Sketchy

Item: Carnival Inspiration
Rating: 2.1
Author: tbrombacker

Carnival Inspiration Cruise Review to Mexico

tbrombacker

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

2.1 out of 5

Verified Review

4 Night Catalina & Baja Mexico (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 07, 2019

Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: R152

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Never again will I sail with Carnival. It was definitely the bottom of the barrel cruise lines and they try to get by giving you the least and charging you an outrageous amount.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

We arrived early, then waited in the dome for an hour an a half. There was nothing in there besides a bathroom and a water fountain. No vendors, coffee, snacks, nothing. The cruise line could have avoided people going in by the masses, if they would have allowed people who showed up early to board and be able to sit and enjoy the main deck, get some food or drinks. It was a lot of waiting around doing nothing, then it was time to fight the crowd

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Main dining was ok, you were stuck with the menu. They would not make something else if you didn't like the selection like other cruise lines I have been on do. Buffet was very poor, dry foods, and chaotic, and usually closed. Burger bar was probably the only good thing on there, but like all the restaurants on the ship, they were only open for a small limited time. Its like they were forcing you to order room service and have to pay extra for it. They would close down the buffet at a certain time regardless on how many people were in the buffet. People were still coming and they removed all the utensils so people couldn't serve themselves the food that was available. BTW.....Drink program....DO NOT PURCHASE!!! what a waste of money! Plus they do not have fountain drinks on the ship, they serve you from cans. What a horrible waste of money but also a waste to the environment. Also, if you have a food allergy, you will be very limited. They barely make an attempt for people with allergies.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Lets just say, they day at sea was very boring. Even the other people at our table said they just stayed in their room and watched TV on a very grainy/snowy small screen.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

No shows, no movies. Comedian was decent

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Teen club was closed almost the entire trip. Only time we saw it open, there was no counselor, only some kids who acted like little thugs were running around. Was definitely not safe.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Most of the staff was very good. The wait staff was very attentive.

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Old and dated. Middle of the ship on deck 9 was the designated smoking area and it traveled far! We had to avoid most of deck 9.

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

2 words.....VERY SMALL! Shower flooded the entire bathroom.

Ship tip

GO ON DISNEY!!! Even if you have no kids, you will have an amazing experience with top rated shows, entertainment, food, and a movie theater.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Long Beach (Los Angeles), California

2 out of 5

Very ugly, you have to dodge semi trucks the entire way there trying to get to the shipping ports. They are not patient or forgiving

Thumbs Up 1

Catalina Island, California

4 out of 5

Very nice little island town. Other than shopping there isn't much to do without spending a few hundred bucks. We decided to rent a golf cart ($45 an hour) and drove around to get some good views. You have to give yourself at least 1.5 hours

Thumbs Up 3

Ensenada, Mexico

1 out of 5

There is a kidnapping or murder waiting to happen. I have never felt so unsafe in all my life. The blow hole was pretty, but you were essentially attacked the entire way there and the entire way back by extremely pushy people trying to trick you into their shops. They even send their little kids and make them start to cry if you do not buy from them. An absolute horrible experience.

Thumbs Up 2