Carnival imagination

[cookiefrog]

Just booked a last minute cruise that leaves Monday. We have cruised 3 other times and this will be our first carnival cruise. We've never cruised the same line twice because we prefer to book spontaneously. We always find something to love about all cruises and are prepared to be amazed instead of disappointed. Any day on a boat is a day better than the grind at home! We'll drive to LA about 5 hours from home and have our 2 year old and 4.5 year old with us. Both are well potty trained so swimming and kids club are a go!

 

Share your experience and tips with us! We can't wait. We only booked a week ago and the wait has been insane! Can't imagine how people book a year out and survive lol!

 

Our previous cruises were

 

RCCL: Mexican riviera 7 days

 

NCL : western carribean ( I was pregnant with my first little one)

 

HAL : Alaska out of Seattle 14 days we had our boys with us at 3 years and the other 9 months and he couldn't go in the pool which was a bit of a bummer but I did really appreciate some of the less crowdedness of a smaller boat

[cookiefrog]

Oops I meant inspiration! Can't figure how to edit my post!

[SadieN]

Look on the West Coast Departure, California Coastal and Mexican Riviera boards for more info. Also the Family board for ideas with the Camp.

 

We have done many 3 day cruises out of Long Beach, going on our 4th one Valentine's Day.

Parking at the pier is $17/day. Many will spend the night before in Long Beach. See if the Hotel Maya is still available. There is a Carnival Corpoate code on the West Coast Departure board that includes parking.

 

The Fantasy class has an easy deck plan. Most cabins are on 4, 5, 6 & 7.

Dining is on 8. Entertainment on 9. Lido is 10. Waterpark is on 11aft. The mini golf is 11forward.

If you are assigned the aft MDR wait upstairs in the bar in front of the comedy club. The lobby gets super crowded, think sardines.

 

Catalina has tons to do. We like to play mini golf.

The semisub is fun to do with little ones.

google 'Catalina Chamber' for more ideas.

 

Ensenada -

With kids I'd just walk around town a bit. It is a fast 10 minute walk to the tourist area. Under the Big Flag is a huge plaza for the kids to run around.

Old Army Barracks/Jail museum

 

Food- we eat in Ensenada and haven't had a problem. We eat in established restaurants. Our short list includes--

 

El Meson del Don Fernando$$

Hacienda (has chicken turning over a wood fire in the front window)$$

Taquierio Lindo (between Papas & Beer and Hussongs on Ruiz E of Ave Lopez)$

El Michoacana icecream (Lime green building a few doors down from Taquierio) $

 

Supermarkets- There are two just east of Ave Lopez (Ave Primera) and Gastellum. Calimax is very new and there is a Soriana across the street. Both have good Mexican pastries and clean bathrooms.

The restaurants also have clean bathrooms. Throw all paper into the trashcan.

 

All places will accept American. Haggle with the street vendors. The wrap bracelets are $2-$3per.

 

We have never had a problem in Mexico. Been going there for over 20 years, since our oldest was 6weeks old. When ours were 2&3 we told them that in Mexico they serve fishsticks in tortillas ;)

In Ensenada be careful of the sidewalks off the main tourist streets. They have open, empty utility boxes in them.

Edited January 18, 2014 by SadieN

[cookiefrog]

SadieN,

Thank you so much for the wonderful information! Very grateful for your expertise!

[Jotravelnut21]

Great info.

 

Hubby and I are sailing Imagination from LA end of June for the first time with Carnival.

 

Jo :)

[john91498]

Look on the West Coast Departure, California Coastal and Mexican Riviera boards for more info. Also the Family board for ideas with the Camp.

 

We have done many 3 day cruises out of Long Beach, going on our 4th one Valentine's Day.

Parking at the pier is $17/day. Many will spend the night before in Long Beach. See if the Hotel Maya is still available. There is a Carnival Corpoate code on the West Coast Departure board that includes parking.

 

The Fantasy class has an easy deck plan. Most cabins are on 4, 5, 6 & 7.

Dining is on 8. Entertainment on 9. Lido is 10. Waterpark is on 11aft. The mini golf is 11forward.

If you are assigned the aft MDR wait upstairs in the bar in front of the comedy club. The lobby gets super crowded, think sardines.

 

Catalina has tons to do. We like to play mini golf.

The semisub is fun to do with little ones.

google 'Catalina Chamber' for more ideas.

 

Ensenada -

With kids I'd just walk around town a bit. It is a fast 10 minute walk to the tourist area. Under the Big Flag is a huge plaza for the kids to run around.

Old Army Barracks/Jail museum

 

Food- we eat in Ensenada and haven't had a problem. We eat in established restaurants. Our short list includes--

 

El Meson del Don Fernando$$

Hacienda (has chicken turning over a wood fire in the front window)$$

Taquierio Lindo (between Papas & Beer and Hussongs on Ruiz E of Ave Lopez)$

El Michoacana icecream (Lime green building a few doors down from Taquierio) $

 

Supermarkets- There are two just east of Ave Lopez (Ave Primera) and Gastellum. Calimax is very new and there is a Soriana across the street. Both have good Mexican pastries and clean bathrooms.

The restaurants also have clean bathrooms. Throw all paper into the trashcan.

 

All places will accept American. Haggle with the street vendors. The wrap bracelets are $2-$3per.

 

We have never had a problem in Mexico. Been going there for over 20 years, since our oldest was 6weeks old. When ours were 2&3 we told them that in Mexico they serve fishsticks in tortillas ;)

In Ensenada be careful of the sidewalks off the main tourist streets. They have open, empty utility boxes in them.

 

Thanks, Sadie!!!! Will be on this cruise in May.