Back from the Imagination

Leebird · #1 (**permalink**) June 8th, 2008, 11:15 AM

We just got back from the Carnival Imagination 5 day cruise through the Eastern Carribean/Bahamas. This was our first cruise and we learned alot about the whole cruising experience. Especially after reading the boards for the last few months trying to prepare to go. We had two adjoining rooms. 3 in one, 2 in another.

We went to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. At Half Moon Cay we rented a Cabana and at Nassau we did the Atlantis Aqua Adventure excursion. So, if you need any info on the Imagination, these ports, excursions, etc. just fire away and I'll try my best to answer your questions.

ScurvyDog · #2 (**permalink**) June 8th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Glad you had a great trip.
What does Carnival charge to rent the cabana

Thanks

Leebird · #3 (**permalink**) June 8th, 2008, 02:02 PM

Carnival charges $199.00 (total charge, not per person) for the cabana rental up to 4 people. This includes the following:

Window air conditioner in the rear of the cabana which cools the covered part nicely.
Shower washdown.
Mister for sunny portion of cabana.
Ice chest with three large bottles of water and 6-8 sodas.
(4) water lounge mats
(4) sets of snorkel gear- must indicate shoes sizes at purchase time.
cups, plates, silverware, and napkins.
veggie and fruit plate with sauces (guacamole, picante, and ranch dressing)

Note: Half Moon Cay Rentals - NOT affiliated with Carnival, charges for snorkel gear and mats on the island as well as other rental equipment available.

Noles81 · #4 (**permalink**) June 8th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Yea! So glad you had a good time. We leave next Monday and I have a million questions but I will start out with just a few

1) How was the Atlantis water excursion. We are a party of 10 (5 boys ranging from 10-17) and 5 adults. It seems like ALOT of $$$ for all of us. Is it worth it? What else did you do there???

2) What did you do at Grand Turks?

Fill me in on everything

Leebird · #5 (**permalink**) June 8th, 2008, 08:31 PM

1. We loved Atlantis. It's incredible. We actually wanted to take our kids to Atlantis for a vacation. This was a much more affordable way to get them there. When you get off the boat you don't realize it, but you have a couple of options. The option we picked really cut into our time at Atlantis. That option was to get in line for the shore excursion via the ferry ride over to Atlantis. Don't go that route. Just check in with the shore excursion people - get your wrist bands and coupons for lunch. From there go to the the end of the pier and catch a cab there for 4 bucks a person. And plan to take a cab back. If you go the ferry/tour guide route it will cut into a good hour of your time at Atlantis. You will be able to stay there until 4 or 4:30 and still have time to catch the cab back and be on the boat by 5:00.

2. It rained on us at Grand Turk. We were very disapointed. We did go to the beach and stayed for a few minutes. The rest of the time was spent at Margarittaville and running in and out of stores in the rain. I hope you have better luck with Mother Nature.

Noles81 · #6 (**permalink**) June 9th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Leebird-
Thanks for the great information!

How were the shows on board? Anything you suggest that we don't miss??

Leebird · #7 (**permalink**) June 9th, 2008, 07:28 PM

We only saw 2 shows:

A juggler/comedian who was pretty funny and entertaining.

Shout was the other show and it was okay. The dancers work really hard and have to make fast wardrobe changes.

There are quite a few contests and fun activities going on around the pool. However, most of these activities are geared towards more of the younger, party type crowd. They were still fun to watch though.

cruisecouple · #8 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2008, 12:01 AM

repeat the trip so that you have a sunny day in Grand Turk... I love it there and to spend the day around the pool at Margaritaville after snorkeling was so relaxing...

bhf108 · #9 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2008, 12:18 AM

Noles81 - if you're looking to go to Atlantis, I STRONGLY suggest you look into Comfort Suites right next door. If you book with them, they offer passes to ALL of Atlantis' amenities, including Aquaventure, The Dig, its beaches, casino etc. Its a little known secret, but a big bucks-saving one, at that.

