My Imagination Review

[pasto5]

We got back from our Imagination cruise late Monday 1/17. We were a group of 10 ranging in age fron 11-53, Only one member of the group was a first time cruiser and 6 of us were Carnival repeat cruisers. Our trip took us to Key West and Cozumel.

We got the the ship about 11:15 and were on the ship before 12:00. The embarcation process was smooth and better than we expected. Just after we got there, we noticed a wedding going on in the Library. It was a great way to start a cruise! The Imagination looks well kept.........it was bright and colorful with no signs of wear and tear. We found our rooms and went up to get lunch. We enjoyed watching the ship sail from Miami watching the big homes and South Beach in the distance. The big highlight of the first day was that my son and his girlfriend split a $2000 jackpot in Bingo. It paid for their bar bill plus.

Over all our trip was OK but we found a number of things lacking that we had experienced on the Sensation when we sailed in 2000. We did run into a number of grouchy crew members although overall, the staff was cheerful and attentive. We only saw our room steward twice and had several requests never filled although we asked a number of times. I left my wet beach towel on the floor to be replaced after our excursion to Cozumel. It was never replaced although the next day was at sea and I wanted another to take to the pool. The room service menu "disappeared" the day before we docked so I couldn't use it the last night. We had to ask for one the first night anyway. The food was fun and well presented in the dining room. We did see people in shorts and jeans although we didn't care. I do find the forced singing by the waiters comical as they sang in Italian with all their different accents! There were a number of other frustrations like gettiing charged for bottled water that we never had in our room in the first place, having great difficulty getting the bill straightened out,having toruble getting people's cabin numbers switched from within our group. ( we never got the keys reconciled)

There was a color competition going on which was assigned by where you sat in the dining room. My daughter went to Karoke every night to gain points for our team..White. I also went to a number of activites that were advertised as color events such as Trivia, Dr. Phil's Sex Game etc. At none of these was any effort made to get information about what team you were playing for. The Scavengar hunt was a joke since it occured right after another event and there was no time or warning about getting things from your cabin. The activites staff looked bored with low energy when presenting the activities. I didn't find many acitivites that any of us wanted to particpate in. The shows at night were fabulous.........In America and SHout were the big shows.There were very few Fitness Center events that were free. We all wanted to play mini-golf together but there were never more thna 4 golf clubs. We asked for more but were told that was all they had. My sons were diappointed that there was no shuffle board. I was spoiled by RCCL's program that allows you to earn points towards merchandise by participating in events. We enjoyed watching the NFL playoffs on several big screen TVS although there wasn't enough seating for a large number of people who wanted to watch. It would have been much better to have it in a larger lounge instead of the tiny bar they put us in.

Our overall impression of this trip is that Carnival tries to make up the lower cost by constantly trying to sell you things or charging for activiites. The photo taking was at a frenzied pace. Every time we turned around, someone was trying to take your picture or sell you a drink or souvenir. We were all set to book our 30th anniversary cruise to Hawaii on this trip but decided that we won't cruise Carnival again in the near future. I am sure that many people reading this will think that we are picky or were one of the few who were unhappy. That is very far from the truth..........We just wanted to spend family time together and didn't expect much, just some basic experiences. And we talked to about 30 other people on the cruise who felt the same way we did. We will try RCCL even if it costs a little more since our two cruises with them have been very positive. I will continue to have an open mind about Carnival but this experience wasn't one that would make me want to reccomend it. It is ironic that the Imagination is the #2 ship in the Carnival fleet.!

[digit]

You had me at $2000 jackpot.

We leave aboard the Imagination on 1/30 and I am pumped! First ever cruise.:)

[cantwait2cruise]

"We did run into a number of grouchy crew members although overall, the staff was cheerful and attentive. "

 

We did too on our cruise last June... :mad:

[pasto5]

You had me at $2000 jackpot.

We leave aboard the Imagination on 1/30 and I am pumped! First ever cruise.:)

I really enjoyed the cruise but most of my family didn't I loved not having to cook, clean or answer the phone!

