We loved the Inspiration - sailed 11/22/08!

[princeryanandevan]

Hi all - we were on the 11/22/08 sailing of the Inspiration. I plan on writing a review soon, but thought I would share some quick tips. I reviewed these boards for months before our cruise and I found a lot of the information very helpful.

 

For starters - here are the "do's" - I would definitely bring an extension cord for charging cameras, camcorders, cell phones, etc. - we definitely used that quite a bit. The over-the-door shoe organizer is also a must - I hate clutter and this really came in handy - I won't cruise without one again. I also used the highlighter quite a few times to highlight things in the Capers - definitely bring one - it doesn't take up any space. I would also recommend a few extra hangers, but I'm sure you could probably get some from housekeeping. And lastly - definitely bring some bigger ziploc bags - these came in very handy to hold wet clothes, seashells collected onshore, and to wrap valuables or things that could break. The one thing I didn't bring but wish I had was walkie talkies. I saw quite a few people using them and wished we had brought ours. We had 3 cabins and we were missing each other quite a bit.

 

Things I brought but didn't use: Let's see - I brought a travel alarm clock, but really didn't need it because the time is on the TV and they do wake-up calls. I brought beach towels, but could have just taken the Carnival towels to the islands. Also - the Carnival towels can be signed in and out at the pool and serenity areas, so you don't need to lug towels back and forth from your cabins. I definitely overpacked and won't do that next time. I ended up buying a big tote bag in Cozumel to bring all our purchases home so I would pack an empty bag next time and lose some of the clothing.

 

The ship looks great - the rooms were much better than I expected. The food was very good for the most part. The kids LOVED Camp Carnival and the waterslides. The shows were very good. The service was excellent too. There was a funky smell occassionally by the glass elevators - not constant, but not pleasant when we encountered it. The water in the bathroom was very very hot, so be careful if you have young children.

 

We had early seating for dinner and I will definitely do late seating next time - even with the kids - I will just let them take a quick nap before dinner and they will be fine. Having to get 4 of us ready by 6 pm was too rushed. There were 800 kids on this cruise - it didn't bother me at all because our group had 4 kids so the more the merrier as far as I was concerned - I wouldn't have wanted to be a couple with no kids though - it was a very family friendly cruise.

 

In Grand Cayman, my husband booked a dive through the ship and said it was very well organized. The rest of us went to Sea Grape beach which was nice, but it was a very windy day - I heard Stingray City was cancelled because of the high winds (40 mph) - the ship was rocking a lot that day - the crew even commented how it was rocking way more than usual. We all had Bonine and didn't get sick at all.

 

In Cozumel - we all went to Mr. Sancho's and had a great day - I would recommend it, but I will try something different next time. My husband and brother went diving in Cozumel - it was a last minute thing and the people at Mr. Sancho's arranged it for them - the had to take a taxi to Playa Palancar - it wasn't as organized at the dive sponsored by the ship, but he said it was the best dive of his life!

 

I'll write a detailed review soon with pictures and provide the link when it is finished. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

I've been addicted to these boards for months - now I have to start planning my next cruise as my husband and kids are hooked - that is exactly what I hoped would happen!

 

Barbara

[bfkkbc]

for your review!! We sail on her on December 15th. DH and I are so excited. Kids are staying at home with Grandparents!!;)

[madaamt]

I'm glad you had a good time. My family loves the Inspiration and we will probably sail her again.

[princeryanandevan]

for your review!! We sail on her on December 15th. DH and I are so excited. Kids are staying at home with Grandparents!!;)

 

I'm hoping to do it this weekend - I'm busy catching up on work. We really loved it - you should have brought your kids - it is a very kid friendly ship and my boys had the time of their lives. You'll just have to book it again with everyone!!!

[Pyro Tec]

:cool: Carnival did it again! :D We just sailed the Inspiration right before you did! 11/17-11/22 and it was the best experience EVER! and the time of our lives! I cant wait till we get to sail her again. It wont be anytime soon, because i would rather drive to another port to experience a different ship! although i hear the Sensation is Inspiration's sister ship so it is exactly the same, but oh well. Bahamas will be nice!!! :D

[princeryanandevan]

:cool: Carnival did it again! :D We just sailed the Inspiration right before you did! 11/17-11/22 and it was the best experience EVER! and the time of our lives! I cant wait till we get to sail her again. It wont be anytime soon, because i would rather drive to another port to experience a different ship! although i hear the Sensation is Inspiration's sister ship so it is exactly the same, but oh well. Bahamas will be nice!!! :D

 

 

You are so LUCKY to live in Florida to have the choice of ports. We are already looking into our next cruise, but may have to cruise out of NY or Baltimore because we live in Boston and the added cost of the flights is a lot. We really loved the Inspiration as well and my husband (it was his 1st cruise) is hooked - YIPPEE!!!!!

