Imagination out of Long Beach- Review

[SadieN]

Mom and I were on the first cruise of the Imagination out of Long Beach. 4day to Catalina and Ensenada. This was our 25th Carnival cruise. About 18 have been on the Paradise, Elation, Inspiration and now the Imagination. We were in cabin U191.

 

The Good--

-Friendly crew

-Excellant Room Stewards

-Good food in the MDR, always came out at the right temp.

-The CD and his staff

-Certain Lido food-Carved turkey, chicken tenders, thin french fries, Hamburgers, soft serve icecream/yogurt, salad bar

Gluten free bread was available on the Lido, away from the other breads, also saw it outside near the rotissierie. Mom thought it was corn bread.:rolleyes:

Things with nuts were labeled.

 

The Bad--

-The lighting in the Epic Rock show. The lights had a strobe effect pointed directly at the audience many times. Many were complaining about having to shut their eyes. I had to shut AND cover my eyes.

Mom didn't like Divas. I thought it was better on the Conquest in November.

-Almost all the food on the Lido. Not too sure where to start. Oatmeal-Water ratio was off, best served thru a straw. Triple the amount of mayo in the Tuna at the deli. The deli chef seemed to forget how to make the veggie sandwich, Undercooked fish on the steamer table.

-The old pizza recipe is still being used.

-The bathroom vanity, the Hotel Director confirmed that no one likes it.

-The top of the mid ship elevator collected smoke and the casino was very smoky on that side.

-The Casino G-ds.

 

The Ugly--

The ATD wait for the MDR. Truly do not understand what went on with this cruise. We have done ATD on Carnival since it began. The few times we havn't is when we are traveling in a big group.

 

We knew we were in trouble the first evening when we saw the MDR line at 6pm. It went past the Piano Bar and ended at the atrium elevators. At 7:00 it was no better. Took us 30 minutes to get a beeper then another 30 minutes to be beeped. It didn't get any better the next two nights but we realized it was best to get in line at 6pm. The third night was extremely bad. The hostess was bad, cut Mom off and didn't even give her a chance to say that we would share a table. It was so bad that Mom actually complained to the Maitre 'D. Hopefully this was an abberration and not how the Imagination is usually run.

 

The funny--

The Fun Times had several amusing mistakes. Funniest one was the Sailaway Party from Miami.

 

The Cabin--

We were in U191. Good location just aft of the aft stairwell.

One American outlet and one British 220 outlet.

Safe needed a card with a magnetic strip.

No full length mirror.

 

Embarkation--

We received the email from Carnival about not showing up too early. We arrived at 12:30. Embarkation started a few minutes after we arrived. It usually starts around 11:30, so for once, the email was correct.

 

We didn't leave port until 10:30. The shops never opened. The Casino opened a bit after 11p.

One of the tender ramps was in need of repair and it took longer than expected. Funny thing-- The CD kept us updated and said that it would not delay our arrival time in Catalina. Catalina is only 22 miles away. We could have been in port til 6am and still arrived on time.

(I think this itin has to be one of the shortest going. Catalina is even in the same county as Long Beach.)

 

Debarkation--

We were off the ship by 10. On these short cruises the majority of pax seem to do self assist. By the time they started calling numbers it was in groups of 10, lol.

We almost always wait to get off the ship to avoid rush hour traffic.

 

*****

We had the old menu and they will be serving the new menu by midFebruary. The new tables are pretty. Raymond, the Lido Maitre' D didn't know if the lido food was changing as well. He said he takes everything day-by-day.

 

The brunch was served on the seaday.

 

Never went to the comedy show.

Only went to the Piano bar when we had the beeper for the MDR. The Piano Guy had said that only those with a beeper were allowed to enter.:p

 

The schedule is about the same as it has been for a while on the 4day cruises. Few tweaks but no major changes.

 

******

Catalina--

Didn't do much. Bought some taffy at Lloyd's and mailed a package to DD in school. Bought some more taffy and went back to the ship.

