| Trip report on Fascination Cruise, May 25,1996-June 1, 1996
It was our first cruise, and we went with another couple, who had cruised
3 times, but never Carnival. We had very high expectations, which were not
met. As for the cruising experience itself, we had a great time. However,
we won't use Carnival Lines again. This is not just our opinion. During
the trip, we sat with or talked to at least 10-12 people who said the
same. Concensus: Go on Royal Caribbean (Monarch of the seas, Majesty of
the seas, etc) for a good cruise. Lots of little touches were missing.
Fascination is new, well laid out, clean! We had a very nice room
(demi-suite) with a private balcony. It was great to sit out on it and
read, or watch the stars, etc. Suite had a nice bar, TV, VCR, shower, queen
size bed, nice decor, small closet. Room seemed cramped at times.
The weather was great, 85 or so. The islands we visited were
mostly great. Aruba and St Thomas/St John were the best. San Juan, Grenada,
Guadeloupe (plus country of Venezuela), we probably won't go back to.
The activities were many and varied, however some good ones were
scheduled opposite each other. Large variety of age groups, mostly
extended families, not that many kids, lots of honeymooners and 25th
anniversary celebrations. All dinners were casual, except two formal
nites (Captain's Welcome, and farewell parties.) We stayed up for only
one midnite buffet, and it was a slight disappointment. The other
nites were not full buffets but followed themes, e.g. pizza buffet,
quiche buffet, etc.
Casino-- I was a loser, but Pat won 1000 quarters on one pull of the slot
machine. Then the next night she won 500 quarters from the same machine!
The cruise director was very good and funny. Shows had good variety (Broadway
songs and dancing, magic/illusion, comedy, passenger talent show, etc).
One of his "TRUE" stories. Lady called to say she was _trapped_ in her
room. When asked, she said her room had two doors, one went into a
bathroom, and the other had a "Do Not Disturb" sign on it!
He also had a top 10 list of dumb questions. e.g. does this staircase
go up AND down? does this elevator go to the front of the ship? do the
waiters and crew live on the ship? eat the same food? etc.
Here are the main reasons we won't use Carnival Lines again --- it did not
pamper us; lots of stuff was disorganized; we weren't informed in advance
of lots of things; sloppy dining room service; biggest minus >>> they were
in the habit of SELL,SELL, SELL. Whenever we left the ship, they were
selling bottled water for $2.95. Coming back, we were bombarded by people in
the halls, selling T-shirts, lottery (scratch) tickets, raffle chances, etc.
In the lounges, every show started with a bingo game ($10/card and only
ONE game). Then each evening they had booths set up to sell watches, perfume,
rings, crystal, plus sales on liquor, T-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. Then they
held a daily art auction! (Large 3 foot oil paintings in the $200-500 range).
Every meal included a sales pitch to buy their (expensive) recommended
wine, which was conveniently on the table. They rushed us thru the meal
to prepare for the late sitting. People were snickering or whispering under
their breath after some of the more blatant sales pitches. Drinks were not
offered, and we had to ask for coffee refills. Some of the orders were mixed
up. Sometimes one or more pieces of silverware were missing. Napkins
were not placed on our laps, nor ladies helped with their chairs, like on
other ships. There was more, but it escapes me now.
Day by day itinerary:
Saturday. Fly from Logan to San Juan. Long lines at TWA. Flight stopped in JFK
and changed to a 747; same flight number! Arrive in SJU 20 mins late.
Have to get our own luggage and place it on the truck at the curb that is
chartered by Carnival to haul luggage. We took a separate bus. Waited over
an hour to get all our luggage. 3 flights were using the same luggage
carousel. Wait for Gray Line bus to depart. Approx 20 mins to ship.
Long lines at ship. Have to check in; first line is security. Next line is
to show our cruise papers and credit card for imprint; received sign and
sail card (S&S); similar to credit card but used to charge anything on
the ship. Next line is to show receipt, S&S and get keys. Finally, get in
line at the ship. Had to show picture ID at most of these checkpoints.
Checked into room; no luggage. It will arive by 5pm. Light snacks
served on board. We took a taxi to the Chart House for dinner. Back around 8.
