We just got back from a Nov. 3-8 cruise, and as usual, it was a great time too! It was our 2nd time on the Inspiration. We skipped the shows and events as the Hairy chest contest because it was repeatative;been there/done that, so it loses some luster the 2nd time around. The staff was outstanding. I received numerous complimentary drinks in the casino (and other), and the staff couldnt have been more friendly and professional. As always, I hate to come back home. Love my life on land,  but love the pampered life at sea (no cooking, cleaning, etc):-)  Anyone else here frm that cruise which left from Tampa and went to cozumel and grand cayman?

Hello TropicalLady60,

Glad to hear you had a great time on the Inspiration.  My DH and I will be taking our first cruise to GC/Cozumel on Dec 1-6 -- 20 days and counting!  I am so excited; it's all I can think about at this point.  I've already started packing and look at my checklist everyday (sometimes twice a day :)).

Which deck was your cabin located on?  Were you happy with the accommodations?  We chose to spoil ourselve and get a cat 12 cabin (surprise for my DHs 40th birthday).  Have you ever stayed in one of these rooms?  Do they really look the way they appear on the virtual tour and photos?

Did you do any excursions?  Which beaches did you choose?

Thanks.

Sweettwin, sorry for the late reply. Its taking a while to get back to work and into the swing of things now that vacation is over. My dad died several days before the cruise so even though we had a good time, it was "different" than other cruises, for obvious reasons.

I dont know what catagory our room was in, but it was on the upper deck, room u78. We tend to cruise practical and affordable. Yes,we were very pleased with the accomodations.

 In grand cayman we did the "Trolly roger" excursion which gave us a nice little tour of the island. We later walked around and did some shopping..more so in the open air market, which was very small.

This was our 2nd time in cozumel so we walked around and shopped a bit, then took it slow and easy..took a taxi to the beach (Mr. sanchez's beach) which was clean, friendly, safe, had  bathroom and food/drinks,tables, chairs,etc. The taxi was $14.00, and there are taxis there as well for your return.

 I love cuising too!

"In grand cayman we did the "Trolly roger" excursion which gave us a nice little tour of the island. We later walked around and did some shopping..more so in the open air market, which was very small."

 Hi Tropical Lady!

My Mother (66) and I (44) will be going to Cozumel on Inspiration the Dec 6th cruise.  I was looking at the Trolley Roger but wasn't sure where all it went.  How long is it and where does it go?  Are there any stops and can you get off and back on?  I assume it travels in a "loop".  We have booked the highlights tour thru the ship and just wonder if that would be a good value.

Karen, FL

Cruise crazy, hi! For the price ($25pp, I think) the trolley roger was a decent value. The quide dresses up in a pirate outfit, and the trolley looks like a pirate ship. He gives you history of grand cayman and various points of interest while driving, and what your mom might appreciate is that u dont have to walk, or get wet if it rains (trolley has an awning) like it did when we went. yes, it makes a loop and yes, it stops at one little beach where you can walk around and explore a little (20 min?). GC is not as 'fancy' as I expected, but he shows you what is there. Afterwards, you are dropped off right where shops are so you can also walk around later if you chose.

TropicalLady60,

My condolences on your loss!  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks for replying back despite all that is happening in your life right now.  We have a cabin on the Upper Deck as well, U101.  Since I planned one year in advance I was able to splurge on a suite as a treat for my DHs birthday.

I've made reservations for us to do the "Swimming with Horses" excursion in Grand Cayman and I want to visit the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory as well.  For Cozumel, we decided to make reservations at Nachi-Cocom Beach for massages and jet skiing.

I am very excited -- 17 DAYS AND COUNTING!!

sweettwin, I wasnt aware there were suites on the upper deck, although maybe it was because we were in an inside room? Regardless, I was quite pleased with our room (for a cruise line room, that is) as it was neat, clean,roomy enough for the 2 of us, and had a king size bed (which I requested). I knew we would be upgraded when I made our 'net arrangements, so I basically selected a very inexpensize room on the Rivera deck, I think it was, and being a past guest, I knew they would upgrade us, which of course they did. Up to the upper deck!

