Date Posted: 06-02-2008 6:23 PM

Inspiration Cruise to Cozumel

I recently sailed to Cozumel on board the Inspiration. We had a great time! Be sure to bring plenty of money if you drink alcohol. The beer can be a little steep around $6 for domestics. I would also suggest selecting a cruise where you have plenty of time at your destination. It can be somewhat exhausting trying to cram everything into 10 hours. If you book an excursion be sure to check out the duration of the event. We chose the Delux sail and snorkle with beach party. It was fun and the crew was great. The drinks are free but weak. We had a great time shopping and visiting Carlos and Charlie's and Senor Frog's. I was a little disapointed with the beach party because I was hoping for authentic mexican food instead of hamburgers.

You may want to pack motion sickness medication. We went through a few rough nights and we were a little sick. You can also go to the information desk for medication. The overall cleanliness of the ship is good. We did not really check out the entertainment, but the cmedy show was a little weak.

The crew and staff are very friendly and helpful. Marvin on the lido deck is exceptional. A few members of the crew have heavy accents and it can be a little difficult to understand them.

The dining was great. The lobster and prime rib were fabulous.The buffet on the lido decj is also very good. We enjoyed the cheeseburgers and fries.

I would also suggest packing lightly. You really only need swimwear, something to wear to dinner, and shorts and tank tops. It really comes in handy when you are getting off the boat. If you give your luggage to the staff it can take a couple more hours to get your bags. So carry your belongings if you do not wanna wait.

Make sure to bring some extra money for the duty free shops. They have great prices. However you may want to shop early the lines can get a little long. Also make sure to be very careful where you use cards in Mexico. Carry cash for shopping. Don't be afraid to bargain with the salespeople, we got some great deals.

There are lots of restrooms on the ship. The wait for the elevators can be a little long, so be prepared to take stairs.

Overall I would say my experience was great. The only thing really dissapointing was the fact the only day it rained was when we were in Cozumel. However, it was beautiful by the afternoon. I would certainly reccomend this to anyone.[:)]

Date Posted: 03-23-2008 10:37 PM

may 5th sailing

cozumel you should go to chankanaab national park you can take a taxi there. YOU do not have to do a shore excursion threw carnival. its really nice and you can snorkel there and see all kinds of lizards that are huge. grand cayman very expensive take a taxi to the 7 mile beach and go out shoulder deep and you will still see your feet. food on the ship was awesome you have to eat every meal you can in the dining room. and can you tell use when you get back how was the cigerette smoke was on the ship.

Date Posted: 02-26-2008 7:12 PM

New pictures and/or information on the Inspiration

Hello.  I have cruised on the Inspiration twice before the renovation, and I will be sailing on the March 6th.  Does anybody have any picures of what was renovated?  Was the club renovated as well?

Thank you in advance.

Date Posted: 12-28-2007 1:47 PM

my experience

Hello

    As a first time cruiser I was very worried going into this vacation because I didn't know what to expect. This is what I learned and I will be happy to answer any questions for future cruisers. ..... My husband and I sailed on the Inspiration December 8-13.  I had heard different things about the food..and I love food...so let me give you my opinion..

.The food is along the lines of a Bonanza Steakhouse or a Ponderosa.  Not 5 star but 3 star and pretty good-plenty to eat. 

 While on ship my husband and I enjoyed a hot stone massage---a $275 treat (plus tip).  It is a very rare treat for me to get a massage..I just never have the time.  The couples massage was ok.  The massage was pretty good... but a cookie cutter massage. By that I mean my husband and I recieved the exact same treatment.  I would have prefered a massage tailored to my specific needs.  The Lady who did my massage was very nice. However, right after my massage I got dressed and she came in and tried to get me to buy some spa crap.  Kind of like when you get your hair cut and the try to sell you shampoo afterward.  Such a buzz kill...I went from relaxed to fending off unwanted sales. Not her fault they make her sell stuff. 

The entertainment was above average.We saw a 2 great dance shows 2 ok dance shows and a very very funny comedian and a not so funny comedian. We also attended a name that tune game ....very fun.  Sports trivia that my husband enjoyed.  A mens hairy chest competition--they women went nUts for these men. A newlywed and not so newlywed game---very cute.  The casino was fun but the low limit slots gobbled up my money. One high limt slot gave most of it back. But my husband lost all his gambling money.  

Shore excursions... At the Grand Caymen Islands we did a Stingray City, Hell and Turtle farm combo.  I highly highly recomend this tour---Grade A.  We have so many wonderful picture and memorys of the Turtles and the Stingrays. 

  In Calcia we did a Beach and Shopping excursion...the Beach was great the shopping not go good. 

Overall, I relaxed on my vacation and had a really time.  I do have to admit the FIRST day on the crusie ship kept wanting to go somewhere and do somthing...running all over the ship.  And then I realized that this wasn't my typical vacation where we had to fly somewhere and then drive to the hotel, and then drive to eat, and drive somewhere else, and drive here and drive there and back to the hotel and then after days of this go back home more tired then when I left. ----------------------------

On this vacation I let Carnival drive and I relaxed and had some fun.

Date Posted: 11-07-2007 1:23 PM

Inspiration 11/1/07

I just returned from a four day to Cozumel from 11/1/2007-11/5/2007.  This is my second cruise with Carnival and first on the Inspiration. 

First I must say that the renovations are very impressive.  The new decor, contemporary decor of the cabins were nice.  Although I was in an interior cabin on the main deck, I found the room to have ample space for two people and possibly three.  The bed was comfortable.  Loved the flat screen tv & the updated bathroom.  My cabin steward, Erlande did a marvelous job of staying out of our hair while attending to our every need. Our waiter, Lelix and asst waiter Ikadek were fabulous and did everything within their power to make the experience memorable.  I must confess that although I thoroughly enjoyed the meals in the dining room on my last Carnival cruise I cannot say the same about this cruise.  The food in the dining room was just "okay"  There was not one meal that stood out as being good.  I did enjoy the meals in the Brassiere Grill, the Pizzeria and the Deli.  Nevertheless I  enjoyed the evenings in the dining room, the company of my table companions and the Maitre d George the Greek.  Everything cannot be perfect.  I did get a chance to try sushi....it was good.

The one thing that I enjoyed more on this cruise vs my last, was the entertainment.  The shows were really good and entertaining.  Not cheesy like on my last cruise.  I especially liked the comedians.

I visited the Spa for the first time and received a full-body massage and a "corrective facial"  This was a new experience and very relaxing.  There was not much correction done because I hope that there was not much correction needed.

The bands on board were really good, I especially liked the Carribean band that was on the Lido deck.

The casino was HOT! HOT! HOT!  I personally won $4,000 on a slot machine (it would have been $8,000 if I had played $1.00 instead of $.50).  I also witnessed someone else win $2400 and spoke with people that had won $5000, $6000 & $3000.  I loved the game at the crap table.

Our port of call was Cozumel, Mexico.  I have never seen water as clear and as blue.  The beaches were beautiful.  We opted to go on the tour to the Mayan ruins of Tulum.  It is an all day 7 hour excursion.  Very interesting but I was longing for some beach time.

The guests on this cruise were extremely nice and I made friends from all over the USA.

There is not doubt in my mind that I will cruise with Carnival again.