Inspiration review May 25-29th Woohoo

[The Phoenixx]

We had a great time!!! AND I finally figured out how to post pics. (even better)

 

This is our second time in the Inspiration and celebrating the same event (just a different daughter) GRADUATION!! My last one, and I am excited. We made more of this cruise than we did the last time. And I am glad we did. Traveling on this cruise along with myself and my graduate daughter her BFF and fellow graduate, and my cousin (first time cruiser, and yes she said I popped her cruising cherry SMH)

 

We drove from Phoenix on Sunday. We left at 6:15 am and arrived before noon. We had two graduations, and a graduation party on Saturday, so we were ready to head out of town for a vacation. We stayed with our cousin, hung out at Long Beach, and mentally prepared ourselves for a wonderful time.

 

We received a call and email from Carnival indicating we would be departing from San Pedro instead of Long Beach. We were about 15 minutes from Long Beach, and even though or email said to arrive after 1:00pm, we headed out early anyway.

 

Next up: Day One

 

The graduates building a sand castle at Long Beach

[The Phoenixx]

We headed out to the port about 10:30. Since they were going to shuttle us to San Pedro, we saw busses lined up and ready to go.

 

We dropped off our luggage and headed to the first line. There were three lines set up outside the dome. One for priority and two for the...not so priority..us. I don't know how I mange to choose the line that will take the longest, but I am almost 100% accurate. So as we watched everyone around us get through the line and load the bus, I directed my party to not make eye contact, and don't ask any questions. She was a nice lady, but a little confused. I was checking in my daughter and myself, and she had a difficult time figuring out who I was and matching it up with my passport, but we were patient, smiled and made it to the next line for the bus.

 

 

We ready!!! Woohoo!!

 

We waited about 5 minutes and loaded the bus to San Pedro.

[The Phoenixx]

Just a few pics. The USS Iowa was busy for Memorial Day.

 

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[The Phoenixx]

We arrived on the ship around 12:20 and went to look for our cabin. Some of the crew members were trying to hint to us that our room wasn't ready, but we are a little hardheaded and went to our rooms anyway. They were ready, so we dropped off the luggage, and I sent the girls to the Lido for lunch while I decorated their room with treats.

 

 

 

The newbies got seasick and one didn't go to dinner and the other went to dinner but didn't eat much. More pics of the Inspiration.

 

 

[The Phoenixx]

[The Phoenixx]

I guess I can sum up the remainder of the cruise.

 

In Catalina we rented kayaks from the vendor directly to the right of the exit ramp. Wet Spot I think. We rented kayaks for $40 for one hour. That included 1 single and 1 double kayak. They had starfish souvenirs and they can custom make them for you.

 

Later we went to Lloyds for taffy and a caramel apple. All were delish. We picked up some gifts for friends and headed over to a restaurant that had a small bowling alley and $2 street tacos. The tacos were great and hit the spot. They frozen margarita, was so so.

 

We headed over to the Casino, we didn't go in, but found Descanso Beach club. The girls didn't feel like beaching it today, so we went back to the ship around 2 pm

 

At dinner, we had early dining. they surprised my girls with a cheesecake with candles and sang happy graduation. I ordered a cake, but I guess the cheesecake sufficed.

 

We went to the clean comedy show that night and the girls had a great time.

 

In Ensenada we took one of the tour buses not affiliated with Carnival into town. We purchases the La Bufadora.horseback riding tour through their company and it was $35/pp. They dropped us off at a little restaurant where we had a margarita while we waited. They had vendors selling goods there, and a free buffet (with coupon. It also had a $5 coupon to use on the excursions they offered. It was $3 round trip for the bus ride to/from town. Our tour guide Chino was funny and very informative. He stopped at the store, bathroom, tamale stand, at our request. We got tamales for $1 delish! He also pointed out the vendors to patronize at the flea market. Told us to negotiate and not accept the first price.

 

We got back to the shop around 5pm. It was a full day, and we skipped dinner in the main that night. We ate on the Lido, and called it a night.

 

It was a great cruise. The girls had a blast, and we went on a few adventures we didn't consider last time.

 

On to the next cruise!! Freedom here I come. The girls will be taking a cruise with their dad next summer, so the Freedom will be a big girl's cruise.

 

Thanks for reading.

[The Phoenixx]

[The Phoenixx]

[sanmarcosman]

Thanks for your review of the Inspiration and the photos of Catalina brought back nice memories for us.

[Rosefloater]

 

Later we went to Lloyds for taffy and a caramel apple. All were delish. We picked up some gifts for friends and headed over to a restaurant that had a small bowling alley and $2 street tacos. The tacos were great and hit the spot. They frozen margarita, was so so.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Love Lloyd's. We always stop there when in Avalon. At the arcade where the bowling alley is, they also make great pizza and salads.

[sjn911]

Thank you so for your review...those were happy faces in those pictures..how sweet. I think it is an absolutely wonderful 4 day trip and graduation present and when folks are with their kids doing what you all did...it makes for a great ship of people...my first cruise was from Long Beach on the Paradise, same itinerary...the Fantasy class ship there at the time..also a big graduation week in early June..congrats on remaining cool on the port change.

 

Thanks for wonderful review, tips and photos..and enjoy your next cruise on the Freedom...Sarah

Edited June 5, 2015 by sjn911

[The Phoenixx]

Thanks for your review of the Inspiration and the photos of Catalina brought back nice memories for us.

 

You're welcome. Catalina is becoming one of my favorite places.

[The Phoenixx]

Love Lloyd's. We always stop there when in Avalon. At the arcade where the bowling alley is, they also make great pizza and salads.

 

It looked delicious. A group of people dining there ordered the pizza. I will have to try it next time.

[The Phoenixx]

Thank you so for your review...those were happy faces in those pictures..how sweet. I think it is an absolutely wonderful 4 day trip and graduation present and when folks are with their kids doing what you all did...it makes for a great ship of people...my first cruise was from Long Beach on the Paradise, same itinerary...the Fantasy class ship there at the time..also a big graduation week in early June..congrats on remaining cool on the port change.

 

Thanks for wonderful review, tips and photos..and enjoy your next cruise on the Freedom...Sarah

 

Thanks Sarah. :) We had a blast. I am trolling the Freedom reviews as I speak (type) Have a great one. :)

[erewhon]

Thanks for reviewing your cruise and sharing your great photos.

[QueensChick]

Very nice review, wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to the graduates.

 

 

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[funat55]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review including all the wonderful pictures. Sounds like you had a great time.

[riclop]

Thanks for sharing.

[Bsbllmom]

Thanks for the review!! I just love your pictures and congratulations on your daughter's graduation!

[tlovesdis]

Thanks for your great review! We are sailing the Inspiration in Feb. 2016 and it was nice to see a review about it!!

 

Looks and sounds like you had a great time!

[ProfCruise]

Fun review! Congratulations to your granddaughters (they are gorgeous!) and thanks for sharing your trip. Have fun on the Freedom -- I LOVED her when I sailed in December. :D

[The Phoenixx]

Fun review! Congratulations to your granddaughters (they are gorgeous!) and thanks for sharing your trip. Have fun on the Freedom -- I LOVED her when I sailed in December. :D

 

Thank you. I will check out your review of the Freedom. :)

[The Phoenixx]

Very nice review, wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to the graduates.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thank you :)

[The Phoenixx]

Thanks for reviewing your cruise and sharing your great photos.

 

You're welcome, and thank you.:)

[Kayloves]

Cute. Thanks for sharing. That horseback riding excursion looks sooo fun!