Carnival Imagination 3/09

[aerojommel]

Booked the Western Caribbean 4 night cruise on the Imagination.:D This will be our first cruise. I have a few questions...

 

1. What hours are the pools open?

 

2. Plan on walking around Key West while in port. Any advice?

 

3. Anyone been to beaches in Cozumel? Opinions for couple just looking to relax?

 

4. Would like to check out some of the resorts in Cozumel. Are they spread apart, all together, accessible by beach?

 

5. Can you order dinner to be delivered to your stateroom in stead of going to dining room, or is room service limited?

 

6. I have been told on another thread not to worry about bringing soda/water on board. Any opinions on this?

 

7. Carnival says that all drinks include 15% gratuity. Does this mean I don't need my sheckles on deck with me?:confused:

 

Thanks in advance for any input.:cool:

[Piggysues Mom]

You are somewhat in luck! I just got off the Imagination less then two weeks ago.

Well, first off, we had lousy weather, so I cannot help you with the beach thing in Cozumel since that is exactly what we wanted to do but it was cold and rainy. I was told the beaches are wonderful there, and not too far from the port, so we were just going to take a taxi.

 

Key West was wonderful, and the weather was halfway decent still. The ship docks at the naval base, and you have to be escorted off the base by a little train shuttle thingy, you can't walk. They drop you off at the top of Duval St. All we did was walk down Duvall St, all the way down near the end to Olivia Street, and right on Olivia ST is the Hemingway House. So, we paid and went in a took a tour of the house and grounds and petted all of the cats. Itis about 2/3 of a mile to walk. On Duvall St pretty much everything is there. All of the bars, Margreritaville, Hard Rock, Sloppy Joes, ect. Lot's of cool shops, I really enjoyed the shopping, Watch out for the roosters and chickens!

You could also catch the Conch Train where the shuttle drops you off, we didn't take time for it.

 

The pool on the ship was open late, we saw brave people on the pool and hot tubs well past 11:00 pm (It was way too cold for me!)

[DarthGrady]

Booked the Western Caribbean 4 night cruise on the Imagination.:D This will be our first cruise. I have a few questions...

 

1. What hours are the pools open?

 

2. Plan on walking around Key West while in port. Any advice?

 

There is lots of cool stuff you can just walk to. The "Southernmost Point" is walkable, as is the light house which gives you some cool views. The key lime pie factory is near where the ships pull up too, and they have the best I have ever had!

 

3. Anyone been to beaches in Cozumel? Opinions for couple just looking to relax?

 

Just avoid Chankanaab park, its mostly for snorkeling since it has almost no sandy beaches. Alot of people recommended Mr Sanchos beach club. They have a restaurant plus a pool and a nice beach. There is a charge to go there, but they have full facilities.

 

4. Would like to check out some of the resorts in Cozumel. Are they spread apart, all together, accessible by beach?

 

5. Can you order dinner to be delivered to your stateroom in stead of going to dining room, or is room service limited?

 

You can order off the room service menu, but its limited. They do not deliver the actual dinners to the rooms.

 

6. I have been told on another thread not to worry about bringing soda/water on board. Any opinions on this?

 

Well, depends on wether or not you want to pay for it. They charge for sodas and bottled water on the ship. If you drink alot of it you may want to bring it with you or buy the Unlimited Soda Card.

 

7. Carnival says that all drinks include 15% gratuity. Does this mean I don't need my sheckles on deck with me?:confused:

 

Whats a sheckle? :confused: If you're referring to cash, no you dont. It all goes on your Sail and Sign card, as do all on board purchases.

 

Thanks in advance for any input.:cool:

[Piggysues Mom]

I ran out of room!

My hubby bought the soda card, it was, I believe around $24.00 or so, about $6.00 a day. Iced tea, juice, coffe and lemonade are available all of the time for free. So it is not really that bad of a deal. The soda cards have no limit.

Alcoholic drinks on the other hand, can be expensive and add up.

 

You can order room service for dinner, and it is at no additional cost, as far as I remember, this was our 7th cruise, but we have enjoyed dinner in the dining room so much we have never bothered with room service.

 

I'm jealous! I wish we were going this week, I'm sure the weather will be much better for you then it was for us.

enjoy!

[aerojommel]

Thanks for the input Mom and Grady. :)

We are very excited to go.

 

FYI: A "sheckle" is a slang term for cash.

[mom2girls]

If you'd like to see the review I wrote from my trip in July the link is in my signature. You will love this ship. We had a wonderful time.

[aerojommel]

That was awesome!! What great pictures. Very informative and helpful. Thanks, Mom.

[mom2girls]

I'm glad you liked it! :) I do the reviews because I know there are others like me who want to know everything about the ship they're going on.