Now, we had to sign up for various shore tours, if interested. We had no
advance notice of what these entailed or cost. We did 3 of them ($202 each
couple). Luggage arrived during the day. Wandered around ship, watch it
leave the dock, listen to music near pool.
Gambling casino in full swing. We were tired, so went to bed before midnite.
Ordered room service coffee, juice and danish, for next morning. Our room
steward, from Costa Rica, was the most efficient.
Sunday.
Arrive at St Thomas 7:30 am. Breakfast arrived at 8. Beautiful sunny day.
After breakfast, went shopping in Charlotte Amalie. $2.50 each way to return
via taxi or van to ship. They drive (fast) on left! 11:30 lunch on board.
At 12 noon, left for tour to St John. Bus, then ferry, then van. took a little
over an hour to go to Trunk Bay (passing Cruz Bay and Caneel Bay). Beach
is beautiful, water so blue and clear. Many went snorkeling, but we didn't.
Got back around 4:30 or so. Left dock at 5. Had a lifeboat drill at 5:30.
6pm - dinner. French night. (Snails, onion soup, Coquille St Jacques,
Steak Au Poivre, Veal etc). Nice people from PA next to us at table for 8.
They were a couple with their grown children, just out of school. Our
waiter was from St Vincent, and was not efficient.
8pm went to Bingo; one game $10. Saw the stage show at 8:30. Not bad.
After losing some quarters at slot machines, went to room. Received the daily
newsletter "Capers" and it had 3 lines about Guadeloupe (next stop), but
nothing about where we were, what was near, weather expected tomorrow,
but lots of advertising, etc. (art, perfume, liquor).
Monday.
Arrive at Guadeloupe by 8. Went to breakfast in main dining room. It was OK.
Walked around deck; wanted to go shopping but were told that shops were
closed on Sunday. Got bored and left the ship anyways, and found that the
shops near the docks were open. They thrive on tourists! Why the ship didn't
know this, I'll never guess. Taxis were about $15/head to go to a beach,
so we passed. Bought some t-shirts and spices. In the afternoon, read a little
and sat by the pool. Activities included frog-racing and limbo.
Each day they shot videos around the ship, on tours, and at most activities.
They showed this on the room TV the next day, as well as trying to sell it.
The dinner was formal, since this was the Captain's Welcome party. Had a
cocktail party with music, hors deuvres, etc. Then Italian dinner.
Shrimp scampi, Caesar salad, antipasto, minestrone, veal, etc. Special
dessert was cherries jubilee. Brought out with much fanfare - flashing lights,
music, singing, etc. Some waiters balanced it on their heads.
That night's Broadway show was quite good. Then some casino and to bed.
In-room TV had the movie "Broken Arrow".
Tuesday.
Arrive at Grenada's capital, St George. Can't dock near shore, so dropped
anchor, and had to use tenders. After breakfast of hazelnut pancakes
and strawberry sauce, we took a tour and had our own party boat (about
60-80 people). There we were at 8am sucking up 151 proof rum, listening
to a steel band, and steaming to a nice beach (Grand Anse). Free rum runners
had everyone loosened up. A brief 15 minute shower did not dampen us too much.
Bought a bottle of the run for $8. Return at 12 for lunch. Left Grenada.
Lunch buffet was impressive. (During the trip, we tried 3 different kinds
of lunches; regular dining room with a menu, lunch buffet in another room,
casual cafeteria style light lunches on deck near the pool.)
This afternoon's activites included pillow fight, cake decorating, "marriage
game", Bingo, horse racing. Dinner was Oriental night. Quite good.
Then a magic/illusion show in the showroom.
Wednesday.
Arrive in port near Caracas, Venezuela. Saw much pollution, dirt, and crowded
homes (shantys?) along the hills near shore. We were to go on an all-day tour.
This is a popular tour; that day we fit into 28 buses. First, went downtown
to Bolivar Plaza, saw some government buildings, and a museum, then
were turned loose to shop. Afraid to leave the corner, since there were
beggars and urchins selling everything every 5 feet, plus cops on every corner.
