Inspiration...It is what you make of it!

[cruisinthemed]

Just a little background...This was my 21st cruise on Carnival & my 2nd on the Inspiration. I've also taken 4 on NCL & 4 RCCL. We love to cruise & this was our 4th cruise since Feb.

 

We took the Inspiration as a short summer getaway. It was My 15 year old son's 2nd cruise. Sail date June 24-28, 2013.

 

We arrived @ the port @ 10:30, being Platinum we like getting to the ship early. We, in the past would often be on the ship by 11:30. This was not the case on Monday. We didn't board until 12:45! The wedding parties were very frustrated, as one of the ceremonies was due to start @ 1:30.

 

Our ship was very late in departing. We were actually 2 hours & 10 minutes late. The only thing we heard was logistics! That could mean just about anything???

 

The ship stunk...I mean it literally stunk, like sewer! It was the worst in the area of the casino by the elevators down each flight, so not from the smoke from the casino bar...that's another story! I won't even go there. I learned to hold my breath waiting for the elevator & when we came out of the elevator by our room. Fortunately we were close to the elevator. Our room didn't smell, but we were quick to close our door.

 

Our cabin was ready & we dropped of our carry-ons, then headed upstairs for lunch & to walk around the ship. We bought my son a soda card & ordered a bucket of beer. Darrell was our server for bar a service from the 1st order & was great. He knew our names & folio # from the 1st order. My son was very impressed by him to be referred by name the entire cruise.

 

Our dining room service was fair to poor. My son enjoyed his gourmet burger the 1st night & ordered it again the 2nd night. To his disappointment it was not a gourmet burger, but possibly a kids burger. Something like the pool area would serve, with soft soggy fries.

 

Last nights wait for dinner was 45 minutes. We had YTD and went @ 7. It took until 8:10 before our starters were @ our table. My son had activities starting @ 8:30, so after My husband & I had our starters served, I asked if my son could have his burger (yes, he had a burger again). I think that may have annoyed our waiter, as the people sitting at the table next to ours that He was flinging my plate like a Frisbee. The service from Him was down right rude. Our dinner too us until 9:10 to complete. I've never spent that long from going to the dining room to finishing dinner before.

 

The chocolate melting cake was really the only reason why we wanted the dining room last night. My son didn't even stick around for it, since their activity was starting.

 

We got off the ship in Catalina & priority tendering paid off, since the line was going through deck 5. We were told that @ 11:00 they were expecting it to be on deck 8. We rented a golf cart since it was overcast. We had planned to parasail, but it wasn't nice enough.

 

We never got off the ship in Ensenada, so no comment for that. We hung out in the Casino most of the day, since again it was overcast.

 

We always enjoy the adult comedy. Smiley Joe Wiley was very good. Seth was good also, but we have heard him so many times that it seemed that he hasn't added any new material in years...other than the audience jokes.

 

We heard Tommy Green Jr. @ the Welcome aboard show & were very disappointed to know he was sailing as a guest & would not be entertaining us during the cruise. We saw in the funtimes that the entertainer in Blue Rhaphsody was also named Tommy G, thought maybe it was Tommy Green Jr. but, were disappointed all over again! To think 2 entertainers with the same 1st name & last initials...what were the chances:(

 

Overall we had a good trip, because we enjoy being on the ship, but we have decided we will probably not sail on the Inspiration again.

 

This was wrote as I thought of things & is not in any particular order. I'm not going to put any pics, as I wasn't meaning to make it a review, just some of our thoughts & observances.

[Rosefloater]

 

Our ship was very late in departing. We were actually 2 hours & 10 minutes late. The only thing we heard was logistics! That could mean just about anything???

 

The ship stunk...I mean it literally stunk, like sewer! It was the worst in the area of the casino by the elevators down each flight, so not from the smoke from the casino bar...that's another story! I won't even go there. I learned to hold my breath waiting for the elevator & when we came out of the elevator by our room. Fortunately we were close to the elevator. Our room didn't smell, but we were quick to close our door.

 

Last nights wait for dinner was 45 minutes. We had YTD and went @ 7. It took until 8:10 before our starters were @ our table. ... Our dinner took us until 9:10 to complete. I've never spent that long from going to the dining room to finishing dinner before.

