Carnival Inspiration Review/Pics 01/20/12-1st Timers w/ 22 mnth old

[Cocoanib]

Such a sweet review and dear family..and it is my last and only so far..lol..Carnival Cruise...the redone cabins and the decor looks fun on Inspiration..thanks for photos..I liked the fan things in dining room and the railing on the atrium steps...oh those young baby days are precious and short lived...so glad you are enjoying them and got time for yourselves too..and diet needs being met is so great...really great on a family friendly budget cruise....thanks...sarah

 

Sarah, I really appreciate your comments! We really did have a great time filled with fun memories!

It was nice to have sailed on Inspiration while it was fresh from the renovations. We had lunch in the Mardi Gras dining room our last day and decided we liked the look of Carnivale better. It was lovely.

 

Thank you for a great review. We will be going on the Inspiration 2/13 for a 4 day cruise. I have looked and looked for a review that fits my family and yours did. My wife and I will be traveling with 3 kids (11, 9 & 17mos). We were unsure about our decision to go on this cruise with our 17 month old daughter but your review has put our mind at ease. It looks like your daughter had a great time. Did you bring a stroller with you or just use the carrier? Thank you for the Camp Carnival review. It looks great and we plan on using their services one night so we can have some alone time. Thanks again and look forward to the rest of your review.

 

You all are going to have a great time!! I think that your 17 month old will enjoy herself just as DD did.

We did'nt bring a stroller and we are pretty happy that we didn't. The carrier was so much better for crowds and we didn't have to worry about putting it somewhere or carrying it when DD wanted to walk or we made it to our destination. I just rolled it up and put it in my bag.

DD rode in the carrier for check in and then lot's during our time in Ensenada.

 

So glad you're enjoying the review. Please ask if you have anymore questions!

 

I read somewhere that The kids club rents strollers as well.

[sjn911]

Sarah, I really appreciate your comments! We really did have a great time filled with fun memories!

It was nice to have sailed on Inspiration while it was fresh from the renovations. We had lunch in the Mardi Gras dining room our last day and decided we liked the look of Carnivale better. It was lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope to take the route soon on your ship..it is more updated than the Paradise was but I will miss the old mirror bathroom ...LOL..that was one thing..more storage and shelf room on old style sink...lol..the rest is a decided huge improvement....The photo of your baby dressed up walking down the hall next to one when she is sixteen doing the same thing with you guys..sigh..I see it now...thanks so much...sarah

[Cocoanib]

While DD was at night owls, DH and I went to all the after hour places. We wanted to see every place, even if just for a few minutes.

 

First up, the casino. I had every intention of playing a few slots at the casino, but it was too smokey for us and none of the machines were calling my name. We just walked in and pretty much right back out!

 

Next, we went to karaoke. We got a drink and listened to a couple of songs. People were actually doing pretty well.

 

After that, we went to the dance club. We came in on the end of Michael jackson tribute hour (10pm-11pm). We danced and had an all around fun time! I had already had my cocktail for the night, but then I saw the disco ball cups and had to have one! It was 15 bucks and had some rum concoction it it. DH and I shared it.

Everywhere I went with the disco ball cup, ladies stopped me to ask where I got it from :p

 

 

 

We headed over to the comedy club for awhile. It was packed, so we stood in the back. I have no idea who the comedian was. The little I heard was not cracking me up, but to be honest, I wasn't really paying very much attention. The crowd seemed to really enjoy it ;)

 

Next, we hung out at the bar right outside of the comedy lounge. The sports bar maybe??

DH got another drink while I still sipped on my disco ball :p we chatted with the bartender about cruise contracts, ship life and all that jazz. As we were sitting there, a guy came running out of the comedy club toward the bar and threw up just before he reached for some napkins. He said he was sorry and ran off. :confused:

I felt really bad for the guy. I don't know if it was sea sickness, too much drinking or both. Anyhoo, we didn't stick around too long after that.

 

Our last stop was the piano bar where Seth was performing. I liked the decor here and it had an intimate feel. Seth was very entertaining and again the crowd seemed like they were having fun. DH and I stayed for maybe 1/2 hr or so. We felt like we had been all the places we wanted to and we were missing our babygirl.

[Cocoanib]

 

I hope to take the route soon on your ship..it is more updated than the Paradise was but I will miss the old mirror bathroom ...LOL..that was one thing..more storage and shelf room on old style sink...lol..the rest is a decided huge improvement....The photo of your baby dressed up walking down the hall next to one when she is sixteen doing the same thing with you guys..sigh..I see it now...thanks so much...sarah

 

Love this idea!

[DarthGrady]

Great review, excellent pictures, thanks for posting! It's nice to see Inspiration has settled well into her new home. :)

[Cocoanib]

Sunday, Day at Sea

 

I did the same as Saturday. Went up for a jog on the track and then brought breakfast stuff back for DH and DD. They slept in pretty good after our fun filled day and night.

