4 Day Imagination Review 10/26/14 (no pictures)

This will be my very 1st review on CC. :)

This is our 3rd time with Carnival, same ports but 3 different ships. We travelled with my DH, DS (5) & DD (10). We also travelled with other family members, total of 17 together - with 4 cabins - all on the Empress deck.

Embarkation Day:

We lived only 30 minutes away from Long Beach so the drive was not that bad. We got there around 11:30 am and hand all our luggage to the porter. It wasn't really crowded at that time. We all have purchase FTTF so there was a priority line for that. We were on the ship before 12:00 pm. Went to our room and it was ready! A few of our luggage was there already! We decided to head to the buffet before it gets crowded. Not much to eat at the buffet though. I purchased the bottomless bubbles ($6.00/day) with a mug that cost $4.95. After lunch we head back down to our room and all our luggage was there. Our steward stopped by to greet us and trying to get to know our name, so that was very nice of him - but didn't really see him much afterwards. After putting away our stuff, it was time for muster drill. It was really painless and was done in 30 minutes. We then got ready for dinner. We were waitlisted for assigned time dining. We did ask the maitre'd if that can be arranged but he declined us because of our large group - but did say if we go before 6:00 pm we can sit at the same tables every night - which we did.

Room:

We stayed on the Empres Deck, Aft, Starboard, Oceanview. I think if we ever go again on a 3 or 4 day cruise, I would stay in an inside room to save money. We hardly look out the window.

Day 1, Catalina:

We woke up at 9:00 am and had breakfast then head to guest service so we can use our "priority" to tender out. It was really nice because we were headed straight there, without the wait. While we were in Catalina, half of us went parasailing and half went on the submarine tour. With a big group, they did gave us a discount for that. After a fun day, we head back to the ship around 3:00 pm. The kids went up to the Waterworks to have fun and they had a blast!

Day 2, Ensenada:

The first 2 cruise that we went on, we stayed on the ship. But with this cruise and with so many people, we decided to venture out. We took a shuttle out ($3/person). When we get to town, we decided to do the La Bufardora tour. Our tour guide was really funny and trying to tell us jokes. 5 of us decided to do the horseback riding along the beach so we had to wait 45 minutes for them to do that while we sit in the coach bus - which he called it a limosine. After they are done with the horseback riding, we headed to La Bufardora. We spend around 1 1/2 hour there. We love seafood so he suggested us a place for us to eat the clams, oysters, etc. The clams were good but the oysters was not. We bought a few things and we actually was able to bargain for it. I even had my hair braided - that was interesting. The trip to La Bufardora was $15/person, plus $20 for horsebacking riding.

Camp Carnival:

All the kids love Camp Carnival. My DD love the fact that she can sign herself in/out and get to know a lot of new friends. My DS also loved it. I don't know the actualy activities that they do but as long as they have fun, that all it matters.

Casino:

My BIL actually won the slot tournament and my DH came in 2nd place. My SIL came in 2nd place for the blackjack tournamentas well They got the certicate for the Ultimate Slot/Blackjack tournament - but we probably are not going to the Dream on May 24th - so we might have to give it away or sell it - any suggestions? All the adults spend a good amount of time/money in the casino. We played slots and 3 card poker. On sea day, we got 2 bottles of wine and chocolate covered strawberries from the host - a very unexpected nice surprise! All the dealers were nice and friendly, except for one - which we can tell is new to the game - she did not know what the payout is and we literally have to tell her the payout. The pit boss was nice, comp us some drinks. At the end of the trip, both my sister and BIL got a letter from the host giving them a free interior room cruise (chose sailing from November/December of 2014).

Dining Room:

We have YTD but every night we were seated at the same table with the same dining team staff. It was really nice to get to know them and they know what our preference is as well. They were all wonderful. The entree is really small so they usually will bring us extra without us asking for it (especially the lobster tails). On the very last day, they had a special song that they all sing to us, which was very nice as well.

Disembarkation:

With FTTF, it was a breeze. We had #1 luggage tag. We were told to meet at Shangri La Lounge before 8:45 am and was escorted out throught a special hall that no one is able to access. We went through customs, which took around 15 minutes. We went to baggage claim and all our bags was there. We got home, my SIL realized she forgot one of her tote bag there, so we ended up driving back for that.

Overall:

It was a very nice and wonderful get-away. I would love to see Carnival going somewhere else other than Ensenada for shorter trips. I would love to go to PV on a 4 day cruise.

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your cruise. On a 4 day cruise think it would be tough to get to PV (and back) and would certainly cost more - a lot more fuel would be used and other reasons. Cabo might be possible, but tender ports can be missed and then you would have a cruise to nowhere.

I think Miracle is now doing 7 day cruises from the left coast?

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your cruise. On a 4 day cruise think it would be tough to get to PV (and back) and would certainly cost more - a lot more fuel would be used and other reasons. Cabo might be possible, but tender ports can be missed and then you would have a cruise to nowhere.

 

I think Miracle is now doing 7 day cruises from the left coast?

Right now, Miracle is doing Mexican Riviera and Hawaii cruises.

... I would love to see Carnival going somewhere else other than Ensenada for shorter trips. I would love to go to PV on a 4 day cruise.

In 2009, we took the Elation on a 5-day that went out of San Diego to Ensenada and Cabo and it was great. Unfortunately, Carnival no longer sails out of San Diego.

Disney does this same itinerary, but the price is outrageous for a 5-day.

Glad to hear you had a good time. My (adult) daughter and I are taking advantage of a "free" cruise on this ship (same itinerary) on the 16th. Can't wait!:D

Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your cruise. On a 4 day cruise think it would be tough to get to PV (and back) and would certainly cost more - a lot more fuel would be used and other reasons. Cabo might be possible, but tender ports can be missed and then you would have a cruise to nowhere.

 

I think Miracle is now doing 7 day cruises from the left coast?

We did a 4 night to Cabo twice on the Spirit out of San Diego, was a nice little itinerary. We also did a 5 night to Cabo (2 days in Cabo) twice as well. I miss all of the options.

We are going on our third Caribbean cruise (Magic) on Sunday. I miss all the Mexico options. Mexico is much more my style and preference.

Glad to hear you had a good time. My (adult) daughter and I are taking advantage of a "free" cruise on this ship (same itinerary) on the 16th. Can't wait!:D

We'll be there too! SO looking forward to this getaway and getting back on the Imagination. :-)

Vicki