Carnival Imagination Review

Exceeded expectations and can't wait to go again

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Carnival Imagination
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Christoff925
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

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Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
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Sail Date: May 2014

We went on our first cruise on the Carnival Imagination from the 11th through the 15th of May. I had read a lot of reviews prior to going so we went in with decent expectations for what the cost was. Some of the reviews that I had read were kind of funny to me after I stepped off the ship. I am going to tell you right now, if you go on this cruise and expect to have a good time, eat good food, be catered to you will be that AND MORE.

First off, the staff. From the second we boarded the ship (Used faster to the fun and can't tell you how great the 50 bucks was spent on that) we felt like we were the most important people on board. Our room attendant was about as nice as anyone I had ever met and attended to any need we had. She was always there, calling us by our first names from the first meeting, to help. Ice, towels, breakfast room service cards, answering questions, etc., she was AWESOME! The rest of the staff on the ship was the same. They all knew you by first name after your first encounter and would make sure that there was nothing else you needed. ENRI, who was on deck, was fast with the drinks and always happy. NOT PUSHY at all!! The best staff was in the Spirit dining room for our dinners every night. CHABA (I think I butchered the spelling of his name here) was as good a Maitre' D as I have ever had. He truly enjoys what he is doing and you can see it in the way he interacts and works with both his staff and the cruisers. He takes ownership and made the experience soooo perfect. The wait staff as well including GERRY were great. Again, attentive to every need. I guess you can say that ALL the staff was great.

Next, the food. I can't tell you how much you can and will eat on this cruise. GEEEEEZ. It was non-stop. Now, I have read in some other reviews about food being cold or watery or the lobster being overcooked, yada, yada, yada. I really believe that this is just people looking to complain. The sit down dinners and menu were great. Look, you are NOT eating at Flemings or Ruth Chris steakhouse people. I don't know what people expect. Our party loved every meal and every thing about them. From the choices on the menu (Steak, Fish, Including great Salmon, Pasta, Rellanos, many different and assorted appetizers as well as amazing desserts) to the staff and the company it couldn't have been more enjoyable. I know that you don't have the option of picking who your table mates are, and that could make a difference, but be sure to open up and have fun. We tried to change tables before we even sat down and they didn't have anything else available. I am sooooooo glad that it didn't happen. We loved the group we were with. The sit down dinners aren't the only food of course. There are many of the buffet style choices through the day. Now, when you hear buffet you right away think throw away and bland. Nope. The breakfast buffet with the French toast, Omelette station, assorted sides, juices, coffee, was great. Small, quick lines that you get through quickly as well. Lunch on these buffets was great as well. I saw someone on here bitching about the hamburgers and it really made me laugh. It was hamburger, on a bun, with fixings and condiments. Ummmmmm, that's a hamburger. What is there to complain about? Don't forget the 24 hour ice cream and pizza. The pizza line sometimes can be a little long, but the pizza was good and great late at night!!

Cabin Review

The room was good sized. Bigger than the pictures made it look like. Plenty of room to move around for two people. There was PLENTY of storage room so don't worry about that. The bathroom shower was big enough and had great water pressure. The TV is fine but I do wonder what you are doing if you are worried about a tv on a cruise.

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