Help me pick, PLEASE

[heyitsmejudy]

I'm in the throws of planning our family Christmas cruise. (Me, my BF, parents and two brothers)

We have an odd "must-have" in our case: Since my dad will not hang with computerized Texas Hold 'em, we're looking at either Inspiration or Imagination. If Dad ain't happy... you know the rest.

My PVP (who kicks butt, BTW) says there are still live dealers on those two ships.

Inspiration goes to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Imagination to GC and Cozumel.

Which would you pick and why and what suggestions, if any, do you have for those ports?

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Cheers.

[98Charlie]

Have not sailed either of these Carnival ships but have visited all of the ports. My vote would be Cozumel any day over any port in Jamaica. Jamaica is a beautiful country, however Ocho Rios is way down the totem pole on ports we want to visit again.

 

Dianne

[truecruiser]

hey judy. i don't know which ships have what, but i can tell you that elation (which is no longer on the east coast) did have texas hold 'em tables. they were by the cigar bar (promenade, aft).

 

i'm not sure if people think they aren't on the ship b/c they are not in the "casino." but, i know in our case in feb, they were there. 2 tables. and even though they were popular, many got to play. only once did our friend (who was always looking to play during any "down time" he gave himself (LOL) have to wait. and his wait was fairly short).

 

it's just a guess, but i wld imagine they put the tables there b/c there was no more room in the casino to add them. and w/ it now being increasingly popular, they add them wherever they can.

[heyitsmejudy]

hey judy. i don't know which ships have what, but i can tell you that elation (which is no longer on the east coast) did have texas hold 'em tables. they were by the cigar bar (promenade, aft).

.

 

True...

They were in the same place on the Sensation last Christmas but my undersanding is they are now computerized crap rather than a human dealer. It would certainly open a wider range of options if there were other ships to consider. I know this is an odd reason to pick a ship, and certainly we're also trying to pick the best ports, port times and ship overall, but if I can find one that also meets Dad's wants, that will make it all the better.

[J Free 203]

Imagination to GC and Cozumel

 

I agree Coz is better than Ocho... I'm going to all 3 of the ports tou are looking at on my 7 day freedom in december.

[dms_cruisers04]

I too agree with Dianne, would much rather cruise again to Cozumel than to Ocho Rios.

[truecruiser]

True...

They were in the same place on the Sensation last Christmas but my undersanding is they are now computerized crap rather than a human dealer. It would certainly open a wider range of options if there were other ships to consider. I know this is an odd reason to pick a ship, and certainly we're also trying to pick the best ports, port times and ship overall, but if I can find one that also meets Dad's wants, that will make it all the better.

 

i don't think it's odd. b/c if he doesn't like to sit in the sun and/or do most other things offered, if what he really enjoys is playing texas hold 'em, than that is a very good reason to pick a certain ship. it's his vacation too, and you guys just want him to enjoy it as much as you. so i see nothing at all wrong w/ that. ignore anyone who tells you different.;)

[gtalum]

You got the ports backward. Inspiration goes to GC and Coz, Imagination goes to GC and Ocho Rios.

 

I would definitely take Coz over Ocho Rios, so I'd go with Inspiration.

[3213dev]

Been to cozumel twice jamaica once. definitely cozumel

[heyitsmejudy]

You got the ports backward. Inspiration goes to GC and Coz, Imagination goes to GC and Ocho Rios.

 

I would definitely take Coz over Ocho Rios, so I'd go with Inspiration.

 

Right you are! Sorry. Can you tell I've been messing with this stuff too long already??? And it's only early June!

[heyitsmejudy]

OK I kid you NOT! Just today Carnival is showing the Inspiration is now going to Grand Cayman and Calica rather than Cozumel.

Opinions? There isn't much time in GC so if Calica blows (was actually looking forward to Cozumel) I need to punt and start over with the planning.

[dms_cruisers04]

OK I kid you NOT! Just today Carnival is showing the Inspiration is now going to Grand Cayman and Calica rather than Cozumel.

