Just off the Inspiration. My impression

[mgg42]

Just off the Carnival Inspiration this morning. Four nights from Tampa to Cozumel. It was interesting, a lot of good things, and a lot of not so good things. Just thought I would share.

 

First, a little background: This was a return to the Fantasy Class, 16 years after my first foray into these ships. Needless to say the Ecstasy was a lot more impressive when it was barely two years old, than its sister ship, Inspiration is at the age of 14!

 

This was a quickie trip for three of us (married friends of mine and me). We opted to go basic and got interior rooms forward on the Riviera deck.

 

The Good:

 

The staff was outstanding. Everyone is super nice, eager and attentive.

 

The food in the main dining room was quite good. My last two cruises were on newer RCI ships (Freedom and Oasis), and this was much better than either of those.

 

The Entertainment: The comedian was actually funny! Something I haven’t encountered on a cruise in a while. The musicians were all excellent.

 

Cozumel: Specifically, the Mayan Ruins of Tulum excursion. This was a 7 hour excursion, but it was fantastic! I highly recommend it.

 

The stateroom was nice. Basic inside cabin, but well appointed with a comfy bed, flat screen television, plenty of closet space and an adequate bathroom and shower.

 

The casino is shockingly spacious! I have been on many larger vessels where the casino felt cramped and very smoky. This one was great. (It probably helps that I cleaned up at the blackjack table!).

 

The Bad:

 

Carnival ships are all a little over the top, but I forgot how extreme this is on the fantasy class. All the public spaces are just horrid. They are clean, but they are ridiculous. It’s like someone stole every bit of absurd 1980’s Las Vegas Kitsch they could get their hands on and then crammed it on board. It’s really, really awful.

 

The smaller Fantasy class ships just don’t compare to the larger ships. And to have two sea days on a four night voyage was a bit much with such limited options. I missed the spacious decks, multiple pools, and ample options for indoor spaces I find on the larger ships.

 

The lido buffet is terrible. It’s just so small and crowded, and doesn’t have nearly the options of the larger ships.

 

The Ugly:

 

Okay, this is a bit touchy, but I’ll say it anyway. I speculate that it is a result of this being an inexpensive, shorter itinerary, but, this was the most low class bunch of ugly Americans I have ever seen in one place at one time.

 

First, the Riviera deck is a disaster on these trips. Hindsight being 20:20, we should have spent an extra $30 to be up one deck. This bottom price point attracted a bunch of 20-somethings who wreaked havoc in the halls until some ungodly hour of the morning. I awoke early and I thought I was back in a college dorm. Trash and beer bottles in the hallway, doors opened with people passed out in the rooms, graffiti on the walls and broken doors. Seriously, it was ridiculous.

 

Unfortunately the rest of the ship wasn’t a lot better. Pushy, rude people, screaming and swearing. Kids absolutely running wild (who lets kids jump into a hot tub at all? Much less with fins a mask and snorkel? Oh, that’s right; the parents are nowhere to be found!). Smoking wherever people please. Leading to only one of two possible conclusions- either they are just inconsiderate trash, or they are illiterate. Still not sure which.

 

I could care less about formal night (I mean, it seems like such a silly dated concept). But I think a guy has to be channeling his inner douche bag to pick formal night to wear a tank top to the dining room. No, it didn’t ruin my meal, it just demonstrated how low class some people are!

 

The singing waiters!!!! I feel so bad for these hard working people! I mean, talk about an idea born somewhere in the ‘70s that should have died in the 80’s! Are there still people who get their rocks off watching the hard working wait staff stop what they are doing and attempt to dance to Flow Rida Get Low blasting over the sound system? It’s really embarrassing all around.

 

Overall Impression:

 

As is demonstrated above, the negatives usually tend to stick out in your mind more than the positives. But it is important to stress that they did not ruin the trip. It was a great time, and a nice quick getaway. I just think it’s important that one go into this with the right expectations. I would recommend it, but with qualifications as mentioned above.

 

Feel free to ask any questions. Otherwise, flame away!

[Mrs. Chernabog]

channeling his inner douche bag

 

That made me chuckle!

[taylor1293]

Thanks for the review! We'll be on the 5 night next month. I can tolerate anything but inconsiderate...hopefully we won't have that issue :).

 

Glad to hear there were lots of positives also!

[Frank12]

We were on this cruise with you. I did not experience any of the drunken 20 somethings you described. The Verandah deck was very quiet.

I also did not find rude, pushy passengers. We actually met some real nice folks on this cruise.

 

Kids in the hot tubs - see this on every cruise I've been on. The hot tubs on the Serenity deck were very nice...and child free.

 

I agree that the food was very good, as well as the staff.

 

I was glad to see that the Inspiration still has the rope lights up and on at night. I Missed them last month on the Fascination. Just does not seem like a Carnival Cruise without them!

