Carnival Imagination Review

Dissapointing

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Carnival Imagination
User Avatar
Billynda
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Aug 2016
Cabin: Ocean View
Traveled with children

We have been on Carnival several times and always enjoyed it and recommended it to others. The Imagination did not live up to our expectations. I realize we sailed at the end of summer so I expected to see some children, but not EVERYWHERE. They were screaming, yelling and running around unsupervised all over the place like it was a playground. I dont mind sharing a ship with kids but parents should be more considerate to passengers that didnt bring children. I would suggest scrapping the mini golf which I saw very few people use and putting in a children's pool as there is only one pool on this ship. There are watersides and a water park for children but the kids tended to crowd the pool on the lido deck, I guess because that's where the parents hung out and I understand that parents want to be near the activities and action on the lido deck. I was extremely disappointed in parents allowing toddlers and small children in the hot tubs. I saw many children jumping in and out of the hot tubs with and without parents. I could not get near a hot tub because parents with their babies were taking up the whole spa all day. When they did finally get out (dinner time) I was no longer interested in getting into a hot tub that babies and small children had been in. I could not help but think about the probability of children peeing in the water. I think Carnival staff should be asking parents not to bring babies and small kids into the spa, that they should be for adults only, or maybe having a separate hot tub for parents and kids on the lido deck so everyone can enjoy the festivities on the lido deck. I'm aware there are hot tubs in a small area tucked out of the way at the back of the ship for adults only, but very inconvenient for the majority of adults who did not bring children with them. Perhaps they should reverse this and put the parents with children in this location. I didn't pay to be tucked out of the way so parents could sit in the hot tubs with their kids. Dont get me wrong, I love children, but when I'm paying a lot of money to enjoy a ship and cant use the pools or spas because of the amount of children in them (when there are other water areas for kids) its a little frustrating. I was also disappointed in the dinning experience.

I was looking forward to lobster on formal night as I always have. Nope, not anymore. You have to pay for it now. Not even crab was on the menu. Food was still good but selection poor. I also missed the waiters holding out a chair for me and placing napkin on my lap, I know sounds trivial but these are the small things that add up to a great dining experience. My understanding for formal night and from previous Carnival cruises there is somewhat of a dress code. Not anymore, fellow next to us was wearing a tank top and sports shorts with flip flops. I feel he should of been asked to at least put on shirt (as I have seen on previous Carnival cruises, as well as my own husband being asked to wear a shirt with sleeves for lunch in the dining room). Staff are still great and go out of their way to serve you. I was let down with the lack of entertainment, very little, mostly comedians. Perhaps becasue it was only a four night cruise. Rooms were always cleaned, but why no hairdryers in the room or full length mirrors? Looked everywhere, had to call guest services to bring me a hairdryer. Only one plug in the room so could only charge one device at a time. I have always defended Carnival when someone has made negative comments and compared with other cruise lines, but now I don't think I can. I really want to stress that the staff are still great and do a fantastic job of keeping the ship clean and being helpful, its the ship and cruise line itself I was let down by. I will probably pay a little more and go on another line next time. Its a shame because we were traveling with first time cruisers who I recommended this trip to and they did not get a very positive first impression.

Cabin Review

Ocean View

Cabin 6B

Cabin was clean, disappointed no refrigerator. Was shocked I had to ask for a hairdryer. No mirror for hair and makeup. No full length mirror, could only see top half of my body in the mirror attached to the desk.

Port Reviews

Ensenada

did not take a tour as there was not a good selection and expensive for what was offered. Felt Ensenada was very dirty and locals very aggressive. Have been to many different Mexican ports and found this one the worst. Could not walk 3 feet without being surrounded by begging children and vendors, who were rude if you did not buy from them or bought from their neighbor and not them. Many sketchy areas. Bus coordinator misleading with the distance to town. Was actually a short walk but bus coordinator made it out to be miles so you would take their bus. Market 20 miles away, expensive to take bus. Should be a market in town.

8 Helpful Votes
previous reviewnext review

Find a cruise

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.