So for my upcoming cruise for 6 in Aug, I booked with Comfort Suites Paradise Island, and it only came out to $63 pp. A steal from what Atlantis and cruise line would charge you directly. And kids are free under 15, but still get passes. So throw in a couple of kids with some adults if you book (but 4 max/room), and you can get some good deals going. Look into it, and good cruising!

djed · #10 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leebird

We just got back from the Carnival Imagination 5 day cruise through the Eastern Carribean/Bahamas. This was our first cruise and we learned alot about the whole cruising experience. Especially after reading the boards for the last few months trying to prepare to go. We had two adjoining rooms. 3 in one, 2 in another.

Were you in connecting rooms, or just adjoining?

We are bookied in connecting cabins, and I am trying to find out if one of the cabins can be configured as a king (vs. two twins). I have seen a few pictures and it is hard to tell - some look like it is possible, others that it is not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leebird

We went to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. At Half Moon Cay we rented a Cabana and at Nassau we did the Atlantis Aqua Adventure excursion. So, if you need any info on the Imagination, these ports, excursions, etc. just fire away and I'll try my best to answer your questions.

We are also heading to Atlantis, but booked a room at the Comfort Suites in order to obtain our passes ($210 including all taxes & fees for 4 of us).

Hoping to get a good 6 hrs at Atlantis (off the ship by 9 - at Atlantis (after cab, check in/out at Comfort Suites) by 10am - cab back to ship around 4'ish. Was/is 6 hrs enough time to get to do most (all) of the water park and still see the Dig? Also, how were the lines for the slides?

Lastly, did you notice if the cabana's at Half Moon Cay sold out? We don't arrive into FLL until 12:30pm, so it will be probably around 2pm by the time we are on board. I am hoping the cabana's do not sell out by then.

Any decent snorkeling from the beach at Half Moon Cay? I know it rained while you were at Grand Turk, but wondering the same about that port as well.

Thanks!

Ed

Leebird · #11 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2008, 07:07 PM

We were in connecting rooms. One room with a king size bed, the other with 3 twins. It worked great for us. The only hitch was getting the steward to move the king size bed to the other side of the room so we could open the connecting doors. The steward was very troubled that we wouldn't be able to see the TV if he moved the bed! It was quite comical how worried about it he was. We just kept telling him we weren't there for the TV.

There were unrented cabanas on the beach. However the excursion line on the ship is always a nightmare. Plan to stand in line for awhile. Avoid Cabana 10. The water wasn't working and they would not fix it for us. It was nice to be that far down the beach from the crowd though. We did have some topless sunbathers that were at the end of the beach with us though. Great learning experience for my 16 year old son! Not so great for mom!

We did snorkle in the water. There were jelly fish, fish and crabs that you could see. That's about it. We enjoyed it though.

djed · #12 (**permalink**) June 10th, 2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leebird

We were in connecting rooms. One room with a king size bed, the other with 3 twins. It worked great for us. The only hitch was getting the steward to move the king size bed to the other side of the room so we could open the connecting doors. The steward was very troubled that we wouldn't be able to see the TV if he moved the bed! It was quite comical how worried about it he was. We just kept telling him we weren't there for the TV.

Thanks! That helps. We are on the Empress Deck - cabins R39 & R43 - one of which has an upper, so we will use that vs. having them bring in a roll away. Could you see the TV once they moved the bed? Pictures I have seen have the TV on the side of the cabin as the connecting door - so pushing the twins together did not seem to affect the view of the TV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leebird

There were unrented cabanas on the beach. However the excursion line on the ship is always a nightmare. Plan to stand in line for awhile. Avoid Cabana 10. The water wasn't working and they would not fix it for us. It was nice to be that far down the beach from the crowd though. We did have some topless sunbathers that were at the end of the beach with us though. Great learning experience for my 16 year old son! Not so great for mom!

We did snorkle in the water. There were jelly fish, fish and crabs that you could see. That's about it. We enjoyed it though.

Thanks. I'd only get one if there were cabanas closer to the front, as we plan to use the childrens area a lot. I'd go as high as 6 down, otherwise it probably will not be worth it,

Thanks again.

Ed

Leebird · #13 (**permalink**) June 11th, 2008, 08:31 PM

We could see the tv - it wasn't in the corner by the connecting door, it was on the opposite wall. The way the steward moved the bed, it left the head of the bed out and not against a wall. Which in turn might cause you to lose your pillow in the middle of the night. Does that make sense?