Opinions? There isn't much time in GC so if Calica blows (was actually looking forward to Cozumel) I need to punt and start over with the planning.

Judy, just so you know that you're not losing your mind the itinerary varies depending on the date. :D 4-day to just Coz, 5-day to GC & Coz or 5-day to GC & Calica (which we're doing in Aug).

 

Calica is about 10 minutes from Playa Del Carmen, which is a ferry ride from Coz. So even if you pick the Calica itinerary, you could still spend the day at Coz.

Personally, we're spending the day at an All-Inclusive in Puerto Aventuras (south of Calica) that we might vacation at later in the year.

I've heard shopping, food and the beaches in Playa are very nice.

[Chigirlcruzin]

Judy,

 

Calica is just a rock quarry. You get off the ship and there are taxis lined up to take you to Playa del Carmen, which is beautiful. I had a blast there! From downtown PdC, you can take a ferry to Cozumel. I do like Cozumel a little better, but you can have a great time in either place. Another thing to consider - the Imagination is going through a huge refurb with its "Evolutions of Fun" program in October this year. 4 week drydock, so the ship will be like new! The Inspiration is also going through this program, I'm just not sure when. I know Imagination is one of the first. So, my vote is for the Imagination. I've been on her twice - on her inaugural voyage and just a month ago. Both were excellent cruises. I do have a sweet spot for her since she was my first

 

Oops, I just saw the post where the ports/ships were reversed. I haven't been to Jamaica, but I think I'd favor the Inspiration itinerary.

[nothomeonacruise]

We took an excursion to Tulum through there. It was beautiful. Tulum is an ancient Mayan ruin that sits on the edge of a cliff. It's incredible.

[dms_cruisers04]

Another thing to consider - the Imagination is going through a huge refurb with its "Evolutions of Fun" program in October this year. 4 week drydock, so the ship will be like new! The Inspiration is also going through this program, I'm just not sure when.

 

Oops, I just saw the post where the ports/ships were reversed. I haven't been to Jamaica, but I think I'd favor the Inspiration itinerary.

Chigirl, Inspiration is going in Sept also. So she will be like new too. (Wish we could wait til after Sept :( )

[poptart]

Okay, I've been to Jamacia twice and don't care to go back--but if you've never been and your family likes to be active I would consider going and doing an excursion to Dunn's River Falls to climb the falls. It is an awesome experience.

 

Since I've been there, done that I would always pick Cozumel over Jamacia--our favorite activity in Mexico is "beach sitting" :D

 

Have a wonderful Christmas cruise!

[Chigirlcruzin]

Chigirl, Inspiration is going in Sept also. So she will be like new too. (Wish we could wait til after Sept :( )

 

Well if that's the case, I vote for the Inspiration. Calica or Coz, they're both great.

[heyitsmejudy]

Again, I FREAKING love Cruise Critic!

Thanks all who've posted and been so kind.

It was odd to have GC/Cozumel as the ports for the 12/22 sailing when I looked at the Web site around 10 a.m. then find it'd changed to GC/Calica a few hours later.:eek:

Tampa is A LOT closer for us to drive to than Miami, so that's another perk to choosing Inspiration, in addition to the general consensus that seems to be that we should avoid Jamaica. I saw on a review of Inspiration that she's getting a refurbish in September and Imgagination in October. That'll work well too!

Some of you might recall that I flipped a lid last year when Carnival switched ships on us... from I can't recall which one to Sensation which turned out to be a great thing. But they made the ship switch after we'd made all our plans so it freaked me out a bit. I'm a planner and don't make decisions on a whim so when things get changed on me, I want to make sure it's not going to screw me up!

That said, at least this time the Cozumel to Calica switch was made while we're still deciding which cruise to take, not during the planning stage where we've decided and are just looking at excursions, etc.

[Kurbanfan]

Hope all works out and that you have a "Merry Christmas":)

[marty30907]

We have enjoyed all the ports that you identified. But the Imagination has been our best ship as of yet. You would not go wrong sailing on her.