Laura P.

My boyfriend and I are plannig the Southern Caribbean cruise for the next june 99'. <BR> <BR>Which ship it`s more beautiful, Monarch or Inspiration??. <BR> Which have the best food and more nice cabins??.

LynnW.

We were on the Monarch last April, same <BR>itinerary. This was our 5th cruise. We found <BR>the cabin extremely small and cramped, <BR>the food only average and simply too many <BR>people on this ship. RC's newer ships have <BR>larger cabins. I don't know the Inspiration, <BR>but would not recommend the Monarch. <BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi Laura, <BR>I have sailed on just about every ship. I am a travel agent. <BR> <BR>You asked which ship is more beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, I would say Monarch is georgeous. Inspiration is dazzling. <BR> <BR>Royal Carib. ships have less room per passenger (new ships the exception), but I have very few complaints. Don't bring a lot of luggage, rooms are small. The food is a mix of regular and gourmet. <BR> <BR>You will have fun on both ships, definitely not high brow. <BR> <BR>Both ships are mass market and tend to fill quickly depending on the date. <BR> <BR>The Carnival ship is, of course the most fun for young and old. Almost 24 hrs. to party. There are many quiet areas on the ship if you look. There is a noisy pool and quiet pools. The sides of the ship have loungers and are quiet also. <BR> <BR>You may end up with partiers next to you on either ship, or any ship for that matter. <BR> <BR>The itineraries are great for both ships. The expense for each is a little more since you are leaving from San Juan and the air costs more. <BR> <BR>There are many promos for each ship. The discounts for Carnival are usually better, but there are exceptions. Occasionally Royal Carib. has great discounts. Must price both. Neither have discounts on the suites. <BR> <BR>The cabins on the Carnival ships are all 185 square feet versus about 120 for RCI (lower cabins). The cabins on RCI are very nicely appointed. The Carnival rooms are rather loud. The entire ship is electric. <BR> <BR>The entertainment on Carnival is the best. All kinds of bands and orchestras that play all kinds of music. The stage shows are absolutely fabulous(Las Vegas style)(special effects extraordinary). <BR> <BR>Both ships are very romantic in the late evening on deck. <BR> <BR>The food on Carnival is very good (same as a restaurant). The 24 Pizza restaurant (pool area) is great. All kinds and types of pizza, calzones and ceasar salads. The room service is fast and the food is good. The disco is very exciting and doesn't shut down until 2:30AM. Casino - 2AM. <BR> <BR>If you are a fun couple, I would advise Carnival. Quite a few passengers downgrade Carnival, but the line has improved 100% in the past 2 years. I sailed 3 Carnival ships last year, service and food improves monthly. The wine choices are the best for a mass market ship, and could be ordered 24 hours. <BR> <BR>That should answer your questions. Feel free to write again. My E-Mail is above. <BR> <BR>I can also give you a quote if you like. <BR> <BR>Paul

Mary

I don't know about the Inspiration but we sailed the Monarch a couple of years ago and were very pleased. However, we did have a cabin with a balcony so I can't say our cabin was small. Itinerary was great. We had no problems with the food. We thought it was quite good. Lunch was not quite up to par with dinner. I've always heard Carnival was a party ship so if that's the way you want to go you should go the Inspiration. We found people of all ages on the Monarch and plenty of ways to party or to be in quiet areas -- whatever we wanted. I think you'll be pleased. Since it ran aground in December you will naturally need to check with travel agents to see when it will be up and running again.

Alan Rea

My wife and I with 4 other friends were on the Inspiration for it's inaugural cruise(2 weeks from Miami to L.A.). Loved the ship and the holiday. The travel agent that replied said it all. We sailed in "The Song of America" once and the cabin size was much smaller than Carnival ships that we have been on. In the front of your Carnival brochure there is a little drawing titled "their cabins and our cabins". The smaller cabin was an exact drawing of our cabin on the Song of America, the larger an exact drwing of our cabin on every Carnival ship that we have been on.