Carnival Imagination questions for first timer

[Califor6]

Gonna be booking our first cruise this week - sailing in June out of LA on the 4day Mexico cruise with family; teens are also bringing friends. Our headcount is me and hubby, 2-23yr olds, 2-18yr olds, 2-16yr olds.

 

Got lots of questions...but will just try to post a few on this posting:

 

1. What age is considered as an 'adult' on the ship? (for adult only pool, for gambling in casino, and for drinking alcohol?) Mexico is 18yr old for drinking alcohol, but didn't know how it works on ship.

2. What activites, clubs, etc are there for 16 & 18 yr olds on ship?

3. Cabins - biggest question, as I get ready to book trip. Seems like it's best to but 2 people in each of their own rooms. Need help on how this works....going with standard inside room to keep costs down but does it depend on how many per room, or just a per room cruise price for the overall cost?

4. Cabin location - I've heard that various decks are different on how you 'feel' the water, etc. Need help on what level and what part of ship - and how they different.

 

THANKS for any/all feedback that you can give this newbie! :)

[aimee0803]

Gonna be booking our first cruise this week - sailing in June out of LA on the 4day Mexico cruise with family; teens are also bringing friends. Our headcount is me and hubby, 2-23yr olds, 2-18yr olds, 2-16yr olds.

 

Got lots of questions...but will just try to post a few on this posting:

 

1. What age is considered as an 'adult' on the ship? (for adult only pool, for gambling in casino, and for drinking alcohol?) Mexico is 18yr old for drinking alcohol, but didn't know how it works on ship.

2. What activites, clubs, etc are there for 16 & 18 yr olds on ship?

3. Cabins - biggest question, as I get ready to book trip. Seems like it's best to but 2 people in each of their own rooms. Need help on how this works....going with standard inside room to keep costs down but does it depend on how many per room, or just a per room cruise price for the overall cost?

4. Cabin location - I've heard that various decks are different on how you 'feel' the water, etc. Need help on what level and what part of ship - and how they different.

 

THANKS for any/all feedback that you can give this newbie! :)

 

1. I believe the age for the clubs and casino is 18. The age for drinking and the Serenity area is 21.

 

2. The 16 year olds have access to Club O2 which is an upper-level age group of the kid's program for 15-17 year olds. 18 year olds can participate in any adult activity. I have been on some cruises with activities catered to 18-20 year olds.

 

3. The final room cost depends on how many people are in it. The 1st and 2nd person are usually listed at the base rate and any additional people are listed at a discount rate. However with additional rooms you do get additional bathrooms which can be very helpful, and sometimes the price difference can be negligible.

 

4. I have stayed on upper decks, lower decks, and all over. I have never been in any extreme as far as front or back of the ship but I have heard of people in the very back of the ship, regardless of deck, feeling a lot of vibrations or hearing a lot of noise when pulling into ports on the smaller ships (such as Imagination). The upper decks might feel a little more movement with regard to rolling, but if it's bad enough you'll feel it anywhere. If you are prone to motion sickness look into the patches/pills/bracelets, etc.

 

Hope some of this helps you out!

Edited February 25, 2014 by aimee0803

[Califor6]

Thanks, aimee0803 - appreciate all of the info!

 

So 18yr old can gamble, but not drink. Ok, thanks.

Rooms vary on costs - so will be calling and asking for pricing.

[aimee0803]

Thanks, aimee0803 - appreciate all of the info!

 

So 18yr old can gamble, but not drink. Ok, thanks.

Rooms vary on costs - so will be calling and asking for pricing.

 

Yup! For some reason even though the ships are in international waters and registered internationally, the drinking age is the same as the US.

 

And yes costs vary based on room location, category, etc. Lots of range on prices. You can always do a mock booking on the carnival website to get an idea and call in to actually book it if you have more questions or need clarification on specifics.

[joeyancho]

Just got off the imagination. Had a great time. You can read my review here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1996036

[Califor6]

thanks, Joeyancho - will give it a read!

[Califor6]

okay, just wandering what the immediate differences are from the inside rooms, outside rooms (window?)....new thoughts, comments and insight on the rooms....for us newbie - keep hearing how you're not in the room much (which I don't expect my young adult travelers to be) - but at the same time, don't want to feel like we're 'in a closet' when in the room to sleep and getting ready.

I'm thinking that maybe putting my 'young adults' (have 2-23yr, 2-18yr) in an inside room, and possibly getting window view room for us (but will be requiring an adjorning room for our 2-16yr travelers with us).

Edited February 25, 2014 by Califor6

[ccruisequeen]

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/CarnivalCruiseBarMenu.htm drink prices and menu including soft drinks. There is also a coffee bar with milk shakes for about $2 each

 

 

[ccruisequeen]

I like an inside room mid ship on the Empress deck. Close to everything.

 

 

[carrieluvsgreg]

okay, just wandering what the immediate differences are from the inside rooms, outside rooms (window?)....new thoughts, comments and insight on the rooms....for us newbie - keep hearing how you're not in the room much (which I don't expect my young adult travelers to be) - but at the same time, don't want to feel like we're 'in a close' when in the room to sleep and getting ready.

I'm thinking that maybe putting my 'young adults' (have 2-23yr, 2-18yr) in an inside room, and possibly getting window view room for us (but will be requiring an adjorning room for our 2-16yr travelers with us).

 

 

For the most part there is little difference between the room sizes. The interior rooms can be slightly smaller as most ocean view and balcony cabins have a small couch in them which extends the overall room a bit. We have been on 10 cruises so far and taken our kids (now 17 & 20) on 6 of those. We have never shared a room. I couldn't imagine sharing. Now, whether or not you could have one room for the 4 of them would be up to you. It is doable, I just wouldn't want to be in the mix. Another thing to consider, portholes book for interior room rates. You get natural light and a "view" without the extra charge. Portholes only sleep 2, so that should be a consideration for you. Since you have 23 year olds, you don't have to worry about them being close to you, you could book a porthole for you and your spouse and then a 4-person room for the kids. It could be down the same hall (or another).

 

 

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[Califor6]

thanks, carrieluvsgreg - GREAT INFO and great tip on the 'porthole' room - didn't know that!

[SailAway1959]

My husband and I are both "ample" size and have stayed in inside, outside, window, porthole, balcony and vista suites and have never felt claustrophobic in any of them. We prefer balcony for the breeze but I have to say, there are times when I miss the darkness you get in the inside cabins... especially when we're heading to bed as the sun comes up. ;-)

 

Vicki

[Califor6]

thanks :)