Little more than basics.

Item: Carnival Inspiration
Rating: 3
Author: SherryW

Carnival Inspiration Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

SherryW

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 2

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 23, 2009

Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 15 years ago

Review summary

This ship was VERY clean, but it felt small/closed-in and had a VERY confusing layout. There were maps available, but we didn't find that out until the end of day 2! If this was my first cruise and had nothing to compare, however, I would think it was fine. Dinners were good, but overall the food was no better than you could get at a mid-priced restaurant at home. There were some service issues (see below), but overall the people were VERY nice. Check out "Barry" at the piano bar--HYSTERICAL!!!!!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Sit-down dinners were fine (especially the melting chocolate cake!), but the breakfast and lunch buffets were mediocre at best. Same choices day after day.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

I enjoyed the evening entertainment, but didn't find anything interesting for a 40-something to do during the day, so I napped or laid on the deck.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Our dinner servers and room steward were great, but the service desk employees were not always helpful. Misplaced my camera and he only said, "Sorry." I had to ask him to take my room # in case it turned up, then another crew member recommended he check in the back--VOILA! There was my camera. When I tried to show him a picture of me at "formal dinner" to prove it was my camera, he said, "THAT'S YOU???" I was HIGHLY offended. Also, they were pushing the pictures and drinks WAY TOO HARD! Very overwhelming.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Ship was VERY clean, but it felt small and the layout was VERY confusing, even for someone with a good sense of direction!

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

What I expected.

Ports of call

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

You HAVE to go to Stingray City! I booked an excursion through Captain Bryan's and they were VERY professional, helpful, educated us about the stingrays, had a smaller sailboat (catamaran) that had fewer people than the cruise excursion "cattle boats," and provided food to feed them. They took pics of us holding the stingrays and kissing them for good luck. These little creatures are GREAT and very friendly!!!! We then went to two other snorkeling sites and had plenty of time at each. The best part: it cost only $39 instead of the $69 through the ship!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: STINGRAY CITY!!!!

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The shopping district was full of sculptures, fountains, and flowers. I went to the adventure park for zip-lines, rock climbing towers, and various other "high wire" activities, then went snorkeling. Felt a little herded, but it all culminated in free drink (I chose a margarita and it was STRONG!).

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: If you like a good strong drink, don't miss FAT TUESDAYS! But be warned, they are STRONG!!!

Pros: Fellow cruisers

Cons: The food was mediocre and there were some service problems

Recommends Carnival Inspiration? No.

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