Differences between Miracle and Imagination

[MaiTaiMary]

We were on the Miracle a few months ago. Now we're looking at a short 4-day cruise on the Imagination.

 

Just wondering what the main differences are on the ships.

 

Looks like the Imagination has better waterslides, but no steakhouse.

 

What is the "American Table/Feast" on the Imagination?

 

How 'bout the Mongolian Wok on the Imagination?

 

What else is different?

 

Thanks! :D

[JLee1973]

Imagination has no balconies, smaller older boat.

[kyrisong1]

They are worlds different!!!! One is a Fantasy class.........older ship, less bells and whistles. Miracle is a Spirit class ship and my favorite so far!!! Love that ship.

Don't compare the cruise ships because they are apples and oranges, but you'll have an amazing time.

Go to the Carnival website, hit explore and you can look through the decks on Imagination to figure out what it has and where everything is!!! It's not the Miracle but it's still a cruise!!!

Enjoy!!!

Carole

[MaiTaiMary]

They are worlds different!!!! One is a Fantasy class.........older ship, less bells and whistles.

 

Besides the steakhouse, it looks to me like the Imagination has MORE than the Miracle. :confused:

 

 

What are the "bells and whistles" that the Miracle has that the Imagination doesn't?

[SadieN]

Comparing these ships is like comparing dogs to ducks.

 

Have sailed on the Miracle and Imagination and Inspiration recently.

Imagination, Inspiration and Elation are sister ships.

 

Miracle has 2 interior public decks

Imagination has 1.25

 

Miracle's public areas are larger than Imagination

Miracle just came out of a dry dock. Imagination hasn't since she was on the East Coast.

 

Miracle has 5 hot lines in the buffet

Imagination has 2

 

Miracle has a Chinese buffet line

Imagination has Mongolian Wok

 

Miracle has a pool and hot tub in her Serenity area, tons of chairs loungers, hammocks and clamshells

Imagination has two hot tubs and umbrellas, akward to get to--down the puny stairs aft of the buffet or thru the aft Comedy lounge, fun when a show is going on, lol

 

Miracle's decks go all the way thru, her MDR is two story

Good luck finding the Aft MDR on the Imagination:p

 

American Table has been tweaked many times since it first began. It's very different now than when it started. (Hostesses have grumbled to us that for a while changes were almost daily!) Have favorites on both menus.

 

Miracle has Karaoke in an alcove

Imagination has Karaoke in a dedicated room

 

Miracle has many more cabin categories than Imagination

Miracle's cabins have fridges and most have sofas, only quads and triple/quad IS (excluding 4K) have uppers.

Miracle's bathroom layout is better.

Imagination can add extra berths to the cabin.

Imagination has many more OV cabins and no balconies. Suites are decent but ther balconies are puny.

 

Smoke from the casino can be smelt a long way in the cabin hallways on the Imagination. This is due to placement of the smoking area at the casino bar. Further from the center stairwell the less smoke.

Never smelt smoke in the cabin hallways on the Miracle.

 

Miracle still has the showband.

 

Miracle is a prettier ship overall

Imagination's MDRs are drab in comparison to the grapes on the Miracle.

 

On the Imagination 4 day you can leave as late as 6am and still get to your first port (Catalina) on time. Gotta love In County cruising

Edited April 2, 2015 by SadieN

[MaiTaiMary]

Thanks! (I think! LOL :D )

 

That gives me a much better picture now. But the Imagination cruise isn't looking too good now. :( We've been to the ports, so this would just be a "4-day on the ship" cruise.

 

 

"Waterworks" looks like the only plus for the Imagination.

[eyegirl]

Thanks! (I think! LOL :D )

 

That gives me a much better picture now. But the Imagination cruise isn't looking too good now. :( We've been to the ports, so this would just be a "4-day on the ship" cruise.

 

 

"Waterworks" looks like the only plus for the Imagination.

 

 

Ahhh, who cares???!!! We are going on a 4 day on the Imagination. While there are some "quirks", I expect it'll still be loads of fun! Just a quick, inexpensive getaway...if you don't have high expectations, you won't be disappointed :)

[MaiTaiMary]

Yes, it's inexpensive when compared to the brand new ships on 7+ day cruises, but it's not like the trip is free. Cruise fare, parking, boarding the dog, drinks, and any other extras. It'll still be well over $1,000. Honesty, I just want to make sure it'll be worth it. I understand your thinking, but to go into a trip with "low expectations" is kinda sad, IMO. I have no problem with the ship being a lot "different" than what we're used to, but having it be a lot "worse" might be an issue.

