Just off Inspiration 4 night W. Caribbean...ask away

[AnnieB925]

Just home from a 4 night W. Caribbean on the Inspiration. We flew down to Tampa the morning of the cruise and flew home right after the cruise. It was our 3nd W. Caribbean and we had a really nice time. The ship is in great shape with all the renovations.

 

It was rough seas for much of the cruise and I had to wear the wrist bands. Funny, because the crew said it had been mild the last few weeks. It was our second time in Cozumel and it was our second bout of rain. We walked from the port to downtown and did some shopping and had some lunch. Then the rain started.......we were ok, ducking in and ouit of shops.

 

We loved the sea days and could not have been happier overall!

:)

Am happy to answer questions.

[LINANRIC]

We are booked for Christmas leaving on the 24th of Dec and returning on the 28th ... Cannot wait.. Do you happen to have the capers? Could you email them to me?

Any little tips?

:D

[lgerrish]

I'm excited to cruise the Inspiration in February. Did you visit the adult serenity area? If so, was it difficult to get a seat out there? I'll be grabbing a cab on debarkation to the airport. Did you notice if there were many cabs waiting outside the Port of Tampa?

 

Thanks!

[AnnieB925]

Sorry, I don't save the Capers.

 

It was difficult to get a chair at the serenity area, but I did persist and was successful on one of our sea days. The lounge chairs are much nicer and the hot tub wasn't crowded at all. We had no problem getting chairs on the other decks and were fine with that also.

 

There were plenty of cabs to get from the airport to the port and also from the port to the airport. We don't bother booking the Carnival transfers anymore. It's just not worth waiting in line. It's a $25 fare (flat fare) and we tipped $5.

 

Sorry it took me so long to get back here. The first week back at work is such a bummer after a cruise!

[LINANRIC]

Thanks anyways Annie. I did manage to get them from someone else.

So you liked the ship? Any good points that you might have.. I just love sea days. I hear alot of people save seats. THATS NOT NICE>>LOL

I will have to sit on the floor..HE HE HE

[AnnieB925]

Let's see, for pointers: I like room service for breakfast and they were extremely prompt.

 

We chose the early seating, which is retrospect, was probably a mistake. We had the least enjoyable tablemates of any cruise we've been on, but they were ok. Typically, we chose the later seating and have more of a leisurely dining experience. The waiters, while efficient, did seem to "rush" a bit more than we'd have liked.

 

The piano bar is a nice spot for an after dinner drink and also where tea is served on a couple of the days. I always drag my poor DH to tea! He's a good sport about it.

 

We're not gamblers at all, so I can't speak to the casino scene. We did enjoy the shows each night. For us this was a quick get away and I tried to stay on my work schedule (thus the early dining time:mad:).

 

In Cozumel we walked from the port to the downtown area and shopped, then had lunch. This was our second time in Cozumel, so we didn't care to do any snorkeling or excursions. Except for our walk into town, it rained for most of the day (rained the last time we were there also.) Had some nice Margaritas and good Mexican food, then took a cab back to the ship!

 

We're wine drinkers, so we bought the wine package on our first day. It's a good value and we enjoyed having the wine at dinner and also being able to take a bottle back to the room for our pre-dinner drink.

 

There was only one cruise elegant night and we did dress for it. I wore a cocktail length dress and my husband wore a jacket/tie. We took our own pictures and did not buy any of the cruise pics.

 

Anything else, ask away!

[myangel]

Hi Annie,

 

Glad you had so much fun! Do you remember the name of the restaurant that had the good mexican food in Cozumel? Thanks!

[AnnieB925]

Hi Annie,

 

Glad you had so much fun! Do you remember the name of the restaurant that had the good mexican food in Cozumel? Thanks!

 

I can't remember the name but it was about half way down the main street, and it was upstairs overlooking a courtyard. They had 2 for 1 margaritas on their sign down on the street. Sorry, I asked DH and he can't remember either. Could it have been those 2 margariatas each? Have fun on the cruise!

[AnnieB925]

It was Mr. Chile.......my credit card was just billed for that lunch. Highly recommend.

[bfkkbc]

the walk from the pier into town? Did you dock at Puenta Maya (sp?) pier?

[elektrawmn]

the walk from the pier into town? Did you dock at Puenta Maya (sp?) pier?

 

 

I'd like to know how far of a walk it is. :)

[Djptcp]

DH and I just booked the Thanksgiving sailing of the Inspiration and appreciate your comments. It looks to be the same as the Fascination and we sail on her several times a year because we live an hour from Jacksonville. We just sailed on a 7-day Holland America cruise several weeks ago and it was the most spectacular cruise ever. We are booked on the Inspiration for May 8th with friends and couldn't wait for another cruise till then, so hence the late booking. It is so addicting:D We love Cozumel and have been there many times. Glad to hear the ship is in good shape.