 

Ensenada--

We were the only ship in port and docked at the farther pier (it's a further 5 minute walk to town). This pier is where the port office is and has a patio area. Since it was the Imagination's first time in Ensenada we were greeted by singers, Folklorico dancers, Mariachi's and a TV news camera.

We didn't do too much. Went to a new (to us) restaurant, La Guadalajara, around 2pm. It was us and several tables of locals, including tour guides. $13 for two beers and a large lamb Birria.

Edited February 3, 2014 by SadieN

[USNUZULOOSE]

I am glad there is another ship out of LB. Thanks for your input. I do have a question. Does the ship have MUTS?

[SadieN]

I am glad there is another ship out of LB. Thanks for your input. I do have a question. Does the ship have MUTS?

 

 

No movies on the Lido deck on any of the Fantasy Class ships I've been on.

[sanmarcosman]

Thanks for your review of the inaugural cruise from LB of the Imagination. You made me laugh when you said you could have sailed at 6am the next day for Catalina and made it on time. You are so right!

[USNUZULOOSE]

No movies on the Lido deck on any of the Fantasy Class ships I've been on.

 

Thank you, doesn't make or break the sail. Don't know until you ask.

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Beachlover1964]

Thanks for your review. I will be celebrating my 50th birthday on her in April with 15 of my favorite women :)

[sjn911]

Thanks for your review...Easter 2012 was my last Carnival cruise..you guys are so well versed and balanced and not too picky, the Bad and Ugly is just very sad and happening more and more in dining room for many, I had similar messes..they have wrecked enough of the time what they had so very well down and done either way one dined..glad you made a good break of it anyway like you always do..welcome home..better luck next time in dining room...Sarah

Edited February 4, 2014 by sjn911

[glrounds]

I was on the same ship with you, Sadie. Loved this itinerary and price so much doing it again next Monday on the Inspiration. Even bringing along my ex. :D

 

I agree, I couldn't believe the lines for the ATD. What happened to that PLATINUM cards go to the head of the line idea ? Oh well, had a great time. And the Hold'em Poker paid for the whole thing including drinks, tips and parking ! Usually cruise 7-8 dayers but the pricing on these two Fantasy class ships cruising out of Long Beach now just begs you on.

 

The ship was in excellent shape and my cabin (U-141) was very nice and well serviced by the steward. I didn't mind the vanity thing, but I'm guessing with my ex along this time, that may be a problem. Perfect for a solo cruiser though.

 

I thought the EPIC show in the main showroom was terrific. Went to it twice. Singing wasn't all that great, but the stage presentation, dancing and the overall lighting trickery was incredible.

Edited February 4, 2014 by glrounds

[LOVECRUISING100%]

Thank You for your review on the Imagination! Heading out for a B2B on her on the 27th.. I reserved outside cabins.. Do you remember if there was hair dryers in the room?

 

So Happy to hear about the pizza!!!! Hopefully they have the garlic bread also !! : )

Edited February 16, 2014 by LOVECRUISING100%

[Rosefloater]

Thank You for your review on the Imagination! Heading out for a B2B on her on the 27th.. I reserved outside cabins.. Do you remember if there was hair dryers in the room?

 

So Happy to hear about the pizza!!!! Hopefully they have the garlic bread also !! : )

 

No hair dryers in interior or ocean view cabins. Only suites of the Fantasy class ships have hair dryers in the cabins.

[Annmarie58]

No hair dryers in interior or ocean view cabins. Only suites of the Fantasy class ships have hair dryers in the cabins.

But if you ask cabin steward on first day they will bring you one to use your whole cruise!!:D

[LOVECRUISING100%]

No hair dryers in interior or ocean view cabins. Only suites of the Fantasy class ships have hair dryers in the cabins.

 

 

Thank you! That's what I thought but I was confused because I've done 3 cruises on the Inspiration and they had them in the room (PT & OV) and I thought the inspiration was also in the Fantasy class ..