Inspiration review (5-day western caribbean) 11-21-2009

[valancy1]

LAST FULL DAY (at Sea)

Woke this morning to the pitter patter of rain drops on our window. Yep, it was raining. But we were so thankful that on our port days there was no rain, nor no sign of it. We decided we were going to have fun inside today.

There was a need for laundry to be done (at least a load). NOTE: Don't wait until the last day of the cruise when it is raining to choose to do laundry. LOL. We were really fortunate because the laundry facilities were just kitty-corner from our stateroom, but it was a devil of a time finally finding a free and available washing machine. Mission was eventually accomplished.

I went and donated money in the casino. Even though small, I usually do win at least SOMETHING. This time, the bandits weren't having any of it.

We went as a family to play Bingo. Matt was an assistant cruise director (from Britain) and both the girls had a tremendous crush on him. (I think they played Bingo just to moon and sigh over him!)

This ended in just enough time for Morgan and I to take the Galley tour. It started in the Mardi Gras dining room. Joseph Supercharged talked about how much food they go through in a cruise and how the galley was constructed and how it compares to some of the bigger ships ([I]Inspiration[/I] is smaller). He talked about how 2x/year they have an inspection by the government and how they just had theirs before the beginning of our cruise and the [I]Inspiration[/I] got a 98%! He explained that everything is heated with electricity and steam. There is no gas on the ship at all (which I always thought it was used in the galley). He also explained how the servers do their job. When someone comes in late to the dining room the Maitre'd has to sign off on your server skipping the line to get your meal served along with everyone else at the table. It was really fascinating.

Then we toured the galley:

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This was the door... I loved the pattern in the stainless steel.

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More...

[valancy1]

When we were walking through the galley, we saw some hard-workin' guys at the end of one of the areas and they hammed it up for us so we could take their picture:

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Making salmon for tonight's dinner:
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More...

[valancy1]

They had laid out a sampling of tonight's dinner as well as desserts:

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Desserts next...

[valancy1]

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[valancy1]

The Carnivale dining room:

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So after dinner we went and saw "FESTIVA LATINA". It was really good and really colorful. I snuck a picture:

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Here's another picture, but warning--it is a bit blurry:
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The entertainment happened before dinner on this night so we all could pack after dinner rather than taking precious daytime to spend it packing. We did the typical "set the suitcases out". We didn't want to drag all our luggage off the ship. For us, it worked out well. Other than that lovely service on ships like [I]Carnival Liberty[/I] where they did our boarding passes and whisked away our luggage and we didn't have to deal with it again until our home airport, this was the next best method for us.

We got our luggage out by 11:30. They told us at the debarkation talk to not hang out on the Atlantic deck, but to wait on Lido or the Promenade. That's what we did the next morning. They called Self Assist American passengers first. Then came Self Assist non-American passengers. Then the general debarkation by zones.

It took quite awhile for the ship to gain clearance. On our other 2 cruises, we were off the ship by 8:30. This cruise it was easily 9:30 before we got off the ship.

Once again, customs was a breeze. I think it was because it was Thanksgiving day. We had our forms filled out and the only thing that garnered a single question was the hat Chelsea got at Paradise Beach:

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Other than that, we sailed through with nary a problem.

NOTE: The people in Tampa that help you load your stuff into a taxi work for tips. We didn't know it. The taxi driver told us, and we asked him to stop the cab and we gave the guy some money.

We went to National car rental at the airport and were off for the day...

Before I talk about that, though, there are still a few photos I would like to share. More to come.

[valancy1]

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A Princess ship in port on Grand Cayman day:
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Waterworks:
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[valancy1]

We spent Thanksgiving Day in Tampa. We rented a vehicle (happened to choose a Hummer at Morgan's pleading) and drove to a state park.

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Yummy brew at iHOP...
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Thanksgiving dinner was at Ruth's Chris, just down from our hotel. Next day we had a flight we needed to catch, so we sadly got our stuff out of our hotel room and headed to the airport.

What a MARVELOUS time we had. We had a memorable time with Barry's daughters, enjoyed our dinner companions, the entertainment, and everything on the ship. I really have no negatives.

We had such a great time we came home and booked another cruise. [I]Carnival Dream[/I] here we come... well 9 months and 18 more days to go, that is!

Let me know if you have other questions. I'd be happy to help.

[momofC&C]

Great review Debra! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! Have a wonderful time on The Dream!

Mom

[elektrawmn]

I really enjoyed the galley tour. It was the first time I had done that. And let me tell you...that veal parmigiana in your pic is just as tastey as it looks. :D

[breezyk]

Thank you for sharing your trip and pics with us. How can I arrange for a galley tour on our upcoming cruise? I noticed that you all bought your own sodas and water on board. What is the policy regarding that?

