Should I book Imagination, please advise!

[kiska]

I am considering a weekend getaway on Carnival Imagination 3 day Bahamas cruise Thanksgiving weekend. If anyone has done a similar cruise, and has any first hand information, please share your opinion as to whether or not you'd recommend it. I read reviews on here, and it's a mixed bag. I am a veteran cruiser - 13 cruises on Princess, RCL, and Celebrity, and I have done a 3 day Bahams cruise before on Royal Caribbean Majesty a year and a half ago. I'm aware that Imagination will probably not be on the same level as the longer Princess cruises, but would it still be fun?

 

Any info that you guys can provide will be of great help. Thanks in advance!!

[serene56]

hmmm, with your cruising history and the weekend after thanksgiving--

 

there will be many more children onboard then what you may be used to.

3 day cruises are more party barges.

 

Cruises are what you make them-- are they fun. Yes.

But they are NO WHERE even close to the cruise that you are used to taken. with that in mind-- go with no expectations and you should be good.

[kiska]

Yeah, I figured that I should expect the same that I did from the 3-day Majesty cruise. So long as the food is decent, and the crew isn't rude, it will be a good quick getaway. I plan to visit the casino and the bars, so the children thing isn't really going to be an issue for us (4 adults in late 20s). I am a Princess loyalist now, but only because of the Platinum perks. Oh how I wish they were transferrable to Carnival :)

 

Thanks!

[PrePre]

I just got off the Imagination. I did a 3-night cruise to Nassau. It was my first cruise. I enjoyed it. It was a quick getaway. The staff is friendly and helpful. Just book it and enjoy yourself.:D

[serene56]

Yeah, I figured that I should expect the same that I did from the 3-day Majesty cruise.

 

Thanks!

 

 

i think the carnival cruise will be on par with the 3- day majesty cruise.

 

I LOVE Princess but afford carnival so I can cruise more

[kiska]

Serene, I have heard that the only bad cruise is the one that you're not on, here's to cruisin more!

PrePre, what time were you able to get off the ship on Monday, and how would you rate the food?

[Jdfireman]

There will be a lot of kids on the boat

[serene56]

Serene, I have heard that the only bad cruise is the one that you're not on, here's to cruisin more!

PrePre, what time were you able to get off the ship on Monday, and how would you rate the food?

 

 

on the day you get onboard-- and you head to the buffet area-- look for the mongolian station- (which is what I am looking for when booking my next cruise)

 

room service is basic- no hot foods on there- breakfast is a continental one.

 

there is a cafe that sells choc covered strawberries 3 for 5 bucks and the most awesome slab of cakes for 2.50 that would feed the country of Somalia.

 

the burgers and dogs at the grill are also great= as is the chicken nuggets- (but on the MDR menu is chicken tenders that have home made honey mustard-- wow)

 

 

pizza is available 24 hours a day as is soft serve ice cream. (grabbing cookies off the buffet --make your own sundae.

 

 

you can also order banana splits off the kids menu in the MDR.

 

no, you will not starve. I am sure you can find something you like.

 

There will be one elegant night

[BSQ]

hmmm, with your cruising history and the weekend after thanksgiving--

 

there will be many more children onboard then what you may be used to.

3 day cruises are more party barges.

 

Cruises are what you make them-- are they fun. Yes.

But they are NO WHERE even close to the cruise that you are used to taken. with that in mind-- go with no expectations and you should be good.

 

I'd add, maybe normally, but not at Thanksgiving. I've been on the Sensation 3 day Bahamas cruise Thanksgiving weekend and on the 4-day Imagination this past Thanksgiving week.

 

Both were way more family than party.

[BIG_Steve]

I am considering a weekend getaway on Carnival Imagination 3 day Bahamas cruise Thanksgiving weekend. If anyone has done a similar cruise, and has any first hand information, please share your opinion as to whether or not you'd recommend it. I read reviews on here, and it's a mixed bag. I am a veteran cruiser - 13 cruises on Princess, RCL, and Celebrity, and I have done a 3 day Bahams cruise before on Royal Caribbean Majesty a year and a half ago. I'm aware that Imagination will probably not be on the same level as the longer Princess cruises, but would it still be fun?

 

Any info that you guys can provide will be of great help. Thanks in advance!!

 

Did that itinerary on that ship, see my signature for a link to my review.

 

The Imagination is a fun ship. Its decor is Las Vegas like. Lots of Neon. The 3 day cruise is filled with locals from the area looking for a 3 day party. And boy, does that ship party for 3 days. Maybe a tad too much, in that it's hard to find a quiet place to relax.

[girlscruise2011]

I'd add, maybe normally, but not at Thanksgiving. I've been on the Sensation 3 day Bahamas cruise Thanksgiving weekend and on the 4-day Imagination this past Thanksgiving week.

 

Both were way more family than party.

 

I was on the Imagination with you at Thanksgiving and I agree. It was more of a family cruise. I saw lots of fun but not partying. I am going back on the Imagaination in 16 days for a 3 day Bahama Cruise. I can let you know how that is when I get back

[CanWeGoYet?]

I wouldn't recommend it, having done this cruise a couple years back. We had a nice suite, what used to be called cat 12, but the experience was s/w affected by our next door neighbor who loudly cursed, extremely foul language & had his music playing loud on the balcony much of the time. Morning of departure, I had to call security because he & giggling wife were blasting music & cussing & carrying on at 4AM. Security came immediately & they were quiet from then on, thankfully. But when I got back from breakfast, customs & ships security was there again & it looked like these people were in big trouble.

 

It's a different crowd on the really short cruises. Most people behave fine but the ship felt crowded to me, and I heard an entire family screaming & carrying on about an alleged assault of their daughter. Daughter screaming for security at the top of her lungs. If it's true, whoever decided to take on that girl needs a psych consult because she looked like she could take care of herself.

 

Food & especially MDR service a big step down from any other cruise I've been on.

 

I had fun times on board anyhow & met lots of nice people. But the whole experience was not what I've come to expect on a cruise. Personally I'd rather use my vacation time & dollars on a cruise that is less likely to have this kind of atmosphere.

[ThisFemmeKat]

As you can see on my signature.. I have been on the Imagination a few times.. It wont be like some of the others you usually sail.. but its a cruise!!! if you are looking for some time away and just have fun, then I say go for it.. Enjoy every gawdy vegas moment of it.. I did.. lol But thats me.. I dont think I could dislike any carnival cruise on any ship..

[renebfl]

I went on Imagination over Labor Day Weekend, I have never met a more friendly passenger group than on this cruise. Everyone was out for fun and wanted to be friendly. I really enjoyed the piano bar and going to dinner. Such a good price for a great weekend.

[kiska]

Wow, thank you all for your reviews and information, it's really really helpful!! I know not to expect the service I'm used to on the bigger Princess ships, but my biggest fear (that really got calmed down with your posts) was bad service and bad food. I think every cruise ship has a chance to have some questionable people on it and will ruin balcony experience, so the fact that there may be more on a 3-day cruise doesn't bother me so much.

 

Big_Steve, if you happen to read this again, did you like the Imagination or Sky better. I like the idea that Carnival overnights in Nassau, since I could always do without any of the cruise line's "private" islands, but the ship has a lot to do with the itinerary as well!

 

Thanks again to all the replies!

[near the beach]

I would recommend the Imagination three day to Nassau. A nice family cruise. The ship has a great staff.

[girlscruise2011]

I would recommend the Imagination three day to Nassau. A nice family cruise. The ship has a great staff.

 

 

Doing that in 8 days :D (sorry, can't hold back my excitement ;))

[treasure4two]

Wow, thank you all for your reviews and information, it's really really helpful!! I know not to expect the service I'm used to on the bigger Princess ships, but my biggest fear (that really got calmed down with your posts) was bad service and bad food. I think every cruise ship has a chance to have some questionable people on it and will ruin balcony experience, so the fact that there may be more on a 3-day cruise doesn't bother me so much.

 

Big_Steve, if you happen to read this again, did you like the Imagination or Sky better. I like the idea that Carnival overnights in Nassau, since I could always do without any of the cruise line's "private" islands, but the ship has a lot to do with the itinerary as well!

 

Thanks again to all the replies!

 

I just got off a Princess cruise to Alaska in July and have to say, I like the food better on Carnival-thought the selection was better. Not knocking Princess, just my personal preference.

[ATL2LAS]

This is a good ship. Well taken care of, friendly crew and great food. I have never ever had a bad time on this ship. Just go and relax and have a blast in the casino.

[elcuchio24]

We just did a 4 night on Imagination. It was nice. It was the first time we hadn't had a balcony, but the ship otherwise was fine, we really enjoyed Waterworks. As long as your expectations aren't sky high I think you would be happy.