Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	292
Accommodation	200	138
Food	400	213
Service	400	262
Entertainment	100	73
Cruise	400	243

How this score is created

Although externally angular and not handsome, Carnival Fascination is the fourth in a series of eight almost identical, successful ships built for Carnival Cruise Lines, and the company’s eighth new ship (others in the series are Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Sensation). Almost vibration-free service is provided by the diesel electric propulsion system. It has proven to be a successful design for this fun company that targets the first-time passenger.

The ship has short bows, and a distinctive, large, swept-back wing-tipped funnel – the trademark of Carnival Cruise Lines – in the company colors of red, white and blue. The ship has good open deck areas, but these are inadequate because is the ship is almost always full and everyone wants to be out on deck at the same time – the aft decks tend to be less noisy, whereas all the activities are focused around the main swimming pool and hot tubs.

Inside, the general passenger flow is good, and the interior design is functional, and extremely colorful. The neon lighting and color combinations are quite vivid (think total sensory stimulation).

There are public entertainment lounges, bars and clubs galore, with something for everyone (except peace and quiet). Most public rooms lead off from a wide indoor boulevard, and feature a colorful mix of classic and contemporary design elements that beg your indulgence.

As in its sister ships, there is a six-deck-high atrium (whose balconied shape may remind you of some of the world’s great opera houses), appropriately dressed to impress, topped by a large glass dome. The large casino has almost non-stop action, as one would expect aboard any Carnival Cruise Lines ship. There is a fine-looking library and reading room, but few books, and a large shop, stuffed to the gills with low-­quality, tacky merchandise.

This is another ship that reflects the fine creative interior design work of Joe Farcus. The interior decor aboard all Carnival ships is themed; this one has a sophisticated Hollywood motif. Excellent photo opportunities exist with some 24 superb life-like figures from the movies. Look for Marilyn Monroe and James Dean outside the casino at Stars Bar, while Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are seated at the piano at Bogart’s Café; Sophia Loren and Paul Newman are close by, and Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable can be found in Tara’s Library. Meanwhile, John Wayne is for some reason at the entrance to the Passage to India Lounge, while Edward G. Robinson is inside. Outside the Diamonds Are Forever discotheque are Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley. Lena Horne and Sydney Poitier can be found outside the Beverly Hills Bar, while Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy are inside. Just in case you want to gamble, you’ll find Lucille Ball outside the casino. Incidentally, all the slot machines aboard all Carnival ships are linked into a big prize, called, naturally, Megacash.

Following a six-month charter to the US government as emergency housing after Hurricane Katrina, the ship underwent an extensive refurbishment program in 2007 which provided a face-lift for the ship’s tired interiors. A new nine-hole miniature golf course was also added, as was a 1,600-sq-ft (148-sq-meter) Children’s World play area, an “art” gallery, and a 1,200-sq-ft (111-sq-meter) conference room.

Additionally, all suites/cabins were completely refurbished, with flat-screen television and remodelled bathroom. Also included was an atrium lobby bar, coffee bar, and a New York-style deli counter.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008