From Egypt to England to the Caribbean, the Imagination is a ship that delights in surprising guests with unique motifs and flights of fancy. The promenade is lined with golden sphinxes and other mythological creatures. Two exotic lounges are named after fabled Shangri-La and Xanadu. The library exudes the quiet charm of an English manor, while the El Dorado Casino constantly rings with excitement. Dine in your bathing suit by the pool, or dress up for international entrees at the Spirit Dining Room. For those who don't have a whole week to travel, these four- and five-night cruises from Miami to Key West and Mexico are simply ideal. Your dreams become reality on the Imagination.
Ship Highlights
- 115-foot-long, 14-foot-high water slide with hairpin twists and turns
- Large El Dorado casino with antique slot machines from the '30s and '40s
- A variety of nightlife including a pulsating disco with a spiral-shaped dance floor
- A unique selection of children's, vegetarian, and health-conscious dishes
- Supervised Camp Carnival program for kids
- A 12,000-square-foot luxury spa with sauna, steam room, massage, and body/facial treatments
- Elegant Spirit Dining Room
- Dancing at the Illusions Disco
- Seven-deck-high Grand Atrium
- Fully equipped fitness center
Overview
There's a boatload of things to amuse passengers aboard the Imagination. And, in addition to planned shows, activities and other entertainment, Carnival's officers and crew are determined that everyone will have fun aboard these ships. Service is a key factor on this vessel. Whether it's a request to your room steward or stewardess, a menu decision in the formal dining room, a towel at the pool deck or just about anything else, expect service with that proverbial smile.
Many first-timers get their initial taste of cruising on the Imagination
and are, for the most part, younger than passengers on other lines. However the days of T-shirt-clad crowds are gone; today's cruisers are honeymooners, young families, and singles as well as veteran travelers who like the Carnival ambiance. Dancing is a popular pastime for all, and late night adults-only comics bring out huge crowds.
Public rooms
With a mix of decor that includes countless gold-tone sphinxes and bars evoking fantasies of Shangri-La, the ship's "heart" is the Promenade on Deck 9. Leading from the fabulous Dynasty Lounge to the Pinnacle Club and Xanadu Lounge, more people gather here than elsewhere on the ship. They dance at the Dream Bar, try their luck at the El Dorado Casino and access the Internet at Vittorio's cafe. It's also the site of a boutique and the stairway to the Spirit Dining Room.
At the bottom of the six-story glass and brass atrium, on Empress Deck, sits a tall sculpture by Fort Lauderdale artist Len Janklow. Called "Space Illusion" it is a conversation piece and speaks to Carnival's outstanding use of passenger space.
Two self-service laundry rooms are located for passenger usage, $1 to wash, $1 to dry and 50 cents for detergent.
Activities
From the crew aboard Carnival's Imagination, we invite you and yours to bask in our countless activities. Whether you're a cruiser seeking a quiet get-a-way or someone looking to reveal your inner being, we have exactly what you're looking for. Our ship is stocked to the limits with extraordinary activities to guarantee your cruise is mind-blowing.
- Radio Room
- Beauty Salon & Barber Shop
- Massage & Loofah Rooms
- Aerobics Room
- Fully Equipped Nautica/Spa & Health Club
- Nautica Jogging Track (1/8 mile)
- 3 Outdoor Swimming Pools - one especially for the children
- Children's Playrooms - 2 to choose from
- Closed Circuit TV & Satellite TV at sea
- VCR Rentals
- Galleria Shopping Mall & Duty-Free Shops
- Shuffleboard & Table Tennis
- Card Room
- Curiosity Library
- Photo Gallery
- 6 Whirlpools
Entertainment
The Dynasty Lounge is the site of the Captain's Cocktail party, Broadway-type productions, port talks and more. Sight lines are unusually good, but a few poles offer some blocked viewing. A combination of banquette seating, love seats and theater-type seats are all comfortable and a warm color scheme of marble with corals and blues sets off the shimmery curtain that provides a festive feel before the music starts. Carnival's shows are state-of-the-art musical productions with lots of pizzazz, strong visual effects and a strong Latin music influence.
