Carnival Fascination

The 1994-built Carnival Fascination cruise ship was the fourth of CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's eight Fantasy-class vessels - together with Sensation, Fantasy and the originally "no balcony" liners Ecstasy, Elation, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise.

History - construction and ownership

In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. Carnival added that already has preliminary agreements for selling 13 liners (in September increased to 18) which will leave the fleet in 2020. The current list includes the CCL's Fantasy-class (fleet's oldest) liners Fantasy, Inspiration, Imagination, and Fascination.

• On July 29, 2020, the vessel arrived and docked in Port Cadiz/Sevilla Spain, for a long-term cold layup.
• On September 16, 2020, Carnival announced Fascination's sale - to an undisclosed buyer. According to rumors, the new shipowner was an Asian company that plans to operate the liner as a hotel ship.
• CCL Fascination was last drydock refurbished in 2018.

A total of 144x Carnival Fascination cruises were canceled - departures scheduled for the period November 1, 2020, through April 30, 2022. CCL Fascination ship was planned for 2020-2021 homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico and Bridgetown Barbados to operate on 7-day Southern Caribbean itineraries (roundtrips) visiting St Thomas Island (Charlotte Amalie), St Maarten Island (Philipsburg), St Kitts Island (Port Zante-Basseterre) and St Lucia Island (Castries). In January 2022, following two repositioning cruises (2-day Bridgetown to San Juan, and 7-day San Juan to Mobile AL) the ship had scheduled a total of 22x Western Caribbean roundtrips from Mobile Alabama USA (January 16 through April 30, 2022). The ex-Mobile roundtrips were short-breaks visiting Mexico (4-day to Cozumel and 5-day to Cozumel and Progreso).

On November 25, 2020, was registered the company Century Harmony Cruise Ltd (incorporated in the Marshall Islands) and reported as the new shipowner. In October the vessel's name was changed to "Century Harmony".

• In December 2020, the vessel remained at anchorage off Gibraltar UK. On December 28, it departed Gibraltar en route to Singapore, transitting Suez Canal on January 3, 2021.
• On March 6, 2021, the boat arrived and anchored off Port Ningbo China.
• On May 3, 2021, the boat anchored off Qushan Island, China.

After the acquisition, the vessel (IMO number 9041253) changed its flag-state from Bahamas (MMSI 309682000/Nassau) to Panama (MMSI 356402000/Colon).

According to the AIS data, the 28-years-old vessel (renamed "Y HARMONY") remained at anchorage off Colombo Sri Lanka between December 23, 2021, and February 2, 2022. It arrived and anchored off Pakistan's coast on Feb 9, and was beached at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard (just south of Ras Phuari archeological site) on Feb 18th, with the last AIS data transmitted at 6:54 Pakistan time (11:54 UTC).

The 2052-passenger ship Carnival Fascination was one of the oldest in the CCL fleet. The vessel was drydock renovated for the first time in 2006 when new LCD TVs and cabin bathrooms were added. The second drydock (January 2010) was an "Evolution of Fun" (Fun Ship 1.0) upgrade during which all public spaces, staterooms and open decks were completely renovated. CCL Fascination's third drydock (January 2013) upgraded the onboard dining room menus and all staterooms' lighting and bedding. The vessel's last major drydock was in 2015 (by Carnival's Fun Ship 2.0 fleet renovation program) during which was installed Carnival Waterworks (aquapark with Splash Zone for kids and Twister Waterslide).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Fascination staterooms (1026 total in 26 categories) include 54 Suites, 98 Balcony rooms, 564 Oceanviews and 408 Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 170-185 ft2 (16-17 m2). CCL Fascination ship has 24 wheelchair-accessible cabins (ADA staterooms adapted for passengers with disabilities). The largest (Grand Suites) are sized 330 ft2 / 31 m2 plus 115 ft2 / 11m2 terrace and accommodate up to 4 passengers. They feature sitting areas, spacious bathrooms (with whirlpool bathtubs, separate shower), VIP services and amenities.

The boat has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Onboard dining options revolve around the Imagination and Sensation restaurants, Fascination's main dining rooms. Those who seek for more casual dining may find so in the buffet - Coconut Grove Bar and Grill. This self-serve buffet venue is where guests congregate for cereal, bacon, and pancakes in the mornings; chicken, burgers, deli selections and made-to-order pizza at lunch; prime rib, lamb, turkey or pork carving stations each evening. Carnival passenger flow cannot be better as food stations are situated on both starboard and port sides, aft and in the middle of the room (there are the salad, deli, dessert, and 24-hour self-serve ice cream stations).

