Carnival Fascination

File:Fascination2009.jpg Fascination
History
Name	1994-onwards: Fascination
Owner	Carnival Cruise Lines
Operator	Carnival Cruise Lines
Port of registry	Bahamas
Route	Bahamas
Builder	Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland
Completed	1994
In service	1994-present
Refit	2006
Identification	IMO number: 9041253
Status	In Active Service as 2010
General characteristics
Class and type	Fantasy class cruise ship
Tonnage	70.367 GT
Displacement	7.180 DWT
Length	855 ft (261 m)
Beam	103 ft (31 m)
Draft	7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)
Decks	10
Installed power	2 × Sulzer-Wärtsilä 8ZAV40S diesels 4 × Sulzer-Wärtsilä 12ZAV40S diesels 42240 kW
Propulsion	Two propellers
Speed	21 kn (38.89 km/h)
Capacity	2056 passengers (lower berths) 2634 passengers (all berths)
Crew	920

The Fascination is the fourth ship in Carnival Cruise Lines' eight-ship Fantasy class of mid-size cruise ships. She entered service in 1994, and based in Jacksonville, Florida, she sails to the Bahamas year-round. Her sister ships are Fantasy (1990), Ecstasy (1991), Sensation (1993), Imagination (1995), Inspiration (1996), Elation (1998), and Paradise (1998).

Renovation

The Fascination was given a multi-million dollar refurbishment while in dry dock during September 2006, during which:

• all 1,026 staterooms and suites were completely renovated with the addition of flat-screen TVs, new furnishings, and refurbished bathrooms
• the Coconut Grove Bar and Grill received new carpeting and upholstery, as did the Passage to India Lounge
• the Imagination and Sensation Dining Rooms received new carpeting, upholstery, and sound systems
• the Grand Atrium Bar was added on the Empress Deck
• Café on the Way, a new coffee bar, was added to the Promenade Deck
• a new 9-hole miniature golf course opened on the Sun Deck
• the 1,600-square-foot (150 m²) Children's World, a new Camp Carnival facility, was added to the Verandah Deck
• Club O2, a club exclusively for teens, was added
• an art gallery opened on the Empress Deck allowing passengers to view artwork available at auctions on-board
• a new photo gallery on the Promenade Deck allows passengers to view photos taken by staff on-board
• the 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m²) Spa Carnival was renovated with new exercise equipment and private treating rooms added while the whirlpool spas were removed; whirlpools are still available at the main pool area on the Lido Deck and the aft pool area on the Verandah Deck
• the bandstand in the main pool area on the Lido Deck received audio-visual upgrades
• the Palace Lounge received two new shows ("Fiesta Latina" and "Far from Over: the 80s") to accompany a new revolving stage, orchestra area, stage lighting, and audio-visual equipment
• Puttin' on the Ritz also received new décor

In January 2010 Fascination underwent dry dock and received the "Evolutions of Fun" upgrade. This included Carnival Waterworks, Serenity Adult only area, the addition of new balcony suites, and more.

Current itineraries

The Fascination currently departs from Jacksonville on 4-day cruises to the Bahamas, features stops to Nassau and Freeport and 5-day cruises include stops to Key West and Nassau on the Monday sailing. The other 5 day sailing stops at Nassau and Half Moon Cay on the Saturday sailing. Starting in May 2011 Fascination will be adding a new 7 night itinerary stopping in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk.

External links

• Carnival Fascination 2006 Renovation
• Carnival Cruise Line