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Carnival Imagination Cruise Review to Mexico

banananut

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5

4 Night Catalina & Baja Mexico (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 30, 2017

Ship: Carnival Imagination

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: U91

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

I enjoyed arriving to my room to see offers and the following day's agenda. I have one concern....why do I prepay gratuities up front just to be charged 15% again? Looks like something I will need to call and inquire about. Overall, I had a pleasant time. My best friend suggested we hide out in the room for the next venture but I told her unless she had an extra $1000 to give Carnival we needed to leave. I was glad that her first experience cruising was a big highlight for her. She is ready to put another cruise on the calendar!

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Mmmmm, well for starters I arrived at the ship between 12:45 and 1pm only to find out that I left my passport at home. Good thing I live in Los Angeles. It took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get back. Boarding the cruise was a great experience. I love being greeted with a drink (Adios Amigos).

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Very tasty. I gave it a four star because there were a few things that lacked seasoning.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Massage and utilized the fitness room.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Awesome!

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Everyone provided excellent service. However, there was an incident that I didn't particular care for. At breakfast one morning while we were docked at Catalina Island, my friend and I were standing in this long line waiting for breakfast (maybe the 15th person in line). There was only one line covering the breakfast buffet as well as the Omelet station. By the time we made it close to the front (probably 3rd in line at this point), we see a second line forming right in between the buffet and Omelet station. A few of us told the people that they could not cut the line and they had to stand in line like everyone else. They all chimed in and stated a staff member just created another line so there could be two. I thought that was totally unfair to disregard all the ones that have been waiting just to allow the people at the end of the line the opportunity to gain access quicker. So not allowing anyone to cut us, we grabbed our plates and proceeded to the buffet. When I asked for egg whites the chef behind the counter said I would have to stand in the Omelet line! I could not believe my ears. Not wanting to stand in line AGAIN, I grabbed the ready made items that I particularly didn't have a taste for. I made do from the situation just to maneuver forward with my day.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

I enjoyed my cabin and look forward to the next trip and get a cabin with a balcony. I slept like a baby!

Ship tip

Arrive leaving your cares behind...the cruise is an incredible escape from life's realities. Everything is at your door. The only thing I found to be expensive was purchasing all the photos.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Long Beach (Los Angeles), California

5 out of 5

I live in Los Angeles so it is quite convenient. I didn't do an excursion in LA.

Thumbs Up 2

Catalina Island, California

5 out of 5

I rented a golf cart in Catalina Island and we went off exploring following the map that was provided. Enjoyed it immensely. The Catalina Cantina...LOVED IT!

Thumbs Up 8

Ensenada, Mexico

5 out of 5

Took a cooking class in Ensenada. I believe it was a Taste of Mexico. It was one of the best excursions I have ever done.

Thumbs Up 14

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

Rated a four because I just don't know why we had to return so early! LOL Goes to show that we were not ready to disembark...actually, we weren't ready to end the cruise.