Donna Belanger

Age: 47
Occupation: day care educator
Number of Cruises: 3
Cruise Line: Carnival
Name of Ship: Imagination
Sailing Date: December 28, 2002
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

My husband, two teenage boys and myself decided on a New Year's cruise on Carnival's Imagination after reading about the activities aboard for teens. I would like to categorize our opinions.

Embarkation.
Long line ups to clear customs in the cruise terminal were rather annoying. However the actual processing of our documents at the Carnival cruise desk went quickly.

First impressions.
Wow! The ship is big on colour and glitz. Xmas garlands were around everywhere. However a big Xmas tree in the entrance lobby would have enhanced the holiday effect. Lots of neon lights made everything sparkle especially the staircases

Cabins.
We were assigned staterooms m132 and m136 on the forward main deck. We found more than enough storage room and the bathrooms were bigger than we expected with lots of amenities such as toothpaste, razors, soaps etc. Each evening we would return to our cabin to find an amusing towel animal waiting for us!

It was quiet too which we very much appreciated.

Dining.
Each evening we would all eat in the Spirit Dining room. Ambiance in this dining room was pleasant if somewhat muted. We sat at an oblong table for eight with a very nice family from Minnesota. Our waiter Augustus was extremely pleasant and helpful.

The boys of course wanted nothing to do with the fine dishes offered on the menu! They elected to have pizza or cheeseburgers! Our food was really lovely. From filet mignon to lobster and from cheescake to ice cream everything tasted great. For breakfast and lunch we ate at the Horizon Bar and Grill on the lido deck. Here too the food was excellent. The pizza is fantastic!

Entertainment.
Apart from the Cruise Director and his helpers it was marvellous! The Imagination singers and dancers put on a great show in the Dynasty Lounge The stage effects involving laser beams fireworks and revolving stage had us all enthralled.

Other forms of entertainment included hairy chest contest, balloon and 'T' shirt race, bingo, sing alongs and much more.

Deck Space.
With over 2000 people aboard this was at a premium. However it wasn't so much finding a deck chair but where to put it! By 11am the pool decks were pretty crowded.

Ship Cleanliness.
The Imagination was spotless throughout.

Shore Excusions.
First stop was at Grand Cayman. We had booked a stingray tour only to learn it had been cancelled because of bad weather. Nevertheless we went ashore after a horrendously long wait for a tender and we found a small lagoon where the boys snorkelled.

At Ocho Rios it was fun time. We took the Jamaican Queen tour to Dunne's Falls where the boys climbed the falls whilst my husband and I had a leisurely swim in the warm Caribbean. Then it was back onto the Jamaican Queen for an exciting ride back to the ship.

Club Carnival.
The boys elected not to participate in C C's activities after reading the teen schedule! They wanted to do their own thing!They met many new friends and we rarely saw them on sea days.

New Year's Eve Celebrations.
How can anyone not enjoy the biggest party off dry land? 2000 mad happy folks screamed, shouted sang and whooped it up for the arrival of 2003! At the stroke of midnight the ship's whistle blew sending everyone into a mini frenzy! Champagne flowed like water way into the small hours. Next morning the pool deck was deserted!

Disembarking.
As we were on the next to the lowest deck we left the ship last only to line up again to clear customs. Glad we didn't have an early flight as we did not leave the cruise terminal until 1045am

In Conclusion.
Carnival can be very proud of the Imagination and it's employees. Everyone was so nice and kind. Smiling all the time and nothing was too much trouble. This cruise gets four and a half stars from my family and I.