Imagination vs. Inspiration-Help a Royal Girl out!!

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I live in LA, and since RCCL pulled out of LA years ago, I will be taking a quick weekend cruise out of LA this summer. I looked at both ships, the prices are almost exactly the same within $5. Can someone who has sailed on both tell me the difference.:confused:

 

FYI, I have sailed on Carnival 3 times, just not on these ships. I'm just trying to choose between the 2 and need somthing to judge by.

 

Thanks :D

[rainbowflag]

The Inspiration has more recently been in drydock up in SF for carpeting, light fixtures in the public areas and the like so it looks a little "fresher." I enjoy them both and sail frequently on them.

 

Have fun!

[SadieN]

I've been on both out of Long Beach two weeks apart. Imagination end of January and the Inspiration over Valentine's Day.

 

Sister Ships, identical layouts and amenities.

 

Both are testing the new American menus. Only difference is the Imagination has the newer 'wood' tables with no tablecloths in the MDR and the Inspiration still uses tablecloths for every meal.

 

The biggest difference is day of week for embarkation. The Imagination has a TH-Sun, Sun-TH schedule and the Inspiration has F-M, M-F schedule. Which is better for you?

 

The buffet on the Imagination was the worst in over 30 cruises. BUT we were on her right after she repo'd and the foodstores were getting pretty dismal.

 

I'd have no problem sailing either ship again.

 

**

Parking is $17/24hour period

 

**

ETA- Just noticed you've sailed the Ecstacy. Both ships here are her sisters.

Edited April 8, 2014 by SadieN

[Bibble]

I've been on both, I'd say choose by itinerary or price, you'll be happy either way :)

[USNUZULOOSE]

Sailed on Inspiration, she was a great ship. The crew was awesome.

[SadieN]

I've been on both, I'd say choose by itinerary or price, you'll be happy either way :)

 

 

Same itin and almost the same price.

Both leave from Long Beach and go to Ensenada on the 3day cruises. The four day also goes to Catalina.

 

This must be the shortest cruise itin going. You can drive to Ensenada in about three hours. Catalina is 22 miles offshore.

Edited April 8, 2014 by SadieN

[jeepguyyyc]

Been on both, the Inspiration in Sept and the Imagination in Feb. We found the decor in the Imagination a little less over the top than on the Inspiration. (personal preference) Mainly in the buffet area. Both are great ships. Neither has all the new amenities of the newer big ships, but then again I really don't need to go skydiving or need bumper cars while I am cruising. The only reason we ended up cruising on both ships this fall and winter came down to departures dates and our schedules. We would cruise either ship again.

[LaurieHoffman]

I have been on both recently.

Inspiration in December 2013 and Imagination March 2014.

As others have said the ships are sister ships, laid out almost exactly the same. The activities are identical as well. I found the service on the Imagination better than the Inspiration. The employees were much friendlier on the Imagination in my opinion. They used our names on a regular basis. I would still cruise on either ship but if I had to make a choice I would pick the Imagination.

[Richjoxyz]

If you are doing the three day weekend cruise, the Imagination ends on Sunday morning vs Monday morning on the Inspiration.

 

I choose Sunday Morning traffic in LA over Monday morning traffic any day.

 

The freeways are dead on Sunday mornings, makes the drive home nice and quick.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Richjoxyz

[xbatt8]

I haven't sailed the Inspiration since last August, but I have been on the Imagination 3 times this year.

 

I REALLY liked the new shows on the Imagination. Divas was good, but Epic Rock was one of the best I have seen on all my cruises. I also liked the piano bar guy on the Imagination. However, he leaves the ship on July 10th, so if you go after that, I make no promises on who will be there. I also really liked the 2 DJs on the Imagination. Great mix of music in the nightclub.

 

As another person said, I did like the décor better on the Imagination, and the staff were great.

 

If schedule doesn't matter to you, I would look into the Imagination for the shows alone (unless, of course, the Inspiration is also doing the new shows), not to mention the other entertainment.

 

Bob

[oldschoolpinball]

Imagination is slightly larger than inspiration

[kmc500]

Imagination is slightly larger than inspiration

 

How do you figure that? They both have identical gross tonnage, and neither has had the balconies added, that have been attached to other Fantasy Class ships.

 

Kevin C

[rainbowflag]

How do you figure that? They both have identical gross tonnage, and neither has had the balconies added, that have been attached to other Fantasy Class ships.