 

Today was really rocky. DH is prone to motion sickness, so I brought along sea bands, motioneaze and some bonine. When he said he was starting to feel bad, I had him put the bands on and apply the oil. He was against taking the pills.

 

Sleeping in and DH's uneasy feelings put us a bit behind on time.

I wanted to take DD to the bear cuddly workshop at 1pm and we had told Asta our hostess from dinner that we would be at lunch that day. We probably would have just skipped it if we were not for the California rolls :D We made it to lunch about 1230pm. She had already taken down our order the night before. Vegan california rolls, fresh fruit and a mixed veggie pasta with roasted garlic and tomato sauce. The rolls were lovely looking and the candied ginger they were topped with was a really nice added touch, but the rolls we had from the sushi cart were better. These did not have as much flavor and the rice was quite bland. They were still edible though!

 

 

DD's face looks like they were terrible, but they really were not that bad. She had a couple!

 

 

 

DH was feeling way to sick to stay, so he went back to the cabin. DD and I had some of our pasta and then headed over to Bear Cuddly Workshop.

 

[Cocoanib]

Great review, excellent pictures, thanks for posting! It's nice to see Inspiration has settled well into her new home. :)

 

No problem, I'm enjoying doing the review! It's nice to relive all the fun!

We were happy to have inspiration over here for our 1st cruise.

[jimbug]

I'm really enjoying reading this! I have to ask, though--is that parmesan cheese on top of your veggie pasta?? ;)

[LBumb]

awesome job

[Cruiser Peng]

Great review! Thank you for posting. Its very exciting for those of us that will be going on this cruise in the near future. You have a beautiful daughter!

[Cocoanib]

I'm really enjoying reading this! I have to ask, though--is that parmesan cheese on top of your veggie pasta?? ;)

Thanks!

Yes, it is. I should have specified in the pics.

That's DH's bowl and he's veg not vegan. He also had cream cheese in his california rolls.

 

awesome job

Thank you!

 

Great review! Thank you for posting. Its very exciting for those of us that will be going on this cruise in the near future. You have a beautiful daughter!

 

Thank you! Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

[Cocoanib]

Bear Cuddly Workshop

 

DD and I were a bit late for the workshop. It was fine though, because it's more of an individual thing, not a class.

It's 20 dollars and some or all (I'm not sure) proceeds go to St. Judes.

1st, you choose your animal. They had bears, tigers, bunnies and even a moose. DD chose a dog.

It comes in a cute box with the stuffing, a carnival t-shirt and a little star and angel to make a wish on and put inside with your stuffing.

 

 

 

You can stay there and stuff it or take it with you.

It was at the same lounge where karaoke is and they had kids music playing.

 

It took a lot of stuffing for this little guy.

 

You can also purchase other costumes and outfits for it. They are very reasonably priced. I think the most expensive was 6 bucks. We got a full CCL outfit (pants, top and hat) for 1 dollar!

 

 

[jimbug]

Oh, what a cute dog! I might have to do that with my DD on our cruise!

 

(And I was just giving you a hard time about the parmesan--I was actually wondering if they had provided you with a vegan "cheese"! :P)

[Cocoanib]

Oh, what a cute dog! I might have to do that with my DD on our cruise!

 

(And I was just giving you a hard time about the parmesan--I was actually wondering if they had provided you with a vegan "cheese"! :P)

 

Do it, it's alot of fun an a nice souvenir!

No problem, I was just thinking I should have been a better photo labeler. I never know when the vegan police will come after me! :p

Ooh, if they had vegan cheese, I would have been all over it! Maybe one day!

[smplyblessed619]

What a nice review!!! And BTW your DD is absolutely precious! I don't know much about vegan/veg however some of those dishes looked amazing! lol. Looking forward to the rest and thanks for taking the time to post.

[Cocoanib]

What a nice review!!! And BTW your DD is absolutely precious! I don't know much about vegan/veg however some of those dishes looked amazing! lol. Looking forward to the rest and thanks for taking the time to post.

 

Thank you so much!

I think anyone would have loved the meals we had in the dining room. They were delish!

[Yankeegirl]

Great review, and I agree, your little girl is adorable!!!

 

Although I am not a vegan or vegetarian, thanks for posting all the info about your meals. I know this will be very helpful to many people.

 

So jealous of you living so close to the port. I have a dear childhood friend that also lives in Long Beach! Hopefully, you will be cruising more often now!!:)

[sjn911]

Loving the rest..and the bear and oh everything and a pic of mom...beautiful, this was a superb review...Sarah

[Cocoanib]

Sea Day Continued

 

I should actually call this sea sick day.

The ship was rocky for the remainder of our day at sea. They had the barf bags out at the elevators. DH was not able to participate in anything that day. After showering, he forgot to put the bands back on, so I reminded him. I also don't think he was vigilant about applying the motioneaze oil. He still didn't want to take the meds, which I understand.

