Solo review of Carnival Imagination

[patriots00celtics]

November 17, 2013.....

I (27 male) left my snowy home in Vermont by bus to Logan Airport in Boston, then flew from there to Miami Airport............... No troubles everything went smooth, I arrived in Miami at about 830pm.............. I took a taxi from the airport to The Leamington Hotel, the driver charged me 30 dollars.............. I booked The Leamington hotel online for 99USD per night, which is cheap for Miami.................. The Hotel was very trashy, I actually slept over the covers and fully clothed, do not stay here, spend the extra money for a better room.............. The Leamington did offer, and I used, a free shuttle to the port...........

[patriots00celtics]

November 18, 2013.......

 

Today we embark....... I arrived at the port by shuttle from The Leamington Hotel at about 1115am........... I checked one bag at the door and gave a 5 dollar tip.......... There was a short line and all the employees were very helpful and friendly............... I was on board by 1140am, we left port at 5pm, muster at 430............

Once onboard (my first cruise ever) I went up to lido to the buffet to eat, the food was surprisingly good............... I then roamed around the ship to try to figure things out, took a few days but I eventually knew where I was going............

My room was ready by 2pm........... I had an interior stateroom, it was surprisingly new looking, very clean, and I was very happy about this..............

My room steward knocks on my door shortly after I arrived to introduce himself and offer his services, he knew I was solo and told me I'd have a blast, he was great the whole trip and always seemed in a good mood........

 

I booked my shore excursions for Key West and Cozumel (kayaking and beginner's scuba)............... I spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun, and taking in the scenery, just loving life, enjoying time off from work................

Cruisers were friendly, I had the time of my life............... and Heineken costs less than Bud Light, I'm in heaven and laughing................ It was Five dollars and some change for a pint of beer, not bad of a price, I drank alot on this trip and my final bill was not as bad as I thought it would be....................

 

I ate at Lido buffet the entire trip and was very happy with the quality of the food, but I'm sure it's all about timing............ Free drinks can be had at Lido Buffet................ I had too much to do on board to want to sit at dinner........... But maybe next cruise I'll try it............

 

The welcome aboard show was great, all the performers on this ship are very good at what they do.............. Macio the comedian is a must see, what a funny show this is.......... The cruise director and his staff are all funny, energetic and very welcoming................ I hope my next cruise has a crew as good as the one on Imagination........

 

After the late night comedy show, I hit the sack (1230am), we'd be in Key West at 7am............

 

My god the bedding is soooo comfortable.................

[patriots00celtics]

November 19, 2013.....................

 

After a great night's sleep, I'm up at 6am and we are already at port................ I ate breakfast at Lido and headed outside to meet up for my kayaking excursion............... I booked both of my excursions through carnival, I figured this would be best since it was my first cruise and I was solo, plus we were in Key West for only 6 hours...............

 

Kayaking was awesome, the guide gave us the choice of double or single kayaks.............. I love kayaking at home so this was really cool for me to be kayaking in Key West, It is beautiful down there............... The company carnival uses (Lazy Dog) was great, the driver was very informative the entire commute, and he had a great sense of humor......... The guides were great too..................

 

I walked around a little bit and then it was back to the ship to sail away............ Not enough time in Key West................

I lounged out on the deck drank a bunch of Heineken and soaked up the sun, there is snow back home so I want as much as I can get................

Once the sun went down I went to Lido ate real quick and it was again pretty good.............. I went to go see one of the production shows, It was great, better than I thought it would be................. After the show, I hit the Casino for an hour, then off the the Comedy Show....... Comedians again were great.... After the comedy, it was off to the dance club before bed...........Booty shaking contest...............

[patriots00celtics]

November 20, 2013.........

 

I woke up around 930am............ we would be in Cozumel at 100pm............. I ate my breakfast and played a little mini golf before watching us dock.............. there were two other ships at port.............. The weather was perfect, not humid at all............

 

I got off the ship and met up with my group for Beginner's Scuba diving, another first for me...... Out of 2000 people there were only six of us, I couldn't believe it............

After a two mile drive we were at the dive site............ There were lockers available for 2 dollars to lock your stuff up while you dive............. We took a twenty minute class on how to use your equipment, how to decompress your body on the way down, and how to clear water from your goggles without surfacing.........

