The Imagination!

[Bandmaster]

I just returned from a four night cruise off on the Imagination...my wife and I had the best of the nine cruises we have taken so far - seven of those on Carnival. The crew of this ship is so willing to please and made our cruise just fabulous.

There were few kids and teens since school is in and Spring Break is over, so there were no real issues of unsupervised children or selfish and obnoxious teens. There was a great cross section of cruisers which made for a great mix of people.

We flew in to Miami on Wednesday - the night before - and stayed at the Holiday Inn across from Bayside. It was fine, small rooms, but clean. The staff was not particularly freindly and they gave me a room with two doubles instead of the king room I had confirmed. The morning manager gave us free breakfast which made up for it. A post cruise note: We did not fly out of Miami until 3:00 on Monday and we were off the ship by 8:15 am. The Holiday Inn would not even consider holding our luggage for us - even for a fee - and they were not even nice about it. The South Beach Tour was sold out, so we had to drag our luggage to Bayside unitl about noon. That was somewhat of a bummer and I will reconsider staying at that Holiday Inn again because of their attitude. However - the hotel is moderately priced, clean, and very convenient to the port.

We ate dinner at Bubba Gump's across the stree, went shopping at Bayside the next morning and were at the port five minutes after getting into the cab - $8.50

We dropped off our luggage with the porter and went in to register. We had already filled out the FunPass and within two minutes, we were going through security and at 10:30, we were in the first chairs in the waiting area. At 11:40, we were on the ship - Whoo Hoo!

Our cabin was perfectly located on the Empress Deck - E80. It is a handicapped accessible room - (we're not handicapped, but it worked for us) - The shower was great! Nice pressure and a big stream of water coming out. Our room steard - Charles from Trinidad/TObago, was rarely seen, but did a great job keeping everything fresh and clean. The location of the room is parallel to the Photo Gallery and it was so convenient to everything.

We had Min and Rico for our waiters in the Spirit Dining Room - 5:45 seating -and they were so friendly and willing to do anything to please us. We were seated at a table for eight and no tablemates ever showed up. We enjoy meeting other people at dinner, but we had private table service all to ourselves. The dining room food is excellent - everything was great. I believe the quality of the buffet has gone down dramatically from what it used to be, but I give the dining room four stars! I got the Warm chocolate melting cake with extra ice cream each night!

The shows were wonderful. I produce shows for a living and I appreciated the energy and enthusiasm the performers echibited. I am very judgemental about shows and it is difficult to impress me, but I thoroughly enjoyed the shows I attended in the Dynasty Lounge. Malcolm, the Cruise Director (Whoo Hoo) is really great! And the entertainment staff is good about not making constant announcements. I give the entertainment four stars...A note: Though Malcolm ws great on stage, when pax tried to talk to him or be friendly when we would see him on the ship - he was rather distant and cold - not what his stage personae is... oh well, I guess you can't stay "up" all the time! My wife and I won the "Not so Newlywed Game!" Whoo Hoo! Got a ship on a stick!

In Key West, we rented a scooter at Paradise rentals for about $60.00 and toured the island on our own - had a great time! This is a weird stop because of the time - 7:00 am - 1:00 pm, but we had an excellent time.

Calica is another weird stop - a rock quarry! We had be there before and to Playa and Tulum, Xel-Ha, etc, so we rented a Jeep Wrangler and explored on our own. Executive Rental is right there at the port and we got one for $80.00. We went to Akumal Beach, Yul-Ha Lagoon, and snorkeled. We went to this amazing restaurant on Akumal Beach - La Buena Vida. It is very quaint, with a sandy floor, palapas, an amazinf view of the ocean, and treehouses where you can eat and drink, and...! Whoo Hoo! We spent about two and a half hours there and it was one of the best times I have ever spent on a beach! The food is wonderful and very moderately priced. This was a port stop that created lifetime memories!

Other info - The slots were VERY tight...my wife won at the craps table...good games and energy around the pool...WONDERFUL beds and bedding...very friendly service...personable Captain - who is visible around the ship...every port - we arrived early...even though the ship is going into dry dock (I think in September) it is still looking good. The only thing I thought was down in quality is the buffet food - and it was significantly down from my past cruises.

My wife and I had a tremendous time and I am grateful to Carnival for making my crusie experience so fun. It is a true Fun Ship!

If you have any questions, ask away and I will check the boards each day to answer. Happy Crusiing! WHoo Hoo Carnival!

[cruisenk]

Thank you for the great, informative review. I am glad you had a wonderful cruise. We will be on the Imagination in October and you got me even more excited. Thanks also for the info on Calica and things to do.

[BeachTeach]

Thanks for the great review! I'm going on the Imagination in March. I love reading reviews!

[Rainberry]

Thanks for the review, I will be on the Imagination this Saturday!!!

[Jenisis33]

Thank you for the review, I am leaving for the exact same cruise next Thursday! How was the cab situation in Calica? We are planning on getting a cab to Playa Del Carmen instead of any excursions...

