Great Farewell Cruise On Inspiration (no thanks to Guest Relations) 9/15/11 Pictorial

[DarthGrady]

Introduction:

 

After five previous trips on Inspiration I felt that it would be appropriate to take one more before she gets reassigned to the West coast. Several family members and a few friends joined my wife and me on the four-night cruise to Cozumel. We all left out the morning of the cruise; it takes about two hours for us to get to the Port of Tampa.

 

Embarkation:

 

We arrived at the pier around noon. The embarkation process went smoothly, as is usual for the Port of Tampa. Our traveling companions were only a few minutes behind us, even though we went through the VIP line. We were on the ship about twenty minutes after parking.

 

The Ship:

 

Very little has changed aboard Inspiration since my last cruise on her back in early 2009. The only noticeable improvements were made to the guest elevators. They have been re-floored and have new wall coverings. They have also gotten new controls and digital displays. Overall they were much improved, the last time I was onboard they looked pretty shabby.

[joeyancho]

Please excuse my ignorance, but where are the pics?

[gapearl]

Please excuse my ignorance, but where are the pics?

 

Be patient, I'm sure they're coming. He's only made 1 post so far, gheez.... :rolleyes:

[DarthGrady]

The Atrium Lobby

 

 

[DarthGrady]

Please excuse my ignorance, but where are the pics?

 

Im trying a new format with this pictorial review. I'm going to break my text and picture posts up and see if it makes it easier to follow. Usually I just mix them together.

[DarthGrady]

The Paris Lounge, the ships main theater

 

 

The Candlelight Lounge, at the aft end of the Promenade

 

 

[DarthGrady]

The Monte Carlo Casino

 

 

 

The Violins Bar in front of the casino

 

The Sushi stand on the Promenade

 

Formalities formal wear rentals and gifts

[cathyz]

Thanks for the review and the pics, the Inspiration was our first Carnival cruise and so long ago that they didn't even have the bar in the atrium then, there was a HUGE ugly sculpture right in the middle, this is much better! We're also looking forward to sailing on her soon after she comes over to our coast.

[DarthGrady]

The Avant Garde Lounge

 

The Rock and Roll dance club

 

 

The Chopin Cigar Lounge, thats how it is labeled on the deck plans anyway. Its a cruel tease though. You can't actually smoke stogies in there anymore. Apparently the puritans didn't like it.

 

 

[foxesden1]

Love the review and photos!

[beachbum6264]

Thanks for the review and the pics, the Inspiration was our first Carnival cruise and so long ago that they didn't even have the bar in the atrium then, there was a HUGE ugly sculpture right in the middle, this is much better! We're also looking forward to sailing on her soon after she comes over to our coast.

 

This HUGE ugly sculpture:

 

 

I agree, the bar is much better. Wish I could go see it for myself

[DarthGrady]

The ship's library

 

The Rhapsody in Blue piano bar

 

 

The Cafe on the Way coffee bar

 

[DarthGrady]

This HUGE ugly sculpture:

 

 

I agree, the bar is much better. Wish I could go see it for myself

 

Looks like giant gilded deer antlers.

[DarthGrady]

An elevator lobby and stairwell

 

 

New deck signs and elevators

 

 

[MrFunInTheSun]

Always enjoy your reviews Grady. Was glad I got on the Inspiration last month for one last time. Thanks so much for your review and many pictures I never took.

 

When's your first cruise back on the Ecstasy upon her return to Florida?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DarthGrady]

Our cabin, M-9:

 

 

 

I love the Fantasy Class regular cabin bathrooms. They have the best setup of any other cruise ship I have been on and seem to be the largest.

 

A cabin area hallway

[yogimax]

New deck signs and elevators

 

 

We have been on Inspiration three times and decided that was enough. I am glad to see the dramatic improvement in the elevators though, which were really looking pretty dumpy.

 

I think the main reason we had enough though was the lack of decent activities on the ship. We're not into the hairy chest or sexy legs scene and there was often little to do during the day.

 

How did you find the activities?

[DarthGrady]

Always enjoy your reviews Grady. Was glad I got on the Inspiration last month for one last time. Thanks so much for your review and many pictures I never took.

 

When's your first cruise back on the Ecstasy upon her return to Florida?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I hope to try Ecstasy out ASAP. I love cruising on new ships!

[Sthomp]

The Inspiration was our first cruise. At the time, it seemed HUGE and now it sort of looks small by comparison. I have such fond memories of that ship and that cruise. :) We did a 7 day Southern Caribbean out of San Juan ...

[DarthGrady]

We have been on Inspiration three times and decided that was enough. I am glad to see the dramatic improvement in the elevators though, which were really looking pretty dumpy.

 

I think the main reason we had enough though was the lack of decent activities on the ship. We're not into the hairy chest or sexy legs scene and there was often little to do during the day.

 

How did you find the activities?

 

I know exactly what you mean, and it was the same old stuff. I really wish they would add more activities for those who don't spend their entire day up on the Lido deck. You can only play trivia for so long. ;)

[DarthGrady]

The Promenade

 

 

Promenade gift shop

 

The photo gallery

[ccruisequeen]

The ship's library

 

The Rhapsody in Blue piano bar

 

 

The Cafe on the Way coffee bar

 

Are the pastries free? I'm looking forward to my first Inspiration cruise in Jan!

[DarthGrady]

Food and Service:

 

The food in the main dining room on this cruise was top notch. Chef Michael is running a great kitchen and it was a pleasure to dine each night. Our serving team, Juan and Emilio, were outstanding. They knew all of our names after the first night and were very friendly.

 

The Brasserie buffet was the usual fare, so I stuck with the deli’s offerings. I wasn’t at all impressed with the food from the new Mongolian Grill, or the service from the pizzeria. I have said before, and will say again, that they need more than one man at the pizza counter. I went to afternoon tea on both sea days and enjoyed it a lot.

[DarthGrady]

Are the pastries free? I'm looking forward to my first Inspiration cruise in Jan!

 

Unfortunately not at the Cafe on the Way. The fancy coffees and pastries are for-fee.

 

If you go to tea time on the sea days they have some nice pastries though and its free.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Unfortunately not at the Cafe on the Way. The fancy coffees and pastries are for-fee.

 

If you go to tea time on the sea days they have some nice pastries though and its free.

 

Tea times and the pastries are awesome! Having it in the piano bar was a nice spot too. As Grady noted he went both sea days and it was great. I must concur with this too. We also went both sea days and enjoyed it both times.