 

We always enjoy the adult comedy. Smiley Joe Wiley was very good. Seth was good also, but we have heard him so many times that it seemed that he hasn't added any new material in years...other than the audience jokes.

 

Thanks for the review. There aren't that many for the Inspiration.

 

About the smoke - This has been our main complaint. They allow smoking at the Casino bar and the smoke goes down the stairwell. We were on the Riviera deck and smelled the smoke.:eek: We have learned not to go near that stairwell. When we book a cabin, we always make sure it isn't around this stairwell.

 

We also had slow service one night back in March. No food was coming out of the kitchen for about 1/2 hour. Everyone, including the waitstaff were getting frustrated.

 

About the comedy - We're with you about Seth. We know his routine by heart. He is good the 1st 2 times seeing him, but after that, he isn't funny anymore. After 5 years of seeing him, you would think he would have a new routine.:rolleyes:

[SadieN]

Sorry your cruise was so stinky. We've sailed on the Inspiration 5 times since she's been on the West Coast. Three times have been this year. The ship has not smelled like a sewer.

 

It was reported here that your cruise got off to a late start, no reasons given. At least you were able to board. We have had to wait inside the Dome while a double suicide was being investigated a few years back.

 

FWIW For the Friday embarkation it is best to get to the ship early because many working-stiffs like to put in a half day. For the Monday embarkation it has been our experience to arrive around 11:30 and we practically walk right on.

 

We can also deliver Seth's routine. He actually told me I didn't have to go if I didn't want to hear it again. :rolleyes:

[fyree39]

I noticed the sewer smell on our last Inspiration cruise. The smoke never bothered me, but the sewer smell did maybe just a little bit. We'll be on her again in October, so maybe the dining room staff will be happier by that time. :p

[elliair]

About the smoke - This has been our main complaint. They allow smoking at the Casino bar and the smoke goes down the stairwell. We were on the Riviera deck and smelled the smoke.:eek: We have learned not to go near that stairwell. When we book a cabin, we always make sure it isn't around this stairwell.

 

We had smoke 24/7 coming into our aft cabin. It came through the ventilation and our room steward had to come in several times a day to mask the odor. The Inspiration was the worse Carnival ship we have been on and I will never step foot back onto that ship.

 

Kids were running all over the ship with no parents in sight. Two boys were feeding sea gulls bread doused with Tabasco sauce. I got right on them and told them security was on their way. Never saw them the rest of the cruise.

 

It was a cruise I want to forget - and we were b2b. UGHHHH!

[pungo3]

Sorry you had a a stinky cruise. I used to love the Inspiration, but know that things change. At least I know to stay away now. :D

[ccruisequeen]

Maybe the delay was due to that smell I watched the ship depart and wondered what was going on.

[Frank12]

Sorry you had a a stinky cruise. I used to love the Inspiration, but know that things change. At least I know to stay away now. :D

I agree. Sounds like the old Inspiration is going downhill. We had 2 great cruises to Mexico on her. In fact, she was our Platinum cruise.

[cruisinthemed]

We had smoke 24/7 coming into our aft cabin. It came through the ventilation and our room steward had to come in several times a day to mask the odor. The Inspiration was the worse Carnival ship we have been on and I will never step foot back onto that ship.

 

Kids were running all over the ship with no parents in sight. Two boys were feeding sea gulls bread doused with Tabasco sauce. I got right on them and told them security was on their way. Never saw them the rest of the cruise.

 

It was a cruise I want to forget - and we were b2b. UGHHHH!

 

 

We had a few adults running up & down the hallway. I opened my door, thinking it was kids. I was a bit surprised to see adults, but it was Ensenada day;)

 

There were seagulls...and they were hungry! We watched from up by the ping pong table, a seagull swoop down by the pool and snatch a ladies hamburger. She wasn't in her chair @ the time, when she came back & saw her burger gone...the look on her face, it was priceless:) We were surprised the seagull would take the whole burger...We saw some leave droppings in the pool, too!

 

We really do deserve a nice ship on the West Coast! We're actually looking @ other cruise lines, for our Feb. cruise. We may try the Miracle for Valentine's day, but for the 1st time in 5 years...looking @ our options.

[cruisinthemed]

The pool was empty all day Monday...No water in it! This was disappointing, since we like to sit by the pool when we get onboard. It was filled Tuesday.