 

Kevin C

 

Sister ships I agree but they each have the balconies added and have for a few years now.

[Richjoxyz]

I ate so much one day that I stretched out the hull a little bit on the Imagination, that's why it's bigger!

Edited April 9, 2014 by Richjoxyz

[rainbowflag]

I ate so much one day that I stretched out the hull a little bit on the Imagination, that's why it's bigger!

 

You must have consumed The American Feast...all of it ;)

[ronandannette]

I live in LA, and since RCCL pulled out of LA years ago, I will be taking a quick weekend cruise out of LA this summer. I looked at both ships, the prices are almost exactly the same within $5. Can someone who has sailed on both tell me the difference.:confused:

 

FYI, I have sailed on Carnival 3 times, just not on these ships. I'm just trying to choose between the 2 and need somthing to judge by.

 

Thanks :D

 

Just in case you weren't aware, the Inspiration and Imagination are both sister ships to the Ecstacy which you have already sailed. There shouldn't be too many differences from what you previously experienced except that both ships have added the Waterworks, which Ecstacy wouldn't have had 12 years ago.

Edited April 9, 2014 by ronandannette

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

Thanks everyone, I booked a Suite on Inspiration on Aug 15, mostly because on that sailing my son is FREE!! I have cruised alot, and have never been able to take advantage of the whole "free kid" thing, until now!!!:eek:

 

Yay!:D

 

Thanks again!!!

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

If you are doing the three day weekend cruise, the Imagination ends on Sunday morning vs Monday morning on the Inspiration.

 

I choose Sunday Morning traffic in LA over Monday morning traffic any day.

 

The freeways are dead on Sunday mornings, makes the drive home nice and quick.

 

I live 20 minutes from LB so I'm not worried, but thanks!! Plus I'm taking that Monday off!!:D

[SadieN]

I live 20 minutes from LB so I'm not worried, but thanks!! Plus I'm taking that Monday off!!:D

 

Are you near a Metro station?

The Blue line and the free Passport bus connect at Ocean & Pine in Long Beach. The Passport ends in the parking lot of the cruise port.

[ccruisequeen]

I'm looking forward to trying Imagination for the first time in three weeks. I live right down the coast from the harbor and can see the ship there every Sun and Thurs taunting me.

 

[kmc500]

Sister ships I agree but they each have the balconies added and have for a few years now.

 

No they have not, at least according to Carnival's current deck plans for both ships. Unlike the Ecstasy deck plans, the only balconies available on the Imagination and Inspiration are on the grand suites, the Verandah or junior suites and the two penthouse (or owner's) suites.

 

Kevin C

Edited April 9, 2014 by kmc500

[rainbowflag]

No they have not, at least according to Carnival's current deck plans for both ships. Unlike the Ecstasy deck plans, the only balconies available on the Imagination and Inspiration are on the grand suites, the Verandah or junior suites and the two penthouse (or owner's) suites.

 

Kevin C

Those are the balconies I was referring to.

[Fla Mike]

Sister ships I agree but they each have the balconies added and have for a few years now.

 

I have been on the Imagination more than a few times when she was in Miami, last being Oct 2013.

 

There are no added balconies. Only the junior and full suites.

[Kobayashi]

These are both part of the Fantasy Class of ships and have a similar layout. I've sailed on both for the four day. Easy to navigate on board that it'll feel like home since you've sailed the Ecstasy. Enjoy!

[SadieN]

The slight differences that I have seen on the Elation, Paradise, Inspiration and Imagination have been very minor.

 

The formalities shop is right on the Promenade on the Imagination and Inspiration. It's kindof hidden on the Paradise and Elation.

 

The buffet is layed out better on the Elation and Paradise. The booths are very close together on the Imagination and Inspiration.

 

Both the Imagination and Inspiration have the horrible bathroom vanity. And smoke from the casino goes down the mid ship elevator/staircase and plays on the Riviera deck.

 

The worst part of the Elation is the names of her MDRs. Everyone gets them confused--Imagination and Inspiration. They start the same, end the same and when 'boxed out' they look the same.

 

None of these ships have been retrofitted with balconies.

The Paradise and Elation have the original 'hidden Mickey' pool on 11aft and a slide into the pool. The Imagination and Inspiration both have the waterslide on 11aft.