[Catrin]

Thank you for sharing!

 

We sailed on this same ship in August, and had a great time.

Like you, we wish we were closer to the ports... as we would cruise a few times a year!!

 

The flights from RI to Florida are killing us!

 

Catrin

[DarthGrady]

I really like Inspiration as well. Im gonna miss having Risa as the CD though.

[princeryanandevan]

I really like Inspiration as well. Im gonna miss having Risa as the CD though.

 

 

Risa was great - where is she goin?????

[riu girl]

Thanks for sharing about the Inspiration.

 

Can you please share info. with me regarding what there is for kids to do (besides swim) at Sea Grape in G. Cayman (ie. waterpsorts rentals, playground , shopping etc)?

 

Thank you

[rhcpchika1]

Thanks for the info!!

 

We leave Dec. 11th on this ship!

[princeryanandevan]

Thanks for sharing about the Inspiration.

 

Can you please share info. with me regarding what there is for kids to do (besides swim) at Sea Grape in G. Cayman (ie. waterpsorts rentals, playground , shopping etc)?

 

Thank you

 

Hi - Sea Grape beach was OK - I mean the beach was very pretty, but it was right on the main road. The bathrooms were clean and there were outdoor showers to rinse off. There is a big drop in the water so you need to be careful. The water was crystal clear - no seaweed at all. I wouldn't say it was rocky, but every once in a while you could step on a big rock - I just wore my crocs in the water because I have really sensitive feet - but my kids were fine. They had a big cataraman there that was taking people out on snorkeling trips because there really wasn't any good snorkeling from the shore. I'm pretty sure you could rent wave runners and go parasailing too, but it was very windy the day we were there. We didn't see the playground, but we weren't looking for it. There are a few "huts" set up for shopping, but not much. We didn't eat there, but the Cayman Coladas were very good!!

 

I don't think I would go back there, but it was fine. I liked Mr. Sancho's at Cozumel better than Sea Grape.

 

Hope this helps.

Barbara

[crusinpsychRN]

I thought Inspiration was a so so ship. Other ships are much more decorative. I thought Phillipe was a great Asst. CD. He made the hairy chest contest so much fun! I liked the teak decking around the pool.

 

Didn't care for the bourbon chicken or the pork chop which was very tough and tasteless. But then I didn't like chocolate melting cake. Too much like drinking a bottle of melted dark chocolate.

 

Did you go to any of the trivia games? Those were fun and I won a solid gold plastic ship on a stick too!

[princeryanandevan]

I thought Inspiration was a so so ship. Other ships are much more decorative. I thought Phillipe was a great Asst. CD. He made the hairy chest contest so much fun! I liked the teak decking around the pool.

 

Didn't care for the bourbon chicken or the pork chop which was very tough and tasteless. But then I didn't like chocolate melting cake. Too much like drinking a bottle of melted dark chocolate.

 

Did you go to any of the trivia games? Those were fun and I won a solid gold plastic ship on a stick too!

 

Hi there! I haven't been on a cruise in over 20 years, so I thought the decor was good. I especially liked the public bathrooms - very nicely done. I didn't care for the "purple worms" in the Brassiere Grill, but they didn't really bother me. I wasn't big on the neon elevators either, but I was very impressed with the cabins and restaurants. You could definitely tell where they spent their money on the refurb.

 

I didn't eat the bourbon chicken or the pork chop. I really liked the prime rib, the short ribs, shrimp cocktail, caesar salad and the eggs benedict. I loved the warm chocolate melting cake - right up my alley!

 

I enjoyed the shows. I thought the hairy chest contest was great - my husband wished he had entered after he witnessed it! I didn't go to the trivia shows, but watched the Love & Marriage Game on the TV - very funny. I enjoyed Risa and I also loved Philipe - he was great and I'm sure he'll be a CD someday soon.

