Inspiration 4 Nights From Long Beach

[Genner]

Hey Guys,

 

We're flying from London to San Fran and travelling down to Long Beach to pick up The Inspiration. On CCL only done The Dream twice from Orlando. I'm just after a taste of what the Inspiration is like. I know it's not going to have the bells and whistles the Dream has but can anyone give me a comparison and a deck guide if possible ?

 

Thanks :)

[SadieN]

We Just got off the Inspiration Jan 28 4-day and February 8 3-day.

 

There aren't too many reviews for the Inspiration. The folowing is a handicapped review. It has great pictures. The same (horrible) sink set up is the same in the OV and IS cabins.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1508713

 

For a deck plan go to

carnival.com- cruising 101- ships & staterooms

 

Catalina has a lot to do. Check on the Mexican Riviera or Pacific Coastal boards.

http://www.catalinachamber.com/

We alway get Salt Water Taffy at Lloyds.

Look for the Garibaldi under the green pier. Our state fish is bright orange.

Catalina was known for it's pottery in the early 1900's. Along the street you can see many examples of Catalina Tile. There is a small shop at the end of the Green pier that sells new Catalia tile.

 

If it has been stormy do not do the semi-sub or glass bottom boat as the water will be murky.

[SadieN]

In Ensenada

All places will take American. Use small bills.

 

The wine tour is nice. One is a smaller winery and the other is a larger winery. The smaller one also sells jams and olive oil.

 

The Blowhole (La Bufadora) is nice. Best to be seen at high tide right after a storm. To get there you will have to run a gauntlet of vendors.

We find out when to meet back ang just walk down the middle of the street.

Bring some quarters for the bathroom.

 

(Throw all paper into the trash can, not the toilet.)

 

We find it safe to walk around Ensenada. Take the shopping map for directions. We eat at several places.

Taqueria Linda, next to Hussong's for taco's and then get a paleta (popsicle) a few doors down. Had a cantaloupe popsicle that was fantastic.

We also like El Charro ( it has chickens rotissering in the window) and Don Fernando.

Be careful walking off of the main street, Ave Lopez. The sidewalks are dangerous, literally. There are open utility boxes in the sidewalks.

 

Vanilla is popular to buy. There are two supermarkets off of Ave Lopez at Gastellum. Soriana and Calimex. Both have very clean bathrooms.

 

***

On the Inspiration itself we found the food to be hit or miss temperature wise. The Indian was always very good and served piping hot.

The Piano bar guy was very good.

[Genner]

Thanks guys, keep them coming. Ship info and excursion info would be great.

[Georgie562]

The Inspiration is a way smaller and a way older ship than the Dream

The Inspiration lacks the 2.0 upgrades. The Inspiration has ONLY ONE pool. Don't expect more on the Inspiration than your experience on the Dream. Like you said, Dream definitely has more. I just sailed the Liberty and the Breeze in December and the Inspiration does not compare at all. But shes an OK ship :)

 

I sailed the Inspiration last April and she was in good shape. As a West Coast cruiser we really have no choice as to which ship to sail with on Carnival so will probably do the Inspiration again for a short getaway.

[Dicecatt]

Thanks for this thread, we are heading out on the Inspiration next weekend (last minute descision) and I was hunting for information!

[Godiva5]

Treated Mom to a 4-day to celebrate her 80th b-day this past December. For her, it was just the right amount o time to be away from home. Catalina Island was a bit chilly yet sunny. Be sure to pack for cooler weather. We took in the tour bus excursion that went high up into the mountains and the view is spectacular. Great photo ops. Take binoculars if you have them. While enjoying breakfast in the main dinning room, just before heading to the tender, we saw an awesome sight of thousands of dolphines swimming past the ship.

 

We took the wine country tour as already mentioned. Just board the bus and enjoy the ride. Each paid guest (18 yrs+) also gets a free bottle of wine from the larger winery. We tasted probably 6-7 wines along with fresh crusty bread and olive oil. I highly recommend this tour. We enjoyed an extended 4 hour tour.

 

No the ship doesn't have all the bells and whistles but, like I said, it's great for just cruise'n and relaxing, especially out on the Serenity deck. Inside, we enjoyed the different singers and bands playing in the Rhapsody area. We jammed to old-school Motown the last night. Folks walking by couldn't help but to just bust out in dance!

 

Food is good but nothing to rave about. To make it enjoyable, order WHATEVER you want not just the groupings on the menu. We brought a bottle of chilled wine and our own glasses to dinner for elegent night. Our servers really admired our (dollor store) blue wine glasses! Dress up or dress down. Whatever strikes your fancy (I'm a dresser-upper).

 

Shows are entertaining, audience participation events are really fun, crew are all super helpful and friendly, boarding process is really easy. My only complaint wa our handcap accessible cabin E56 was right next to the crew service door. Lour, loud, loud.

 

If yu're looking to relax and reconnect, you'll expereince just that! If time and circumstance permits, take a drive from Northern CA via Hwy 1. Very picturesque. Welcome to the states and enjoy you're visit to CA and Carnival.

[SadieN]

Forgot to add--

These cruises are very informal. On the 4-day hardly any man was wearing a tie or jacket for Formal night. Many were just wearing long sleeve dress shirts and slacks. A great number were wearing short sleeve button shirts and slacks. Gals were wearing cocktail length dresses or black slacks and pretty tops.

[Cruizinman]

Been on Inspiration a few times , Good ship,equals all the other Fantasy class.

[love2relax]

I see you have sailed on the Monarch. I would say that the Inspiration in similar in size and amenities to that ship, but the cabins/bathrooms on the Inspiration are a little bigger.

[edpat5911]

In our signature below you will find a link to our Review of the Inspiration that we took our Grandkids on. We did this in March of 2012. We had a great time! Still a nice ship!

[riclop]

After going on the Dream the inspiration will leave alot to be desired, its old and beat up. Good luck.

[Kenito]

Well... I did not find the Inspiration "beat up" on my December '12 cruise, but it is an older, smaller ship.

I found the food overall pretty good; crew friendly; everything clean and orderly.

Check the deck plan on this class ship and take note of the fact that the dining room prevents one from walking port to stern on that deck... so you end up using stairs or elevator more than expected until you get the hang of it. It's worth it to study and plan how to get around once you have your room assignment.

Catalina Island and Avalon has a nice history and we enjoyed a relaxing day of shopping, catching lunch, and looking around. But I'm from Southern California, so... you may want to be more in depth. Google Avalon beforehand.

Ensenada is a nice community. If you don't book a Bufadora shore excursion on the ship, on the free bus into town they will sell you on a cheaper version... and they do a good job. Bufadora is indeed a natural wonder, IF the tide is right. Some days it is breathtaking... other days, not so. The venders will politely harrass you to buy everything under the sun, but if you are not interested simply smile and say, no thanks or "no gracias." They will leave you alone. Everyone is very friendly, but it is not spectacular.

If you like wine at all, then I strongly urge you to consider the Valle de Guadalupe wine excursions. If you are really into wine, then search online and find a private tour. The ship's shore excursion will take you to the larger wineries because they are better equipped for that... but the smaller private tours will take you into some exceptional boutique wineries. Few people know that when Spain conquered Mexico they sent in the Jesuits to settle the land, and they brought with them vine cuttings, and that means that there are actually some exceptional old world wine vines in Baja. And some exceptional wines. Valle de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Valley) is inland from the port of Ensenada, so it is generally warmer... if you seek warmth. If they include lunch there are some really nice restaurants in the valley. If this is your thing, a little research will really pay off.

If you just like to wander around Ensenada, there are some shops for good Mexican silver (.925) from Taxco, Mexico. Pretty good knock-offs are also available in Ensenada. If you like authentic fresh fish, find the fish market. The fish market smell certainly is authentic! Interesting to look around, and there are quite a few small food stand/restaurants adjacent where you can get some tasty Mexican style shrimp cocktails at a bargain price. Fresh is the operative word.

Ensenada is safe and friendly. The El Rey Sol restaurant is pretty good, and interestingly enough, the pastries are authentically French... and good. The same family has owned and operated continuously... Jean Loup Bitterlin is the current patriarch.

Much to my surprise, I found some excellent artisan work in the vendor market at the ship-side stores. Found some ceremics there I'd not seen in many other Mexican travels.

Also, since the Carnival Cruise Port is adjacent to the old Queen Mary, some folks will arrive a day early and spend the night on the QM with tours, etc.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[Genner]

Thanks for the replies guys. It's a long way to come for a cruise :p

 

So it obviously has the MDR and buffet, does it have any extras pasta bar, Mongolian wok, sushi bar etc.

 

Just 1 theatre then ? bars/clubs/discos ?

 

Any other worth while activities ?

 

Thanks in advance :)

[Rosefloater]

Thanks for the replies guys. It's a long way to come for a cruise :p

 

So it obviously has the MDR and buffet, does it have any extras pasta bar, Mongolian wok, sushi bar etc.

 

Just 1 theatre then ? bars/clubs/discos ?

 

Any other worth while activities ?

 

Thanks in advance :)

 

No pasta bar. Mongolian wok is on the Lido deck on the opposite side of the grill. Sushi can be found up in the buffet area near the salad bar at dinner time. There is a Taste bar (located by the casino) where you are served a sampler of different eating venues (none are on the Inspiration) each night.

 

There is a main theater with production shows and a smaller showroom for karaoke and comedy. There is a disco and bars all over the ship.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

DD and I did B2B on the Inspiration last August (was a birthday present to myself :D). We hadn't sailed on a ship that small or old since our first cruise in 1997 on the Holiday. We really enjoyed the Inspiration and found the crew to be really great.

 

As far as excursions, we rented a golf cart in Catalina and drove around the island. We had done that in 1997 when on the same itinerary and DD was only 21 months that first time. Good memories. There's a zip line there, if you're looking for something more adventurous.

 

We called in Ensenada twice since it was a B2B. The first visit, we did a spa day and it was fantastic! If that's of interest, let me know and I'll dig up where we went. The second time, we just walked around the town and visited the same street vendor we'd visited the first time--best tacos I've ever had! :D

 

We enjoyed being on asmaller ship than we're used to and would happily sail that size ship again.

 

Have a great time!!

[Spaniel Lover]

I was on the Magic (sister ship to the Dream) last August and then on the Inspiration in October. It was an interesting contrast between the big, newer ship and the smaller, older ship. There were actually several advantages to the Inspiration, in my opinion.

 

Take a look at my web page at http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/CarnivalInspiration.html for a look at what's so special about the Inspiration and what some of the advantages are. There's lots of pictures, too.