[cruiseclues]

Thanks for your objective review. :):):):)

[elliair]

We had a few adults running up & down the hallway. I opened my door, thinking it was kids. I was a bit surprised to see adults, but it was Ensenada day;)

 

There were seagulls...and they were hungry! We watched from up by the ping pong table, a seagull swoop down by the pool and snatch a ladies hamburger. She wasn't in her chair @ the time, when she came back & saw her burger gone...the look on her face, it was priceless:) We were surprised the seagull would take the whole burger...We saw some leave droppings in the pool, too!

 

We really do deserve a nice ship on the West Coast! We're actually looking @ other cruise lines, for our Feb. cruise. We may try the Miracle for Valentine's day, but for the 1st time in 5 years...looking @ our options.

 

We had two couples crawling to their cabin. Security had to be called to get them there. The gulls swooped down on this one mans breakfast while the passenger got his coffee. It was all devoured by the gulls when he got back to his seat. Entertaining but not our cup of tea.

[SadieN]

We had two couples crawling to their cabin. Security had to be called to get them there. The gulls swooped down on this one mans breakfast while the passenger got his coffee. It was all devoured by the gulls when he got back to his seat. Entertaining but not our cup of tea.

 

Sounds like you ended up on the cruise(s) from Hades. Spring Break wasn't that bad.

 

No idea why anyone would think food left outside would be safe from seagulls. Those birds are very opportunistic.

 

Evidently birds suffer no ill effects from eating tobasco

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070809203247AAmCtyj

[bride123105]

We really do deserve a nice ship on the West Coast! We're actually looking @ other cruise lines, for our Feb. cruise. We may try the Miracle for Valentine's day, but for the 1st time in 5 years...looking @ our options.

 

The Miracle is pretty nice.

[vwrestler171]

Hmm, if it's bad in October, maybe the mother-in-law won't want to go with us again. So is it really a bad thing ;)

[ccruisequeen]

My April cruise wasn't bad. I had cabin on E deck near midship elevators (by back entrance to MDR) and wasn't bothered by anything.

[Cuizer2]

Just a little background...This was my 21st cruise on Carnival & my 2nd on the Inspiration. I've also taken 4 on NCL & 4 RCCL. We love to cruise & this was our 4th cruise since Feb.

 

We took the Inspiration as a short summer getaway. It was My 15 year old son's 2nd cruise. Sail date June 24-28, 2013.

 

We arrived @ the port @ 10:30, being Platinum we like getting to the ship early. We, in the past would often be on the ship by 11:30. This was not the case on Monday. We didn't board until 12:45! The wedding parties were very frustrated, as one of the ceremonies was due to start @ 1:30.

 

Our ship was very late in departing. We were actually 2 hours & 10 minutes late. The only thing we heard was logistics! That could mean just about anything???

 

The ship stunk...I mean it literally stunk, like sewer! It was the worst in the area of the casino by the elevators down each flight, so not from the smoke from the casino bar...that's another story! I won't even go there. I learned to hold my breath waiting for the elevator & when we came out of the elevator by our room. Fortunately we were close to the elevator. Our room didn't smell, but we were quick to close our door.

 

Our cabin was ready & we dropped of our carry-ons, then headed upstairs for lunch & to walk around the ship. We bought my son a soda card & ordered a bucket of beer. Darrell was our server for bar a service from the 1st order & was great. He knew our names & folio # from the 1st order. My son was very impressed by him to be referred by name the entire cruise.

 

Our dining room service was fair to poor. My son enjoyed his gourmet burger the 1st night & ordered it again the 2nd night. To his disappointment it was not a gourmet burger, but possibly a kids burger. Something like the pool area would serve, with soft soggy fries.

 

Last nights wait for dinner was 45 minutes. We had YTD and went @ 7. It took until 8:10 before our starters were @ our table. My son had activities starting @ 8:30, so after My husband & I had our starters served, I asked if my son could have his burger (yes, he had a burger again). I think that may have annoyed our waiter, as the people sitting at the table next to ours that He was flinging my plate like a Frisbee. The service from Him was down right rude. Our dinner too us until 9:10 to complete. I've never spent that long from going to the dining room to finishing dinner before.

 

The chocolate melting cake was really the only reason why we wanted the dining room last night. My son didn't even stick around for it, since their activity was starting.

