Miami/Imagination July 10 (4 day) Review with pictures

[mom2girls]

We will be on the Imagination on the 3 day cruise. We spend Saturday in Nassau and leave early Sunday for a sea day. I am wondering if the casino will be open while we are in Nassau Saturday night.

 

I believe that it won't be open. It wasn't open the night we were in Cozumel. I'm pretty sure there's some rule about the Casino being open while in port.

[binwinbinwin]

I read your review from beginning to end and found it to be extremely interesting and informative. Very well-written with great photos. My family went on Carnival Imagination last month, our first-ever cruise. Initially, my 2 boys said "NO" they don't want to go on a cruise...they mentioned something about the "Titanic" and getting seasick. Carnival Imagination was fantastic. Grandma, my wife and kids loved the cruise and we are already planning our second cruise, possibly on Carnival Inspiration. A few questiions for you:

1) Of the cruise lines you've been on so far, why do you like Carnival the most?

2) Why did you wait until only a few weeks before departure before making your booking (last-minute special)?

3) Since you've been on summer cruises, what suggestions do you have for us to find good deals on July or August cruises when our boys are out of school?

Thanks.

[mom2girls]

I read your review from beginning to end and found it to be extremely interesting and informative. Very well-written with great photos. My family went on Carnival Imagination last month, our first-ever cruise. Initially, my 2 boys said "NO" they don't want to go on a cruise...they mentioned something about the "Titanic" and getting seasick. Carnival Imagination was fantastic. Grandma, my wife and kids loved the cruise and we are already planning our second cruise, possibly on Carnival Inspiration. A few questiions for you:

1) Of the cruise lines you've been on so far, why do you like Carnival the most?

2) Why did you wait until only a few weeks before departure before making your booking (last-minute special)?

3) Since you've been on summer cruises, what suggestions do you have for us to find good deals on July or August cruises when our boys are out of school?

Thanks.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed my review. As you can tell I'm pretty hooked on cruising. :)

 

I like Carnival the best because IMO it's more fun. The employees seem more relaxed rather than stiff and formal. I also think the food is much better on Carnival.

 

I waited until the last minute because I wanted to get a good deal. This particular sailing was paid for with the extra tax credit many of us received this past summer. The ship was not at full capacity, so I got a good deal.

 

The best deals for summer bookings are to book early. If you really want to cruise this is the best way to go. I usually book at least 6 months in advance. If possible I book earlier than that. After booking I always check for price drops, but have only gotten a price drop twice.

[binwinbinwin]

I'm glad you enjoyed my review. As you can tell I'm pretty hooked on cruising. :)

 

I like Carnival the best because IMO it's more fun. The employees seem more relaxed rather than stiff and formal. I also think the food is much better on Carnival.

 

I waited until the last minute because I wanted to get a good deal. This particular sailing was paid for with the extra tax credit many of us received this past summer. The ship was not at full capacity, so I got a good deal.

 

The best deals for summer bookings are to book early. If you really want to cruise this is the best way to go. I usually book at least 6 months in advance. If possible I book earlier than that. After booking I always check for price drops, but have only gotten a price drop twice.

 

Would you start looking now for cruises that depart in the summer and, if yes, what is a good price for a 5 or 7 day Caribbean?

[mom2girls]

Would you start looking now for cruises that depart in the summer and, if yes, what is a good price for a 5 or 7 day Caribbean?

If I had the money to make the down payment for a cruise this summer, I would have already booked. (I'm planning on booking after I get my income tax refund.) Last year I went on a 7 day with a balcony. It was $1200/person including taxes and fees. The 4 day that the girls and I went on was an inside room, and it was $1200 for all 3 of us. I haven't really looked into the prices for this summer yet. But, if the price goes down you can usually get the drip before final payment.

[mudhonie]

Hi Thank you for your pictures....somewhere amongst your posts and various things, you had mentioned that you got day passes to the Hilton in Nassau for $20...can you tell me where you did that? I saw some for $40 which include a $30 voucher for food...but I wasn't sure how legitimate they were.

 

Thanks so much!!

[mom2girls]

Hi Thank you for your pictures....somewhere amongst your posts and various things, you had mentioned that you got day passes to the Hilton in Nassau for $20...can you tell me where you did that? I saw some for $40 which include a $30 voucher for food...but I wasn't sure how legitimate they were.

 

Thanks so much!!

