SURPRISE! Carnival Inspiration 3-day significant changes...

[SoCalKJ]

...from the last half-dozen itinerary benefits I'd grown to enjoy...

 

I sailed this past weekend with my BGF for his 1st cruise - man! Nothing like talking about all the awesome stuff he can expect to enjoy...and then finding it gone/changed/now-for-a-fee/etc...:eek:

 

* Obviously, bringing your own water isn't an option, but $2.99 pre-purchase for a 12-pack wasn't THAT BIG a deal...so I'm cool with that (and so are my back and neck)!

 

* Women's steam room was out-of-order - no ETA on it being fixed and no compensation (even a dang strawberry) for the inconvenience.

 

* Speaking of strawberries...NO chocolate-covered delights anymore for Platinum/above guests on 3-day sailings.

 

* Lobster on Elegant night is now an extra $20.

 

* Blackjack Tournament wasn't offered...Slots Tourney was, but not Blackjack.

 

* Sea Day Trivia was sparse...where there used to be everything from malt-shop oldies, classic rock, motown, movie themes, etc...is now down to Star Wars, Michael Jackson and 80's. All other Trivia was offered during Ensenada day...right in the middle of when most everyone is OFF THE SHIP! Boo!!

 

* Salmon is no longer an option printed on the Continental Breakfast Room Service Placard...so much for my exciting Bagel. :(

 

* Several items have been removed from the sandwich station inside the Buffet - however, when I asked why they don't offer the cold turkey wrap (inside the half tortilla), he said they still do. Point being: ask and ye MAY receive.

 

I have a great time EVERY TIME I sail, but there were an unreasonable amount of out-of-order things (hot chocolate, coffee, steam room) that kinda made it a bummer. I love the Inspiration and she's been an amazing vessel to experience time and time again, but she is older and needs either a complete overhaul or to be retired completely.

 

Side Note: I want to wish the Husband and family/friends of the lady who passed away Sunday night in the Atrium my prayers of courage, strength, peace and love. We witnessed the last series of attempted CPR compressions, but security and staff had to block the area with sheets so there could remain an obvious sense of privacy and dignity as her spirit set sail. All that we random guests/lookie-loos knew was that this woman was in ill-health and had a trach and wheelchair anyway, but she was feeling a shortness of breath, started to push her wheelchair behind it and somehow collapsed by the glass elevators. May she rest in peace. If only we can all go like that: quickly with minimal suffering - while doing what we love. For me...it's cruising.

 

Happy Holidays, everyone.

[SadieN]

Sailed on her last weekend. We've sailed with Melody on other ships and she seems to schedule less trivia than Jeff did. (Sailed this itin way too many times, lol.)

 

The drink machines were working on our cruise but they closed the outside ones when the outside was closed and one side inside late at night. We just had issues with the waiters keeping up with clean cups and mugs in the buffet.

[JGB]

Sadie may I ask how you spend a typical day/evening on board. I ask because I am now starting to take repeat trips. I have been to the shows, done the art thing and other activities. Have not attended the piano bar and intend to do so. But you have been on so many short trips what is your typical day/evening like?

John

[SadieN]

We are comfortable doing 'nothing', never had a need to be entertained. At times we are bored but that's easily fixed.

 

Evenings---The first night we'll check out the Piano Bar. If we like the entertainer then we will probably be there every night at some point.

At times we will go to the production shows. Comedy shows if it's a comedian we like or a new one. We've seen a few that do not change it up and we can 'sing along' with their routine.

Dinner depends on what's being served on the buffet and how the hostesses handle ATD. This past cruise we ate all out dinners in the MDR as our favorite waitress was back onboard. We've sailed with her for at least 5 years.

No too sure where the time goes on sea days. We eat a late breakfast, graze during lunch. We really don't do any of the planned activities but the day is busy. We do a lot of people watching. We have our favorite places to sit and watch the water.

Port days our biggest decision is where to eat on Catalina and in Ensenada.

 

We've done 8 group cruises with mostly the same friends. Those are different than the ones with family.

[JGB]

Sadie...thank you so much for your detailed response. I too enjoy people watching, I get a latte and sit on promenade deck just outside the casino and enjoy the happiness of cruisers as they pass by.

I spend way too much time in the casino, now I am looking to simplify things and relax.(not totally cutting out the casino because I do like the action).

John

[DevCruise]

Sadie....if you have another Inspiration cruise scheduled in the near future, I have a favor to ask....:)

[SadieN]

Wish we did.

[Linda the Book Lover]

SoCalKJ - I am glad you enjoyed your cruise and sorry about the strawberries!

 

John - Last year my DD and I sat and watched people lose at the money packet machine outside of the casino. It was a great place to listen to the music, watch the band, and get drinks from the bar. We kept waiting for someone to win and no one did while we watched for almost two hours. :eek: Yep we will sit there again in July!

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

We've never sailed on Inspiration but we do the Imagination. We are on her again in 30 days. And way back in the day we did the same itinerary on the Ecstasy. We are partial to Imagination because we got married on her. Is there much difference between the two ships?

[Linda the Book Lover]

They are the same though I did read somewhere on CC about the addition of Guys Burgers and another eatery though I cannot remember when they will be added. I found the staff nicer on the Inspiration so we booked that ship again.

[SoCalKJ]

SoCalKJ - I am glad you enjoyed your cruise and sorry about the strawberries!

 

....That's kinda funny. If only it were only about the strawberries! :D

[Linda the Book Lover]

....That's kinda funny. If only it were only about the strawberries! :D

 

LOL for me it is always about the chocolate strawberries :)

[SadieN]

They are the same though I did read somewhere on CC about the addition of Guys Burgers and another eatery though I cannot remember when they will be added. I found the staff nicer on the Inspiration so we booked that ship again.

 

 

Decor is different. The Imagination's buffet is very toned down compared to the Inspiration's.

 

Inspiration is getting Guy's, Iguana and Red Frog this next dry dock.

[crusinpsychRN]

 

Inspiration is getting Guy's, Iguana and Red Frog this next dry dock.

 

That's great. Hope they do it on other Fantasy class ships.

 

The OP's list is a significant number of things. Wouldn't miss the strawberries, Yuck! Time to change the choice on longer cruises. And please no lox!!