We are some of the folks that were displaced by the Tragedy on the SS Norway, We booked this cruise on wed, sailing the following Sat, My wife and I with our 2 girls 16 and 14, We had 2 outside cabins on Riviera deck. ( Remember unless you get a suite all the rooms are the same you just pay more to be higher up.
Arrival: Port of Miami:
This was probably the only hassle we had the entire week, and by no means am I complaining or blaming Carnival, This is a port authority issue, Any how we live in Fl. so we drive to the port. It was Sat so there were 5 ships in port and that made for congestion. We waited in our car bumper to bumper for 45 minutes before we even got close to the ship. As we approached the baggage drop off my wife noticed after we drop the bags we have to go back around in line again. ( good call on her part) So we just went directly to the parking lot and wheeled our luggage to the ship. Saved at least 45 minutes.( we arrived at 1 p.m.) We have never encountered this before but have arrived much earlier.
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Embarkation:
Since we had only booked a couple of days earlier we had to pick up our Doc's at the will call box (no line, had everything in 2 minute's) We then had to fill out all the stuff we usually do at home. No big deal as desk and pens were provided. Then off through baggage check and in line at the main concourse to set up our account with a C.C. This took all of 5 minutes very fast. Off we were to get our room key and the picture that has become so famous. ( Imagination uses a separate room key other than your sail and sign card.)
We ate some lunch toured around the ship and got ready for life boat drills. This is so much fun. (I put in there suggestion box that they should have one every day.) The best thing was we were actually done before we set sail. We have not been so lucky the last few cruises.( we think sail away is one of the best parts of a cruise). We ordered drinks and just relaxed until our dinner time We had late 8:30 I felt this was a little late for me considering we had to be back on ship at all ports by 3.p.m. We had dinner and went to the show and off to bed about 1.
Day 1 sea Day
We awoke kinda early and headed off to breakfast, We have breakfast in the dinning room instead of the buffet because of lox and bagels or eggs Benedict, 2 of my wife's favorite, ( Every thing else can be had at the buffet.) Another little not They make omelets to order at the buffet also. Most people don't realize you can order fried eggs as you like at the omelet grill. All you have to do is ask.
My wife headed to the pool and I headed to the casino Note: you have to check out towels on the pool deck and check them back in when you leave or they will charge you $22.00. You can check out as many as you want. She said she had no trouble getting chairs all week at any time. Later we meet up for lunch. (notice this food thing is very important to us) In the after noon we played trivia game and Bingo. This is also formal night so we headed back a little early to nap and get ready for dinner. (dinner this night was Lobster and or Prime rib Both were very good [snicker) After dinner we went to the first big production show a tribute to the 50 and 60. It was very well done. We played at the casino awhile and headed to bed.
Day 2 Grand Cayman
We were looking at all the shore excursions offered and the only one that interested us was a reef and stingray city trip. This was $69.00 p.p. X 4 = $276.00. IM not cheap but do cruise on a budget. So we decided to go down to 7 mile beach on our own. ( Grand Cayman does not have dock so every one has to use tender's) So we tendered to shore about an hour after shore tours already had left. When we got to the main terminal there was a guy sailing coral reef and stingray city tour for $30.00 p.p. Guess what we did it and it was great, we had a blast and saved some money also. Just remember you are not on a ship tour so leave plenty of time to get back. We had plenty of time. After we got back on ship we got ready for dinner and a night out and about.
Day 3 Ocho Rios
We did book a shore tour here. $48.00 per person on a large sailing Catamaran done to duns river falls and back. Free cocktails and all. This was a very good tour. well worth the money, The falls are so beautiful and fun to climb. After we returned back to the ship we walked down to Margarita where they have a water slide running through out the bar. Its a nice way to cool off. We stayed there till it was time to leave and catch the ship.
We got ready for dinner and then attended and comedy and magician show (Very Good) and with all the rum we had it was night night for us.
Day 4 Sea Day
We pretty much did the same thing as we did on the first sea day, JUST RELAXED and we really enjoyed this.
Overall I would rate every part of our cruise an A+. This was our 11th cruise and 2nd on Imagination but we all felt this had to be the best all around experience we have had cruising. The only draw back was it was way to short.
ED