Hello! I think you're thinking of the Sheraton or Wyndham who have the more expensive day passes. Anyway, we went to the British Colonial Hilton which is walking distance from the ship. It's just past the straw market. It was $20 for the use of the chairs, beach, pool, and towels for every adult.

[lsmommy]

I stumbled on your reviews and loved them. I cruise alone with my 2 daughters 6 and 8, and I love to read reports from others travelling alone with their kids. We love the trips and I know they will have special memories from these trips when they grow up.

 

I have a question regarding the Miami Millionaire tour that you did. Did you feel safe walking down there during the day? I am doing a solo cruise in July and my flight is not till late in the day so I thought this would be a good thing to do but I am never been to Miami and I have no idea how safe it is. I figure I could take a taxi to Bayside Market after I get off the cruise and wander around.

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your trip with everyone.

[mnsawyer]

The only issue will be your luggage...there are lockers at Bayside but not big enough for huge suitcase. Two years ago, we had a late flight out of Miami. We took a cab to the airport and checked in our luggage. Now I understand that probably isn't possible since out flight was at 4:00 p.m. and we checked our luggage at 10?

 

then took a cab to Bayside and had a wonderful day. Did the millionaire's row tour, shopped, had lunch and then a cab back to the airport. Expensive day in cab fares but worth it.

 

I wish Carnival would do a post-cruise tour to Bayside.

 

Yes, I would feel comfortable doing this solo during the daylight hours.

[lsmommy]

The only issue will be your luggage...there are lockers at Bayside but not big enough for huge suitcase. Two years ago, we had a late flight out of Miami. We took a cab to the airport and checked in our luggage. Now I understand that probably isn't possible since out flight was at 4:00 p.m. and we checked our luggage at 10?

 

then took a cab to Bayside and had a wonderful day. Did the millionaire's row tour, shopped, had lunch and then a cab back to the airport. Expensive day in cab fares but worth it.

 

I wish Carnival would do a post-cruise tour to Bayside.

 

Yes, I would feel comfortable doing this solo during the daylight hours.

 

I will just have a small backpack as I am travelling carry on, may I ask where about the lockers are at Bayside?

 

TIA

[mom2girls]

I stumbled on your reviews and loved them. I cruise alone with my 2 daughters 6 and 8, and I love to read reports from others travelling alone with their kids. We love the trips and I know they will have special memories from these trips when they grow up.

 

I have a question regarding the Miami Millionaire tour that you did. Did you feel safe walking down there during the day? I am doing a solo cruise in July and my flight is not till late in the day so I thought this would be a good thing to do but I am never been to Miami and I have no idea how safe it is. I figure I could take a taxi to Bayside Market after I get off the cruise and wander around.

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your trip with everyone.

I felt very safe about walking to Bayside from my hotel. I'm sure I'll do it again. :)

[hill6]

Mom I just want to thank you for helping me get prepared for my upcoming Destiny cruise. I loved your Destiny review and I just got done reading your Imagination review. We have only been to Cozumel once (8 years ago) and have not been to Key West.

 

Thank you thank you.

 

I think we may do the same thing in Key West and Cozumel that you did.

[mom2girls]

Mom I just want to thank you for helping me get prepared for my upcoming Destiny cruise. I loved your Destiny review and I just got done reading your Imagination review. We have only been to Cozumel once (8 years ago) and have not been to Key West.

 

Thank you thank you.

 

I think we may do the same thing in Key West and Cozumel that you did.

I'm glad you enjoyed the reviews, and I was able to help! Have Fun!

[sports-mom]

Really enjoyed reading your review and loved all the pics. :D

[mouche]

Thanks so much for a wonderful review and the beautiful pics, your girls are so pretty. We'll be on the Imagination for our honeymoon in June.:)

[truesdpr]

Have just read your review whilst looking for info on the Imagination as we're sailing next March. We have just returned from Orlando to the UK on Saturday so I"m still jetlagged and missing the warm weather and starting to look forward to our next trip. Thanks for such a comprehensive review of the cruise and your girls are gorgeous - glad to read they had such a fun time. My daughter will be 11 and we're resigned that we won't see her for most of the 4 days as she love making friends at Camp!

 

Pam.

[jenseib]

Bringing this thread back up!

 

One question. What are some good family excursions to do in Cozumel. I think we won't go off the beaten path and do our own (if/when we go) and I can't seem to fnd any that look really good for a family. But only in the begiingin stages of looking too.