Imagination for a Royal Cruiser

[LisaT91403]

We live in Los Angeles, but always cruise out of Florida on Royal Caribbean. We are Diamond members, and have cruised a lot -- most recently on the new "mega" ships (Allure and Oasis).

 

We haven't been able to travel this summer, and with school starting in 2 weeks, we are longing for a quick getaway. We were looking at hotels within driving distance to L.A., as we don't want to fly. But then we thought...what about hopping on Imagination for a quick 3-nighter?

 

We are a family of 3 -- DH and myself (late 40's), and DS(7). Our goals would be waterslides (DS) while mom and dad lounge on a chair in the shade, some bingo/casino action, and maybe some kid's club for DS in the evening.

 

For those of you experienced on Carnival (and maybe Royal too?), here are my questions:

 

1. Do you think we could still enjoy this cruise, given what we are used to? We are fine not having a ton of restaurants and shows to choose from, as it's only 3 days. My biggest concern is that it's a "party ship" and that we will spend all of our time trying to avoid a bunch of drunk people.

 

2. There are only Interior cabins available right now. Any tips or tricks as to how to find an Outside? Do they sometimes open up a week before departure?

 

3. If we don't want to get dressed up, can we just skip the dining room for that night?

 

Like I said, we don't have lofty goals. We really just want a few days away, and having an all-inclusive with a waterslide fits the bill.

 

Thanks in advance for your sage advice!

Edited August 2, 2015 by LisaT91403

[gapearl]

A 3 day cruise on Carnival or Royal Caribbean will likely attract a younger demographic because it's a quick, cheap getaway. The biggest misconception about Carnival is that it's a 24/7 "party ship" full of drunks. In my 13 Carnival cruises, 3 of those having been on Imagination, I have not encountered any unruly behavior. You might find a drunk or 2 at some point around the night life, but does the ship have 2,000 drunk people walking around? NO. Carnival is a family cruise line.

 

You will have a good time if you have realistic expectations. The Imagination is a smaller, older ship and nowhere as fancy as Oasis or Allure. Don't go into it saying on Royal we have this or did that. I played a little blackjack on Imagination back in December and broke even. The casino always seemed to have a good crowd. If you book an interior, maybe you can have your travel agent or PVP keep an eye out for an ocean view and call you if one becomes available. However I have sailed in inside cabins many times and they're fine. Yes, you can skip the dining room and eat only at the buffet. No problem there.

 

I say if the price is right, book it and have a good time. Go with an open mind that you're going to have fun and try to make too many negative comparisons to the bigger ships. :)

[momof3cruisers]

There are areas that are def more party than not. Go to a family comedy show, good...wander the deck between the night clubs and the casino, bad. Also, stay away from the main pool during the various contests. The slide area should be just fine. During daytime activities away from the pool, I haven't encountered drunk people.

 

The food is decent, the cabins are big, the ship is well kept, but older. The staff I have encountered was very good.

 

Don't worry about dressing up. Seriously, polo shirts for the guys and a sun dress for you will be fine. Otherwise, get food on the Lido deck. Several options there.

 

As for the kids clubs or getting an outside at this point, I don't know. Sorry.

 

I think you could certainly have a relaxed family trip, but just like a Royal three day out of Miami, you need to make sure your expectations are for casual and not tons of bells and whistles.

[LisaT91403]

Thanks for the replies!

 

I totally get the whole expectations thing. We do not expect the whistles and bells. We were really just looking for a clean, family-friendly hotel for a couple of nights (someplace with a waterslide for DS)...and then the cruise idea came up because we could have hotel (plus service), waterslide, and the big plus of not having to worry about where to eat. VERY minimal expectations.

 

I realize that the shorter itineraries (no matter which "family" cruise line you are on) can attract a different demographic than a longer/more expensive voyage. So my question about the drunk people was not because the ship is Carnival -- it's really because of the itinerary. All of our Royal cruises and our Disney cruise were week-long itineraries.

 

We don't do night clubs. We wouldn't mind a show or two, but could skip those as well. As long as we can have a nice time (e.g. not filled with tons of crazy drunk people) at the waterslides, in the dining room, and maybe the kid's club for DS...we'd be good.