 

I miss the $5.00 blackjack tables. :mad:

[KCMarie]

But I think a guy has to be channeling his inner douche bag to pick formal night to wear a tank top to the dining room.

 

Oh dear...another wasted pepsi on the keyboard

 

Love it!

[pale lady]

We will be on her in two weeks. I can overlook tacky decor and rude people. As for other peoples children I'll just have to remind myself that as a teacher I am on vacation and I don't have to correct them. Looking forward to the serenity deck myself. :) Hope hubby has some luck in the casino.

Just wondering how was the cruise director and the piano bar guy?

[babyclaytonmom]

I'm on the 5 nighter in July. How were the night time shows? Any not to miss? What was the comedians name that you liked?

[Frank12]

We will be on her in two weeks. I can overlook tacky decor and rude people. As for other peoples children I'll just have to remind myself that as a teacher I am on vacation and I don't have to correct them. Looking forward to the serenity deck myself. :) Hope hubby has some luck in the casino.

Just wondering how was the cruise director and the piano bar guy?

 

Piano bar guy is Linda, a piano bar girl. :) She was great. Plays a mean piano! We spent two late nights in there. Linda called us by name by the time it was over!

I never saw the cruise director, Paul. Just heard him over the loudspeaker. Saw the assistant CD, Matt quite a bit.

[pale lady]

I'm glad the piano person was good. On the last cruise I was on the guy was an okay piano player but a nice guy who liked to talk since the bar was slow every night. We had fun but he was not much of a singer. Rushed through the common songs. The first time we went the guy was a great player and singer but a creepy guy. Kept hitting on any girl with in ten feet. So it is nice to hear of a good one that can sing!:)

[Frank12]

I'm glad the piano person was good. On the last cruise I was on the guy was an okay piano player but a nice guy who liked to talk since the bar was slow every night. We had fun but he was not much of a singer. Rushed through the common songs. The first time we went the guy was a great player and singer but a creepy guy. Kept hitting on any girl with in ten feet. So it is nice to hear of a good one that can sing!:)

 

She's not the greatest singer (not lousy), but plays very well. She will expect you to sing. She passes around a microphone! :eek:

[DarthGrady]

I do agree with the OP to a certain extent. Some areas in the Fantasy Class ships (and Destiny for that matter) are in dire need of freshening up. They completely renovated the cabins, but the aged public areas got relatively little attention.

 

RCI gutted and renovated their Sovereign Class ships when they were getting dated, I'm not sure why Carnival refuses to do the same. My theory is that Farcus views the ship's interiors as his "art", and that probably makes it harder for them to strip the public rooms to their bare bulkheads and install modern decors. But realistically its probably just a money issue. And I suppose if had to choose between new cabins and new public areas, cabins would be the more logical choice.

 

 

Thanks for the review! We'll be on the 5 night next month. I can tolerate anything but inconsiderate...hopefully we won't have that issue :).

 

Glad to hear there were lots of positives also!

 

After doing many cruises on Inspiration, I can confidently say that the 5 day clientele is much different from that of the 4 day. When we did our back to back on her back in 2008, the nature of the ship totally changed in the few hours between cruises. The 5 day folks who go during the week were pretty tame. The 4 day long weekend folks were very much as the OP described. Many rowdy young drunks, not totally running amok, but close.

[CarribbeanTina271]

I personally enjoy the Fantasy Class ships and I have never had the experience that you had. We were even on a Spring Break Cruise in March and didn't even come close to what you have described. Glad you enjoyed the food

[lillian marie]

We've been considering this cruise for a spring break trip next yr. because it's over a weekend and my sister only has to be away from her practice for a couple weekdays. The shortest cruise I've done is a 5 day, maybe we need to rethink this cruise.

[Frank12]

We've been considering this cruise for a spring break trip next yr. because it's over a weekend and my sister only has to be away from her practice for a couple weekdays. The shortest cruise I've done is a 5 day, maybe we need to rethink this cruise.

 

Your going to have a lot more partying than usual on any Spring Break cruise.

[okwriter]

Okay, this is a bit touchy, but I’ll say it anyway. I speculate that it is a result of this being an inexpensive, shorter itinerary, but, this was the most low class bunch of ugly Americans I have ever seen in one place at one time.

 

First, the Riviera deck is a disaster on these trips. Hindsight being 20:20, we should have spent an extra $30 to be up one deck. This bottom price point attracted a bunch of 20-somethings who wreaked havoc in the halls until some ungodly hour of the morning. I awoke early and I thought I was back in a college dorm. Trash and beer bottles in the hallway, doors opened with people passed out in the rooms, graffiti on the walls and broken doors. Seriously, it was ridiculous.

