We have been on 5 ocean cruises and 1 river cruise in the past, so we do have a few others that we can compare this cruise to. I have not been on Carnival since the mid 90s, but if the Inspiration is an example of the way that they currently run their business then we will not be returning. Let me be a little more specific and please keep in mind that this is one of the least expensive cruises that Carnival offers.
The staff was very helpful, always smiling, and performed very well. The cabin steward was excellent and knew our names from the very first moment on board. The waiters and waitresses were very polite and pleasant even though at times their accents made communication difficult.
The dining staff on the other hand seemed to be understaffed. The people themselves were nice, but for some meals it took nearly 90 minutes to get through a meal. I felt like they may have just been spread too thin and doing too much. More than once, there was a gap of 15 - 20 minutes between courses. That began to grate on my nerves after a while.
These cabins are the best interior cabins for the money. The main problem is that they are on the front of the ship so you get a little more rocking and you get to hear them dropping anchor at 6 am.