Reservations Now Open For 98 New Balcony Staterooms Being Added During Carnival Fascination's Upcoming Refurb

It’s a “how did they do that?” and “why didn’t they do it sooner?” puzzle. What I mean is the addition of balconies—one of the hottest accommodations amenities afloat—to several of Carnival Cruise Lines’ popular Fantasy-class vessels. Every time Cruise Diva has sailed on one, she longed for a private balcony, which, until recently, were limited to those passengers who booked suites.

However, when Carnival Fascination enters a 28-day dry dock in January 2010 for refurbishment, continuing the extensive makeovers to the line’s eight 70,000-ton Fantasy-class vessels, the ship will emerge with 98 new balconies. The third ship to be retrofitted with them, Carnival Fascination joins two sister-ships in a balcony bonanza. Carnival Ecstasy, which will receive new balconies during its dry dock in September, and Carnival Sensation, which had similar work completed earlier this year.

Yesterday marked the opening of reservations for the 98 new balcony staterooms aboard Carnival Fascination, which sails a 4- and 5-day cruising schedule from Jacksonville, Florida, the only cruise ship deployed year-round from that port. On this popular route, 4-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas. Five-day voyages departing Mondays visit Key West, Fla., and Nassau, while 5-day sailings departing Saturdays call at the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

The new balconies are only part of what is scheduled to transform Carnival Fascination during her multimillion-dollar makeover. To get a good look at the other enhancements in store for her, Cruise Diva introduces the “Evolutions of Fun” features already on board Carnival Imagination.

Will all eight Fantasy-class ships eventually be retrofitted with balconies? We don’t know, but we will keep you posted!