 

Unfortunately the rest of the ship wasn’t a lot better. Pushy, rude people, screaming and swearing. Kids absolutely running wild (who lets kids jump into a hot tub at all? Much less with fins a mask and snorkel? Oh, that’s right; the parents are nowhere to be found!). Smoking wherever people please. Leading to only one of two possible conclusions- either they are just inconsiderate trash, or they are illiterate. Still not sure which.

 

I could care less about formal night (I mean, it seems like such a silly dated concept). But I think a guy has to be channeling his inner douche bag to pick formal night to wear a tank top to the dining room. No, it didn’t ruin my meal, it just demonstrated how low class some people are!

 

The singing waiters!!!! I feel so bad for these hard working people! I mean, talk about an idea born somewhere in the ‘70s that should have died in the 80’s! Are there still people who get their rocks off watching the hard working wait staff stop what they are doing and attempt to dance to Flow Rida Get Low blasting over the sound system? It’s really embarrassing all around.

 

Oh, my gosh! This was hilarious! :D :D :D

 

I don't doubt what you are saying at all and see no reason to flame. Just saying that this was truly well written and hilarious! :D

[Luvtoeat]

Was on the Inspiration 4 years ago and had a very nice time. Will be going again in August for 5 nights. We always prefer at least a 7 night cruise but will have family members going with us and since we live a half hour from the port this was a very convenient quick getaway. Have read many really positive reviews lately about the inspiration so we are looking forward to having a really great but way to short cruise.:)

[gaylensgigi]

We did the same cruise June 10.Maybe because school wasnt out yet all over the place,but ours was a little quieter.Its a nice little get away,and for the most part,I can ignore other people if need be,but the things you describe would rile me too,

As for Linda,in the piano bar,I agree.Plays a mean piano,if you like the blues,she is your girl.

We are doing this again in Dec,price was just too good to pass on.

[camper49]

Just wondering....was singer "Jerry" still there?

[salty dingo]

It's true that a cruise ship has the same mix of people that you will find when waiting to renew you driver's license.

 

The good news is that you are still on a cruise ship. You can think of the trash as entertainment... sort of like living inside a reality TV show.

 

I'll cruise with trashy people any day... beats working!

[aquaman92]

I could care less about formal night (I mean, it seems like such a silly dated concept). But I think a guy has to be channeling his inner douche bag to pick formal night to wear a tank top to the dining room. No, it didn’t ruin my meal, it just demonstrated how low class some people are!

:D My favorite part of the review I went on the Inspiration back in 2004 when it was a 7 day cruise we wnt in June and the boat was full of kids graduating Hign school.

[bitemyfly]

Hello all

I have done this “trip “ several times . we live in Tampbay and have used this as a fast getaway. Never really planned them , always the last minute like 2 weeks out.. I’m hesitant to use the word cruise when I think of the 4 day trip to Coz.

You are right its like going back in time to the dorm room thing! Never seen as bad like you describe with broken and opened doors /people passed out but its is a 4 day drunken party.. sorta like the hangover meets mexico.. all for like 279 per person… that’s what you get and should expect.. on the coz trip

[SkyMaster]

I personally LOVE "Inspiration", but hesitate sailing her in the summer because of the kids. No, I don't let it ruin my cruise, but it's so much more enjoyable when they're in school, and I'm sitting in a deck chair enjoying the entertainment, and the sea.

Thanks for a GREAT, and highly entertaining review! :D

 

"SKY"

[happy cruzer]

4 day cruise when schools and colleges are on summer breaks.....

 

High possiblity of problems.

 

And the Fantasy Class is what it is. (Which many enjoy! that's why they are still around.)

 

None of the negatives should have been totally unanticipated.

 

Very glad you still saw the positives.

[gatorchinsky]

Thanks for the review. We will be going on this same cruise in August. It will be me, DH and DS(6). I was a little worried about doing a 4 day long weekend cruise, but I know we will have fun. We live so close to the port that it made sense for us to try this cruise. I am not too worried about kids, but I am concerned about loud, obnoxious drunk people. I am all for having a good time, but sometimes I think people take it one step farther. These are usually people with children too. I am looking forward to the cruise and will report back on our adventures.

[Vanessa L]

Oh, my gosh! This was hilarious! :D :D :D

 

I don't doubt what you are saying at all and see no reason to flame. Just saying that this was truly well written and hilarious! :D

 

Ditto! And kudos to the OP who wrote a review I can actually read and not lose interest in on the 5th page 239th paragraph! Awesome review, OP. I have not sailed NCL or RCI in over 10 years so I have nothing to compare them to. However, seems like I've read on these boards that the short cruises are pretty much all equal, with a lot more rowdy, drunk people on board than the longer cruises. Doesn't seem to matter what line it is, apparently, they are all pretty much the same in that regard.