Carnival Inspiration Review

Carnival Inspiration - Western Caribbean

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Inspiration
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njs
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Apr 2007
Cabin: Interior

Nearly a week has gone by, so will share a few thoughts from our 5 day Inspiration Cruise (Tampa/Grand Cayman/Cozumel) Have only been on larger newer carnival ships so was wondering how we would like a smaller one. Loved it. The ship doesn't have the specialty dining room or fish and chips, but also doesn't have as long lines at the buffet. In fact it never seemed crowded. Very clean ~ saw crew constantly cleaning and dusting. The crew on this ship seemed to be about the happiest we have encountered and very accommodating.

Embarkation Flew down a day early so ready to roll by 10:30. We were on the lido deck enjoying salads, reubens and icecream by 11:30. Tampa is a very nice port for embarkation, and all went smoothly. After lunch, met with the maitre d'(to be at the mardi gras dining room entrance at 12:30) to ask to be switched from 5:45 to 6:15 dining time. We got there around 12:20 and were first in line. We got our request (notice delivered to room in the afternoon) and were seated with 2 other lovely couples. We had a bonvoyage gift of wine to be delivered at first diner, so went to the purser's desk to show our table change and it was delivered by the maitre d' the first night (didn't want someone else enjoying our gift ) Went back to the room to unpack (luggage arrived quickly and undamaged). We noticed a "sewage" smell in our room,toilet didn't flush and the room electrical plug was loose. By the time we returned to our cabin after supper the plug was anchored properly and the toilet flushed. The next am workers returned to the cabin and did something in the bathroom and the room smelt nice and fresh for the rest of the cruise. We appreciated the prompt attention to requests and noticed this throughout the whole cruise. MUSTER DRILL~ A necessary evil. Since we were on the upper deck, our muster station was lido deck beside the pool. I was really glad we got tables and chairs in the shade. I really felt sorry for those sweating in the sun since the drill took awhile and they were just baking. The man beside me didn't even have a life vest and when questioned by a staff member, he said it was in his cabin Hmmmmm, you think they would have made him get it. Enough about that.

DINING ~ We had mardi gras 6:15 time - worked perfect with our schedule and thought Ajimi the Maitre d' was the best. He was friendly and funny and seemed to really care about everyone's dining experience. His workers also seemed happy and worked well together. Our waiter was very efficient and his assistant constantly offered bread, refilled glasses, told us the next nights menu before we left each evening etc. We were not impressed with the service in the mardi gras at bkfst. In our large table of 10 repeated mistakes were made by the servers and 3 different people had to get up on different occasions to ask for coffee/ condiments etc. The eggs benedict were not worth going back for even tho I had ordered extra hollandaise sauce to top it up (shared with others at the table) DH spoke to AJimi about the bkfst and he was aware of problems and said they were looking into it (he also said he would have preferred to keep his staff he trained in his dining room) ~they were up on the lido serving and clearing tables. It was nice to see them on the lido - someone was always available to get drinks etc. At one lunch the southern fried chicken was in only one line. Of course that was the line my husband wasnt in I was surprised when he sat down with out it and as he was telling me a server was clearing the next table and obviously overheard. Lo and behold the server came back with 3 pieces of fried chicken on the plate . You cant beat that service. Did not care for the crepes on the lido lunch buffet on french day. We missed them on the glory so made sure we were back for them on the Inspiration. When I think of crepes I think of the Magic Pan Creperie. NOT! They were potato crepes with lemon sauce Being irish means I like potatoes (give me an ulster fry with fried potato bread any day ) but IMHO potato crepes are pretty yucky and the lemon sauce doesn't help. I would suggest just skipping that one. Had great meals in the dining room and OD'd on the deserts (esp the warm melting choc cake and grand marnier souffle). Only had room service once and it was prompt and hot. DH went to a few more of the midnight buffets than me (I made it to the mexican one and it was great~ Im not a night owl) but he brought me back some food from others. They served the white chocolate forest cake (from the Cafe Des Artistes) one night and he brought 2 HUGE pieces back to the room YUM

Cabin Review

Interior

Cabin 4C
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