Inspiration, opinions and reasons please!!!

[kyrisong1]

I am treating my sister, nephew and his fiance to a quicky cruise out of Long Beach this spring......ports are no big whoops but it has to be less that 5 days due to childcare issues. Tell me what you think of the ship and why. I've never been on a Fantasy class ship, been on a lot of the others, fav class is spirit class because of ease of getting around and less crowded feeling.

Thanks!! Carole

[yamsi12]

My wife and I sailed the Inspiration in October on the 3 day Ensenada cruise. Loved the ship. For an 18 year old ship she was very well kept. I made a review of our cruise with pics here if you want to see

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2120175

 

Ensenada is a boring port though. If time would have allowed we would have rather sailed on the 4 day catalina/Ensenada cruise.

[kyrisong1]

My wife and I sailed the Inspiration in October on the 3 day Ensenada cruise. Loved the ship. For an 18 year old ship she was very well kept. I made a review of our cruise with pics here if you want to see

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2120175

 

Ensenada is a boring port though. If time would have allowed we would have rather sailed on the 4 day catalina/Ensenada cruise.

Yamsi thank you so much, we are doing the Catalina/Ensenada. I'm totally a east coast cruiser and haven't a clue of what to do in these ports. I know Ensenada is a shopping and grabbing mexican food port, not exciting but still, good prices on silver and the food is good.

Catalina, I'm at a loss, not sure what to do, the one resort they have there has terrible reviews and they are expensive as heck!!!! Gotta research this one a LOT!!!!

Thanks for you input, Carole

[kyrisong1]

My wife and I sailed the Inspiration in October on the 3 day Ensenada cruise. Loved the ship. For an 18 year old ship she was very well kept. I made a review of our cruise with pics here if you want to see

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2120175

 

Ensenada is a boring port though. If time would have allowed we would have rather sailed on the 4 day catalina/Ensenada cruise.

Awesome review and pics!!!! So good to see the ship looks very nice.

Those people next to me better not make any noise :D ( the people next to us are my nephew and his fiance)

Happy Cruising!!!

Carole

[SadieN]

Love the Fantasy class. Everything is easy to get to. Except for that aft MDR. If assigned to that wait upstairs in the aft bar in front of the comedy club.

The Inspiration doesn't have many bells and whistles but she is a fine ship.

 

Been on the Inspiration at least 6 times since she's been in Long Beach. Going again in two weeks.

 

When are you going? The weekend cruises will be a bit wilder than the 4 day cruises, the energy gets higher as it progresses to summer.

[SadieN]

For Catalina check out the chamber of commerce's site. Pre book or book on the Green Pier. Lots to do. Everything's expensive because it's all shipped in.

 

Over the years and on our own we've rented golf carts, mini golfed, trolley tour, Wrigley Memorial, Casino tour, mini sub, interior tour. The most expensive thing on this list are the golf carts at $40/hour.

 

There's also very active excursions. You can scuba or snorkel, prepare for cold water as it comes from Alaska. Ziplines etc

 

In Ensenada do the two winery tour or the Bufadora. You can catch Bufadora tour thru the shuttle bus company. Many like the horseback riding.

I'm hoping to do the cheese tour this time.

Edited December 27, 2014 by SadieN

[kyrisong1]

Love the Fantasy class. Everything is easy to get to. Except for that aft MDR. If assigned to that wait upstairs in the aft bar in front of the comedy club.

The Inspiration doesn't have many bells and whistles but she is a fine ship.

 

Been on the Inspiration at least 6 times since she's been in Long Beach. Going again in two weeks.

 

When are you going? The weekend cruises will be a bit wilder than the 4 day cruises, the energy gets higher as it progresses to summer.

Hi Sadie, we are going in April on a 4 day during the week, leave on a Monday!!

Do you have suggestions for beach at Catalina? Was looking at Lovers Cove because it's close to port, are there chair rentals? Food and drink stands and maybe some water toy rentals around this beach or area???

Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.

My sister and nephew are from Temecula, sister has been on one Carribean cruise with me, nephew and fiance are cruise virgins, can't wait to show them the ropes!!!

Carole

[amsred2]

Do you have suggestions for beach at Catalina? Was looking at Lovers Cove because it's close to port, are there chair rentals? Food and drink stands and maybe some water toy rentals around this beach or area???

Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.

 

Carole

 

Catalina is a beautiful port but unless you go in August. The water is much too cold to splash around in without a wetsuit. It is a romantic little town to hold hands and stroll around if you don't take a tour.

 

I have been to Ensenada 6 times. And, after talking to many people who have also been there, decided that the only way to enjoy it is to take a tour. Downtown is just too full of pushy venders. It's alright to make it one of your stops, but if it's your only experience in Ensenada, you will be jaded.

 

However, I loved the area by tour; including horseback riding, wine country and La Bufadora. I loved Horseback riding but that's not for everyone. I also liked La Bufadora and there is a spot there where you can get the best tacos on the planet. It's beautiful but you still have to navigate pushy street vendors. The wine country tour is probably the best tour for a couple. What's not romantic about wine! All are a leisurely drive with some entertaining guides....and you can relax without the street crowds on the bus.

