Carnival Inspiration 3 day-Pro/Con 2/26-29

[EL Capitan Z]

Just got back from a quick 3 day Ensenada cruise on the newly redone Inspiration. Overall, this cruise was excellent. Keep in mind the price you pay and the value you receive. In our case, we paid very little and received a great value.

 

PROs:

1) Clean Boat-Our room was always cool.

2) Friendly Staff-Ali the Cocktail Server was extremely hospitable.

3) Guy's Burger-Awesome, mouthwatering burgers pretty much available all day.

4) Next to Guy's is a Burrito/Taco Bar. Excellent Breakfast Tacos.

5) Sea Day Brunch-Wonderful food and crowds were minimal. Mac n cheese with Bacon was tasty.

6) Alchemy Bar-Great drinks and tasty little bites (Cheese, Olives, Cashews).

7) Taste Bar-Next to Casino..Had free appetizers nightly.

 

CONs:

1) Carnival needs to put better soap and shampoo in the rooms.

2) NO LOBSTER on elegant night. IT was an up-charge of $20. We bought it and it was worth it. You get TWO BIG TAILS.

3) Dining Room Food-Not as good as previous Carnival cruises.

4) Party Boat- A lot of POT SMOKERS. I got sick from the stench.

5) Casino staff a little irritated. Almost did not pay out for a Blackjack Double Down. Thank god for the witnesses.

 

Overall, this cruise is perfect for a weekend getaway. I would definitely recommend others and will be booking again, shortly.

[auntie jen69]

Thank you! We are booked on this same ship/itinerary June 3rd. Any pics you can share? Do you remember if they offered escargot one night at dinner?

[Tigerdog1]

Just got back from a quick 3 day Ensenada cruise on the newly redone Inspiration. Overall, this cruise was excellent. Keep in mind the price you pay and the value you receive. In our case, we paid very little and received a great value.

 

PROs:

1) Clean Boat-Our room was always cool.

2) Friendly Staff-Ali the Cocktail Server was extremely hospitable.

3) Guy's Burger-Awesome, mouthwatering burgers pretty much available all day.

4) Next to Guy's is a Burrito/Taco Bar. Excellent Breakfast Tacos.

5) Sea Day Brunch-Wonderful food and crowds were minimal. Mac n cheese with Bacon was tasty.

6) Alchemy Bar-Great drinks and tasty little bites (Cheese, Olives, Cashews).

7) Taste Bar-Next to Casino..Had free appetizers nightly.

 

CONs:

1) Carnival needs to put better soap and shampoo in the rooms.

2) NO LOBSTER on elegant night. IT was an up-charge of $20. We bought it and it was worth it. You get TWO BIG TAILS.

3) Dining Room Food-Not as good as previous Carnival cruises.

4) Party Boat- A lot of POT SMOKERS. I got sick from the stench.

5) Casino staff a little irritated. Almost did not pay out for a Blackjack Double Down. Thank god for the witnesses.

 

Overall, this cruise is perfect for a weekend getaway. I would definitely recommend others and will be booking again, shortly.

 

The Inspiration and Imagination tend to be more like a frat party on the weekend cruises, less do during the 4 day week journeys.

 

The Guy's burger, Blue Iguana cantina, Blue Iguana tequila bar, Red Frog Rum bar, and Alchemy bar are part of the 2.0 upgrades just completed at the end of January. We're sailing next week and looking forward to them.

 

The upcharge for lobster is a real bummer. They could have limited the quantities so that the feature wasn't abused, but for many of us, it was the highlight dinner of the cruise.

 

The taste bar is very hit and miss as to when it's open. Seems like maybe 2 hours a day. Maybe.

 

Your worst day on a cruise is better than the best day at the office!

[rudechuck]

The Taste Bar is open everyday from 5:30 to 8:00 or 8:30. It's in the Fun Times.

[EL Capitan Z]

Thank you! We are booked on this same ship/itinerary June 3rd. Any pics you can share? Do you remember if they offered escargot one night at dinner?

 

Yes! They had plenty of "included" escargot appetizers for dinner. Delicious as always.

Our pictures were not that focused on the cruise since we have done this before.

Edited March 5, 2016 by EL Capitan Z

[EL Capitan Z]

The Inspiration and Imagination tend to be more like a frat party on the weekend cruises, less do during the 4 day week journeys.

 

The Guy's burger, Blue Iguana cantina, Blue Iguana tequila bar, Red Frog Rum bar, and Alchemy bar are part of the 2.0 upgrades just completed at the end of January. We're sailing next week and looking forward to them.

 

The upcharge for lobster is a real bummer. They could have limited the quantities so that the feature wasn't abused, but for many of us, it was the highlight dinner of the cruise.

 

The taste bar is very hit and miss as to when it's open. Seems like maybe 2 hours a day. Maybe.

 

Your worst day on a cruise is better than the best day at the office!

 

We paid the $20 and it was worth it. The lobster tails (2) were huge as compared to the regular portion they use to have back in November. I wish they were included.

Edited March 5, 2016 by EL Capitan Z

[sprince]

El Captain,

 

Did you do the drink package? My wife and I are sailing on the inspiration April 15th, and would love to get some feedback if it is worth while. We would typically have 1-3 drinks during the day, a pre-dinner cocktail and 1-2 glasses of wine at dinner.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your report.

 

Keith