tamaraten

I'm considering doing a last-minute booking of the Carnival Imagination in a couple of weeks (December 26) for 4 days to Caribbean. This would be a surprise for my four kids and husband, and it's our first time on a cruise. The only cruise that we could get on for that date (it's the only date we can go!) is the Imagination. All of the posts for this ship are really dated, from 2001-2002. Has anyone been on this boat recently? What is it like?

The only rooms available are inside rooms. Again, having never cruised before, are these really difficult to be in because of the lack of windows? I'm in a huge dilemma about whether to go or not, since of course the price for the xmas week is extremely high. Wondering if it's worth it for the older boat and the non-window rooms and the crowds because of the dates.

Any insights would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

Aristotle

I would not like an inside room and I would bet that the kids would hate it. zzYou do spend enough time in your room to matter and there are frquently things to see outside during the times you are in your cabin. Now I won't go without a balconey. Why pay high prices for second rate cabins. Wait a few weeks or months and go. Take a short ski trip now.

tamaraten

Thanks Aristotle. I appreciate your reply.

Unfortunately, we can't take a ski trip! We actually live overseas and will be in Miami visiting my parents for two weeks over the holidays. I thought to get away for a few days, just my family, on a surprise trip.

Even going to Disney World I'm sure will be a nightmare during this week. (we went last year but it was much earlier in December). Again, this is the only time we can go.

Any other ideas for where to go for a short jaunt from Miami?

Thanks again.

Aristotle

Why not a quick trip to Nassau? Not too far away and that's where a short cruise probably goes anyway.

dmn2011

Tamaratan, here are a couple of links I've used to search for our 4-5 days cruise in Feb. 2012. The first is Priceline and the other is Cheap Caribbean. I am sure a lot of people who post on Fodors will agree these are good sites. I found quite a few. Do take a look. I do have to agree with Aristotle that Inside Cabin will be pretty suffocating for the family. Since it's a surprise, why not make it a fun surprise ? Good luck.

http://cruises.priceline.com/results...=29&Search.y=6

http://www.caribbeancruisediscounts.com/ticker.cfm

1965

Haven't been on the Imagination, but have been on Carnival's Elation, Conquest, Spirit, and Magic. Loved them all. We only get inside cabins because they cost less, and it's never been a problem for us. We got a free upgrade on the Magic to a deluxe oceanview, and really liked it, but not enough to pay extra.

triathlete

On a 4-night cruise you're not going to spend much time in your cabin, so I wouldn't worry about being in an interior room. Haven't been on the Imagination since it was refurbished, but it should be in decent shape.

If you want to see some recent reviews, check the following link:

http://allthingscruise.com/cruise-re...magination.htm

rchen1123

Hey there. I just got back from this cruise and it is amazing. We booked last minute and the only cabin left was an inside cabin at the rear of the ship but it was great. The lack of a window did not bother us as we spent most of the time outside. The two destinations (Key West and Cozumel) were fun. The food was great and there was a lot of good stuff (Alligator fritters, escargot, lobsters, steak, etc.). The only thing I disliked about the cruise is the weight I have gained