[valancy1]

[quote name='breezyk']Thank you for sharing your trip and pics with us. How can I arrange for a galley tour on our upcoming cruise? I noticed that you all bought your own sodas and water on board. What is the policy regarding that?[/quote]

breezyk,

You're welcome :)

The galley tour was announced they were having one the next day (last sea day) and to show up at 4 p.m. in the Mardi Gras dining room. This is the first time I've ever heard this announcement. I have combed my Capers from past cruises specifically looking for the galley tour and never found it and heard from fellow cruisers that they took one.

We were in the debarkation talk or something like that when they announced the galley tour. I wish I had a better answer for you.

Now, they also offer a "behind the scenes" tour where you can see the galley, the crew's quarters, the bridge of the ship and so on for $55, but we didn't want to pay $220 for all 4 of us to go. I feel we lucked out on the galley tour!

As far as the sodas and water, you can bring a "reasonable" amount with you. I was told by the porter that they wouldn't check it and we needed to carry it on with us, but have read here that others have packed it in a duffle and were able to check it. We carried (2) 12-packs of soda and a 24-pack of water. They are more strict, I think, on alcohol (there are guidelines on that on the Carnival website).

Hope that helps!

[TinaJ04463]

How far from the port to the airport? Flights have been a continuing issue for us, and as of now our flight is scheduled at 12:13. I know, weird. Anyway, we plan to do self assist and grab a cab to the airport. Just wondering if I should be stressed about getting there in time. Not that it will bother me, we still have 4 days of vacation when we get back but if we miss the flight, we'll have to pony up $$$ for a trip home!
Tina

[valancy1]

[quote name='TinaJ04463']How far from the port to the airport? Flights have been a continuing issue for us, and as of now our flight is scheduled at 12:13. I know, weird. Anyway, we plan to do self assist and grab a cab to the airport. Just wondering if I should be stressed about getting there in time. Not that it will bother me, we still have 4 days of vacation when we get back but if we miss the flight, we'll have to pony up $$$ for a trip home!
Tina[/quote]

Tina,

It's about 9 miles to the airport from the port. Self assist will allow you to be the first group of people off the ship; however, we didn't get clearance from the government until about 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. It took literally 15 minutes to get to the airport via cab. It cost us (4 and all our stuff) $25 plus a tip in a minivan cab.

Just be ready to go. Follow the instructions (every ship is different) and when they call, proceed to the proper deck and away you go :)

I hope this calms some concerns. You should be fine.

[lgerrish]

[quote name='mnsawyer']Small world - I'm from Maine as well - in this thread have seen two posters from Maine and one closeby to a town in which I work[/QUOTE]

[quote name='camper49']We live in the Augusta area....[/QUOTE]

Hey Mainers, I'm from central Maine - about 80 miles north of Augusta! I cannot wait to cruise on the Inspiration and hear all about your cruise too.

[mnsawyer]

We live north of Augusta as well about 50 miles. Love cruisecritic!

[lgerrish]

Valancy1 has posted awesome pictures of the Inspiration. The ship looks beautiful. I am looking forward to my school vacation and five stress free days in the warm sunshine. (It's coming back to reality and the cold snow that alarms me!:eek:)

[keacc]

[quote name='valancy1']OK, so I think that now I am up to our wonderful day in Grannnnd Cayman!!

For those of you who don't know, this is our 3rd trip in as many cruises to Grand Cayman. We have done an excursion with Soto's Cruises and last year booked them again. My husband (God love'm) didn't bring the paper with the pickup directions with him. Said he knew where to go (he didn't). So last year, instead of snorkeling and swimming with the Stingrays, I got a pair of diamond earrings as penance for dear husband making a big ooopsie!

THIS year, we had to try again. And I didn't get anything new in the jewelry dept, because Barry said that he wouldn't ever make that mistake again. LOL.

We got picked up by Randy and headed over to their home. Last time we sailed with him, there were 4 people on the excursion. This time there were approx. 12 people. A whole slew of them were from Wyoming and hadn't ever been out that way before.

First stop: Coral Gardens Reef. Snorkeling was done by all.
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Everyone seemed to have a good time. Billy was Randy's "2nd" and he was fabulous and so good with people. After about 30-40 minutes of snorkeling, it was time to head out to the Stingray sandbar. The pictures above with rays in them were not at Stingray City--these were of "Frisbee" right on the Coral Reef. (She has this name because she doesn't have a tail.)[/quote] [SIZE=3][COLOR=Red]We are thinking of using Sotos on or Dec 28th cruise. Does Sotos pick you up near the cruise ship or would we have to get a taxi to go somewhere?[/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=3]
[/SIZE]

[valancy1]

[quote name='keacc'][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]We are thinking of using Sotos on or Dec 28th cruise. Does Sotos pick you up near the cruise ship or would we have to get a taxi to go somewhere?[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[/quote]

They come and pick you up--Sorry I didn't see this question! They send you a detailed description of where they pick you up (it's near the Hard Rock) and pick you up AND bring you back--or take you to 7-mile beach if you choose to do that.