Scuba diving is not for everyone and is harder than it looks............ I want to get my certification now that I have had a taste............. We went down to almost 30 feet on this dive, the corral was beautiful and the wildlife was jaw dropping................ Very glad I did this and will do it again the next time I'm in Cozumel..............

After my dive, I decided to walk back to the port.............. Cozumel was alot of fun, I had a few drinks then went back to the ship to eat some more good prepaid food............. We left port at about 1030pm........

 

I hit the casino at 1100pm, there was no comedy show tonight............ I'm glad I did because I did well here this night............ at around 1230am the cruise director made an announcement over the intercom, we were turning the ship around and going back to Cozumel due to a medical emergency, someone needed to be evacuated......... I later learned someone had a stroke ..................

I do tip the dealers and I tipped my room steward for his great work........

[patriots00celtics]

So here are a few pictures.................

 

 

 

[patriots00celtics]

November 21, 2013............

 

A day at sea, I slept in until about 930am.......... I walked around a little and found myself poolside drinking margaritas by 1230pm, enjoying music and games............. The Men won in the Battles of the Sexes pool game, hilarious.............. Spa was giving massages on deck for one dollar per minute........... Many of the waiters know my name by now and that is nice.......

Of course the ice carving demo was amazing.......... Waterworks is fun too, the ship was a blast.......... Again the Staff made it very enjoyable..........

The Love and Marriage game was really funny............ I watched another production show that was good but not as good as the other's......... Both comedians were great again, and the director and assistant director were great too...........

 

Putting my luggage outside my door was the worst part of the cruise, I didn't want to leave, 4 nights was not enough for me.................

[patriots00celtics]

November 22, 2013...........

 

I woke up at about 6am............ The Captain made an announcement, the passenger we evacuated, after emergency surgery, was doing fine......... Debarking was well organized and we were all off the ship within a decent time............ After getting my bag and through customs, I'm off to The Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort, a much better stay than The Leamington........... I'd spend one night in Miami before heading home..........

 

 

 

 

I will cruise again solo....... I had the time of my life...........

[Jimmy Jams]

Glad to hear you had a good time. I am going on my first solo in Feb. I like it when I see people with positive experiences and who had a good time. Still a little unsure about this whole solo thing, but I am looking forward to it. Thanks for the review

[maureencruiser]

Pats/Celts, I'm so glad that you loved it. I was smiling so big reading your review. You are a man of few words, but, so many of your words are positive. I see you booked another Carnival cruise for the spring. Enjoy and keep that positive attitude. :)

[law1956]

My first solo (I had cruised with friends and family before) was a 15 day circle San Diego-Hawaii cruise and it was heaven! Nobody to answer to but myself, no being responsible for whether anyone else was enjoying themselves, sleeping (or not!), eating where and when I wanted to- I could go on- I still enjoy going with friends and family but don't regret the solo experience one bit and would do it again if that's what I needed to do to go on vacation!

Glad you had a good experience-

PS- envious that you got out of the snow and cold here!

 

Lynn

Edited December 3, 2013 by law1956

[patriots00celtics]

Yes I can not wait to go again, the bedding on the Imagination was so comfy, now I'm having trouble sleeping in my own bed...... I was pretty nervous going on this trip being my first flight and first time at sea, but both went way better than expected...... Carnival Imagination has a very humorous crew, very entertaining, I hope Victory will be the same........ I'm definitely addicted, it was the perfect atmosphere for me, my goal is now two cruises per year!!!!!!!!

[maureencruiser]

Yes I can not wait to go again, the bedding on the Imagination was so comfy, now I'm having trouble sleeping in my own bed...... I'm definitely addicted, it was the perfect atmosphere for me, my goal is now two cruises per year!!!!!!!!

 

I know what you mean, my bed on the Allure was so comfy!! Where in VT are you from? I have family in St Albans. :)

[lady_mac]

Nice to hear that you had a great time on your first cruise.

 

Welcome to the club.

[patriots00celtics]

Lady Mac thanks and a great club it is........

 

maureencruiser; I live in Morgan....... I work around St Albans alot, our last job over there was in Milton, and will be headed to Bolton soon, I am a logger by the way.... and I'm Jealous of your upcoming cruise, have fun and soak up some sun for me

Edited December 4, 2013 by patriots00celtics

[maureencruiser]

I'm on my way tomorrow! Some of my family work in a state park up that way - is there a North Hero State Park, that sounds familiar...:)

[patriots00celtics]

Yes there is.... Enjoy your trip, cheers