My husband and I booked a Grand Suite for our four day cruise on the Inspiration, leaving from Long Beach California and going to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.
THE "YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY DISCLAIMER": I think it's important to know about the cruisers writing the review before you consider our opinions, since what we think is great, you might not. We are a married couple of 50+ who love fine food, wine, privacy, reading and relaxing on a ship. We cruise to get away from two demanding jobs so our idea of heaven is relaxing. You won't find us in the clubs, bars, sunning on the pool deck, participating in hairy chest contests, playing bingo or participating in game shows. Still with us? OK!
The cruise departed on a Monday, and we were driving down from the San Francisco east bay area. To avoid the LA weekday traffic, we drove down on Sunday and stayed overnight on the Queen Mary (formerly an ocean liner, now a hotel.) Prices are very reasonable (we paid $149 for one of the "first class" cabins) and you can buy a "stay and park" package that allows you to pay less for parking than the cruise ship terminal. Since the Queen Mary is right next to the Carnival embarkation location, this was a great deal. We parked the car, got on the Queen Mary, walked off the next morning with our rolling luggage and strolled across the parking lot to the Carnival check-in.
Embarkation was smooth and easy at Long Beach.