| Magnificent...Spectacular....Gorgeous... These are all | | | | and the Count Basie Square, where entertainment is |
| words that will come to mind when you sail aboard the | | | | offered in the evenings. The beaches here are |
| newly renovated Carnival Fascination. This "fascinating" | | | | marvelous, and offer all the key services from Jet Ski |
| ship sails out of Jacksonville, FL. The Fascination offers | | | | rentals to ocean-front bars. Shore excursions offered |
| 4-5 day Bahamas cruises which include Freeport, | | | | by the cruiseline include a jeep adventure, snorkeling, |
| Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Key West. You could | | | | fishing, dolphin encounter, biking and island/city tours. |
| also choose a 7 day Eastern Carribean cruise, which | | | | Nassau is another port in the Bahamas that offers |
| includes many of the same ports as well as Grand | | | | charm and history, as well as spectacular beaches |
| Turk. The Fascination's itineraries do a great job of | | | | and shopping. Nassau, with its blend of influences from |
| allowing you to relax and enjoy your port days. This | | | | West Africa to England and from Haiti to the United |
| article will discuss some of the many options available | | | | States, is one of the most popular cruise ports in the |
| for you at the breathtaking ports of Jacksonville, | | | | Caribbean and Bahamas. The capital of the |
| Freeport and Nassau. | | | | Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Nassau is located on |
| If cruising on the Carnival Fascination, you'll start your | | | | the 21-mile-long-island of New Providence and is |
| trip in Jacksonville, FL. This city is located north of | | | | connected, via bridge, to Paradise Island, another |
| Orlando on the eastern shore of Florida pan handle. | | | | famous Bahamian destination. The city of Nassau itself |
| Jacksonville is geographically the largest city in the | | | | features tree-lined, tropical streets, filled with |
| continental US...which means that there is a lot to see | | | | horse-drawn surreys. There are hundreds of tour |
| and do! Jacksonville has 20 miles of amazing beaches, | | | | operators ready to greet you when you enter through |
| as well as golf, hiking, cycling. There are many historical | | | | the port terminal. Be ready to bargain if you want a |
| and cultural amenities as well as child friendly activities. | | | | tour for a great price! Nassau also has soft-sanded |
| Some of the "must see" activities in Jacksonville | | | | beaches for kicking back and catching ocean breezes; |
| include Jacksonville's riverfront. The St. John's River | | | | lavish, Vegas-type casinos; and a decent range of |
| divides the city in two and along both edges are | | | | duty-free shopping stops. Shopping is a mainstay on |
| restaurants and hotels. Jacksonville Landing, on the | | | | Nassau. A few of the "must sees" in Nassau includes |
| riverfront, is full of boutiques and shops. You can take | | | | the Straw Market. This market is a Nassau tradition, |
| a water taxi to navigate this exciting area. There are | | | | and under one huge tent, you'll find all hundreds of |
| exciting museums in which include the Museum of | | | | booths with all sorts of touristic souvenirs on sale, from |
| Science & History (M.O.S.H), which has a planetarium | | | | thatched purses and designer knock-offs to |
| and numerous hands-on displays for the kids. Also, the | | | | hair-braiding. Duty-free shopping, centered on Bay |
| Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, where the | | | | Street, features the usual suspects, such as Diamonds |
| collection mostly showcases post-1950s art. | | | | International and Bacardi. Other retailers familiar to |
| St. Augustine is nearby (about 30 miles away) and and | | | | cruise travelers include Del Sol, for merchandise that |
| lays claim to being America's "oldest city." It's got a vital | | | | changes color in the sun (including nail polish!) and |
| historic district, as well as tourist attractions such as | | | | Gucci,f or their well known purses. |
| trinket shops and t-shirt boutiques. The Castillo de San | | | | Another great thing to see is the man-made island of |
| Marcos National Monument dates to 1695 and is the | | | | Arawak Cay, a local beach with pastel-colored |
| best preserved example of a Spanish fort in the U.S. | | | | shacks, incredibly fresh conch, fried fish and grits, and |
| There are great options for the children when you visit | | | | plenty of coconut milk with gin. The 34-acre Atlantis |
| Jacksonville, too! The Jacksonville Zoo is a great place | | | | Resort on Paradise Island, is another popular and |
| to go with the family. There is a new jaguar exhibit | | | | amazingly beautiful stop to make in Nassau. You can |
| and you can dine in the restaurant and watch the big | | | | buy a pass that gets you access to most of the |
| cats thru the one sided mirror. Another spot to visit is | | | | must-see sights at the resort, such as the Dig, the |
| Little Talbot Island State Park. The highlight of the park | | | | marine habitats and their beach. The world-class pools |
| is the five miles of beautiful, sandy beach. Fabulous | | | | and waterslides are also popular. There are many |
| beachcombing includes such many treasurers such as | | | | different excursions available for you to enjoy this |
| calico scallops and sunray shell. Other beach activities | | | | unique, spectacular resort. Another option for your port |
| include surfing, fishing, picnicking, surfing, swimming, and | | | | stop is the Pirates of Nassau, a rather new, interactive |
| sunbathing. Of course, one can also take a trip down | | | | museum filled with pirate stuff. Kids can walk through a |
| to Orlando to visit Disney World or one of the other | | | | 75-foot, three-masted pirate ship and meet a "real" |
| exciting theme parks there. | | | | pirate. The last "must-see" for this port is the 66 steps |
| If on a Bahama cruise, you will likely stop in Freeport. | | | | of the Queen's Staircase, which was carved out of |
| Freeport's greatest distinction is that it's on the | | | | calcareous -- a coral-based sandstone -- at the end of |
| Bahamas' nearest island to Miami. Located a mere 50 | | | | the 18th century. Their is an amazing view at the top, |
| miles east, Grand Bahama Island is a popular stop on | | | | as well as an old fort to check out, and of course, |
| the short-cruise circuit from South Florida. The island | | | | vendors willing to sell you something to remember your |
| also owes its popularity to its beaches (gorgeous, | | | | visit. If you prefer something organized by the |
| smooth white sand) and its water sports (from | | | | Fascination, Carnival offers excursions such as city |
| snorkeling to deep sea fishing). Freeport is a | | | | tours, Atlantis visits, beach getaways, snorkeling, scuba, |
| sportsman's paradise with endless opportunities for | | | | kayak and almost anything associated with these |
| snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, and one of the most | | | | beautiful beaches and the turquoise waters. |
| impressive golf courses in the world. Or you can just | | | | Whether you choose to shop the riverfront in |
| kick back and enjoy the sun on one of the many | | | | Jacksonville, go fishing in Freeport, or climb the Queen's |
| gorgeous, white-sand beaches that abound.The | | | | staircase in Nassau, you will have the time of your life |
| International Bazaar offers a collection of shops and | | | | aboard the Carnival Fascination. The ship and it's ports |
| restaurants with themes inspired from places around | | | | offer you such a variety of activities that you are |
| the world. It as unfortunately hit hard by Hurricane | | | | bound to find the right day plan to suit your needs. You |
| Frances, and most of its better-known shops | | | | will fondly remember these spectacular ports and |
| eventually fled to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Lucaya is | | | | want to revisit them again and again. Once back |
| the island's "uber-destination". The town is anchored by | | | | aboard your ship, you can enjoy luxury, amazing |
| two big hotels: The Westin and The Sheraton. Port | | | | service and relaxation that the Carnival Fascination |
| Lucaya Marketplace offers tourists shopping at more | | | | Cruise provides. Enjoy your cruise! |
| than 70 boutiques, as well as a handful of restaurants | | | | |