First Cruise Carnival Imagination LB, Catalina, Ensenada 12/20-24

I've been lurking here for a while reading everything I can, and I think I'm ready to start asking questions. My family of 6 adults are cruising for 4 days.

We have been going back and forth and are thinking that the Cheers package is not worth the money, given the fact that we are only 1 day at sea. (It's almost $500 for 2 people). We do like our wine and beer, etc. but we mostly drink water and were very disappointed to learn that even the Bubbles package doesn't include bottled water.

Am I correct that the prepaid gratuity only covers the dining room, buffet and house keeping? If we don't prepay, how is the gratuity charged?

Are we allowed to bring a bottle per person at every port, or just when we board in Long Beach?

How are you seated in the Main Dining Room, just line up, or do we need to make reservations somehow? (we are waitlisted for early dining, but are confirmed for my time dining). I've heard from some that the waits were really long and not likely all 6 of us would sit together with My Time.

Just how much does an average-moderate drinker spend on booze in a full day? I think I read that when the ship is in port, you can't use the drink package? is that true?

We live about 4 hours from Long Beach and were going to drive down the morning we depart. What time should we arrange to board? I had scheduled 2:00, but I'm wondering if that's too late?

Is there a place on this forum where the Fun Times are posted? I see requests for them, but have never actually seen one posted. I think that's all for now. TIA

Gratuities will be charged daily to your onboard account.

Passengers 21 y/o and older can bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne at embarkation port only.

You can show up for early or late dining with My Time Dining. You don't have a fixed table and waiter unlike your waitlisted early dining.

You can order drinks in port except when embarkation is in Texas or NY where Cheers starts on day 2

You need to check in online to have your appointment time to check-in. If you purchase the FTTF, you can go to the terminal earlier than your appointment time.

You are going to have a blast. We are on the same ship for the sailing right before yours. We have a group of 10. Groups are always the most fun. Cheers is worth it for us but I'm not sure I'd consider myself a moderate drinker on a cruise. If you have 5 drinks per day, you will probably break even. If you drink more than 5 drinks a day, you will be ahead. If you drink less than 5 drinks a day, consider having each adult bring one bottle of wine you can share since you can bring one bottle onboard when you board (regular sized bottle). Do consider buying the bottled water through "In Stateroom Beverage Purchases" (look under "Manage" on the upper tabs on the website). You can buy 12 bottles for $4.50 -- totally not worth dragging water onboard for that price. If you have traditional dining, just show up at the appointed time (don't be more than a few minutes late). If you have anytime dining, check in early to grab a pager. Go at least 30 minutes prior to when you want to eat, maybe longer on formal night. You can use the beverage program when in port as far as I know but you are limited to 15 drinks per day (and if you can drink that much, you can hold your liquor better than I can!) Drinks average about $10 each so use that to determine if you will break even or be ahead. The gratuities cover your cabin attendant, your dining server, and other servers such as at the buffet. You will be charged extra for tips for drinks. We also tip extra because the staff works so hard. We give an extra $20 for our cabin steward and waiter and $10 for the assistant waiter but that is totally up to you. We also tip $1 per drink even with the drink package but that's purely optional. It does keep them coming by often though. We always arrive early to port because it feels like you get an extra day on the cruise. I'd say arrive about 11:30 but you could end up standing in line (or you could get on right away -- you never know because it depends on if a Bozo from the prior cruise doesn't get off timely). Google Fun Times 4 day Carnival Imagination. Here's a link:

https://johnhealdsblog.com/funtimes/2015-08-21/Carnival%20Imagination%204%20day%20Baja/

Have a wonderful cruise! You will love it.

Thanks so much! I'm going to really have to do the math on the drink thing. Drinking in Ensenada is not expensive. New questions, not sure if I should start a new post, but...

For our port days, I want to visit the Chihuly gallery and maybe the casino. I'm a native Californian, but have never been to Catalina! are both of those place doable without a golf cart?

I've been to Ensenada many times over the past 40 years, but I've never sailed in (obviously), and the wine country has really taken off since I was last across the border 8 years ago. We are thinking of going wine tasting on our own to a few places via taxi. I also want to (finally) go to El Rey Sol, hopefully for an early lunch, maybe before tasting. Any suggestions on that? All of us, except my DIL speak Spanish.

