Just off the Inspiration

[Ruggled]

This was without a doubt the most fun I've ever had on a cruise. DH and I went solo and left a steaming mad 10 year old with his grandparents.

 

We met some fantastic people and had a fabulous time! The ship is in great shape, very clean, and the size of the room was fine for us.

 

The highlights:

 

Great people. Everyone everywhere was very nice. The service on Carnival was excellent from the pursers to the stewards to the most awesome pool server who has ever walked the earth (Inyoman, you rock!) :D

 

Stingray City. Everyone tells you to do it...you must do it, and I'll do it again. Captain Marvins was excellent and I got my 7 years good luck for kissing a stingray--plus a couple of stingray hickeys...;)

 

Tulum Ruins. Ok, it was hot...really hot--and its a long way to get there although the ferry and bus were very comfortable. I didn't particularly like the stopover at the Mayan gift area because I thought the prices were high and the wait to buy anything was too long. The ruins themselve are amazing and our Mayan guide was very interesting. But you MUST pack a bathing suit and spend the second hour you are there at the most breathtaking beach I've ever visited. It was worth it to go once, but not one of those "do it again" type things.

 

Desserts. The desserts were simply awesome. They made up for the average meals...I'll get to that in a minute.

 

Embarkation was a breeze...I don't think we ever stopped moving from the time we went into the terminal until we sat down to eat our lunch! Except for a short line, Disembarkation was fine as well. We did not do self-disembark and I'm glad...the lines were pretty awful for that, but once we were ready to get off, again it took very little time. I think self-disembark has perhaps created too many people trying to leave the ship at the same time now.

 

Not quite as highlights:

 

Food: I found the casual dining and buffet areas to be fine--at least to my expectations. The pizza and sandwiches were great, but I was honestly disappointed in the dining rooms for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We started off with a bang the first night with a great meal, but I had heard that Carnival's food was much better than Disney and RCCL and at least from my experience it was average at best. In fact one night, no one at our table could really find anything on the menu we wanted to eat. :( Also, I was pretty disappointed in the sushi bar--again, no big deal but since people ask about it off and on I'll just say that its not going to blow you away...As I said, the desserts were great and I really enjoyed them but expected a bit more from the food service than I got. Did it ruin my vacation? HECK NO!

 

Carlos and Charlies: OK, not that it was bad...yes, I'm glad I went so I could say I'd been there, done that and bought the T-shirt...but darn it, that place is HOT, the service is slow (which was probably a good thing because I might not have been able to walk out of there if it had been fast). It just came off as a bit overrated for me at any rate...however its not often you get spanked when you drink. :o

 

Other observations:

 

Less kids on this cruise than I expected, but of course school has started. I am not sure my 10 year old would have equal fun on this one as he had on Disney but I didn't observe the kids activities quite so much and there were far fewer of them.

 

Casino odds on the games are pretty darn bad. If you're a video poker fan, don't expect to find a 9/6 game on the ship and you'll need to bet $1 or more a hand to get 8/5 odds. Table games are certainly your best bet.

 

I didn't see one show, but did see two comedians late night--one better than the other. I wish Carnival had an afternoon matinee show.

 

Beware! Picture taking opportunities are aplenty...our friends kept the photographers in business. Don't be afraid to do some of the silly casual pictures. One of the best ones we have is of my DH wearing a big sombrero with three of us girls standing around him. Have fun with it!

 

Could the security guards at the pool and clubs be a bit nicer? Geesh! I think they were the only Carnival employees who don't smile. Is that necessary? I know they're enforcing the rules but I just wish they'd be nicer about it.

 

I'll sail on Carnival again without a doubt and would go back on the Inspiration in a minute. We met some great people who I expect we'll be keeping in touch with (and cruising with again) in the future. I may have just been unlucky with food this time around--who knows! :D

[loppster]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing in just over 30 days and cannot wait.

[momsoftwins]

thanks so much for the review i leave this monday...great to hear your good time

[Doughboy77]

Thanks for the review! Did you find any secret spots on the ship that aren't as busy as the main areas?

[cherun]

thanks for the review we go in October and didn't know much about the ship. You sound alot like me and can go with the flow, I don't look for anything to ruin my trip, I am just glad to be gone..

[seashell36]

Thanks for the review Debbie. DH & I will be on the Inspiration on 10-10-05, can't wait! Which of the comedians did you like?

[Jaxgal]

Thanks for the review...I can' wait till my trip in Nov.!! ;)

[ritarussell]

Thanks for the review. Jaxgal - when in November do you cruise? we are cruising November 12??

[CruiseZapper]

thanks for the review, we sail her on the 17th of nov. first time on this ship,

[NorthAlabama]

:) I am really enjoying reading the post...I am headed to Tampa for a cruise on the Inspiration, just two weeks away.

I was booked on the Sensation, but that was not meant to be!

Hopefully the weather will be nice and the water smooth.

This is my first cruise and I don't want to spend it sick! :eek:

 

Happy Sailing everyone.

[gingerbug77]

thanks for the review, we sail her on the 17th of nov. first time on this ship,

 

We sail on the Inspiration on Nov. 17th, too!

[Ruggled]

If you like to have a good time and can go with the flow...no doubt you'll enjoy yourselves, everyone!

 

 

Doughboy77: I didn't actively seek out a lot of quite places ;) However, if you are prone to noise overload, stay away from the main pool with the slide. The aft pool is quiet--in fact you can't even hear the music from the main pool back there. There are plenty of little nooks and crannies forward and aft you can find.

 

seashell36: Kenny Miller was the comedian on the last night, and I thought he was pretty funny. I can't remember the first fellow's name--but his PG act from the shows was apparently funnier than his R-rated midnight act, I only saw the late one but just didn't find him particularly funny.

 

I wish everyone smooth seas!

[Jaxgal]

ritarussell....we cruise on Nov 26th. :D