Just off Inspiration today. Some thoughts

Friday was my return to Carnival in 16 years. Oddly my last Carnival ship was this ship! No real reason for not traveling Carnival until now, my husband and I just fell in love with NCL's freestyle cruising. That said my husband surprised me with this weekend getaway cruise (I'm the travel planner so it was a special treat). He purchased the faster to the fun and we felt like we were cheating as boarding was so easy! We were on the ship eating lunch at 12:01.

We had an ocean view room on the Rivera deck. We are balcony people so it was a bit of a disappointment there were no balcony rooms on the ship, unless you are in a suite. The room was decent, showed its age in places but clean and plenty roomy. Our cabin steward was great, we had twice a day service that was never in question.

We had the Cheers program which is better than NCL's drink package because it includes speciality coffee, energy drinks, and bottled water. We had a couple of great bartenders in the Casino bar (violins bar). Napa from Thailand was amazing! And I can't remember the other ladies name but she was fantastic also, she was from the Ukraine. Great service by both ladies!

The food was mostly just ok, however the taco/burrito place was great! The casino was a disappointment, small and the machines were older.

Overall the crew seemed happy, good service all over and considering this ship is 20 years old it looked pretty good.

A couple of minor hiccups, that were taken care of immediately, which is all we ever ask for.

My husband is a smoker and as with all cruise lines (and society in general) the smoking places are minimal. Especially outdoor spaces. But aside from the casino you could smoke on on side of the casino bar.

We will sail Carnival again, the short weekend cruises for sure as we live in the Seattle area so short cruise option are minimal. We will probably try a longer cruise at some point since we had a good experience.

Any questions I will be happy to try to answer.

Great service by the crew often overshadow some negative encounters. Glad you enjoyed your husband's treat. Thanks for the feedback.

On the Ensenada Malecon was the fountain turned on?

On the Ensenada Malecon was the fountain turned on?

Yes, the fountain was on.

We were on the same cruise. Our cabin was on the Upper deck. I agree that the crew was very friendly, and was always greeting us as we walk by. This was our 11 cruise with Carnival and may be the last. With every cruise we have taken, we have noticed that the buffet and dining room food and service gets worse. We love the steak house and the Italian restaurant, they are well worth the extra money, which the smaller ships don't have. The taco, burger, and pizza joints are good. You know when the kitchen can't even serve a baked potato that isn't over cooked, that they need help. Formal night no longer offers lobster as a choice without upgrading to a $20 extra. I could write a lot more about the disappointment we have with the cheap food and the reduced staff of the dining room, but I thing you understand my feelings.

We also had the faster to the fun which we feel is worth the extra expense. Once we get our platinum status we won't need it any more, if we stay with Carnival.

Since we have not been on any other cruise lines we can't compare, but several of our friends keep telling us that the ships are mostly the same, but the quality of the food on some of the cruise line are a lot better. Cruising isn't cheap, but I wish Carnival would stop lowering food quality and staff, raise the price a few dollars and make your food service better.

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We were on the same cruise. Our cabin was on the Upper deck. I agree that the crew was very friendly, and was always greeting us as we walk by. This was our 11 cruise with Carnival and may be the last. With every cruise we have taken, we have noticed that the buffet and dining room food and service gets worse. We love the steak house and the Italian restaurant, they are well worth the extra money, which the smaller ships don't have. The taco, burger, and pizza joints are good. You know when the kitchen can't even serve a baked potato that isn't over cooked, that they need help. Formal night no longer offers lobster as a choice without upgrading to a $20 extra. I could write a lot more about the disappointment we have with the cheap food and the reduced staff of the dining room, but I thing you understand my feelings.

 

We also had the faster to the fun which we feel is worth the extra expense. Once we get our platinum status we won't need it any more, if we stay with Carnival.

 

Since we have not been on any other cruise lines we can't compare, but several of our friends keep telling us that the ships are mostly the same, but the quality of the food on some of the cruise line are a lot better. Cruising isn't cheap, but I wish Carnival would stop lowering food quality and staff, raise the price a few dollars and make your food service better.

 

 

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The only food I can compare it to is NCL which I,feel has great food. That said we don't cruise for the food so it didn't bother us too much.

Service is the big thing with us and Carnival delivered on this 3 day cruise. Made for a great weekend getaway.

The last NCL cruise the service was awful for the most part. One or two stand outs over 7 days. The entire crew was very unhappy and it showed. Honestly if our February NCL cruise doesn't have better service we may be full time Carnival cruisers. I just worry about the maintenance on Carnival. They seem to have more problems than other cruise lines.

Everyone has something different that is important to them. Food, service, itinerary, ship. I just love to cruise, my happy place is in the middle of the ocean on a sea day, drink in one hand and a book in the other.

