For this cruise we were using our discount tickets that we received from Carnival for the January cruise postponement. It was quite a hefty discount so my review might be slighted a little towards Carnival. Its hard not to enjoy yourself when you are not spending a great deal for the cruise.

We cruised with 3 other couples who were all our friends. They were all veteran cruisers who had traveled aboard the "Jubilee", of Carnival Cruise lines and aboard the "Sovereign of the Seas" of Royal Carribean Cruise lines.

The passenger embarkation terminal in New Orleans is under construction so it is quite messy. We arrived very early at the terminal (1:30 PM, ship departs at 6:00 PM"). It was not crowded and boarding was quick. The walk up the tower to board the ship though is quite a hall, but I'm sure that will change after construction is complete.

I have to apologize and say that since it was my first cruise I was impressed with most of the ship's appointments. It didn't seemed to impress the veteran cruisers we were with though. They had cruised aboard the "Sovereign of the Seas" and were always comparing the "Inspiration" with that ship.

The ship, "inspiration" was very large and just dwarfed the other cruise ships docked in New Orleans. It was very clean and looks like it is very carefully maintained. We had an inside cabin on the Empress deck, forward E-5. It was adequate in its layout and function. A bit too much pink though in its decor for me. We were situated near the bow of the ship. We got tossed quite a bit one night. I would suggest a cabin closer to the center of the ship.

We had the late night seating in the "Mardi Gras" dining room. I enjoyed the late seating as we were never rushed to eat after the port calls. Our waiter,(Frank) who was Phillipino showed us excellent service, but my wife is 50% Phillipino so that didn't hurt either. The assistant waiter (Holman form Costa Rica) busted his butt and I don't think he will be a assistant waiter much longer.

The 3 days at sea gave us more than enough time to become extremely familiar with the ship. Too much for me. Not for my wife. She loved it. Plenty to do with the Casino, Shops and Spas. I was more than ready to get off at our first port call, Montego Bay.

We didn't book any of the excursions available onboard for this port. Most excursions we later found can be booked on shore at the other port of calls at a substanial savings from the Carnival price.

We took our chances and jumped in a taxi and headed off to Doctor's Cave Beach. Very beautiful beach and the beer was cheap at tha Cabana. Taxi ride was $3. Tried to rent a laser sailboat, but these are reserved the guests at Doctor's Cave Resort.

We then cruised through downtown Montego Bay and that was an eye opening experience. Very, very dirty and shabby. Our friends let us know that it is this way in most of the Carribean cities outside of the resort areas. Never the less we did some shopping at a Market that was off limits to the locals. They were were quite pushy sales people, but we enjoyed the haggling.

We then headed back to the ship and were off for the Cayman Islands. The debarkation from the "Inspiration" to the port at Grand Caymans is by tender. The ship anchors in the harbor as there is no pier large enough for the ship. The see was rough so the tender ride was an experience. Didn't like waiting in the stairwells aboard the ship either waiting fro a tender.

The snorkling was excellent. We took the "Reef and Sunken ship" tour. We cruised to the reef aboard a very large pontoon boat. All snorkling gear was provided. It rained in the afternoon so not much shopping in town. It was back to the ship for room service and a nap. Room service by the way was at our cabin within 5 minutes of placing our order.

The ship left for Cozumel about 5:00 PM. Cozumel has some excellent snorkling. We took the "reef and beach party tour" aboard a huge catamaran. The tour was run by tour group called "Fury" and the folks there were great. The water was excellent. I have only seen better snorkling in the Red Sea while I was in Saudi Arabia then in the Carribean.

The beach tour has all the Mexican Beer you care to drink. Carnival didn't recommend the tour and I don't understand why (Ha Ha!). It was a great tour! Several things Carnival didn't recommend or advise to do on shore in the ports turned out to be just fine.

We left Cozumel at 4:30 PM and it was a day at sea and then back to New Orleans. Lucky or unlucky as it may be there was a freighter accident in the river. Only cruise boats were allowed up the river. Darn it!

Debarkation at New Orleans was a mess. One deck at a time and all the luggage crammed into a large building for everyone to sort through.
Not very good at all. Probably the worst part of the trip.

Other than that the cruise was excellent!