Carnival Inspiration after Disneyland

Travis B

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 17, 2015
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834
Sorry if this isn't the right place to post this thread - there's no generic cruising subs, and as it's specific to the region I'm hoping to get some Dis'er opinions. Mods, please feel free to move/delete/whatever.

I've been looking to do our first cruise for some time now, and have found a 3-day itinerary out of Long Beach, stopping in Ensenada. It fits perfectly into vacation schedule and I was thinking it might be nice to have a little relaxation after touring DLR all week.

However, I'm really trepidatious -- Carnival would not be my first choice for a cruise line, and I know the 3-day trips are often 'booze cruises' which kind of skeeves me out as well. If we booked I would definitely adjust my expectations, and not be expecting more than the cruise could offer, but I'm afraid to be trapped in some kind of floating Spring Break scenario with drunken creeps everywhere. The cruise would be early May, so obviously official Spring Break is done, and I don't know the traveler demographic at that time.

I would much prefer to do the 4 day itinerary on the same ship that travels during the week and stops at Catalina Island as well, but cannot for the life of my make it fit into our trip. I don't want to give up my weekdays at DLR when our visit there is the main point of the trip.

Anybody done this itinerary who can comment? I'm so back and forth on it, and don't know what to do. Thanks.
 
I haven't done this cruise myself, but a group of friends did it a few years ago. I know the line was Carnival, but I'm not sure exactly which ship they were on. The group gave the cruise a thumbs down for some of the same reasons you stated. Also, one friend said the ship was quite dirty and smelled like a nursing home. My FIL did a short Carnival cruise and he did not have a positive review. We really enjoy cruising, but stay away from Carnival.
 
Me and DH did the 4 day one. We enjoyed the ship and the stop at Catalina. I really don't care for Ensenada. Can't say for the 3 day one. I don't cruise during spring break. But I don't really know about the partying. I have never witnessed it on the ship at all. You can look at my link in my signature was from the Inspiration.
 
I haven't done this cruise myself, but a group of friends did it a few years ago. I know the line was Carnival, but I'm not sure exactly which ship they were on. The group gave the cruise a thumbs down for some of the same reasons you stated. Also, one friend said the ship was quite dirty and smelled like a nursing home. My FIL did a short Carnival cruise and he did not have a positive review. We really enjoy cruising, but stay away from Carnival.

I've been looking into RCL or Norwegian for our first cruise. Carnival was not on my radar as an option. The only problem is that Carnival is the only option out of that port during the time we have available. I'm not too worried about the condition of the ship, as recent reviews seem pretty positive. I know it's dated, but reviews seem to proclaim it clean and well-maintained. I'm mainly worried about the atmosphere, which unfortunately is the hardest thing to find out about through research. :) Part of me says skip it, part of me figures since it's our first time we won't know what we're missing. Thanks for your reply.
 

Me and DH did the 4 day one. We enjoyed the ship and the stop at Catalina. I really don't care for Ensenada. Can't say for the 3 day one. I don't cruise during spring break. But I don't really know about the partying. I have never witnessed it on the ship at all. You can look at my link in my signature was from the Inspiration.

Thanks for the info. I'm so annoyed because I REALLY want the 4-day itinerary with Catalina, but it just doesn't work with our schedule. I'm going to go through your report tomorrow when I have more energy. I appreciate the link!
 















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