Inspiration Review - 12/13/07 - 12/17/07

Embarkation: Arrived at the pier around noon, dropped off our bags and headed over to Hooters in Channelside. After a few beers and wings, yum, we headed over to board around 2pm. The entire process of security, check-in and photos took maybe 30 minutes. By 2:45 we were in our cabins putting things away.

Cabin: U230, all the way at the stern of the ship. This was an oceanview room facing out of the rear of the ship. Really cool, we could see the wake of the ship at all times. It was noticeably rockier back here compared to midship, but I must attribute some of this to the seas we had. Our cabin steward was great! We requested ice for our fold-up cooler on the first day, and it never went without. DW also requested more pillows and they arrived that night at turndown.

Muster Drill: Probably the easiest drill I have ever witnessed. The crew did not require us to put the vests on until we reached our assigned area. Once everyone had it on, maybe 5 minutes in, they allowed us to remove the vests. What a relief! We had the privilege to sit in the air conditioned comfort of the Candlelight Lounge with no vest on!!

Sail Away: After the drill, we dropped off our vests and were off exploring the ship. We made our way up to the Verandah Deck above the bridge as we pushed off from the pier. After a few minutes, we headed to the Adults only Serenity area to watch the Tampa skyline shrink away. Then it was back up to above the bridge as we sailed under the Skyway. The bridge was not lit up as there was construction going on. If memory serves, that construction has been going on for awhile, but I don't drive over the Skyway too much. There is always construction on the Tampa interstates, ugh.

Ship: The ship was very clean, though I didn't see many crew members cleaning that often. Seemed like new carpeting throughout. The lido deck is awesome! Thatch roofing over the 2 pool bars and faux palm trees, as well as umbrellas around the pool. The new spiral staircases provide another route to the Promenade deck above. The stage is truly a stage now, no staircase there anymore. Waterworks is awesome! Adults and kids alike were enjoying. Unfortunately, it was open only the 1st sea day, as we hit heavy winds from the remnants of Olga while nearing and leaving Cozumel. We also sailed back through a cold front on the 2nd sea day. Oh well, I will be back on her in May anyway!

Food: Buffet was average fare. I tried just about everything once. Burger and fries, deli sandwiches, pizza and salad buffet were all good. Dining room was much better, as expected. Chocolate melting cake every night for dessert! Don't miss out on room service; turkey sandwich and BLT were very good.

Cozumel: We didn't have any plans for Cozumel. At first we walked around checking out shops and wanted to go to a few bars for a drink. Only bar open right near the pier was Hard Rock Café. Carlos and Charlies and Senor Frogs were not yet open(I believe we got off the ship around 10:30am, which was 9:30 Cozumel time). Wow, now that I think about it, I guess that was a bit early to be looking for a drink. J. Anyway, we came across an information booth were a guy was selling an all day pass to El Cid. Here is a link if you are interested: http://www.elcid.com/index2.php?dest=czm&nego=ceiba&cat=accommodations&op=welcome&lang=eng

Basically was a hotel with a pool, swim up Jacuzzi bar, massages available for additional $$, snorkelling free for 1.5 hours and drinks included. We had to pay a $5/each deposit(cash only) then pay the balance of $30/each(cash or credit) once we arrived at the hotel. Cab was $2/person each way. I highly recommend this if you are looking for something to do. The hotel is actually right next to the international pier, we snorkelled in the shadow of the Navigator of the Seas! Not really, but it was very close!

Drinks included in the all day pass: Domestic beer(Sol, Dos Equis), Margaritas, Strawberry Daiquiri, Pina Coladas, Tequila

Casino: I did ok in the casino. I won $75 on a slot machine and about $150 on the roulette wheel. Lost a bit on the craps table, the dice were just very inconsistent. Seemed like anybody that had never played before were rolling better than the folks who knew the game. Still a very good time, there were some folks getting loud, so I assume somebody made decent money.

Overall, this was a great cruise. Not sure if I will cruise in December again though. The seas were a little rough. The ship swayed quite a bit the whole time at sea. Nothing major, but it did become a bit of an annoyance. I know a few did get sick.