[jwalk03]

My first cruise was on the Imagination, thats what started my cruising obsession. While I agree it is not a new world class type ship, it is still perfectly acceptable for a short 3/4/5 day trip.

 

I may be in the minority but I greatly PREFER the Serenity Area on the Fantasy Class ships to the Conquest Class ones. (I havent been on the Spirit Class yet, so I can't compare those.) Serenity is all the way Aft, which provides a wonderful view and it is akward to find, so it is WAY LESS CROWDED than any of the FWRD Serenity areas on the Conquest class ships!

[SadieN]

Not better or worse. (Bathroom is the exception) Just very different.

Putting it into perspective

In the past 6 months we've sailed in the Miracle once to Hawaii and the Imagination/Inspiration 3times

Edited April 2, 2015 by SadieN

[amsred2]

Comparing these ships is like comparing dogs to ducks.

 

 

While many of this SadieN's statements are true, I don't agree with the negative tone of the post. The Imagination is a smaller ship and it has less bells and whistles. I also love the Miracle, in fact she is my favorite ship. However, the Imagination is perfect for a relaxing four day get-away. The decor is elegant and relaxing. The crew is phenomenal and I feel like family every time I have sailed with them (three times last year). There are far fewer people on this ship which has never felt crowded, making for a less stressful trip.

While there are no clam-shells or hammocks (which I can never get anyway) on the serenity deck, there are two large hot-tubs (miracle has one small one). The main pool area does get a little crowded on sea days, but so does any ships main attraction (And the water slide when it warms up).

The shows are OK but the night life is pretty decent. FYI the Miracle no longer has the big show band according to the post-dry-dock blogs. However, the Imagination's cover band is the best on the seven seas. I can be found most nights hanging out at the Casino stage (where they usually play) dancing the night away. Also, the comedians only come aboard for a few days so they are all fresh and funny.

If you are cruising for all the bells and whistles such as red frog pub, lots of specialty dining, crazy decor, candy shops, water park or serenity suites then it may not be for you. But if you are looking for a little pampered down-time, then the Imagination is perfect.

[MaiTaiMary]

I thought the Inspiration DOES have the waterpark? No?

 

I don't need "a lot" of specialty dining, but a steakhouse would've been nice. Not a deal breaker, though.

 

Thanks for your view, amsred2. It sounds much better now! LOL :D

 

Just a pet peeve of mine when people say to to expect much because it's a lower priced cruise. Vacation time and money are precious IMO, even if it is a "good deal"! :D I don't need the candy shops and such, but things like having an awesome staff is much more important to me.

 

I'm a researcher! LOL Just seeing what we're getting ourselves into. Thanks for the posts everybody.

[amsred2]

The Imagination has a water-slide area but not the whole water-park like the Dream class ships.

 

 

You might benefit from this Facebook page for West Coast cruises.

 

https://www.********************/1441317572787780/

[SadieN]

While many of this SadieN's ..........

 

 

I'm a person not an object.

[amsred2]

I'm a person not an object.

 

 

I truely apologise. When I wrote the post, I started to write "While many of this poster's statements are true..." then changed it; meaning to write "While many of SadieN's statements are true...". I didn't mean to refer to you as "this"... or sound snarky. I just meant to give my different point of view.

[Kobayashi]

Hi Mary - you can read my review about the Imagination here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2186027

[SadieN]

I truely apologise. When I wrote the post, I started to write "While many of this poster's statements are true..." then changed it; meaning to write "While many of SadieN's statements are true...". I didn't mean to refer to you as "this"... or sound snarky. I just meant to give my different point of view.

 

 

Ahhh

No problem. We both got caught in the problems between the spoken and written word.

 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

[MCFTJCH2V]

We were on the Miracle a few months ago. Now we're looking at a short 4-day cruise on the Imagination.

 

Just wondering what the main differences are on the ships.

 

Looks like the Imagination has better waterslides, but no steakhouse.

 

What is the "American Table/Feast" on the Imagination?

 

How 'bout the Mongolian Wok on the Imagination?

 

What else is different?

 

Thanks! :D

 

These two class ships are as far apart from each other than any other 2 classes in the fleet. Even the funnel is different.