You won't be disappointed--such nice people wanting to make sure you have a good time.

Have fun!

[sstich79]

Hey, [B]breezyk[/B], looks like we'll be sharing a ship! Congrats on your graduation... out of curiosity, are you a "young married" or an "older student"?

[breezyk]

Hey,

Thanks...I am an older student late 30's. This is my 1st Carnival cruise...DH and I are pretty excited.

[David Brent]

thanks for the detailed review. it was just the one i was looking for. i am going on the inspiration from dec14-18. it will be my first carnival cruise after 2 royal cruises. i will be with my g/f's family because her younger sister is graduating college the friday before we cruise.

any recommendations for transportation to the port? we are coming from north FL and would it be better to get a hotel the night before that does free shuttle or just drive the day of the cruise and park in the normal parking garage ($15 a day?) thanks for your help and review!!!

[sstich79]

It's my first cruise, so I'm very excited and also a bit nervous... I never took a cruise before because I generally just want to be in the ocean, so I didn't know what to think about being stuck on a ship. But it's a family reunion, so I didn't have a choice this time! I just hope it won't be too strange being a 30 single on a cruise.

Thanks for the great review, by the way!

[valancy1]

[quote name='David Brent']thanks for the detailed review. it was just the one i was looking for. i am going on the inspiration from dec14-18. it will be my first carnival cruise after 2 royal cruises. i will be with my g/f's family because her younger sister is graduating college the friday before we cruise.

any recommendations for transportation to the port? we are coming from north FL and would it be better to get a hotel the night before that does free shuttle or just drive the day of the cruise and park in the normal parking garage ($15 a day?) thanks for your help and review!!![/quote]

David Brent,

I'm so excited for you and your upcoming cruise aboard [I]Carnival Inspiration[/I]. I think you will enjoy yourself!! The ships are decorated completely different from Royal ships, but go with an open mind and a joy of life and you'll have a great time.

To answer your question about transportation, though... we stayed at the Hampton Inn. I believe many of the hotels have a "park & fly" or "park & cruise" rate and they take you to the port. We stayed at the Hampton Inn and it was a mile from the port. They shuttled us (and several others) to the port. You sign up in the morning at that hotel to get on the shuttle list. It was simple.

I hope this helps. There is something to be said about driving in, though and having your own car available there at the port. When you consider that the cost of a hotel room is about the cost of parking at the port, this might help you make your decision.

[valancy1]

[quote name='sstich79']It's my first cruise, so I'm very excited and also a bit nervous... I never took a cruise before because I generally just want to be in the ocean, so I didn't know what to think about being stuck on a ship. But it's a family reunion, so I didn't have a choice this time! I just hope it won't be too strange being a 30 single on a cruise.

Thanks for the great review, by the way![/quote]

sstich (do you stitch, btw?),

My husband was concerned about being on a ship--he thought he would be bored--and he found he had more he could do than hours in the day. You can do as much or as little as you want. There were quite a few singles on our cruise and they seemed to be doing what they wanted to do. Please come back and tell us how you did...

Also look on the boards and find the singles forum, or ask the question to the Carnival board--you'll hear from other single people and how they enjoy cruising.

HAVE FUN! I know you will!

[David Brent]

[quote name='valancy1']David Brent,

I'm so excited for you and your upcoming cruise aboard [I]Carnival Inspiration[/I]. I think you will enjoy yourself!! The ships are decorated completely different from Royal ships, but go with an open mind and a joy of life and you'll have a great time.

To answer your question about transportation, though... we stayed at the Hampton Inn. I believe many of the hotels have a "park & fly" or "park & cruise" rate and they take you to the port. We stayed at the Hampton Inn and it was a mile from the port. They shuttled us (and several others) to the port. You sign up in the morning at that hotel to get on the shuttle list. It was simple.

I hope this helps. There is something to be said about driving in, though and having your own car available there at the port. When you consider that the cost of a hotel room is about the cost of parking at the port, this might help you make your decision.[/quote]

Thanks a lot for the info! Feel free to post more pictures! I feel like I already know the ship, lol. Any tips, do's or don'ts about this cruise ship, terminal, etc. Thanks again. I'm excited. 4 more days of work, then I can really be excited.