Patti Schifano

Age: 41 to 50
Occupation: Laboratory manager
Number of Cruises: 3 to 5 Cruises
Ship: Inspiration
Sailing Date: December 17th, 2000
Itinerary: Western Caribbean 

Just back from a lovely week on the Inspiration with my husband and sons (18 and 14).  It was the boy's first cruise and a big hit - they are already asking when we can go again.  We chose New Orleans because it was an 8 hour drive from our home and would be a great city to sail from.  The port is very easy to access from I-10 but be aware that you drive right by the stadium and a Saints home game will affect how long it takes to get there.

The south was under some severe winter weather and even New Orleans was very cold.  We were able to park immediately adjacent to the port ($7/day).  The embarkation process took about an hour and when the improvement to the port facilities are complete it should alleviate some of the crowding.  You have to walk outside and up a winding ramp to board the ship.

The ship looked lovely all decorated for the holidays, both Christmas trees and a large Menorah were in the lobby for all to admire.  We were in an outside and inside cabin amidships on Upper deck.  Having been on the Ecstasy we found our way around quite easily.  We were pleased to note we had the early seating we had requested and the drink coupon voucher was on the bed.  We then spent some time walking around Riverwalk until the departure.

Due to the cold weather the lifeboat drill was conducted very quickly and there wasn't much of a deck party for sailing away.

Our dinner group was quite congenial - a couple from San Francisco and four lady friends from Tennessee.  We were at a large round table which made talking difficult at times but we persevered.  I wish Carnival had more round tables for six instead of the booths and long side tables so that conversation was easier.  Our waiter St.Juste from Haiti was quite nice but it was our assistant waiter Loren from Bucharest who made the meals lots of fun.  Our food was always at least nice and sometimes excellent.  It took our boys a couple days to realize they really could order and try all the food they wanted... and did!  Desserts were much improved over our last sailing and the appetizers varied and flavorful.  The pizza was excellent and available at all the odd hours that the boys were hungry.

There was always music on the Promenade during the evening and we enjoyed sitting there and listening.  The boys enjoyed meeting us there before dinner for some sushi while I sipped a drink.  After dinner we enjoyed the sing-along in the Rhapsody in Blue lounge and later dancing to "Twister" in the Candlelight lounge.  Must admit that we usually retired before the midnight buffet.  The boys danced in the disco to late in the night - yes they did request the under 18 teens leave the disco at midnight which was appropriate.  The kids kept busy playing ping-pong, cards and just talking in the Brasserie until the wee hours of the morning.

Speaking of kids - the ship was full and there were plenty of families but the kids were well behaved and we never noticed any issues.  Some people reported running in the halls but were didn't hear any of it.  My only complaint is the number of small kids who move into the hot tubs but it's not a big deal.  The slide was open daily except when in port and it was well used.

Mother Nature was not overly generous with the sun and warmth this week.  It was very cold the first night and last day - but sailing on the Mississippi was very smooth.  Our first two days at sea were sunny and we were swimming by noon the first day.  Then in Jamaica it clouded over midday and rained, but didn't ruin our day at Dr. Cave's Beach Club.  Leaving Jamaica we encountered higher seas and wind so it wasn't much of a surprise to hear that we were denied port entry at Georgetown, Grand Cayman the next morning.  It was amazing to listen to the large number of people who were not aware that they would tender into the island and that nice weather isn't guaranteed!  We enjoyed a day inside playing cards and exploring the ship. We arrived at Cozumel after the Princess ship and so were docked outside town.  It was still overcast with high seas so that we nixed snorkeling at Chankanaab and walked around town.  Let the boys experience the "atmosphere" at Carlos and Charley's which they think was a high point of the trip.  Our last sea day was partly sunny but got colder as the ship progressed north.

The majority of the guests seemed to be from the Gulf states and Texas which made it a very friendly atmosphere.  People seemed to enjoy dressing up for the formal nights and even on the other nights many were dressed up.  Did see a lot of jeans in the dining room at night and the Carnival attitude now says only "No tank tops or shorts in the dining room for dinner".

The cruise was a great family vacation as we could each do what we liked and then get together for dinner and the evening.  The Inspiration is a lovely ship and the staff were mostly friendly and helpful though not always available.  We liked the departure from New Orleans and look forward to adding RCCL ships to the port for added selection.  Now it's time to plan the next cruise!