[Kobayashi]

I've been on the the four day cruises on the Inspiration and the Imagination. At this point the main reason I get off the ship at Ensenada is this food cart. It's been featured on Anthony Bourdain's show claiming it was one of the best in the world. La Guerrerense is on the corner of Alvarado and A. Lopez Mateos which are main tourist streets. I'll eat about three of these then get back on the ship.

 

[SadieN]

Hi Sadie, we are going in April on a 4 day during the week, leave on a Monday!!

Do you have suggestions for beach at Catalina? Was looking at Lovers Cove because it's close to port, are there chair rentals? Food and drink stands and maybe some water toy rentals around this beach or area???

Thanks so much for any advice you can give me.

My sister and nephew are from Temecula, sister has been on one Carribean cruise with me, nephew and fiance are cruise virgins, can't wait to show them the ropes!!!

Carole

 

No idea about Lover's Cove http://www.beachcalifornia.com/beach/pebbly-beach-catalina.html

 

But there are two beaches right next to the pier. One is at the Green Pier. Could get a picnic at either Vons (Safeway).

Descanso Beach is on the other side of the Casino, about 15 minute walk. There are food and chairs here.

The water isnt too conducive to swimming as it can be cold (60s) and choppy. The Channel makes the current even stronger as it funnels thru between the Islands and mainland. It's not like the Caribbean or even Hawaii.

 

FOr more ideas look on the West Coast Departure, Mexican Riviera and California Coastal boards.

Edited December 27, 2014 by SadieN

[kyrisong1]

Thanks guys, all great suggestions. I've been looking at the West Coast departures but not seeing what I want. I think I want to park my sister on a warm beach (she has a very bad back) so my nephew,his fiance and I can maybe do some parasailing. I'll just keep lookign around, we may just do the golf carts. Thanks again.

Carole

[USNUZULOOSE]

There is a street near by that a house was built out of two shipwrecks. I found it quite interesting. Anyone local can tell you how to get there. It's not that hard. But I find things like that interesting.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Sometimes these brief cruises are just the thing to give you a nice relaxing couple of days. The DD and I take the shuttle bus from the entrance in front of the terminal. You will be dropped off at a nice little "bus station where you can start your morning off with a cerveza fría. The shuttle bus company offers tours if you are arrive before Ensenada "wakes up" for shopping etc. A nice company we have used many times. You can walk back to the pier from downtown or take a taxi if you are too loaded down with packages. ;)

 

Catalina is a fun stop and unless you plan to go to the other side of the island you can pretty much walk. There is something for everyone from water sports to zip-lining. I prefer walking and the beach but this time for fun my DD and I are going on the sub so I can shoot food to fish.:D It's the small things in life that give me a good laugh and I don't have to think about fish biting me like they did when I went helmet diving in Bermuda.

[ccruisequeen]

Thanks guys, all great suggestions. I've been looking at the West Coast departures but not seeing what I want. I think I want to park my sister on a warm beach (she has a very bad back) so my nephew,his fiance and I can maybe do some parasailing. I'll just keep lookign around, we may just do the golf carts. Thanks again.

Carole

 

If your sister has s bad back, she may not want to take the tender boats to Catalina. They can rock quite a bit if she's not steady on her feet

 

 

I still cruise for warm chocolate melting cake (with two sugar free vanilla ice creams)

Edited December 28, 2014 by ccruisequeen

[ROCruiser]

Agree with kobayashi. That taco stand is worth the trip to Ensenada. Also the museum right across from the cruise terminal (white building) is a good place to go. They need to do a lot more publicity to get people in. We were the only ones there the whole time we visited there.

[kattya]

Another interesting thing to do on Catalina is to take a tile-making class at Silver Canyon Pottery. Robin, the owner gives you an interesting history of how Catalina tiles were made and shows you how to make your own. You get to make tiles, pick out the colors you want them painted and she ships them to you after they are done. The company is online and has reviews on Trip-advisor, definitely gives you a different view of the island.:)

[Cuizer2]

I am treating my sister, nephew and his fiance to a quicky cruise out of Long Beach this spring......ports are no big whoops but it has to be less that 5 days due to childcare issues. Tell me what you think of the ship and why. I've never been on a Fantasy class ship, been on a lot of the others, fav class is spirit class because of ease of getting around and less crowded feeling.

Thanks!! Carole

 

You can read my review (the link is below), which includes several photographs (at the end of the review), and then decide for yourself ...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1916011

[MissyMac13]

We've been on Inspiration many times with no problems. If you can take the cheese factory tour, do it. Very much worth the cost and you get to tour the factory, taste cheese and wine and eat a full course lunch.

[kyrisong1]

You guys have been so helpful, thanks so much!!!!

[Cruznjuly]

I just disembarked the Imagination an hour ago.

I'll be posting a review in a bit, but I must say that this staff is the BEST I have ever encountered at sea. I was so impressed at how wonderful everyone was. My kids (9, 12, 14) even cried when they had to leave our waiter.

Had a wonderful cruise!!

 

 

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