[Kobayashi]

Here's my comprehensive review of the Imagination. Enjoy your cruise!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2186027

[SadieN]

If those are your exact goals then you'll be fine.

Done this exact same cruise on many ships throughout the years. It will have a party atmosphere but you'll be able to find lots of quiet spots around the ship as well. FWIW the most over the top Booze Cruise experience was on Princess last November.

 

We like being low and aft. We avoid cabins a few doors from the center staircase. The smoking side of the casino bar is at the top of the elevator shaft/stairwell.

 

Check carnival.com for availability. Usually triples have a upper bunk. At worst the third will have to sleep on a rollaway or trundle. Keeping the lowers apart will give you more room in the cabin.

Oh, the remodeled bathroom vanity is horrible.

[omarchs]

Long time Royal cruiser who now goes more on Carnival since I enjoy the more relaxed vibe.

 

I have enjoyed all my Carnival cruises with the exception of a 4 day Imagination cruise. This ship should have been put out to pasture many years ago. You should only go for a very very cheap fare and with an extremely open mind.

 

You will most certainly get more of a party crowd on the voyages that span the weekend rather than during the week, but people will always look to squeeze in as much fun as possible on a short cruise on any line.

 

I think they had 1 elegant night, but don't stress about dressing up much since the crowds dress was very relaxed which I very much like compared to Royal.

[LisaT91403]

Here's my comprehensive review of the Imagination. Enjoy your cruise!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2186027

 

Wow, what a thorough review! I am going to have to spend some quality time going through it. Thanks for the link!

[LisaT91403]

I have enjoyed all my Carnival cruises with the exception of a 4 day Imagination cruise. This ship should have been put out to pasture many years ago. You should only go for a very very cheap fare and with an extremely open mind.

 

Well, this is a concern. I'm guessing that you went on the ship after the refurb in 2008, right?

 

What was it that you didn't like about the ship? I will admit that my last few cruises (Oasis, Allure, and Disney Fantasy) were all on new, big ships. Am I fooling myself in thinking that an old ship won't be so bad?

[SadieN]

Well, this is a concern. I'm guessing that you went on the ship after the refurb in 2008, right?

 

 

 

What was it that you didn't like about the ship? I will admit that my last few cruises (Oasis, Allure, and Disney Fantasy) were all on new, big ships. Am I fooling myself in thinking that an old ship won't be so bad?

 

 

Not much else can compare to those ships. Take these at what they are. The Fantasy class was built way before everybody had to have a balcony or even a window. She's very easy to navigate and after almost 20 cruises we've finally figured out how to get to the aft MDR.

All public decks are 8 and above, with the majority of the lounges along the Promenade.

 

Food-- not as many choices as those you've been on but we've never gone hungry or unsatisfied. By the pool is the Mongolian Wok and the Grill. In between is the rotisserie. Inside is the pizza, deli hot line, salad and dessert bars.

[riclop]

We live in Los Angeles, but always cruise out of Florida on Royal Caribbean. We are Diamond members, and have cruised a lot -- most recently on the new "mega" ships (Allure and Oasis).

 

We haven't been able to travel this summer, and with school starting in 2 weeks, we are longing for a quick getaway. We were looking at hotels within driving distance to L.A., as we don't want to fly. But then we thought...what about hopping on Imagination for a quick 3-nighter?

 

We are a family of 3 -- DH and myself (late 40's), and DS(7). Our goals would be waterslides (DS) while mom and dad lounge on a chair in the shade, some bingo/casino action, and maybe some kid's club for DS in the evening.

 

For those of you experienced on Carnival (and maybe Royal too?), here are my questions:

 

1. Do you think we could still enjoy this cruise, given what we are used to? We are fine not having a ton of restaurants and shows to choose from, as it's only 3 days. My biggest concern is that it's a "party ship" and that we will spend all of our time trying to avoid a bunch of drunk people.

 

2. There are only Interior cabins available right now. Any tips or tricks as to how to find an Outside? Do they sometimes open up a week before departure?

 

3. If we don't want to get dressed up, can we just skip the dining room for that night?

 

Like I said, we don't have lofty goals. We really just want a few days away, and having an all-inclusive with a waterslide fits the bill.

 

Thanks in advance for your sage advice!

