Review: Imagination 4 night

[PattiPB]

People don't seem to review the shorter cruises out of  Long  Beach, so I wanted to write one for last week. This was  our third Imagination cruise from Long  Beach, and it was great!

 

Pre-cruise: Got to Long  Beach the day before the cruise, and spent the day at Cabrillo Beach (San Pedro) relaxing  in the sun. Stayed at the Golden Sails in Long  Beach, which was a fine hotel 20 minutes from port. On Sunday morning, we  left the  hotel at 10:20, with zero traffic, we were parked in the garage at  10:45. 

 

Embarkation: This is the easiest embarkation port of the many we have used. We were completely checked in and  waiting to board before 11 am. FttF was called at 11:11 (good luck!!) and we were boarded very quickly.  Straight to our stateroom (E90 - right off  the atrium) to drop bags, and we  were at  Guy's Burgers before 11:30.

 

Stateroom: Excellent choice (E 90) for  access to everything. No problems  with noise, smell or  stateroom steward. Received twice-daily cleaning  as requested. Room was in excellent shape, with comfy bedding  and everything in working  order.

 

Dining: Had Anytime dining, which worked  great. Ate all breakfasts in the MDR, and  avoided the  buffet  completely. Lunch was Guys, Blue Iguana or Deli. Sea day brunch was awesome as ever---steak and eggs was great. All dinners  were  good, with many choices, and  we ordered double  appetizers or entrees more than  once. Brought case of Coke Zero and two wine  bottles in carryon, so we brought our own glasses to dinner each night. Worked beautifully. 

 

Day one: Bags were delivered before 12:30, so we were quickly unpacked, and headed to an empty Serenity deck. Relaxed until muster drill, then off  to get dressed for dinner. Yes, we dress for dinner each night. Not over the top, but I wore a  dress, and  my husband wore button up shirt and slacks each night. Comedians were okay this  trip, and we enjoyed family and  adult shows most days. Did a little  dancing in the nightclub. Funniest thing was "80's hour", which was from 10 to 10:15 pm one night! Dance floor was packed for those fifteen minutes!!!

 

Day two - Catalina: Breakfast in the MDR, then ready to tender to Catalina. Expected a crowd, but easily caught  a tender with no wait. Didn't even use FttF tendering. Rented a golf cart for about 90 minutes for a nice  tour. Walked around a bit peeking  into shops for a little while. After that, we lounged on the  beach by the dock for a few hours before returning to the ship for a late  lunch. Short but fun day.

 

Day three - Ensenada: This was a  weird  day. We had breakfast in the  MDR again, and got off  the  ship easily at approximately 10:30. Nice walk into town along the new Malecon. The streets, stores, bars, restaurants were EMPTY. It was  amazing how few people we saw  in Ensenada. Nothing like  our  past visits. We  walked along the main street looking in a few  stores. Had a quick (unsatisfying) lunch at a  street restaurant, then hit our  favorite  Ensenada store that sells stained glass, and headed back to the  ship. In the  two years since  we've  been there, prices across the  board in Ensenada have skyrocketed. Maybe that's why it  was dead. Returned to the  ship for Serenity deck and relaxation around 2:30.

 

Day four: Day at sea started with sea day brunch, and consisted mostly of the  Serenity deck! We went on this trip to relax, and relax we did! Got front row in Serenity, but  it was packed by 10:30 that morning - don't dawdle! 

 

Disembarkation: So quick and easy! They started self-assist at 7 am. Started calling zones  at 8:45, and did a  last call for everyone to disembark by 9:05!!! Short wait for customs, and we were back in the car by 10 am.

 

Overall: An excellent cruise  for first-timers looking to try cruising, or for seasoned  cruisers looking for a relaxing few  days. We don't gamble on ships, and didn't drink too much. The ship was oddly empty for the most part (considering this was Holy Week/Spring  Break). Never a wait at a bar, easy to get chairs on Lido and Serenity, no long  lines at lunch locations. It was downright weird!!! For the  price, it is an excellent value cruising experience, and keeps us satisfied between longer cruises. Next up for  us  a the  Legend Transatlantic 2020!

[bdever]

Love your review! Quick question, does the glass shop in Ensenada sell hand blown glasses? If so, what is the name?

 

im sailing on Inspiration in June and got FTTF, what time do you recommend getting to the terminal with FTTF? 

 

Thanks,

Bethany 

[JaniceB]

Thanks for the review and keep the Legend nice for me, I get on after the Transatlantic.  

[PattiPB]

Bethany: It is stained glass, not handblown. It is on the main street, and I don't even think it has a name! You can't miss it, though. It's a big  shop, and you can see all the  pieces hanging near the entrance. It's more a warehouse than a storefront. The owner/creator is always in there  working.

[PattiPB]

Janice: I'm looking so forward  to that trip!!!! A bit anxious about 16 days, though. I have to say it's a long time  to be  out of  touch with the  kids and my mom.

[PattiPB]

Bethany: I'd follow my timeline for the  Inspiration (another great ship!). Park around 10:45 and you'll barely sit down before you board. It was  beautiful!!!