Carnival Fascination (formerly Fascination) is the fourth of eight Fantasy-class cruise ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Built by Kværner Masa-Yards at its Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland, she was floated out on July 1, 1994, and christened Fascination by Jeanne Farcus.

During 2007, in common with all of her Fantasy-class sisters, she had the prefix Carnival added to her name. She is currently home-ported in San Juan, Puerto Rico and sails to the Caribbean year-round. After the destruction caused from both Hurricane Irma and Maria, she was docked in St Croix, US Virgin Islands under charter to FEMA to house hurricane relief workers from October 15, 2017 until February 3, 2018.

Renovations

The Fascination was given a multimillion-dollar refurbishment while in dry dock during September 2006, during which all 1,026 staterooms and suites were completely renovated with the addition of flat-screen TVs, new furnishings, and refurbished bathrooms, the Coconut Grove Bar and Grill received new carpeting and upholstery, as did the Passage to India Lounge. The Imagination and Sensation Dining Rooms received new carpeting, upholstery, and sound systems and the Grand Atrium Bar was added on the Empress Deck. Bogart's Cafe, a new coffee bar, was added to the Promenade Deck.

A new 9-hole miniature golf course opened on the Sun Deck, the 1,600-square-foot (150 m²) Children's World, a new Camp Carnival facility, was added to the Verandah Deck and Club O2, a club exclusively for teens, was added.

An art gallery opened on the Empress Deck allowing passengers to view artwork available at auctions held on board, and a new photo gallery on the Promenade Deck allows passengers to view photos taken by staff on board. The 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m²) Spa Carnival was renovated with new exercise equipment and private treating rooms added while the whirlpool spas were removed; whirlpools are still available at the main pool area on the Lido Deck and the aft pool area on the Verandah Deck. The bandstand in the main pool area on the Lido Deck received audio-visual upgrades and the Palace Lounge received two new shows ("Hey Mambo" and "Far from Over: the 80s") to accompany a new revolving stage, orchestra area, stage lighting, and audio-visual equipment, in addition Puttin' on the Ritz received new décor

In January 2010 Carnival Fascination underwent an additional dry dock and received the "Evolutions of Fun" upgrade. This included Carnival Waterworks, Serenity Adult only area, the addition of new balcony suites, and more.

In January 2013, Carnival Fascination underwent another dry dock. Carnival Staff says that during this dry dock, all 1,026 staterooms will be renovated with new bedding and lighting. Three new restaurants will be added which include an American, Asian, and Southwestern style cuisine and the main dining room will be updated with new carpet and decor. The Carnival Fascination is not scheduled to receive the "full swing" of the lines FunShip 2.0 initiative. However, according to Carnival's brand ambassador and senior cruise director John Heald, the ship will receive both the RedFrog Rum Bar and the BlueIguana Tequila Bar, as well as Playlist Productions (the new LED screened shows in the main theater).

In February 2018, Carnival Fascination will undergo significant upgrading. Fascination will receive new amenities: Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar, Cherry on Top, Alchemy Bar, and more.

Itineraries

Prior to 2016 The Carnival Fascination sailed from Jacksonville, Florida. She offered 4-day cruises to the Bahamas, with stops in Nassau and Freeport and 5-day cruises included stops in Key West and Nassau on the Monday sailing. The alternate 5-day sailing (Saturday departure) stopped at Nassau and Half Moon Cay. In April and May, 2011, Fascination operated a 7 night itinerary stopping in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk. However, Carnival later announced that all 7-Day sailings would be canceled, citing strong demand for the shorter 4 and 5 day sailings.

The Fascination was the first Carnival ship to sail from New York. When she arrived in New York starting on July 24, 1994 - September 4, 1994 she sailed 5-Day cruises to Saint John, New Brunswick & Halifax, Nova Scotia. She also sailed 2-day cruises to nowhere, with the ship itself as the destination. After September she moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

In 2013 and 2014, Coco Cay replaced Key West on some of the Carnival Fascination's itineraries. Coco Cay is a private island in the Bahamas owned by rival cruise line Royal Caribbean International.

In April, 2016, Fascination repositioned to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she now sails seven-day Southern Caribbean cruises.

In October 2017, Fascination was chartered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for four months. She was docked in St. Croix as part of hurricane relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This charter cost FEMA $74.7 million.

From February, 2018, the ship continued operating 7 Day Southern Caribbean cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.