer.

Photo Credits: Carnival Fascination; Christina Mancuso

Waterslide

Miniature Golf

Lido Deck Parties

Inside the Fascination

Freeport

Nassau

Bahamas

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