[ouphikap21]

Thanks for the feedback. I leave on the 1/31 cruise to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We are both first time cruisers so hopefully we have a better experience then you. Although I think if we won the $2k we'd be plenty happy! How were the Craps tables?

[pasto5]

Thanks for the feedback. I leave on the 1/31 cruise to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. We are both first time cruisers so hopefully we have a better experience then you. Although I think if we won the $2k we'd be plenty happy! How were the Craps tables?

Actually they split it three ways so only won $670. The casino was very busy and I heard that there were several big winners. My younger son won $60 on a 25 cent slot machine the same night they won bingo. I rubbed his head for good luck but it didn't slide over to me!

[MR.B]

My Wife And I Will Be On This Ship 1/31/05 And We Were From Upstate N.y. Too. This Will Be Our 6th Cruise And The 2nd With Cc.were Looking Forward To Warm Weather And Touring Ocho Rios And The Caymons. Stingrays+waterfalls+beachs+rullet+blackjack+shows+food+ R&r What More Could You Ask For

[pasto5]

My Wife And I Will Be On This Ship 1/31/05 And We Were From Upstate N.y. Too. This Will Be Our 6th Cruise And The 2nd With Cc.were Looking Forward To Warm Weather And Touring Ocho Rios And The Caymons. Stingrays+waterfalls+beachs+rullet+blackjack+shows+food+ R&r What More Could You Ask For

Hi Mr. B,

You are taking the other itinerary. We probably should have done that also since Key West was a bust for most of our party. Our next trip will be to some different ports. I wish we were there now since we have about 16 inches of snow on the ground and it is predicted to be 14 below zero tonight!

[workingmom]

Thank you for your great review! I've been looking for info on the Imagination and it is limited at best.

 

We're taking the same cruise as you on 2/10 on the Imagination. I'm bummed, but at least now we'll be prepared. We're rbinging our 17 month old, did you use the baby sitting at all?

 

How was the food? I will lock our room service menu in the safe ;)

 

Also, why was Key West a bust and what did you do in Cozumel?

 

Looking for ideas - we're going as part of a large wedding.

[serene56]

Linda: what Royal Cruises have you taken?

[pasto5]

Thank you for your great review! I've been looking for info on the Imagination and it is limited at best.

 

We're taking the same cruise as you on 2/10 on the Imagination. I'm bummed, but at least now we'll be prepared. We're rbinging our 17 month old, did you use the baby sitting at all?

 

How was the food? I will lock our room service menu in the safe ;)

 

Also, why was Key West a bust and what did you do in Cozumel?

 

Looking for ideas - we're going as part of a large wedding.

The food was great...we had too many good choices every night. And we loved the pizza! Key West was a bust for most of our group but my husband and I enjoyed it. There weren't many excursions offered and we docked at 7:30 am which was too early for most of them. And then we had to be back on ship by 1:30pm. We took the Conch Train trip which we did not book through the ship. It saved us almost $10/person. We went to Paradise Beach at Cozumel ( 6 0f us did) and the other 4 went deep sea fishing which they enjoyed. It was a fun trip. We didn't use the babysitting because the kids on the trip were 11, 15 and 17.

[pasto5]

Linda: what Royal Cruises have you taken?

Hi Serene,

We have been on the Legend of the Seas for an Alaska cruise ( all of us but one that was on the Imagination) and my DH and I took the Soverign of the Seas to the Bahamas for our 25th anniversary.

[colette5479]

Thanks for the review. I did not find you to be picky whatsoever. You didn't seem to dwell on the negatives and it sounded as if you still had a great time!:)

[pasto5]

Thanks for the review. I did not find you to be picky whatsoever. You didn't seem to dwell on the negatives and it sounded as if you still had a great time!:)

Hi Colette,

We did have a fine time and were planning our next trip before we disenbarked. I don't think we will sail on Carnival next time mainly because RCI offers more that appeals to the mix of us that sail together.