Let me know if you have any questions!!!!

My son and five of his friends were also on this trip and they had a great time. No complaints except for the rough seas. One of the guys lived on Dramamine. I'm also going on this ship in May for a girls only cruise.

I have a Cat 11 Suite on Inspiration the third week of February.. If the Seas are still that bad I am going to need a Saddle to Ride On from the Front Veranda deck as You feel the MOST movement up there by the Pilot House.. :-)) Remind me Why I spent all that extra $$ ? :-) Oh, That's right.. The slim chance I get to enjoy that balcony :-) Thanks once more:D

I was there with you, was in E191! We had 62 in our party and we all had a good time. We had a few that got sick but most were sick from Carlos and Charlies! I am ready to sail again!!

Mick

I too was on this sailing. I agree with everything the OP posted - although I did really enjoy the deli/sandwich area in the buffet (they didn't have it on my last Sensation Cruise). I had them fix me a Turkey Reuben since I don't care for corned beef - quite outstanding!

The seas were pretty rough and I had many laughs at how people would stray from left to right along with the ship. Me and my girlfriend took ginger pills during the cruise and although we both felt the ship moving, neither of us ever felt sick. I'm guessing that the ginger was effective since I've been in similar seas and got very very sick.

We were at a round table of 10 for dinner. Two families with two kids each - fortunately none of them made it during the port day so it was just us and our waiter (his other table was also empty). On the last sea day which was very rough, again it was just us! I didn't mind having the table to ourselves (and all of Kaz's attention!)

We did the mini-jeep tour in Coz. It was decent but I would probably recommend a do-it-yourself package of renting a jeep, going to punta sur, going to Chakanaab for a lower price, equal activities, and more freedom/flexibility. Now to figure out what we are going to do there in three months - probably something cheap so that we can spend more money at the other 3 ports that I haven't been to.

Oh, I did sign up with the OPC (Casino) and received strawberries and a $15 photo certificate - took 5 minutes and was definitely worth it!

Great trip and I can't wait for my next one on the Legend in March.

Thanks for the Review

I will be sailing Inspiration in 19 days!! Thank you so much for a great review! We are all excited for our first singles cruise!:D

thanks for the great review. Glad you had an enjoyable cruise. The Inspiration was my first Carnival cruise. I'll have to take another cruise on her to check out the updates.

I too was on this sailing. I agree with everything the OP posted - although I did really enjoy the deli/sandwich area in the buffet (they didn't have it on my last Sensation Cruise). I had them fix me a Turkey Reuben since I don't care for corned beef - quite outstanding!

 

The seas were pretty rough and I had many laughs at how people would stray from left to right along with the ship. Me and my girlfriend took ginger pills during the cruise and although we both felt the ship moving, neither of us ever felt sick. I'm guessing that the ginger was effective since I've been in similar seas and got very very sick.

 

We were at a round table of 10 for dinner. Two families with two kids each - fortunately none of them made it during the port day so it was just us and our waiter (his other table was also empty). On the last sea day which was very rough, again it was just us! I didn't mind having the table to ourselves (and all of Kaz's attention!)

 

We did the mini-jeep tour in Coz. It was decent but I would probably recommend a do-it-yourself package of renting a jeep, going to punta sur, going to Chakanaab for a lower price, equal activities, and more freedom/flexibility. Now to figure out what we are going to do there in three months - probably something cheap so that we can spend more money at the other 3 ports that I haven't been to.

 

Oh, I did sign up with the OPC (Casino) and received strawberries and a $15 photo certificate - took 5 minutes and was definitely worth it!

 

Great trip and I can't wait for my next one on the Legend in March.

Those families with kids really really missed out if Kaz was their waiter. He took care of us on our cruise last month. He was some of the best entertainment onboard. He really played it up for the kids at our table, and folks (even retirees) from other tables would stop what they were doing just to watch him. I hope you remembered to mention him in your comment card. :)