Later we saw the National Capitol and a glass blowing factory. We lunched
at a 5 star hotel in a function room, and even there, people were selling
Swiss chocolates, etc in the lobby outside the room where we ate our chicken
meal (included in tour). At lunch, they were selling pictures of us standing
at Bolivar Plaza just 2 hours earlier! Final stop was the Museum of Colonial
Art, approx 200 year old house. No A/C and no elevator, so had to take
60 steps to reach it. People were chanting that the bus should go direct
to the ship instead, but the guide said we had to stay on "schedule". All
over the bus were signs saying "the guide and driver accept tips", but not too
many tips were given. Return at 5pm. Dinner that night was Mexican.
Nice presentation. Flaming dishes on waiter's heads, etc. More photos.
Our casino luck turned. My wife Pat was a big winner. I went to the room
to watch the prior days video on Grenada, then the movie Father of the Bride 2.
Midnight was a mexican buffet. Skipped the show which was passenger talent
night. Did see the highlights on next day's video diary.
Thursday.
Arrive at Aruba 7:30am. A few clouds, but hotter and more humid than before.
Had breakfast then walked off the ship and went in town to shop. Found
some nice things. T-shirts, glassware, wind chime, etc. Went into
the casino at the Sonesta and won $30 in 15 minutes. Back to the ship
for lunch. The wives wanted to go to the beach, so they left, but we
stayed to read, since it was very humid. Got ready around 5 for the Captain's
Gala. Had frog's legs, chilled strawberry soup, salad, tournedos of beef.
We had ordered these medium rare (pink) but they were not, so the waiter
told us as he brought the tray that they were all medium in the kitchen,
and wanted to give us a chance to change our selection, even though
everyone else would start their meal. We grudgingly accepted it. Since it
was the Captain's farewell toast to us, we got a glass of complimentary
champagne. Dessert was baked alaska. The show afterward was a Hollywood
show. We went to the casino and my wife hit the same machine for another
big win. They were selling water, gold-by-the-inch, scratch tickets, liquor,
crystal figurines, art auction, bingo, etc. This is in addition to
the t-shirts, gifts, shops, and drinks that you'd expect at a resort.
Stayed up for the grand buffet at midnight. From 11:30 to 12:15, pictures
only. Then form another line, and go eat. Very nice food displays, ice
sculptures etc. Food didn't quite taste as good as it looked. Thursday
night the ship was rocky, and people complained of seasickness the next day.
Friday.
AT sea. After 7am breakfast, had a talk on debarkation and customs
procedures. Movie was Bed of Roses. On deck, there was the hairy chest
contest, later a 10-game bingo, and some more entertainment. Plus reading
or watching video diary in room, or sit by pool. Had a light
lunch, then at 3:30 had an ice cream buffet, ice cream or yogurt plus
many toppings. Friday night's theme was American dinner. Prime Rib or
sirloin tips, potatos, peas, shrimps, chicken gumbo soup and salad.
Desserts were cheesecake, chocolate cake, or apple pie. Reviewed the
group pictures after dinner, and finally bought one. In the casino,
we won some small amounts. Midnite was Quiche buffet, but we went to bed.
Had to put all our luggage in the hall by 11 pm.
Saturday.
After an early breakfast, checked the bill. Those S&S charges add up.
Some people's bill ran on for page after page. They were still trying to sell
a video of each day, plus an overview video which included highlights
from each day plus aerial view of each port. To leave, each deck was
called separately, and you had to wait in a un-airconditioned corridor
to get to leave down the ramp singlefile. When we finally got off the ship,
we had to retrieve all luggage, drag it 20 feet through customs and
immigration, then leave it to be placed on a truck for return trip to the
airport. This process took so long that we went right to the airport.
We thought we might have an hour or two to see some shops in San Juan.
Arrived at airport about 1 1/2 hours before plane was leaving. Trip back
reversed the trip down. Off at JFK to get on a smaller plane for Boston.
Never had to use or show our birth certificates (we have no passports),
just picture ID, and S&S card, to prove we belonged on that ship.
End of report. if any other questions, write me.
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