[mc'smom]

I loved your review and it made me howl with laughter

 

that the exact same things take place on all of Carnivals ships, the singing during dinner etc. I just wrote my review of the Victory ( my first real cruise) although long and realize that I don;t like my vacations to be repetative... so I know for sure I will try another crusie line for my next vacation

 

You did not dwell on the negative,and gave only your experiences

thanks so much

[Gamecock Jeff]

I am sailing on the Imagination on February 28th. We are going to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman as well. I can't wait!

 

I thought they took the room service menu's out of the rooms on the last night because it was not available then?

[SouthernCaribbean]

I am sailing on the Imagination on February 28th. We are going to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman as well. I can't wait!

 

I thought they took the room service menu's out of the rooms on the last night because it was not available then?

 

You can order room service the last night

[pasto5]

I am sailing on the Imagination on February 28th. We are going to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman as well. I can't wait!

 

I thought they took the room service menu's out of the rooms on the last night because it was not available then?

Hi Jeff,

The other two cabins had their's but they had a different room steward. We had to beg for one on the first day to start with! I have yet to order room service in the four cruises I sailed on! I guess that means I will have to keep sailing.

[angelsil]

We were on the Imagination 1/3 and were similarly disappointed by much of the service. Compared to our Fascination trip in 01/04, it was a real letdown.

[workingmom]

Ok, I have to ask - what's a Goth cruise?

 

Do you avoid the sundeck at all costs? ;)

[angelsil]

Ok, I have to ask - what's a Goth cruise?

 

Do you avoid the sundeck at all costs? ;)

 

GothCruise is a bunch of folks in black cruising together. We get to bring our own DJs and have our own events.

 

Some of the folks avoid the sundeck; others wear SPF 1000; I happen to like the sun. I've had my "gothcard" revoked for getting a tan.

[digit]

My Wife And I Will Be On This Ship 1/31/05 And We Were From Upstate N.y. Too. This Will Be Our 6th Cruise And The 2nd With Cc.were Looking Forward To Warm Weather And Touring Ocho Rios And The Caymons. Stingrays+waterfalls+beachs+rullet+blackjack+shows+food+ R&r What More Could You Ask For

Hey MR.B, we are cruise mates. Me and me lady will also be on the imagination 1/31/05. If you read this before we set sail lets designate a location to meet up for drinks.

[MyImagination]

Hi Jeff,

The other two cabins had their's but they had a different room steward. We had to beg for one on the first day to start with! I have yet to order room service in the four cruises I sailed on! I guess that means I will have to keep sailing.

 

heeh Linda next time just dial up room service. They are more than welcome to tell you whats on the menu. I have always had a menu in the room.

But I like your idea of "keep sailing" :D

[heat19cruiser]

hey everyone, i am a new member to this site. my family and i will be sailing on the imagination on 2/19 - 2/24. we will be visiting the grand cayman's and ocho rios. this will be my wife's and my first cruise. I am excited about the entire trip. someone please take the time and tell me about the casino and bingo... it was awesome to hear that someone won $2000 at bingo (that means there is hope for me!) what is the casino like? how many blackjack tables are there? are there any texas holdem tables? and i highly doubt it, but are there any craps tables?

 

 

oh yeah, one more thing, i am a huge NASCAR fan and will be on the ship during the daytona 500! will there be a bar on the ship that will have it on?

 

thanks in advance!

[MyImagination]

hey everyone, i am a new member to this site. my family and i will be sailing on the imagination on 2/19 - 2/24. we will be visiting the grand cayman's and ocho rios. this will be my wife's and my first cruise. I am excited about the entire trip. someone please take the time and tell me about the casino and bingo... it was awesome to hear that someone won $2000 at bingo (that means there is hope for me!) what is the casino like? how many blackjack tables are there? are there any texas holdem tables? and i highly doubt it, but are there any craps tables?

 

 

oh yeah, one more thing, i am a huge NASCAR fan and will be on the ship during the daytona 500! will there be a bar on the ship that will have it on?

 

thanks in advance!

 

There is a craps table. No texas hold' em. Several bj tables with various minimums $5, $10 $25