 

After bear cuddly and going back to check on DH, DD and I changed into our bathing suits and headed up to water works. It was way too windy and chilly up there though, so we headed back down. We tried again later, because it seemed sunnier and warmer, but again it was too windy and chilly up there.

 

DH seemed to be feeling better, so we all changed for dinner and headed out. We went down to Customer service to check our bill and pay it with cash. While there, DH got super sick and had to run to the bathroom and then back upstairs again. At this point DD started getting fussy and it made me wonder if she was feeling sea sick as well. I put some sea bands on her, just in case.

 

We went to the dining room to tell them that we wouldn't be coming for dinner. Asta was buisy, but the other host told me if DH and DD was feeling better, we should come for the late dinner seating.

 

DD and I stopped by the buffet for some bread and a baked potato for her and DH. I thought this would help their stomachs while feeling sea sick.

 

DD and I changed from our dinner clothes into more comfy clothes and sat with DH for awhile. She was still a bit fussy and I wasn't sure if she was sea sick or bored, so I decided some distraction would be good either way.

 

We left DH resting and went to the buffet. We found a few things to snack on. She also wanted a big cup of ice:) The seating area was really empty, so we sat there for a good long while snacking and eating ice. It was still quite rocky, so sometimes things would roll off the table. I also had to make sure DD didn't slide off the seats and onto the floor.

DD seemed to be fine though. She would not sit still and was laughing at any and everything. It was nice that there was not many people around, so she could kind of wander and we could be silly.

 

Then, we caught some of the show "Shout". I think we bothed liked Fiesta Latina better, but it was still entertaining for awhile. Again, we sat in the very back, so we could leave whenever we needed or wanted.

 

Next, we wandered the gift shop for even further distraction. I told her to pick what she wanted and she kept picking something and then deciding to put that one back and get something else.:)

She wound up with a magnet with a picture of the Inspiration on it. It's on the fridge at home now and I love how she looks at it, says boat and smiles all the time :)

 

After all that, we went back to the room again.

 

DH was hungry and I told him I could get him food or he could order room service. He was tired of being in the room though and wanted to go get pizza.

 

Well, here we go again...it was super rocky and after ordering DH had to leave again. He didn't want to, but I told him it was better for him to go to the cabin since it's in the middle of the ship and the bathroom is there if he needs it. DD and I brought the food back and we all ate there.

Not too long after, we finished packing and went to bed.

 

[Cocoanib]

Great review, and I agree, your little girl is adorable!!!

 

Although I am not a vegan or vegetarian, thanks for posting all the info about your meals. I know this will be very helpful to many people.

 

So jealous of you living so close to the port. I have a dear childhood friend that also lives in Long Beach! Hopefully, you will be cruising more often now!!:)

 

Thanks Yankeegirl! It was fun doing the review and hopefully others can use the info.

I figured we better take advantage of living close to the port while we're here. Hopefully, we can cruise again...just have to figure out what to do about DH's sea sickness.

 

Loving the rest..and the bear and oh everything and a pic of mom...beautiful, this was a superb review...Sarah

 

Thank you Sarah! I didn't realize it would take so long, but now we are at the end!

[Cocoanib]

We did self assist in the morning and were off the ship in no time.

Hopped in a cab, dropped off at the parking lot of a nearby hotel and back home in no time at all!

 

In conclusion

 

We had a blast! The last day was not entirely fun, but it was a learning experience. I feel really bad that DH got so sick, so we will have to figure out a better plan of action for going again.

 

I think we will cruise again. I like land based vacations for really getting to know places and being more spontaneous. However, cruising was great for a quick getaway and convenience.

[sjn911]

We did self assist in the morning and were off the ship in no time.

Hopped in a cab, dropped off at the parking lot of a nearby hotel and back home in no time at all!

 

In conclusion

 

We had a blast! The last day was not entirely fun, but it was a learning experience. I feel really bad that DH got so sick, so we will have to figure out a better plan of action for going again.

 

I think we will cruise again. I like land based vacations for really getting to know places and being more spontaneous. However, cruising was great for a quick getaway and convenience.

I agree on the difference of vacations..like both..and as I age..the cruising is a different kind of easy..but I like to be one new place and go deep into knowing it and resting whenever I want to as well...

 

So sorry DH had seasick issues...good way to look at it for next time and so glad it was at the end...and also glad they are different shows when I take this cruise again....thanks again...Sarah

[ChristiCruisin]

Great review~! Your family is adorable. I am not veg or vegan, but I tend to eat veg/vegan two days a week so I was hoping to find some good food on Carnival and it looks like I will have some great choices!

[cmjb4ever]

Thank you so much for your review of the vegan/vegetarian aspect! DH and I are new vegans, so while we've cruised before, we've not cruised as vegans. The vegan dishes look wonderful! I am that much more excited to cruise again!

[Handsome58]

is/was a great review. Glad you all had a great time [excluding the sickness]. Daughter is so cute!!!! I love it when families make great memories!!!!!