[Bases5]

Sounded like a great trip. We are heading on here for the 3rd time, Was the pizza still good?

[Debra Lynn]

Thanks for the review... I will be on Imagination on June 14 and can't wait. I will be on Empress E81 and I have been concerned about it being directly under the dining room... did you have any noise???

[WeatherGeek]

Thanks for the review. We're going on this exact same cruise in a few weeks. I'm glad you had a great time!

[Mikel1733]

Excellent review...........if we hadn't already taken the same cruise we would definitely book one now. As a matter a fact we might again anyway.:)

 

We also stayed at the Holiday Inn. We did get the King and really enjoyed the room looking over Bayside and the Port. We woke up...opened the curtains and saw the Imagination waiting for us.

 

We really enjoyed the crew on the ship. This was our 8th cruise with Carnival and this crew was by far the most friendly. Like you we got right on the ship and were able to start the 1st day quite early.

 

We really enjoyed Calica.......we went to Xcaret and really want to take our family next time. The underground river was absolutely wonderful. But I would also love to rent a jeep and go our own way also.

 

Thaks for the great review. Glad you had a great trip.

[Bandmaster]

There are plenty of cabs at Calica - you will have no problem...the pizza is wonderful and always hot...We experienced no noise in our room - E80. I don't think it is directly under the dining room. Oh, to be back on the Imagination! It goes into dry dock in September, so you October cruisers will really have a great time with the new Imagination!

[Chigirlcruzin]

Thanks! I'm going to be with Jenesis and Bases next week! Can't wait! She was my first cruise and I can't wait to go back!

[sea*siren]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like you and your wife had a great time :) ~Makes me look forward to December even more!

[Las Vegas Non Rev]

imagination three times. She is a great ship.

[imallset]

I was on the same cruise as OP and it was my first cruise ever and will NEVER be my last!!!! I actually cried on the last night because I had so much fun.

I did not have one negative experience whatsoever. I saw only one person being rude to another (over a chair of all things) and I cannot imagine a trip being so perfect for what I wanted.

In Key West we went on our own which was fine, we had a great time. Calica we decided to do the Xcaret and loved it. My friends and I just cannot explain how nice everyone was on the ship. I am the type to talk to everyone and did. Our flight in was the night before and we stayed at the Hyatt Regency which was wonderful. We flew into FLL and took a limo from floridalimo for $64 for 3 people. Hotel was nice and clean and got us a cab the following morning for about $9 to pier. Like the OP we also got right in and were on the ship early. Room was clean (we also had Charles!) dinner our waiter was Tony Yay Tony you rock!!!. We saw the late night adult comedian, he was a trip! Made a fool of myself at muster when I couldnt get my lifejacket on.........haha. Only went into casino for a bit at slots, but spent plenty of time visiting all the lounges and spent ALOT of time on the Lido deck (glug glug)

Long flight and messed up flight back home.....oh well But came home to my family waiting complete with a messy house and loads of dishes..ugh.

Miss it already and cant wait to go again.

Thanks to all of you for your advice prior, it was a godsend!!!

Imagination I love it :D

[cruising3times]

We were also on this cruise and I saw you in the Newlywed Game, I assume you are the middle couple on the stage, the couple that has been married 25 years. We also had a wonderful time , it was our 12th cruise, our 11th on Carnival. We really enjoyed the platinum benefits. We were in cabin E152 and had the best room steward that we have ever had. We cruised with Malcolm before when he was Maraschal Stanton's assistant, we enjoyed him then and enjoyed him now. I have seen the Newlywed game on ships many times and he had new jokes which I really appreciated. We talked to him and he said that he was filling in on this ship and that he hoped to be assigned to his own ship. I won 120.00 in Bingo so that really topped off a fantastic cruise.

[Bandmaster]

Cruising3Times - You saw the Newlywed game?!?! Yes, we were the couple in the middle - You know WAY too much about me! Remember - What happens on the ship - STAYS on the ship! Blessings!

[Jenisis33]

Why couldnt you get your life jacket on :eek: Now I'm freaking out!

[cruising3times]

Yes Bandmaster I saw you and your wife in the Newlywed game, LOL. It was a lot of fun. I agree with you about the cruise, it was fantastic. And I really enjoyed reading your great review.

[BKNYChick]

This is perfect. This will be my second cruise and second time with Carnival (took Fascination first) My husband and I are going on the exact same trip in November... I am dually excited becasue our Carnival rep said the ship will be refurbished by the time we sail!!

 

Can't wait can't wait can't wait!!! :)

[kimcruises]

There are plenty of cabs at Calica - you will have no problem...the pizza is wonderful and always hot...We experienced no noise in our room - E80. I don't think it is directly under the dining room. Oh, to be back on the Imagination! It goes into dry dock in September, so you October cruisers will really have a great time with the new Imagination!

 

Do you know when in September the dry dock is? We're sailing 9/20 and I was wondering if the renovations were before or after our trip. I'm assuming after, since we got such a good price!