Carnival Fascination

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

History - Construction and Ownership

In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation announced an accelerated plan to sell ships in FY2020, replacing a previously projected 3-5 year fleet optimization. The updated list eventually included 18 ships scheduled to exit the fleet in 2020, among them several Fantasy-class vessels—Fantasy, Inspiration, Imagination, and Fascination.

• On July 29, 2020, Carnival Fascination arrived and docked in Port Cadiz/Sevilla, Spain for long-term cold layup.
• On September 16, 2020, Carnival confirmed the sale of Fascination to an undisclosed buyer, rumored to be an Asian company intending to convert her into a hotel ship.
• CCL Fascination’s last drydock refurbishment was in 2018.

A total of 144 cruises were canceled, covering departures scheduled between November 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022. The ship was originally planned for 2020–2021 homeporting in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Bridgetown, Barbados, offering 7-day Southern Caribbean roundtrips to St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), St Maarten (Philipsburg), St Kitts (Basseterre), and St Lucia (Castries). In January 2022, following two repositioning cruises (2-day Bridgetown–San Juan and 7-day San Juan–Mobile), Fascination was scheduled for 22 roundtrip Western Caribbean cruises from Mobile, Alabama (Jan 16–Apr 30), including 4-day voyages to Cozumel and 5-day voyages to Cozumel and Progreso.

On November 25, 2020, the company Century Harmony Cruise Ltd (Marshall Islands-registered) was announced as the new shipowner. The ship was renamed "Century Harmony" in October 2020.

• In December 2020, the vessel remained at anchor off Gibraltar, UK. On December 28, she departed for Singapore, transiting the Suez Canal on January 3, 2021.
• On March 6, 2021, the ship arrived and anchored off Port Ningbo, China.
• On May 3, 2021, she anchored off Qushan Island, China.

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

According to AIS data, the 28-year-old vessel—renamed "Y HARMONY"—was anchored off Colombo, Sri Lanka between December 23, 2021, and February 2, 2022. She arrived off the coast of Pakistan on February 9 and was beached at Gadani Ship Breaking Yard on February 18, with the last AIS transmission recorded at 6:54 AM local time (11:54 UTC).

The 2052-passenger Carnival Fascination was among the oldest ships in the Carnival fleet. Her first drydock was in 2006, during which new LCD TVs and cabin bathrooms were installed. The 2010 drydock, part of the "Evolution of Fun" (Fun Ship 1.0) upgrade, renovated all staterooms, public spaces, and open decks. In 2013, she received updated stateroom lighting and bedding, along with new dining menus. The ship’s final major refurbishment occurred in 2015 under the Fun Ship 2.0 program, adding Carnival WaterWorks with a kids' Splash Zone and Twister Waterslide.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Fascination staterooms (1026 total across 26 categories) include 54 Suites, 98 Balcony cabins, 564 Oceanviews, and 408 Interior cabins. Most cabins range in size from 170–185 ft² (16–17 m²). The ship had 24 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest accommodations were the Grand Suites (330 ft² / 31 m² plus 115 ft² / 11 m² balcony), with a capacity for up to 4 guests, sitting areas, spacious bathrooms (with whirlpool tub and separate shower), and VIP services.

The vessel had 13 decks, including 10 accessible to passengers and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard Dining Options - Food and Drinks

The main dining venues aboard were the Imagination and Sensation restaurants. For casual meals, guests could dine at the Coconut Grove Bar and Grill buffet, which offered a wide selection throughout the day—cereal, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast; burgers, deli items, and pizza for lunch; and carving stations with lamb, turkey, or pork in the evenings. Stations were located port and starboard, aft and midship, for efficient passenger flow. Additional offerings included salad, deli, dessert, and 24-hour self-serve ice cream stations.

The ship did not feature a specialty restaurant or supper club. However, the Chef's Table dining experience was available, offering a multi-course meal, private cocktail reception, and galley tour for $75 per person (bookable onboard).

Dining venues aboard Carnival Fascination included:

• Imagination Dining Room (658 seats, aft main dining room with two fixed dinner seatings; themed "Seuss At Sea" breakfasts available for a $5 cover charge)
• Sensation Dining Room (650 seats, forward main dining room with fixed seating and "Your Time Dining")
• Coconut Grove Lido Buffet Restaurant (722 seats, complimentary, bistro-style service in evenings)
• Sushi Bar (complimentary)

New venues added during the 2018 drydock refurbishment included:

• Guy's Burger Joint
• BlueIguana Cantina
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar
• RedFrog Rum Bar
• Alchemy Bar
• Cherry On Top
• Bonsai Sushi Express (at Taste Bar)

Shipboard Entertainment Options - Fun and Sport

Designed by Carnival’s famed architect Joe Farcus, Carnival Fascination featured a Hollywood-inspired theme. The Palace Lounge hosted talent shows and production revues, while 12 lounges and bars offered varied entertainment. Popular venues included Passage to India Lounge and Diamonds Are Forever nightclub.

The 12,000-ft² (1,115-m²) wellness complex rivaled those on newer Carnival ships. Kids and teens enjoyed gaming, themed parties, and contests, while the outdoor areas featured a 9-hole mini-golf course, three pools (including one for kids), and a main pool with a 115-foot waterslide. Turndown service for children included chocolate chip cookies and Carnival’s signature towel animals.

Entertainment venues included:

• Fascination Grand Atrium Plaza with Grand Plaza Lobby Bar
• Internet Café, Art Gallery, Photo Gallery, Formalities Shop, and Fun Shops
• Palace Theatre (1,300-seat, 2-level main show lounge)
• Circle C (kids' club)
• 88 Piano Bar
• Hollywood Boulevard Promenade
• Bogart's Café (specialty coffee/pastry bar)
• Passage To India Lounge (karaoke and dancing)
• Diamonds Are Forever Disco
• Beverly Hills Bar (cigar and piano lounge)
• Puttin’ On The Ritz Lounge (540-seat, Punchliner Comedy Club)
• Video Arcade, Club O2 (teens lounge)
• Casino Royale (450-seat with Stars Bar)
• Serenity Adults-Only Area (loungers, hammocks, 2 whirlpools)
• Carnival WaterWorks Aqua Park with Twister and racing slides
• Camp Carnival (kids’ programs)
• Spa Carnival and Fitness Center
• Sports facilities: basketball/volleyball court, jogging track, table tennis, mini-golf, and shuffleboard

Itineraries

Beginning February 18, 2018, Fascination sailed roundtrip Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico and Bridgetown, Barbados, visiting St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten, and St Thomas.

Starting January 16, 2022, the ship was scheduled to homeport in Mobile, Alabama, replacing Carnival Fantasy. Planned itineraries included 4- and 5-day roundtrips to Mexico.

Prior to 2018, Fascination was based in Jacksonville, Florida (JAXPORT), operating 4- and 5-day Bahamas cruises with stops at Nassau, Freeport, and private islands Half Moon Cay and CocoCay.

For more details on the canceled 2020–2022 itineraries, visit the ship’s Wiki section.