Carnival Inspiration is a Cruise ship part of the Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet. Inspiration is part of the ‘Fantasy’ class of ships in the Carnival Lines. Carnival Cruise Lines have the biggest fleet in the world, and are famous for their short term and more affordable cruises. “The Fun Ship” experience that the Carnival Cruise Line is known for, is again true for Carnival Inspiration, and a journey on board the Carnival Inspiration proves that cruising is not as staid and for fuddy-duddies as it was seen before.
These ships have a lot of options aboard that will keep you entertained throughout your journey. Such a wide variety of things to do is rarely found in most cruise ships. Carnival Inspiration guarantees an experience that can be best described as a ton of fun.
Carnival Inspiration
A range of activities and an assortment of fun places have been put up. The ship has evolved with the changing times, and caters to changing tastes. Large in size, but having a small itinerary, these ships are spacious and airy, no cramping aboard the Carnival Inspiration.
Carnival Inspiration : Ship Facts
Class and Type : Fantasy Class Cruise Ship
Gross Tonnage : 70, 367 G T
Length : 262. 00 m ( 859 feet 7 inches )
Beam : 31. 50 m ( 103 feet 4 inches )
Decks : 14 which are passenger accessible
Capacity : 2056 passengers in the lower berth, 2634 passengers in all berths
Crew : 920
Carnival Inspiration : Construction
Carnival Inspiration, along with all the other seven ships par of the Fantasy Class of ships, was built in the Kvarner Masa Yards, in Helsinki, Finland. The ship was subject to two refurbishments in 2005 and 2007. The 2007 refurbishment gave the ship a brand new interior, new show lounges, bars and public areas.
Carnival Inspiration : Itinerary
At present, the Carnival Inspiration sails on one four day itinerary and two 5 day itineraries from the Port of Tampa. The Inspiration is set for relocation to Long Beach in December 2011, and will sail a 3 day and 4 day itineraries going to Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico. The Inspiration will replace carnival Paradise, part of the same class and fleet, which sails these itineraries now.
Carnival Inspiration : Accommodation
Cabins
All ships in the Fantasy class have a lot more inside cabins than the more recent ships owned by Carnival. There are no balconies offered except in the top two suite categories due to this reason. The cabins have good closets and drawer shelf storage, and have adequate bathroom shelves as well. The cabins are not ostentatious and remain simply decorated with light wood cabinets and relaxed décor. The suites have seating area and small refrigerators in them. Apart from the additional space, the Penthouse suites have a whirlpool tub. The Inside cabins are spacious and have faux windows with curtains. The bedroom linens are fine, and have a high thread count, which is a measure for quality bed spreads. The pillows are plush, and exude a feeling of ultimate comfort.
The options that are available are Grand suites, Ocean view suites, Obstructed ocean view suites, Oceanview staterooms in the Empress, Upper, Main and Riviera decks with the same amenities, Porthole stateroom, Interior staterooms in the Verandah, Upper, Main, Riviera and Empress deck and also Interior Upper and Lower Staterooms.
Bathrooms . . .
The showers have mounted shampoos and have bath gel dispensers. The well stocked bathroom shelves contain an assortment of sample toiletries. The towels are nice and fluffy, and the bathrobes which are provided for all, are also really comfortable and soft.
Other
Twenty two of the staterooms are specially designed so as to make access for guests on wheelchairs. Hairdryers are not provided. An anomaly is that there are no connecting cabins on the Fantasy class ships.
Carnival Inspiration : Dining and Wining
There are two formal restaurants and offer breakfast and lunch in an open seating format, where seats are not reserved and anyone can sit and dine anywhere they like. Dinner is served in assigned settings, which are four in number. The Lido restaurant is an excellent place, and serves buffet meals, breakfast, lunch, pizzas and ice cream. At night times, it is transformed into the Seaview Bistro, which is a casual bistro type restaurant and a good alternative for casual dinners. Inspiration also has a sushi bar, which serves delicious sushi with a glass of sake. There is also a patisserie, where excellent cakes and pastries can be found.
Carnival Inspiration : Entertainment
Entertainment is a key highlight of the Carnival Inspiration experience, and there is a of entertainment options on board. There are numerous bars, clubs and Longes. There are also the Monte Carlo Casino, which has a whole range of tables and a large number of slot machines.
There are also a wide variety of Spa’s and treatment rooms. There is a state of the art gymnasium, with a fitness center, sauna and steam rooms included. There is a mini golf course and a jogging track, big enough that 10 laps equal one mile of jogging.