I am sure you are very excited to be sailing soon. I know how I get! I am pretty sure I went to the rum cake store in GC. I dont recall the nameof it but it had all sorts of rum cakes out, and samples, and everyone was flocking there to taste. It was good, but honestly, I dont know what all the fuss was about. The sample was nice, but that was all I needed. Your excursions sound great. There are masseuses here and there over the beach in little tents, so you wont have a problem finding one. The only bad thing is there is no air conditioning, so your very hot and sweaty, and its not very private. Im pretty sure the price is around $40/hr, which isnt bad at all.

Lastly, thank you for your prayers and thoughts. My dad was in his late 70's so he lived a long a full life. He is now also at peace from his suffering. I lost my brother a few years ago, so now they both are together:-)

tropicalLady60:

sweettwin, I wasnt aware there were suites on the upper deck, although maybe it was because we were in an inside room?

The upper deck mid-ship is the only place on Fantasy Class ships for cat 12 suites.

tropicalLady60~

Was on that cruise and the boarding process in Tampa that day was a joke!  My boyfriend, a many time platinum cruiser was beyond annoyed that to get to VIP boarding we first had to stand in line almost an hour with everyone else!  In Miami it is go straight to VIP boarding.  Other than that initial pain in the ass problem the cruise was good.

We did back-to-backs and on round two, November 8-November 13, was MY FIRST platinum cruise, the people at the pursers desk totally dropped the ball on us, we were left in limbo the first six to eight hours of our cruise, no sail and sign cards, couldn't even get a drink at sail away among other things. The purser desk staff kept trying to pass the problem off on the "computer issues" that were experienced on the cruise of November 3 through 8 and kept sending us away until the problems resolved.  I had to practically beg for my VIP gift, and found the purser desk staff to be rude, incompetent and indifferent.  A simple "I'm sorry for the inconvenience..." would have been nice.  The rest of the crew and staff was wonderful of course, but from the Tampa boarding experience and the problems encountered with the pursers desk, will never cruise from Tampa or on the Inspiration again. 

Bottom line, was a good cruise, but not great as I was hoping for.  Have four more cruises booked with Carnival for 2009 and I'm sure they will be better.  Hope so.  Have enjoyed all my other cruises with Carnival and won't let one bad experience send me elsewhere. 

Happy cruising.

Hey irishlizz,

so sorry you had such a time of it boarding and with the pursers desk. I was wondering if you got a chance to go see the StageLight Band while you were onboard, and what you thought of them. I hope you never have to encounter boarding or a purser staff like this again. Don't stop cruisin!!!!

Phil

Hey Phil~

Checked them out briefly one night when they were at the Lido Deck poolside party, and they sounded good.  Was out getting almost midnight snacks, so didn't hang around too long. 

Oh and stop cruising?  NEVER!  Will be on the Splendor in April and the Imagination in September.  Every cruise can't be perfect...   A friend over at the cruise group at classmates just returned from a transatlantic on the Splendor, and oh my god am I amped and pumped up about that cruise!  She has been on thirty-six cruises and said the Splendor is the most beautiful ship she has been on and from her pictures, I have to agree!

~Lizz

I'm glad you got to hear them, even just a little. I'm also glad you are still pumped on cruisin'. Transatlantic sounds really great!!! If I ever find someone that would be a great honeymoon cruise. I'll be on the Inspiration on Jan.31,09 hope things are better by then.

Cruise On!!!

Phil

Phil~

And if  you happen to run into Wayne (from India) bar staff (young, wears glasses) send greetings from Bill and Lizz.  If you tell him Bill gave him some guitar picks he will know immediately who we are!  He was great.

~Lizz 

WOW.  I am so jealous! WINK.  We sailed OCT 27-OCT 2 on the SAME CRUISE SHIP!  I had room m81, and I am SO ready to go again! lol  I LOVED the staff!  I want another kiss on the lips mixed drink! lol

ROFL!!!!!!  I see the Capt. has you saying the same thing!!!  OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHPAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!  We sailed SEPT 27 to OCT 2