The Dream Bar is a piano bar that's one of the hottest spots on the vessel while Pinnacle bar attracts good before- and after-dinner business. The disco rocks 'til early morning hours. The large and airy Casino offers seven blackjack tables, one face up, one each of roulette and dice and two poker tables in addition to a variety of slots. Tournaments are scheduled almost every day. These are the fun ships and everyone parties full speed ahead. Few passengers seem to be in bed by midnight, yet there's always a crowd at breakfast.
Let the games begin! You haven't acknowledged the ultimate cruising experience until you've been enlightened by Carnival's entertainment. This ship will entertain those who are young at heart in fine fashion & make them forget about solid ground for a while. Our ship accommodates cruisers with everything from bars to casinos.
- Mirage Bar - piano bar
- Dynasty Lounge - lavish main show lounge
- Teen Disco Club
- Childrens Playrooms (2)
- El Dorado Casino
- Shangri-La Lounge
- Illusions Dance Club - disco
- Pinnacle Club
- Xanadu Lounge - smaller show lounge
- Imagination Promenade
- Vittorio's Cafe
- Horizon Bar & Grill
- Dream Bar
Fitness and Recreation
Nautica Fitness Center is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is probably one of the most active at sea. A variety of treadmills, steppers, circuit training and weight machines - more than 15 machines in all - and a large, mirrored aerobic room are busy all day long. The rooms are well designed and have plenty of space to move around in. The adjacent spa and beauty salon offer discounted treatments on port days and the "couples massage" is a popular service. Eleven laps around the Sports deck equal one mile. The main pool - with the signature Carnival slide - is on Lido deck and another is on Verandah Deck. A second pool and a children's pool are also available. Lounge chairs are sufficient, towels are readily available and bar service is always accessible.
Shore excursions can be booked from individual cabins via Interactive TV, but a shore excursion desk is also open through the day and most people opt for organized tours. Information on taxi service and shopping recommendations are available at most destinations, but no suggestions are made for onshore dining.
Daytime activities include port lectures, bingo, Internet access (open 24 hours at a fee of 75 cents per minute), various pool contests, games, trivia and the El Dorado Casino, open at sea from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Family
Camp Carnival is one of the most successful kids' programs afloat, featuring a mix of structured and individual activities. Programs feature four categories: Toddlers (2-5); Juniors (6-8); Intermediates (9-12) and Teens (13-15). Teens enjoy their own "disco" and seem to take part in the camp program without being forced into it. Counselors are trained and complimentary activities are available on sea days from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on port days from port arrival to 10 p.m. Baby-sitting is offered for children 12 and under from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Children's Playroom and is supervised by counselors. Pillows, blankets and cribs are provided. Cost is $5 per hour for the first child in the family and $3 per hour for each additional sibling. Each child, 12 and under, wears an identification bracelet and must be signed in and out by parents. A children's menu offers traditional items such as burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches and Camp kids usually enjoy a pizza party together. Formula and diapers are not available on the ship and parents of youngsters are urged to contact the line's Special Needs Department before sailing. Pregnant women in their third trimester cannot sail.
Fellow passengers
A broad crisscross of (mostly) middle America; according to Carnival, 30% of its passengers are under 35, 40% are between 35-55 and 30% are over 55.
Dress
Tuxedos are a rare find on formal nights with most men opting for dark suits. Casual nights seem "dressier" than on earlier Carnival cruises with nice, collared shirts for men and sweaters/silk tops with slacks for women. On a five-day cruise expect one "formal" night.
Gratuity
Carnival recommends $3.50 per person, per day to the waiter; $2 per person per day to the assistant waiter; $3.50 per person, per day to the cabin steward. A 15 percent gratuity is added to bar bills.