Carnival Fascination to Undergo Major Upgrades

[Jason]

Carnival's Fun Ship Fascination to Undergo Signficant Upgrades

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

MIAMI (August 2, 2006) –A 35-day drydock for Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger Fascination, scheduled to begin in September 2006, will include significant renovations to a broad range of shipboard areas.

“The Fascination continues to be one of the most popular cruise choices from Miami, offering terrific, and value-packed three and four-day getaways to the Bahamas,” said Bob Dickinson Carnival president and CEO. “This expansive refurbishment will serve to make a fantastic ship even better,” he added.

Following its multi-million-dollar renovations, the Fascination will feature a new nine-hole miniature golf course on Sun Deck as well as the new Café on the Way, a patisserie serving specialty coffees and sweets, located along the ship’s Promenade Deck.

Other new features will include a teen club, part of the line’s ongoing expansion of its popular “Club 02” teen program. Additionally, a new 1,600-square-foot Children’s World play area, located on Verandah Deck, will enhance the line’s top-rated fleetwide Camp Carnival children’s program, which hosts some 525,000 kids annually.

Debuting on Empress Deck will be a new art gallery, where guests can browse the diverse and stunning array of artwork offered during Carnival’s popular shipboard art auctions. A new Atrium Bar on the same level will provide a convivial venue for guests to enjoy cocktails and listen to music. Other changes on the ship will include a newly-designed Internet café and a new 1,200-square-foot conference room.

The Fascination’s luxurious Spa Carnival will also be renovated and include new private treatment rooms, updated exercise equipment, and a host of cosmetic enhancements to the 12,000-square-foot facility.

Staterooms and suites on the Fascination will be refurbished, as well, to include flat screen TVs, an entirely new décor and completely remodeled bathrooms. A number of crew areas will also be renovated.

Additionally, the refurbishment will include upgrades in carpeting and upholstery, and some modifications to the layout of the aft lounge and casino area to accommodate larger groups.

Other enhancements will include a new photo gallery on Promenade Deck providing guests with an easy and convenient means for viewing and selecting photos taken by the ship’s photographers during the cruise, as well as upgraded audio/visual equipment within the bandstand awning area, located on Lido Deck.

The 70,000-ton Fascination sails year-round from Miami on three- and four-day cruises. On this route, three-day cruises depart Fridays and overnight in Nassau while four-day voyages depart Mondays and stop at Key West and Cozumel.

The Fascination is one of Carnival’s 21 “Fun Ships” which operate voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles.

Three new ships – the 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom, the 112,000-ton Carnival Splendor, and a 130,000-ton unnamed ship, are scheduled to enter service between now and fall 2009.

[frostyboy64]

thats good i was on her in may and she needs it

thanks

[gymbrat33]

I cannot believe that they're upgrading the golf course. It looked brand new when I sailed on the Fascination in June. I cannot wait to see it refurbished. It is a beautiful ship.

[GottaCruz]

We sail the Fascination very often so I'm thrilled to hear this. I agree, gymbrat, the golf course looked pretty good in June. Can't wait to see the improvements, especially in the staterooms and bathrooms.I hope they finally get a recumbent bike in the spa.