Carnival Inspiration Cruise Review

Western Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Inspiration

Just returned yesterday from Carnival cruise aboard the Inspiration. The cruise tickets were a gift, and although we knew that Carnival is not one of the "top end" cruises, we were prepared to enjoy any and all of it, since we were not paying. But, I did not have high expectations in advance. As I told my husband, I expected sort of a "Days Inn on the sea". I am glad to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The ship -- all of it -- was very clean, and there was plenty of pleasant service staff. Stateroom was in good condition, very clean, and not any smaller than I expected. I was surprised by the food, which was of a higher quality and better variety than expected. I enjoy wine, and the cost per glass anywhere on the ship was equal to most medium priced restaurants, so that was easy to digest, too.

I feel that, had we paid for the tickets (ocean view stateroom)-- I have looked online at the current prices -- that the value would have been very good. I did not see any of the shows, so I can't rate them, and our 10 yr. old son did not sign up for the kids' activities. But he liked the pool a lot, water slide, food (24 hr. pizza counter and ice cream), mini golf, and freedom to roam the ship.

The dining room wait staff was very good - personable and friendly at all times. There were a lot of children on board, but overall they were well behaved and parents kept them in line. I am not an experienced cruiser, so perhaps I would have seen more shortcomings if I had been on ships more often. But, all in all, very pleasant, and I would cruise Carnival again; although now I want to experience some other cruise lines at higher prices.