When was the formal night?

Second day

I cruise for creme brûlée, lobster and warm chocolate melting cake!

When was the formal night?

Formal night was the second night I believe. But honestly we don't participate in formal nights. We are on total relaxation mode and dressing up is not our thing. People looked beautiful though.

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Second day

 

 

I cruise for creme brûlée, lobster and warm chocolate melting cake!

I cruise for relaxation. Fun , and now that I have experienced it...Carnival Pizza!

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Friday was my return to Carnival in 16 years. Oddly my last Carnival ship was this ship! No real reason for not traveling Carnival until now, my husband and I just fell in love with NCL's freestyle cruising. That said my husband surprised me with this weekend getaway cruise (I'm the travel planner so it was a special treat). He purchased the faster to the fun and we felt like we were cheating as boarding was so easy! We were on the ship eating lunch at 12:01.

 

We had an ocean view room on the Rivera deck. We are balcony people so it was a bit of a disappointment there were no balcony rooms on the ship, unless you are in a suite. The room was decent, showed its age in places but clean and plenty roomy. Our cabin steward was great, we had twice a day service that was never in question.

 

We had the Cheers program which is better than NCL's drink package because it includes speciality coffee, energy drinks, and bottled water. We had a couple of great bartenders in the Casino bar (violins bar). Napa from Thailand was amazing! And I can't remember the other ladies name but she was fantastic also, she was from the Ukraine. Great service by both ladies!

 

The food was mostly just ok, however the taco/burrito place was great! The casino was a disappointment, small and the machines were older.

 

Overall the crew seemed happy, good service all over and considering this ship is 20 years old it looked pretty good.

 

A couple of minor hiccups, that were taken care of immediately, which is all we ever ask for.

 

My husband is a smoker and as with all cruise lines (and society in general) the smoking places are minimal. Especially outdoor spaces. But aside from the casino you could smoke on on side of the casino bar.

 

We will sail Carnival again, the short weekend cruises for sure as we live in the Seattle area so short cruise option are minimal. We will probably try a longer cruise at some point since we had a good experience.

 

Any questions I will be happy to try to answer.

Time for a newer ship.

Time for a newer ship.

Time for Carnival to send some new ships to the West coast

I cruise for creme brûlée, lobster and warm chocolate melting cake!

I board the Inspiration on Friday! Also a weekend getaway-

You wouldn't by chance have shot a picture of the wine list?

Did you try the Alchemy bar?

One more important question- do I need to pack my own hair dryer?

One more important question- do I need to pack my own hair dryer?

My DW does.

One more important question- do I need to pack my own hair dryer?

Ask your cabin steward, and they will give you one.

Bob

Time for Carnival to send some new ships to the West coast

Are there major cruise lines who invest their newest ships to the West Coast?

The west coast has very limited foreign ports of call...especially when considering the weather traveling north, or the state of once desirable locations on the west coast of Mexico.

I would think that cruiselines would reserve their "best" ships for ports of departure where there are innumerable ports to visit.

Are there major cruise lines who invest their newest ships to the West Coast?

 

 

 

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Long Beach was Splendor's first US home port. She's coming back in 2018.

Parking will be horrible when she does the regular 7 day cruises combined with the Imagination's and Inspiration's short cruises. Just off the Inspiration 3day. Parking was only available on levels 4 & 5 (roof). That with the Miracle doing HI. Splendor's bigger.

Almost all of the Mexican ports are open for cruise ships. Even Acapulco has had a few ships. Only one (that I know of) that isn't receiving any is Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo, the tender dock is damaged.

What a nice surprise! I usually do all the travel bookings too so it would be nice if one day my DH surprised me.

Thanks for the report!

Thanks for your review! I'll be on the Inspiration in less than a month and am really looking forward to it. Have been on her many times, but this will be the first since she got Alchemy Bar and the other upgrades, which of course I can't remember at the moment. :rolleyes:

I'll be on the Inspiration on 12/19 traveling how was the weather in Catalina & Mexico? Also did you try Guy's place? :)

I'll be on the Inspiration next month. Haven't set foot on her in several years. Your review made me excited to see the ship again. :)

I hope you enjoy it! She looks pretty good considering her age!

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What a nice surprise! I usually do all the travel bookings too so it would be nice if one day my DH surprised me.

 

 

 

Thanks for the report!

Yes since I am the travel planner, cruises especially it was a great treat! Maybe tell him about my husbands surprise to plant the seed.....hehehe

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I'll be on the Inspiration on 12/19 traveling how was the weather in Catalina & Mexico? Also did you try Guy's place? :)

The weather was great! 80's while in port. The burgers looked good but we didn't get a chance to try them. Lots of different toppings.

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Inspiration has the best crew, IMO.

We LOVE Guys and Alchemy!

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