Inspiration 4-day 2/10/05 (mini-review)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Review

 

Inspiration (4-day) 2/10/05 to 2/14/05 (only port = Cozumel 7am until Midnight)

 

We arrived at the port at 11am - the place looked strangely “quiet”. Evidently the previous cruisers were efficiently marched off earlier than I have witnessed in the past. We pulled up to drop off our luggage and nobody else was in line there - just a dozen+ porters sitting around talking. Headed back to park in the garage ($40 for the 4 days). Parked at the “far” end of the garage (near the elevators!) Off to the terminal : We headed right in, up the escalators and straight to a check-in rep… once again NO LINE. We were assigned “group # 4” for boarding. It was now about 11:30 and boarding was in progress. The boarding groups were small, and we were on the ship by perhaps 11:50.

 

Upon entry into the atrium, I can confirm that the atrium bar is much nicer to look at than the old “art/sculpture” that was there before. Unfortunately the dry-dock which resulted in the atrium bar change did NOT also result in new mattresses or comforters on the beds (as was the case on the Sensation during her dry-dock in December 2003). Nonetheless, we were smoothly rocked to sleep each night.

 

One improvement that the Inspiration sported that the Sensation did not was the addition of a large fixed 2 line deli station in the Lido deck restaurant (see pictures). I seem to recall that in early 2004 the Sensation had a “deli” that was comprised of carts which were rolled out during lunchtime…

 

The only time the ship “felt” crowded/full was on formal night when all were out and about, standing in lines for pictures on Promenade deck.

 

I was not aware of any big wins in the casino - whereas on our Legend cruise there were several high 4 digit slot and video poker winners.

 

As always, I will recommend my favorites in the dining room - Gravlaks, Prime Rib, and Long Island Roast Duckling… very good. Additionally, this time, the Sweet and Sour Shrimp was tasty.

 

Disembarkation was swift - we were about the 5th or 6th color tag called. From that point we were in a 10 minute cattle line to exit the ship where, this time, we actually pinged out with our S&S cards. Straight down to the luggage, grabbed a porter, right through customs, out to the car and on the road shortly after 10am.

 

See some great pictures through the link in our signature! (Deli, Pancho’s Backyard, etc…)

 

Tom and Cheryl

 

[01Sweetpea]

Tom - Welcome back, hope you had a great cruise. See you on the Miracle!

[judyf]

Brings back memories, we loved our Inspiration cruise.