Imagination Review: Santa Catalina and Ensenada, Feb 2015

I recently returned from a four night cruise on the Carnival Imagination that sailed from 2/22/15 – 2/26/15. There were two port stops along the way – Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada – along with one sea day.

The Imagination is part of the Fantasy Class of ships from Carnival. One of eight ships launched from 1990 to 1998. In 2008 the Imagination received the Evolution of Fun upgrades that included Waterworks, Serenity Spa, Mini Golf Course and many other upgrades since the initial launch of the ship. The Imagination was last in dry dock during the fall of 2013 and has received several of the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades including Hasboro Game Show and Playlist Productions. The Imagination was also one of only four Carnival ships selected to test the new American Table Menu in 2014. The menu has since been adjusted and is scheduled to launch fleet wide in late 2015. In late 2013/early 2014 the Imagination departed Miami for its new year round homeport of Long Beach.

The Imagination shares the Long Beach terminal with The Inspiration (another Fantasy Class Ship) and The Miracle (Spirit Class Ship). The Miracle has the longer seven night sailings to Mexico and 15 night sailings to Hawaii. The Imagination and Inspiration both alternate the same 4 night/3 night itinerary. The Imagination sails the four night itinerary from Sunday to Thursday and the three night itinerary from Thursday to Sunday. The Inspiration sails the four night itinerary from Monday to Friday and the three night itinerary from Friday to Monday. This review can also serve those considering the four night Inspiration sailing.

The top speed of the Imagination is 21 knots using six engines. However, the close proximity of the Santa Catalina (approximately 25 nautical miles away and less than one hour sailing) and Ensenada ports only requires the use of two engines often times sailing at only 6 knots. During the sea day the ship can be found floating at only 0.4 knots. The ship almost sails in a figure eight pattern in route to Santa Catalina.

The Friday prior to the sailing an agreement was made between the longshoreman’s union and the various west coast ports. There was a four month slow down/strike that had delayed product shipment throughout the country but did not affect the cruise line industry. However, literally dozens of ships could be found off the Long Beach shore waiting to be unloaded causing some congestion. A picture can be found later in this review.

I had previously sailed on both the four night itineraries on the Imagination and Inspiration. While there was a different cruise director the comedians on the Imagination were the same ones I saw last year. In addition, the shore excursions are limited and there are only a couple of main attractions which I’ve visited. This sailing I elected to skip any excursions with the exception of the Behind the Fun Scene Tour.

The seas were calm and we had a smooth sailing. The pool was rarely used as the water was too cold. The most recent health check the Imagination earned a CDC score of 95. 86 is considered passing.

Now…..on to the ship review. Hope you enjoy the adventure!

Our Ship – Imagination

Ship Classification – Fantasy

Imagination Fun Ship Facts

Our Itinerary

Our Weather Forecast for the Trip

I didn’t have any plans for a cruise this year but one night when searching the Carnival site I found a four night interior cabin cruise for $149 on the Imagination departing in six weeks. I have always sailed with an ocean view or balcony but the price was too good to pass up. This would be my first interior cabin so I booked the cruise. This was a 1A category which I had no prior knowledge about this setup. Here is a summary of the Carnival room categories:

Here is the deck plan for the Imagination:

My cabin was on the Riviera Deck grouped with other 1A cabins:

This is the image that Carnival shows as my room. My actual room picture is found further in this review.

When I purchased my cruise I looked for an FTTF (faster to the fun) pass and this was available and would be available each time I checked the shore excursions. For this trip I decided to pass on FTTF and save $49. I’ve sailed out of Long Beach several times and on this same itinerary so I was familiar with the best times to arrive for my cabin to be ready. I also use self-assist to disembark. There isn’t a specialty restaurant on the Inspiration or Imagination so this negated the priority reservations benefit. In addition, Santa Catalina is a tender port however, if you tender between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. a ticket is not required. Tender tickets are required if you plan on visiting the island between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

These could be found up until the week of the cruise.

Here is a picture of the Long Beach terminal at 12:30. A lot of passengers had already arrived or were on their way. Check in for the Riviera Deck is outside of the terminal located behind the Captain’s Lounge. Once checked in you make your way through the security check point, past the embarkation photo’s, up the escalator, through one more checkpoint with your sail and sign card, on the gangway and then finally on the ship!

Here is a picture review of a 1A Category cabin. I met my cabin steward on the first day and never saw him again. This was probably the result of the cabin location as there were only a few other cabins in close proximity. However, my room was always cleaned. I was worried about an interior cabin as I prefer to wake up to natural sunlight but based on other reviews I left the cabin TV on the entire night. The channel was tuned into the front facing camera of the ship so when the sun came up the room became brighter.

Here are copies of some of the documents left in the cabin.

Good to Know Facts and Room Service Menu

The Entertainment Schedule for the Week

Liquor Order Form

This wasn’t included in the documents but can be obtained from the Fun Shop.

Fun Ashore Excursion List

Fun Ashore Continued:

Let’s begin our tour of the ship with the Art Gallery

The Art Auction is held in the night club but the art gallery is found on the Empress Deck 7 by the Atrium. There is usually a “guess the price of the artwork.” The current artwork is by Peter Max and the price is $25,800. This is if the artwork is of a colorful bridge. You need to be present to win after filing out a form during the cruise. However, once you fill out the form you can expect invitations from the art team. The prize for coming close to the price is two free pictures. I never found out what those two pictures were.

Atrium Pictures:

Casino Pictures

Buffet Pictures

24 Hour Pizza Bar

Anytime Dining. Dining Room Pictures

American Table Menu First Night

Breakfast Menu

American Feast Menu for Elegant Night

American Table Menu Third Night

American Table Menu Last Night

Fun Shops

Alcohol for Liquor Sample. Each person receives two samples.

Fun Shops Continued

Karaoke Bar

There was a wedding here while the ship was docked at Santa Catalina. The wedding reception would follow in the comedy club.

Library

This is where the Behind the Fun Tour meets. This is also the location of the Chef's Table held on the last night.

Night Club

This is where the Art Auction is also held.

This is also where you can pick up your alcoholic beverages after the cruise if they were confiscated prior to embarkation.

Piano Bar

This is also where Tea Time is held during the only sea day.

The entertainer was Hailey Morgan. In my cruises she has been my favorite and the bar always seemed to be packed when she was playing. I spent most of my nights here. A list of the songs she sings is included. For those that attended, I was the one that was always requesting the song, Let it Be.

Punchliner

Here is the bio of the two performers for our cruise. I was on this same sailing last year and these were the same performers. A lot of jokes were recycled but still funny. Jorge Solano interacts with the audience and uses his Q&A with individuals as his comedy act.

Serenity Spa

The first five pictures were from embarkation day when it was cloudy and rainy. Our sea day was sunny and this area was a great place to hang out.

Spa and Sports Deck

Taste Bar

Theater

Waterworks

Embarkation Day - Here is our ship’s position and a copy of the Fun Times.