 

We got off the ship in Catalina & priority tendering paid off, since the line was going through deck 5. We were told that @ 11:00 they were expecting it to be on deck 8. We rented a golf cart since it was overcast. We had planned to parasail, but it wasn't nice enough.

 

We never got off the ship in Ensenada, so no comment for that. We hung out in the Casino most of the day, since again it was overcast.

 

We always enjoy the adult comedy. Smiley Joe Wiley was very good. Seth was good also, but we have heard him so many times that it seemed that he hasn't added any new material in years...other than the audience jokes.

 

We heard Tommy Green Jr. @ the Welcome aboard show & were very disappointed to know he was sailing as a guest & would not be entertaining us during the cruise. We saw in the funtimes that the entertainer in Blue Rhaphsody was also named Tommy G, thought maybe it was Tommy Green Jr. but, were disappointed all over again! To think 2 entertainers with the same 1st name & last initials...what were the chances:(

 

Overall we had a good trip, because we enjoy being on the ship, but we have decided we will probably not sail on the Inspiration again.

 

This was wrote as I thought of things & is not in any particular order. I'm not going to put any pics, as I wasn't meaning to make it a review, just some of our thoughts & observances.

 

Thank you for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the cruise. However, this was not want I wanted to read, as my next cruise is on the Inspiration.

[CruiseHealing]

When the Inspiration was in Tampa the reviews were overall good. But at the same time Paradise reviews were fair. Then they switched the ships and I watched the reviews and noticed that the overall Inspiration reviews were falling, while the Paradise has improving.

 

I personally witnessed this on our last Paradise Cruise in past March (2013). The ship had much better service and the condition was a little better when compared to when we first cruised her in May 2012. I wonder if it is because the Carnival Corp is based just a three hour drive from Tampa. You know, "the cats away the mice will play"?

[Cuizer2]

When the Inspiration was in Tampa the reviews were overall good. But at the same time Paradise reviews were fair. Then they switched the ships and I watched the reviews and noticed that the overall Inspiration reviews were falling, while the Paradise has improving.

 

I personally witnessed this on our last Paradise Cruise in past March (2013). The ship had much better service and the condition was a little better when compared to when we first cruised her in May 2012. I wonder if it is because the Carnival Corp is based just a three hour drive from Tampa. You know, "the cats away the mice will play"?

 

It might also have to do with the different market. The population around Southern California is different than the population around central Floria.

[CruiseHealing]

Well I thought about that, but that indicates that Floridians and their east coast neighbors are more tolerant and have lower standards, and/or the west coasters are more finicky and have higher standards?

 

The OP complained about the sewer smell near the casino. I remember the smell but it was forward on the Rivera deck. And it wasn't that bad.

 

The think the other issue may be dry dock. The ships on the east coast may go to dry dock in Freeport and Mobile more often then the ships on the west coast. Do they dry dock ships on the west coast?

[Cuizer2]

Well I thought about that, but that indicates that Floridians and their east coast neighbors are more tolerant and have lower standards, and/or the west coasters are more finicky and have higher standards?

 

The OP complained about the sewer smell near the casino. I remember the smell but it was forward on the Rivera deck. And it wasn't that bad.

 

The think the other issue may be dry dock. The ships on the east coast may go to dry dock in Freeport and Mobile more often then the ships on the west coast. Do they dry dock ships on the west coast?

 

Yes, San Francisco and Vancouver both have dry dock facilities that the cruise lines use.

[richard1s]

Well I thought about that, but that indicates that Floridians and their east coast neighbors are more tolerant and have lower standards, and/or the west coasters are more finicky and have higher standards?

 

The OP complained about the sewer smell near the casino. I remember the smell but it was forward on the Rivera deck. And it wasn't that bad.

 

There seems to be no bottom for the carnival cruiser vacation standard.

[Lovefuninthesun]

There seems to be no bottom for the carnival cruiser vacation standard.

 

Sailed Inspiration out of Tampa, had a good cruise, thought the ship was OK, if not our favorite. Our only complaint for that cruise was that some of the crew we encountered were not very helpful.

[ccruisequeen]

Second week in a row it was late leaving long Beach (hour this time). Hope they get problems settled by sept.

[Cuizer2]

Second week in a row it was late leaving long Beach (hour this time). Hope they get problems settled by sept.

 

Me too, though it is a relatively short sail to Catalina or Ensenada (plus it is down hill to Ensenada). :)