Last week we cruised on the Carnival Fascination. The
captain was Gianluca Longhin, the chief engineer was Valter Rossi, the Hotel
Director was Pavol Drimaj, and the Cruise Director was Robin Gardner. It was
only a 4-day cruise so we didn’t expect too much from it. We usually don’t have
as good a time during the shorter cruises as we do the longer ones. Boy, were
we wrong!
9/17/15 - On embarkation day, we left home at 5am and got to
the Jacksonville port (Jaxport) around 10:30am. By the time we dropped off our
luggage and parked ($15/day), we were able to go through security and check in
which took about 10 minutes. We sat for about 10 minutes and then got right on
the ship. We went towards our cabin (E177) but the doors were closed so we went
up to the Lido deck (Deck 10) for some lunch. We were so surprised to run into
Baris, whom we met on other cruises, and is now the maitre’d in the Sensation
Dining Room! It was wonderful to see him again. A little while later he came
back and showed us pictures of his little girl and then his wife Fatma (the
food and beverage manager) came by to see us. It was so great to see some
people we knew. Then we also saw Jogi who is the maitre’d in the Imagination
dining room (which was where we had dinner at table 368 at 6pm).
We walked around until the muster drill, which took a very
long time, and then we unpacked. We were supposed to leave at 4pm but we didn’t
pull out of the port until around 5 and it took forever for us to get out to
sea. It was fun to watch us go under the Jacksonville Bridge! Before we knew
it, it was time to get ready and go to dinner. We were at a table for 10 but
only 2 other couples showed up. They were Rita and David from Hilton Head and
Morris and Nancy from Georgia. We all seemed to have a good time. After that,
we went to the Welcome Aboard show but we were too tired to go to the comedy
show.
9/18/15 - On the next day we sat out on the back of the Lido
deck after breakfast in the dining room. We were supposed to arrive in Freeport
at noon but the captain announced due to high winds and head currents, we would
be an hour late. At 1pm we got off the ship and walked around the port but then
decided to take the taxi ($10 pp round trip) to Port Lucaya. We walked around
the casino and shops and got a couple of Coronas (2 for $5) before heading back
to the ship. I was surprised how hot I was! We got back to the ship at 4pm and
it started to rain just as we got back on the ship. We stopped at the Grill for
a hamburger and fries before going to the cabin and getting ready for dinner. I
found out that there was no dryer in our cabin. I need to make sure I pack mine
for the other cruises, just in case. It was elegant night and another couple joined
us. They were Sheila Brewton and Jimmy Clark from Georgia. We went to the show
Motor City that we enjoyed hearing Motown hits and then went to bed.
9/19/15 - The third day we arrived in Nassau around 8am. We
ate breakfast in the dining room and had a wonderful combination omelet. After
breakfast we went into town to find stamps for our postcards. First we stopped
near a government house and asked someone where the post office is and were
told that the post office was closed on Saturdays. I had even forgotten that it
was Saturday! He suggested that we go to the pharmacy that suggested we go to a
souvenir shop that suggested we go to a t-shirt shop that suggested we go to a
souvenir shop that suggested we go to an ice cream shop that suggested we go to
the hotel (which was also Don’s suggestion). So, we ended up at the Hilton
where I got some stamps and was able to mail it there. Then we walked some more
around town before going back to the ship for lunch. We sat on the back deck,
which was our favorite area and relaxed. Eventually we went back to cabin and napped
and watched TV until dinner. Dinner was fun and then we went to see the comedy
show (Kelly Terranova) which we really enjoyed. Then we walked around the ship
before bedtime.
9/210/15 - Today was a sea day and we just relaxed. We went
to the dining room for brunch where I got my steak and eggs for breakfast. We
also got Bloody Marys with our drink coupons. Later in the day we walked on the
track and then relaxed on the ship. In the afternoon we went to afternoon tea
and then saw The Hasbro Show in the main showroom. It didn’t take us long to pack our suitcases
and then we realized we didn’t have any tags so I went to guest services and
was told that I didn’t need any tags if we were doing self assist. We walked
around the ship until dinnertime and after dinner we went to the comedy club
again to see Kelly Terranova. This show was different than the night before.
When we returned tot our cabin, our cabin steward had just slipped our luggage
tags under our door.
9/21/15 – We arrived back in Jacksonville around 7am. We had
to meet in the library at 7:45 to get off the ship so we had breakfast at the
Lido deck at 6:30. We got off the ship at 8am and was in our car by 8:15. This
port was fabulous for getting on and off the ship. We got home around 2pm.
Things I Learned:
1. It
is really great to see old friends on the ship when we arrive and they really
made this cruise special.
2. We
really enjoy eating breakfast in the dining room.
3. Not
all ships have hair dryers in the cabins.
4. Check
what day you are in a port because some post offices are closed on the weekend.
5. Usually
hotels have stamps for postcards and will let you mail it there.
6. Even
though we had been to these ports many times, we still enjoy getting out and
walking around the town.
7. I
really love the steak and eggs breakfast at brunch.
Original photo by Pat Hensley
Original photo by Pat Hensley
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