 

That is a GIGANTIC step down from Oasis/Allure to Imagination. WOW

[Hotdog 52]

You're in for a shock but, for the price you may like it.:)

[sanmarcosman]

I sailed on the Imagination twice in 2014 because they were each 4 day sailings that cost me under $50 per day inclusive of port fees and taxes to sail in an interior-porthole cabin. If not for the super value of these cruises I wouldn't do them again. Also, you have sailed on the creme de la creme at sea for mass market cruise lines. If you set you expectations very low you may still be glad you went. The Serenity Area will not permit your child there so you may not be able to escape the boisterous guests when out on deck. However, the kids Waterworks area tends to have far fewer adults, even young adults, than the main pool and Serenity. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[LisaT91403]

You're in for a shock but, for the price you may like it.:)

 

Honestly, it's not cheap. It's $469 plus taxes and port charges. I'm starting to get scared off by the comments here....

[sanmarcosman]

Honestly, it's not cheap. It's $469 plus taxes and port charges. I'm starting to get scared off by the comments here....

That's highway robbery. How about a day/overnight trip on Amtrak like up to Santa Barbara instead? Trains are fun for kids.

[Hotdog 52]

Maybe if it was $39 pp per night. We don't pay that for a 7 day cruise. Usually under $49 pp per night.:)

[SadieN]

I'm the 3 day out of LA cheerleader. At that price-- go to Disneyland or spend the day over in Catalina.

[Shelby0208]

Sounds like a rip off for a three day. I'm personally not a fan of weekend cruises anyways, anything less than seven days just seems like a cruel tease. I agree with the others, find something different to get more bang for your buck.

[LisaT91403]

Thank you all so much! You Carnival folks are really nice :-)

 

I guess I'm used to paying around $200/night for our 7-day cruises, so it didn't seem so bad. However, this is really a different kind of ship (and cabin)...so it's not worth it.

 

I really do appreciate everyone's help! Thanks again.

[stobe1]

The Imagination isn't that bad.

 

Some people tend to be overly dramatic.

 

Yes, it is an older ship and no it doesn't have all the bells and whistles. But for 4 days, she is a good ship and has adequate facilities and the crew is great.

 

Don't let the comments on here lower your expectations so much that you end up hating it before you even get on board. Go and have a good time.

 

In fairness, however, if you paid $469 per person, you probably overpaid. If that is the total cost for your family, then it's a good deal.

Edited August 3, 2015 by stobe1

[LisaT91403]

Don't let the comments on here lower your expectations so much that you end up hating it before you even get on board. Go and have a good time.

 

I think it's the price point that's really the deal-breaker right now. I think I could still have a good time, even without bells & whistles. But I don't want to pay almost $500 for a 3-night cruise that I could do some other time for 1/2 (or 1/3) the price. Doing it on the cheap would be a better way to enjoy it :-)

[stobe1]

I think it's the price point that's really the deal-breaker right now. I think I could still have a good time, even without bells & whistles. But I don't want to pay almost $500 for a 3-night cruise that I could do some other time for 1/2 (or 1/3) the price. Doing it on the cheap would be a better way to enjoy it :-)

 

You may have missed it because I edited my post, but if you paid $500 per person then that's way too much. It that is the total cost for your entire family, then that isn't too bad.

Edited August 3, 2015 by stobe1

[LisaT91403]

You may have missed it because I edited my post, but if you paid $500 per person then that's way too much. It that is the total cost for your entire family, then that isn't too bad.

 

Sorry, I hadn't seen the edit. It's $469 per person, plus taxes & port charges. I guess that's what happens when it's the last week of summer vacation!

 

I'm going to pass on it for now, but will keep my eyes peeled for a better deal some other time.

[sanmarcosman]

The Imagination isn't that bad.

 

Some people tend to be overly dramatic.

No one here was dramatic. We were asked for honest opinions and gave them.

Edited August 3, 2015 by sanmarcosman

[candigirl]

I don't think you would have been disappointed. I encourage you to try the dining room at least 1 night. You will be pleasantly suprised. Not able to get time off when I want it, I have done many 3/4 days out of LA on both lines. No such thing as a bad cruise. Summer rates are high when you book kinda late. You might check right before you were planning to leave and see if the rates have dropped since your plans seem fluid, check The Inspiration too. Oh, and the cabins are larger than RC. Have fun whatever you decide.