Currently homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Carnival Fascination is the fourth of Carnival Cruise Line’s eight Fantasy-class ships. This 2,052-passenger ship, floated out in 1994, has received a million-dollar refurbishment and now features the Carnival trademark WaterWorks – a splash zone with a 91-metre long twister slide, sprayers and racing slides. Casual daytime attire is followed by casual evening wear. A $12.95 per day per person gratuity is recommended.

[fa type=”bed”] Accommodation

Carnival Fascination has five main cabin categories – interior, oceanview, balcony, junior suite and grand suite. Of the 1,026 cabins, 152 have an additional 11- or 17-metre balcony. Cabin configuration includes twin beds that are convertible into a king, flat-screen TV, work desk, telephone, a safe and in-bed lighting mounted on the headboard. Storage is ample with enough closet and drawers. Bathrooms have a pair of bathrobes, shower-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers and sample sized toiletries (featuring well-known brands like Bic, Crest, Tylenol) stacked in a basket.

[fa type=”cutlery”] Food

Fascination’s main dining rooms are Imagination and Sensation, which has two seatings – fixed 6pm and 8.15pm dining time, and Your Choice Dining from 5.45pm to 9.30pm. Unlike other Carnival ships, Fascination does not have any specialty restaurants, other than the intimate dining experience at Chef’s Table which offers just 12 passengers a night of unconventional dining. Casual dining options include the buffet venue Coconut Grove Bar & Grill. Fascination’s pool grill serves burgers, hotdogs, Mongolian stir-fry and rotisserie. The onboard “Sushi Bar” is complimentary. The ship offers 24-hour room service.

[fa type=”ticket”] Activities

Spa Carnival offers a wide variety of spa services, including warm stone rhythmic massage therapy, exotic seaweed wraps, and cellulite reduction treatments. Other offerings such as teeth whitening are listed daily. The ship’s gym, open from 6am to 8pm, is lined with treadmills, Stairmasters, and free weights. Personal training can be booked for $85 per session; while Pilates, yoga and cycling classes are $10. Outdoor recreation features a nine-hole mini golf course, a jogging track, volleyball and basketball courts, and the adults-only Serenity Deck that has two hot tubs and loungers.

[fa type=”group”] Families

Waterworks is a zone decked with sprinklers, sprayers and water slides where both kids and adults can have a splash. Camp Carnival sorts children in age groups and offers them age-appropriate programs. After 10pm, Camp Carnival Night Owls opens and kids can continue playing and hanging out in a supervised environment until 3am. Twelve- to 14-year-olds have their own zone called Circle C where they can chill out and play video games. Club 02, for older teenagers, is where pool parties are held. Carnival also offers babysitting at $6 per hour.