CJ

Age: 27
Occupation: Sales Representive
Number of Cruises: First Cruise
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Lines
Ship: Fascination
Sailing Date: May 21st, 2001
Itinerary: Key West, Cozumel

My wife and I took this cruise for our honeymoon and were very impressed. We debated long and hard if we wanted to take a cruise because of the fear of seasickness, but we never had any major problems. There was a couple of times that we felt "off balance" but we got used to it very fast.

Embarkation was very fast. We didn't know what to expect and everything went great. We did take a transfer from the airport to the port and would highly suggest that for anyone (very easy). We were a little annoyed at the bus driver asking for tips for moving our bags 10 feet, but what can you do. A couple of bucks and they leave you alone.

Once on the ship we found our cabin right away (inside cabin). The cabin was very clean and our bags beat us to the room. One thing we had wished is that we would have gotten an outside cabin. It's got to be worth it...for a sense of the world out there.

After unpacking we went for lunch in the Coconut Cove Dining Room and the food was OK, but we were hungry and it took care of us. I was anxious to see the ship so we took a quick tour, but were called to our room for the lifeboat drill. This was a little annoying but it had to be done. Let's just say it was not the way I wanted to meet and great other passengers, by standing and sweating...shoulder to shoulder. But we survived.

Soon after we went to the welcome aboard meeting in the main show room and met Troy our Cruise Director. I guess this was Troy's last cruise, and that is too bad for Carnival because he was outstanding. He was funny and informative all cruise long.

The first night we went to dinner and met our table partners. For the most part it went ok, but we didn't make great friends with any of them. Two of the couples were young, and the other two were older. I wish we could have had our own table on our honeymoon, but we didn't go after one. The food on this cruise was excellent. I had the lamb and prime rib, and my wife had the lobster and all of it was excellent. We never had breakfast or lunch in the main dining hall, only dinner. Eduardo our waiter was great! The Coconut Cove food is a little "iffy" sometimes, but not bad. The burgers, hotdogs, and pizza are all very good. We ate on deck a lot, by the pool. The lemonade and water are always free, but pop is not! That really surprised me. And the price of alcohol is out of this world. We didn't drink too much for that reason.

We went to some of the shows but not all of them. They were good, but a bit long. Being younger we did enjoy the comedians and late night acts. Troy (the cruise director) was great at all the shows. It showed that he loved what he was doing.

Key West was our first stop and we took a bike tour. Christian was our guide and we did get to see some neat stuff and learn some history of the area. Originally we thought the stop in Key West would be too short, but it was not. We're not into the shopping thing, so six hours was plenty. It's a bit too commercial for our taste.

Off to Cozumel for the next stop. We got off the ship and we're met by 175 WHITE taxies and that was a confusing process. It was hard to know what you were going to pay to go anywhere. The area is kind of dirty, and run down. But then again there are six or seven cruise ships there everyday. We went to a beach called Playa Sol. It was very nice and affordable (if you don't buy the admission that includes all you can drink)...Hint, Hint. I think we paid six dollars a person for a very nice area. We had our own snorkeling equipment and the beach had an area to snorkel. My wife got to snorkel with a sting ray (...that was pretty cool). The water was awesome and we had a great time. After the beach we went to a nice little restaurant in town and had a nice meal for a nice price. We again did very little shopping, but the peddlers will annoy you!!! Everywhere you go there are people trying to sell you blankets, necklaces, and all kinds of stuff. The SUNSET was breath taking!!!

As for the ship we never had a dull moment, and the pools were great and the deck was always clean.

Our room was kept clean and we never felt rushed. Some people said the partying can get out of hand, but it never did.

Take the galley tour, it's pretty cool. My wife LOVED it!!!

Disembarking went very quick and we found our luggage right away. Security is pretty tight, but needed. The bus back to the airport was fine, but the tipping issue came back again.

This was a nice cruise, and we will go again sometime, I think we may try another cruise line. But overall Carnival was great and we loved it and enjoyed our honeymoon aboard the Carnival Fascination.

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