 

My kids had the time of their lives - the LOVED Camp Carnival and all the other fun aspects of the ship. I'm not sure I would go on the Inspiration again because I like to try different things, but I would highly recommend it for a family with kids - they can't stop talking about it.

 

I'm looking at the Miracle out of NY or the Pride out of Baltimore for our next cruise - trying to save some $$ on airfare!

 

Happy Holidays,

Barbara

[mosaic_mom]

Risa was great - where is she goin?????

 

We were on the Inspiration on 11/27 and I had a chance to talk with Risa. She will be going to the Fantasy in February. Our cruise was her last on Inspiration.

[jjgoo]

sounds like a great trip.

[DarthGrady]

I thought Inspiration was a so so ship. Other ships are much more decorative. I thought Phillipe was a great Asst. CD.

 

Yeah, we liked Phillipe, he was very funny. I hope he takes over for Risa.

[hilton head cruiser]

Thanks for the hint on the electrical extension cord. We cruised carnival last time and was having a hard time charging camera and phones. Wow what a great hint !!!

[flamomo]

My DD and SIL have booked a cruise on the Inspiration for late next May. They are going without the kiddies (This Grammie will be kid-sitting). They have only cruised once before, and it was not on Carnival. They are a little concerned with the Carnival reputation for partying, because they are not into that kind of thing.

What positive things do they need to know about Carnival?

[DebraSt]

My DD and SIL have booked a cruise on the Inspiration for late next May. They are going without the kiddies (This Grammie will be"girls kid-sitting). They have only cruised once before, and it was not on Carnival. They are a little concerned with the Carnival reputation for partying, because they are not into that kind of thing.

What positive things do they need to know about Carnival?

Flamomo, they will have a great time on Carnival. It's not like the "girls gone wild" videos from spring breaks in Fl. I ws on the Inspiration last Sept., going again in Jan.09. It was great!!!!

[kstubenv]

:mad::mad::mad:

 

My mother-in-law has just got out of the hospital after picking up what the docs thought was possibly the Norwalk Virius on this Thanksgiving cruise. Violently digestive issues.

 

Also out of the 28 family members on the ship....at last count 15 of them had very very bad colds. More falling each day....

 

Sure were glad we stayed a shore this time...purely for the quiet time.

 

Anyone else get sick after this cruise?

[siestakeys04]

Dh and I will be on this cruise 12/15. This is our first cruise and I am so excited.:)

[BooBooMonkey]

:mad::mad::mad:

 

My mother-in-law has just got out of the hospital after picking up what the docs thought was possibly the Norwalk Virius on this Thanksgiving cruise. Violently digestive issues.

 

Also out of the 28 family members on the ship....at last count 15 of them had very very bad colds. More falling each day....

 

Sure were glad we stayed a shore this time...purely for the quiet time.

 

Anyone else get sick after this cruise?

 

We were on the Thanksgiving cruise and none of us were sick. I did notice a few people coughing starting around day 3. Probably the flu (I got my flu shot the week before). A lady sat down next to me in the casino hacking up a lung and I got up and moved. She was telling her companion it was getting worse...yikes!

 

I washed my hands a lot and used the hand sanitizer at the buffet. I also used the touchless sinks in public restrooms (some were not touchless), as well as the tissues provided to open the door with.

 

I did notice that the dining room was only about 2/3 full the night after Cozumel, but chalked it up to too much sun and booze. It is possible though that something was going around. This time of year, you never know with colds and influenza being brought aboard by passengers from the north who have been exposed to who-knows-what on the plane!

 

Sorry you guys were sick. Not a good way to end your cruise :(.

[princeryanandevan]

We were on the 11/22 sailing and the only sick person I saw was a little boy who was SEASICK the morning we had the 40 mph winds. We all took the Bonine and were fine, but this little boy didn't fare so well. I gave him some of our Bonine for Kids and his mother was so thankful because he wouldn't swallow the adult pills.

 

There has been a ton of stuff going around my kids' schools since we've been back though, pink eye, strep and a stomach bug so I really don't think the Norovirus had anything to do with the ship - just the time of year.

[cruise crazy64]

My Mother and I will be on this cruise TOMORROW!!!! yippie. I can hardly work right now!

 

Karen, FL :cool: