We are going on our first cruise in Sept. it is Carnival Fascination and goes to Key West and Cozumel.?

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Nikkiâ™¥

Well first of all ,congratulations

Second, Carnival cruise line is the best cruise line for newlyweds...

carnvalcruiseline.com

http://vacationstogo.com/cruise_lines/carnival_cruises.cfm

http://vacationstogo.com/ship.cfm?shipid=106

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=7

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=8

Yes, you can bring water and soda on the ship with you...actually that it a great idea...i have been on 30 cruises in my life, and from experience, soda is not free...it adds up quickly when you buy it...its a great idea to bring ur own, its allowed, and you wont have to buy any on the ship...

Now on the ship- the pools are a great place to be...catch some sun, go swimming, play poolside games, watch the games..and more...

it doesnt feel crowded at all..there is so much to do onbaord the ship...it is very surpising...the ship holds a lot of people, yet there so much to do, it feels so spread out

About the food- food on cruises are amazing...everything is included in ur fee...u get free room service, just pay a few bucks for a tip...the dining room's food is spectuacular, with a lobster night...so much food to choose from...the food in the buffet is great, so much variety

Sorry, this is out of order, but before your cruise, you may want to purchase a sea sick pill, only if you think you may get sick...i dont reccomend the patch because there are horrible sideaffects...but if you want mild comfort i would get the wrist band...it works great for mild comfort

Now the shows at night are spectacular...it is absolutely amazing how they can do this stuff on a ship...the shows are right after dinner, depending on when you have dinner, the early or late setting

I hope that this helped you..and if you have any further questions, dont hesitiate to send me a message, ill be happy to help you! Have fun = ]

Congratulations!

I just returned yesterday from a 4 nighter on the Fascination (my grandson, 16, was with me). This is my 5th cruise on this ship. My most recent was in August last year right before the ship went into drydock for a complete refit/refurbishment. I am an avid cruiser and have almost 100 to my credit on most of the cruiselines in the world and several no longer in operation. I was in the travel industry for 32 years and was a tour director for many of them so had the opportunity to cruise - a lot. I am an "easy-going" cruiser and not much "gets my goat" or upsets me....I am on vacation, ya know.

The Fascination is a wonderful ship and, since her refit last year, she absolutely sparkles! She is smaller than many of the "new" ships and is easier to navigate. (Capacity is still over 2000 - just doesn't feel that way) She is spotlessly clean from stem to stern with an attentive crew, efficient purser's desk and shore excursion desk. Any problems are addressed immediately.

The food in the main dining rooms was flawless. The servings are reasonable and, if your appetite is good, you can order as much of anything as you like. (To the person who complained about the small lobster tails, may I say that the dish also included 4 large shrimp - and everything was cooked to perfection. It was enough for me but a gentleman at my table ordered 3 plates!) The soups are delish! I always order a double Caesar Salad, it is so good. If you don't like anything on the menu that evening, they have several entre's that you can order anytime...a wonderful NY strip steak (my grandson had it 3 nights!), a chicken dish and others. If you leave the dining room hungry, it is your own fault. Try the hedonistic "Melting Chocolate" for dessert......

The buffets on Lido deck are very good. One-half of the buffet is "themed", offering French food one night - Chinese another, etc. There is always a pasta station (great pasta dishes), a carving station with beef, pork or turkey and many, many side dishes and vegetables. A complete and separate salad bar and dessert bar would satisfy anyone. Then, there is always the deli which serves up wonderful sandwiches made fresh to order (try the Reuben). 24-hour pizza (very, very good), 24 hour ice cream (help yourself). Then there is the room service menu (free - but tip the person a buck who delivers it)... I LOVE the roast beef and brie on a baguette....or a dish of assorted cookies and brownies!

While I don't "boogie all night" anymore, I do wander around and watch others. the "Diamonds are Forever" club was hopping every night as was the "Club 88" piano bar. Passage to India was rocking and so was the teen club "Club O2". There are enough planned activities everyday to absolutely wear you out. The shows are lively and enthusiastic while maybe not "Las Vegas" quality - they are fun nontheless.

Our cruise last week missed Cozumel due to Hurricane Dean (they went to Nassau instead - which, to me, is a big YAWN. I spent the day reading!!! However, in the past, I have found Cozumel to be a great stop. There are wonderful beaches and some of the best shopping. You can sign up for a shore excusion offered by the ship or - if you are adventurous, negotiate your own ride dockside. Just make sure you are back on board by the time shown on your daily newspaper----the ship won't wait for you if you are late. Paradise Beach is a favorite...beautiful beach with beach chairs and umbrellas, nearby restroom facilities, nice little beach restaurants and reasonable prices. Chakanaab Park is another. It is beautiful and offers a great day out...... If you go to the Carnival website, they will list the suggested tours or, better yet, go to cruisecritic.com....that is the BEST website for finding out about almost anything "cruise".