Unlike other Carnival ships, there is no specialty restaurant or Supper Club onboard Carnival Fascination. However, as is also available on all of the Fun ships is Chef's Table - a dining experience that affords a dozen guests a multicourse dinner with a private cocktail reception, a tour of the galley and a master chef. This dining option takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Fascination restaurants and food bars.

• Imagination Dining Room (658-seat, aft Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings; offers themed breakfasts - "Seuss At Sea", for $5 cover charge)
• Sensation Dining Room (650-seat, forward Main Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, or Your Time Dining).
• Coconut Grove Lido Buffet Restaurant (722-seat, complimentary self-service restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings).
• Sushi Bar (complimentary).

During drydock refurbishment 2018 (in February), Carnival Fascination received the following new bars and dining venues:

• Guy's Burger Joint (complimentary poolside fast-food bar serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries)
• BlueIguana Cantina (complimentary poolside Mexican restaurant for fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, with salsa bar and a variety of toppings)
• Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (poolside, Mexican-themed outdoor bar for frozens and beers)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (poolside bar selling frozens and beers, also serves CCL's private label ThirstyFrog Red/draught beer)
• Alchemy Bar (CCL's "cocktail pharmacy" lounge with professional mixologists and made-to-order drinks)
• Cherry On Top (signature bulk candy store, also selling Carnival Cruise Lines logo apparel, gifts, toys)
• Bonsai Sushi Express (complimentary, at Taste Bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Designed by the award-winning interior architect of Carnival Joe Farcus, Carnival Fascination features a variety of Hollywood-inspired public spaces. The Palace Lounge showcases the passenger talent shows and onboard revues of the line. There are 12 lounges and bars scattered throughout. The Passage to India Lounge and Diamonds Are Forever dance club are two of the most popular locales onboard.

The 12000-ft2 (1115-m2) sized wellness complex is nearly as modern and spacious as that on any of the newer Carnival ships. Kids and teens enjoy Nintendo Wii and PlayStation2 gaming, sports and music contests, art activities, themed parties. Fun awaits at the 9-hole miniature golf course, as well as at the 3 swimming pools, including a kids' wading pool and the main pool with 115-foot-long waterslide. The turn-down service for children consists of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and Carnival's renowned towel animals.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Fascination lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Fascination Grand Atrium Plaza (7-deck high midship open area served by Grand Plaza Lobby Bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Formalities Shop (tuxedo rentals, special occasion gifts); The Fun Shops (offer Bon Voyage store menu, souvenirs, watches, jewelry, logo merchandise, duty-free liquor, fashion boutiques)
• Palace Theatre (1300-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
• Circle C (kids' complimentary club lounge with movies, video games, parties, planned activities)
• 88 Piano bar (92-seat)
• Hollywood Boulevard Promenade and Bar (230-seat)
• Bogart's Cafe (58-seat specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Passage To India Lounge and Bar (109-seat with dance floor and karaoke)
• Diamonds and Forever Disco and Nightclub (230-seat Dance Club)
• Beverly Hills Bar (92-seat cigar bar with piano)
• Puttin' On The Ritz Lounge and Bar (540-seat, with dance floor and stage for live performances - Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch shows)
• 24-hour Video Games Arcade; Club O2 teens' lounge for movies, karaoke, parties
• Casino Royale (450-seat, served by Stars Bar)
• Serenity (adults-only relaxation area with padded lounges, hammocks and two Whirlpools).
• Fascination Lido Pool area; Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park (features the 4-deck high Twister Waterslide, two racing waterslides, fountains, jets, splash pool, kids area)
• Camp Carnival (kids' club lounge with a complimentary program and play area)
• Spa Carnival (Spa and Fitness complex with Relaxation Room, Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Rooms, Beauty Salon, Gymnasium with Aerobics Studio)
• Basketball/Volleyball Court, Jogging Track, Tennis Tables, 9-hole Mini-Golf Course, Shuffleboard.

Itineraries

Starting February 18, 2018, the ship offered roundtrips from homeports San Juan Puerto Rico and Bridgetown Barbados on 7-day Southern Caribbean itineraries visiting the islands St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, St Thomas USVI.

Since January 16, 2022, Fascination was planned for homeporting in Mobile Alabama and to operate 4-day and 5-day roundtrips - replacing in Mobile AL Carnival Fantasy (planned for 2022 homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico but unfortunately scrapped in 2020).

Before 2018, Carnival Fascination itinerary program was based on 4- and 5-day Bahamas cruises from homeport Jacksonville (JAXPORT) Florida. Deployment's prime call port destinations were Nassau and Freeport. The liner also visited two private islands in The Bahamas - Carnival Corporation's Half Moon Cay and Royal Caribbean's Coco Cay.

For more details on the canceled 2020-2021-2022 itinerary program see in the ship's Wiki section.