Like the company's other Fantasy-class ships, the
Fascination will be part of the "Evolutions of Fun" ship refurbishment program. Set to be completed by 2009, all Fantasy-class ships will undergo numerous upgrades, including: expansions to the children's waterparks; new designs and features to pool areas; the creation of Serenity adults-only deck areas; fully remodeled staterooms and suites, complete with new baths and flat-screen TVs; and the addition of atrium lobby bars, coffee bars, miniature golf courses and multipurpose conference facilities. Once those renovations are completed, the ship will be renamed
Carnival Fascination, in-line with other Carnival-brand ships.
On this Fantasy-class vessel, the focus is "Hooray for Hollywood," mixing homage and spoof of the Tinseltown of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, with lots of kitsch and plenty of neon.
This Carnival cruise liner entered service in 1994 as the third of eight Fantasy Class megaliners known for atriums ascending seven decks at the heart of the ship. At 70,367 tons and 855 ft, this Panamanian-registered ship has 10 passenger decks, 13 public rooms, and a passenger capacity of 2,594. Italian officers command an international crew of 920.
The vessel sails from both Miami and Jacksonville. From Miami, Fascination offers a 3-day cruise to Nassau, as well as 4-day cruises to the Western Caribbean. The ship's Jacksonville itineraries include 4- and 5-day cruises to the Bahamas. Some 5-day cruises also include a stop in Key West.
Joe Farcus has turned his imagination loose onboard, fascinatingly. The atrium, for example, has 20 types of marble and eight rare woods. It also serves as the ship's crossroads. Full-size mannequins of movie stars are a sight to behold on Hollywood Boulevard, the enclosed starboard promenade, and passengers can spend some enjoyable time trying to identify all 20 of them. (That's Coop and Hayworth in the Stars Bar, and Leigh and Gable in the Tara Library.) Putting on the Ritz Lounge, with decor inspired by Astaire's hat, offers late-day comedy and a vocalist. Bogey's Cafe and the Passage to India Lounge are popular, along with Bar 88, decorated with huge neon piano keys and piano-shape tables. The dazzling disco, nightclub, casino, and Art Deco bar share the same deck. The bi-level theater seats 1,300 before a revolving stage with productions that feature laser lighting, dry ice, some good singing, and dancing lip-synchers. The intimate piano bar and the Verandah Deck mezzanine prove more tranquil. Lido Deck has three pools, whirlpools, a water slide, and a raised stage for music and dancing.
High on Sun Deck, loungers in deck chairs can watch joggers and volleyball games. The huge spa comprises a gym with aerobics and good views, a sauna, massage, and a beauty salon and barber shop. Teens have a game room, the supervised playroom has its own pool, and two shopping areas please parents, as does the recently added second playroom.
The food is plentiful, though average, and the dining rooms, on an upper deck with large windows and good views, are energetic and lively. Breakfast and lunch are served in the palm-and-bamboo-trimmed Coconut Bar & Grill, which offers seating indoors and out. Evening buffets, 24-hour pizza, and light meals on Lido Deck round out culinary offerings that now include extended dining hours in the main dining rooms and casual, alternative bistro dining at night in the lido cafe.
The large, plain cabins are on four decks except for the 26 verandah mini-suites and the eight inside doubles forward on Verandah Deck. All have phones, TVs, piped-in music, safes and ample stowage. There are 620 outsides, and 402 insides, most with twin beds.
From the enormous sculpture in the atrium lobby to the dazzling light shows, this is a fascinating ship that offers something for every age group.