Best places on the ship? Well, there was always a pretty good crowd at the Atrium bar but I found that a little to noisy as it is near the purser and shore excursion area and you get the noise from the photo shop, etc. But there was always a lively bunch enjoying themselves. The Stars Bar near the casino is another hot spot. Live music there every evening and the entertainer was terrific. Club 88 gets going about 10 - 11PM. For quiet places, go out on the open deck from Promenade deck. It is usually quiet there and a great place to watch the sunset. There is also an observation deck far forward of the ship on Verandah deck.....just keep walking forward and you will find the door. It is located right under the bridge and offers a great view.

My favorite, day or night, is at the very last door on Lido Deck out the back of the Coconut Bar and Grill. There are doors on each side that lead out to a small "balcony" area, shaded, with about 8 - 10 tables and chairs with GREAT views. These places are pretty quiet - I don't think many people know about them. I can sit up there, watch the sea and read. I also usually eat breakfast out there - after hitting the breakfast buffet.

No matter what you chose to do, you will have a wonderful time on Fascination. Remember, a cruise is mostly what you make of it. Nothing is perfect. You will probably find something you don't like - but - overlook it and do something else. (I don't like cruising with children whose parents turn them lose to run around, scream, play "pirate" on the the glass elevators, invade the adult spaces on the ship and generally behave badly....but they have never ruined my cruise....neither have the roaring drunks, the complainers or the misbehaving adults.) Reroute your thinking a bit and enjoy yourself!

As for bringing on your own soda and water; I will attach Carnival's policy below. They are getting tighter and tighter with this. Even bringing cases of soda on board is becoming an issue. I did see people bringing both on board with no problem. They are getting meaner about bringing on booze, though. I did see alcohol being "confiscated"...but some people smuggle it somehow... I never saw the sense to it myself. Anyway, the water on board is perfectly safe to drink and is probably better than that at your home. Why not save the luggage space, bring a couple of bottles of water and just refill on board. The water is absolutely purified as they desalinate their water onboard and is probably more pure than your bottled water. As for soda? Well, a soda card on Fascination is $16.00 which gives you as much soda as you want to drink..... So, guess you will make that decision for yourself.

Anyway, go - and have a GREAT time.

Annie Girl

I was recently in Cozumel on a cruise and we went with the Playa Mia Beach Break. It's a private beach and it is GORGEOUS! I think it was $29 pp and it included the use of non motorized water sports and all you can drink. We paid for waverunners and food and had a great time. They also have a pool there. I would highly recommend it! You can go at your leisure so you are not stuck with a whole group of people as an excursion!

Laura M

We LOVED Cozumel when we did Carnival a year and a half ago. Just as you get off the boat you can rent scooters. We road them all over! and I think it was about $30 for the whole day. Just be careful in the town, People drive crazy! . The beaches were great and shopping out on the outside of town was cool. We road the scooters back with our hands and cargo space packed with neat stuff we bought. Our only worry is they were pretty beat-up and we luckily pointed the dings out before or they tried to charge us for damage so if you try it just beware.
Don't buy anything right as you get into port. The same stuff can be found in town for a lot less.
I saw lots of people packing water in and didn't see any problems bringing it on.
All the best and have fun

Tivogal

i would bring soda if i wanted something they didnt' offer.
i would also research some at cruisecritic.com
for more details.

jus*1*more

We are going on our first cruise in Dec on the Fascination as well... I am taking my b/f for his birthday along with some other friends.. Please write a review or let me know how your cruise goes on the Fascination I am very excited about our cruise but curious about the actual ship. i have heard heard great reviews however u know someone also has something bad to say.

Have Fun

stephanie s

we went on this ship last year (and we were that age too and newlyweds)and i think its the worst ship carnival has. there is a club called passage to india that is fun and the prime rib is amazing. the ship looked like a shopping mall from the 80s but u do not feel crowded. we played the newlywed game and had a blast. i would also try to do differnt things like the dance classes as a couple. it is a good ship for young people and partiers, but dont use this ship as a guideline to what all carnival ships look like.

also the lobster is small so order two and get a just married cake ordred from the coffee and pastry shop. they are only 8.00 and will feed the 4 of u and they are good.

do not do the unlimited snorkling excusion in cozumel. i would go to the ruins or get a cab to a taxi. downtown is kinda scary too but the shopping is great.

congrats and have fun

Terrie D

I would definitely check out www.cruisecritic.com!!! I am so addicted to that site!! The have a great message board that has helped me get ready for my cruise on the Fascination! It will be on my first cruise too!! 9/28-10/1. I am so excited!!

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