[cdamion]

My photo review of the Miracle is here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2189665

 

I just got off of her last week after the drydock.

Edited April 3, 2015 by cdamion

[cdamion]

Comparing these ships is like comparing dogs to ducks.

 

Have sailed on the Miracle and Imagination and Inspiration recently.

Imagination, Inspiration and Elation are sister ships.

 

Miracle has 2 interior public decks

Imagination has 1.25

 

Miracle's public areas are larger than Imagination

Miracle just came out of a dry dock. Imagination hasn't since she was on the East Coast.

 

Miracle has 5 hot lines in the buffet

Imagination has 2

 

Miracle has a Chinese buffet line

Imagination has Mongolian Wok

 

Miracle has a pool and hot tub in her Serenity area, tons of chairs loungers, hammocks and clamshells

Imagination has two hot tubs and umbrellas, akward to get to--down the puny stairs aft of the buffet or thru the aft Comedy lounge, fun when a show is going on, lol

 

Miracle's decks go all the way thru, her MDR is two story

Good luck finding the Aft MDR on the Imagination:p

 

American Table has been tweaked many times since it first began. It's very different now than when it started. (Hostesses have grumbled to us that for a while changes were almost daily!) Have favorites on both menus.

 

Miracle has Karaoke in an alcove

Imagination has Karaoke in a dedicated room

 

Miracle has many more cabin categories than Imagination

Miracle's cabins have fridges and most have sofas, only quads and triple/quad IS (excluding 4K) have uppers.

Miracle's bathroom layout is better.

Imagination can add extra berths to the cabin.

Imagination has many more OV cabins and no balconies. Suites are decent but ther balconies are puny.

 

Smoke from the casino can be smelt a long way in the cabin hallways on the Imagination. This is due to placement of the smoking area at the casino bar. Further from the center stairwell the less smoke.

Never smelt smoke in the cabin hallways on the Miracle.

 

Miracle still has the showband.

 

Miracle is a prettier ship overall

Imagination's MDRs are drab in comparison to the grapes on the Miracle.

 

On the Imagination 4 day you can leave as late as 6am and still get to your first port (Catalina) on time. Gotta love In County cruising

 

2 corrections as of last week:

 

NO show band - it is gone after drydock.

 

Karaoke was in the smaller theater at the front of the ship on deck 1 (Joker's lounge - forgot the name already)

[ivanrocko]

Miracle is better ship than Imagination.

[SadieN]

2 corrections as of last week:

 

 

 

NO show band - it is gone after drydock.

 

 

 

Karaoke was in the smaller theater at the front of the ship on deck 1 (Joker's lounge - forgot the name already)

 

 

Mad Hatters? Much better place for Karaoke.

[Jazzzy]

I'm a person not an object.

 

This quote had me laughing for 5 minutes! lol

[Jazzzy]

As you can see in my signature, I have been on Inspiration many times (sister ship to Imagination)... probably due to the fact that we can drive to Longbeach to board the ship and we like the 3 or 4 day itineraries for a quick getaway...

 

With that said, Inspiration remains to be our least favorite ship. It is small and not very elegant compared to the other ships we have been on... most of the rooms we have stayed in and their restrooms smell bad and have very old carpet... I have to cover my nose at the entrance to the Lido deck buffet (probably the poor design of this area? vents blow out in the hallway and it has a distinct bad odor).... the food in the MDR is different from Carnival Dream and Carnival Breeze MDRs (more bland and not as many choices)... I have decided to stop sailing this class for now... probably until the ship gets a dry dock/reno...

 

We are considering a cruise on the Miracle later this year... Hopefully it will be better than the Inspiration...

Edited July 12, 2015 by Jazzzy

[Tapi]

the Imagination is perfect for a relaxing four day get-away. The decor is elegant and relaxing..

 

 

I've sailed on the Imagination twice and both times had a great time. But "ELEGANT" and "RELAXING" are probably the last two words that I would select to describe her decor! True, her colors are not as wild as some of her sister ships, but she's still a Fantasy class ship with outdated, early 90's, Farcus neon decor! With that said, I do agree that she's a nice ship for a quick, inexpensive, no frills getaway.

 

To the OP, my best piece of advice is that you go with realistic expectations and you'll throughly enjoy it. She's an older ship relegated to quick, inexpensive cruises, which explains why her pricing is considerably cheaper than longer cruises on newer and larger ships.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Tapi