Both places are within walking distance. The museum seems to be a block up from where you could rent the golf carts.

The West Coast Departure, Mexican Riviera and California Coastal board’s all have info about Ensenada and Catalina.

Oh, Catalina has a great mini golf course.

Wine (for consumption onboard) can only be brought onboard at embarkation. If you buy alcohol onshore, the ship will hold it til debarkation. You can bring on cans/cartons (no bottles) of non-alcohol at any port with no problem.

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I've been lurking here for a while reading everything I can, and I think I'm ready to start asking questions. My family of 6 adults are cruising for 4 days.

 

We have been going back and forth and are thinking that the Cheers package is not worth the money, given the fact that we are only 1 day at sea. (It's almost $500 for 2 people). We do like our wine and beer, etc. but we mostly drink water and were very disappointed to learn that even the Bubbles package doesn't include bottled water.

 

Am I correct that the prepaid gratuity only covers the dining room, buffet and house keeping? If we don't prepay, how is the gratuity charged?

 

Are we allowed to bring a bottle per person at every port, or just when we board in Long Beach?

 

How are you seated in the Main Dining Room, just line up, or do we need to make reservations somehow? (we are waitlisted for early dining, but are confirmed for my time dining). I've heard from some that the waits were really long and not likely all 6 of us would sit together with My Time.

 

Just how much does an average-moderate drinker spend on booze in a full day? I think I read that when the ship is in port, you can't use the drink package? is that true?

 

We live about 4 hours from Long Beach and were going to drive down the morning we depart. What time should we arrange to board? I had scheduled 2:00, but I'm wondering if that's too late?

 

Is there a place on this forum where the Fun Times are posted? I see requests for them, but have never actually seen one posted. I think that's all for now. TIA

We bought the cases of water online for stateroom delivery. They were $3.99 last year I think, but may be more now. Still better than buying from the bars.

Thanks so much! I'm going to really have to do the math on the drink thing. Drinking in Ensenada is not expensive. New questions, not sure if I should start a new post, but...

For our port days, I want to visit the Chihuly gallery and maybe the casino. I'm a native Californian, but have never been to Catalina! are both of those place doable without a golf cart?

 

I've been to Ensenada many times over the past 40 years, but I've never sailed in (obviously), and the wine country has really taken off since I was last across the border 8 years ago. We are thinking of going wine tasting on our own to a few places via taxi. I also want to (finally) go to El Rey Sol, hopefully for an early lunch, maybe before tasting. Any suggestions on that? All of us, except my DIL speak Spanish.

We haven't been to Chihuly Gallery but I'd think it would be a good thing to do. We did the casino. Google it to get tickets or purchase them when in port. We purchased them in advance but it was during the summer when weather was nice. For the cruise this Dec, we will purchase them once in port in case the weather is bad and we somehow miss port. We did the Discover the Casino tour ($13). It was very interesting and very affordable. My 18 year old kids (twins) loved it. Do you know how hard it is to find something for $13 that your 18 year old kids don't think is dumb!!! We are planning the Behind the Scenes tour ($27) in Dec unless I wake up and decide I can't possibly make a 12:45 p.m. tour since I'm on vacation and don't want to get up early. It is walking distance but if you have someone in your party who can't walk far, I believe there is some type of bus that goes there that's really cheap (didn't know about it in advance but kept seeing it pass us). I think it goes to Descanso Beach close by or something like that. We also rented a golf cart prior to our casino tour and I thought the views/sights were totally worth the price considering it was a cart for 4 people and cheap.

I totally would do the wine tour in Ensenada if you can take a taxi and go on your own time, especially since you speak Spanish. We did a wine tour through the cruise ship long ago when I wasn't familiar with excursions. My problem is I am not a morning person and they plan them for 9 a.m. departure, not good if you've been up late drinking in the "real" casino on the ship. It's not good to take a tour of a winery when you are hungover. But I think it would be totally fun, especially with a group, if you get to pick the departure time. I have never been to El Rey Sol so I'm no help there.

You are going to have so much fun! I also grew up in LA (lived in Carson for almost 20 years) and had never been to Catalina until my 1st Carnival cruise. Have a great cruise!