 Expert Review |  | | | | |
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Editor's Note: All eight of Carnival's Fantasy-class ships will receive extensive upgrades as part of Carnival's $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" program. Expansive children's water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults only deck area will be part of the changes to the open decks of Carnival Cruise Lines' eight Fantasy-class ships. The expanded outdoor recreation areas will be initially incorporated onto the 2,052-passenger Inspiration and Imagination during month-long dry docks in fall of 2007 and added to other Fantasy-class ships in 2008 and 2009 during scheduled dry-dock periods. Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line in the world carrying one-fifth of all cruise passengers. A good percentage return again. This is a great main stream cruising value for those that are looking to have a "Fun Ship" vacation with a party atmosphere. You will find excellent spa and fitness facilities, great programs for kids and some of the largest cabins in this price range. Onboard all Carnival ships, guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent, relative or guardian 25 years of age or older. This cuts down on the spring break reputation Carnival is trying to beat. Fascination, the fourth Fantasy-class ship, debuted in 1994 and is similar in all but the theme, "Hollywood", to her sister ships Ecstasy, Fantasy, Sensation, Imagination, Inspiration, and Paradise. Many first-timers get their initial taste of cruising on the Fascination and are, for the most part, younger than passengers on other lines with a high concetration of couples due to the short cruises. However the days of T-shirt-clad crowds are gone; today's cruisers are honeymooners, young families and singles as well as veteran travelers who like the Carnival ambiance. Dancing is a popular pastime for all, and late night adults-only comics bring out huge crowds. | | |  top | | | | Dining
The two main dining rooms, Sensation and Imagination (two seatings, 6 and 8:15 p.m.), are not at all crowded and service is quite good from maitre d' to assistant waiters. Tables range from booths for 4 to tables of 10. Three meals a day are also available in Coconut Grove Bar & Grill, through room service and at a 24-hour pizzeria. The Coconut Grove Bar & Grill, with its various-sized tables, wooden fan-style chairs, palm tree posts and ever-present neon overhead, provides good service but passengers carry their own plates to the table and have to wiggle past the line to get drinks from another area. The same dinner menu that is offered in main dining rooms is available in Coconut Grove Bar & Grill with waiter service. A spa menu provides calories and carbohydrate totals for some menu items, and special diets are available with advance notice. Room service comes on time, and is available 24 hours a day, but offers a limited menu. Midnight buffets continue to be popular on Fascination where passengers, for the most part, party heartier and stay up later than on similar mass-market cruise ships. Carnival's food service has been kicked up several notches and presentation and variety are superb. | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
Hollywood Boulevard stretches the length of the ship and is lined with popular venues for nightlife including Passage to India Lounge with its traditional near-East decor and the Casino Royal. Hollywood Boulevard is the place to see and be seen nightly after dinner. The $1 million art collection is displayed throughout the public areas but renditions of famous stars such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and John Wayne on the Boulevard capture the attention of the crowds. Two self-service laundry rooms are available for passenger usage. | | | | top | | | | Cabins
Standard cabins are 185 square ft. and most cabins have twin beds that can be configured into a king-size bed. Lighting is good with individual reading lights at each bed. Bathrobes are included in the amenities of all outside cabins. In-room safes and satellite television are offered ship-wide. Bring your own hair dryer. Only suites and demi-suites offer verandahs. Twenty cabins are equipped for physically challenged passengers. Six cabins on Verandah Deck offer partially obstructed views. Decor is simple and uncluttered. Drawer and closet space is more than adequate for two people sailing seven-day itineraries. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
The Palace lounge features Carnival's popular Vegas-style revues nightly. This state-of-the-art theater boasts lasers lights, special effects and a sound system to rival any land-based show room. A word of warning -- be sure to get there early to get the best seats. Some of the seats have limited or obstructed views of the stage. The Casino Royale is large and popular offering up an array of blackjack tables, roulette, craps and poker tables in addition to a variety of slots. Tournaments are scheduled almost every day. One of the most popular places on the ship is 88, the sing-along piano bar. Get there early if you want a seat. Later in the evening, it was standing room only -- in the hallway! Passengers in the mood for a high-octane dance club will find the Diamonds Are Forever Dance Club a satisfying alternative. The Puttin' On The Ritz Lounge is another popular haunt with live music is on the bill most nights. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
The large pool complex on the Lido Deck is the scene of live music and the signature blue sliding board gets plenty of use. Snorkeling equipment is for rent for the length of the cruise. A topless sunbathing area is situated aft on the Sun Deck. The Nautica Spa is more than large enough to accomodate passengers at 12,000 square ft. including beauty salon. A fitness center offering pneumatic pressure machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, Stairmasters, and whirlpools get plenty of use. The spa is operated by Steiner, as on most cruise ships, but rates are pegged to the cruise passengers and are lower here than on the more upscale ships. There's a jogging track and a total of six whirlpools. | | | | top | | | | Family
Families are a major market for Carnival and the minimum passenger age is 4 months with no ship maximum on the number of children allowed on a particular sailing. Parents should pay "tips" on children aged 3 and up. Camp Carnival operates on sea days from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., and is divided into four categories: Toddlers (2 - 5), Juniors (6 - 8) Intermediates (9 - 11) and Teens (12 - 15); there's a playroom for children under the age of 3. On days in port, Camp Carnival offers supervised free-play from arrival until 2 p.m.; scheduled activities run from 2 until 10 p.m. Group babysitting is available on sea days and port days; cost is $6 for first child and $4 apiece for additional children (available from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. in the children's play room. The dining room features a "daily junior special" each day plus a regular kids menu with the usual staples (chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pizza, peanut butter and jelly). On formal nights, counselors host a kids-only dinner at the buffet. Diapers are sold in the infirmary, and there's a turndown service featuring fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at bedtime. Carnival also offers teens-only shore excursion outings and walkie-talkies available for rent onboard. A Fountain Fun Card ($9 to $23 depending on length of cruise) is available for the under-21 set. | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
Lots of young couples and families choose this ship. However, it also draws a complement of singles. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
a cruise onboard Fascination is a casual one. On formal nights, most gentlemen opt for a suit and tie as opposed to a tuxedo; most ladies wear a short cocktail dress or a dressy pants outfit. Other nights are casual, with most gentlemen wearing a sport shirt and long slacks and most ladies wearing a casual dress, or skirt and blouse or pants outfit. Shorts are not permitted in the dining rooms at dinner. The dress is very casual during the day, with swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts being the rule. Swimsuits are not allowed in the dining rooms, but you may opt for casual breakfast and lunch on the lido deck or around the pool. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
Carnival recommends $10 per person, per day, broken down to $5.50 to the headwaiter/waiter, $1 to the assistant waiter/cooks and $3.50 to the cabin steward. Tips for drinks are included in bar bills. | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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