Carnival Inspiration

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: This onboard excursion is well worth the $55 per person for a look at the inner workings of what it takes to produce the thousands of meals eaten on board in a week. (Plus, you get the recipe for Carnival’s melting chocolate cake.) Still curious? You can also explore the engine control room, the bridge, the laundry, and the backstage area of the theater. 

Rhapsody in Blue Piano Bar: A barstool-studded bar encircles a baby grand, where the piano player takes requests and leads guests in an engaging singalong.

Kids Programs: Carnival has improved its children’s offerings in recent years with a partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Perks for kids include a Seuss character parade, photo ops, story time, a towel puppet theater, and even a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (for $5 a person).

Newbies: Carnival Inspiration embarks year-round on three- and four-day sailings from Los Angeles to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. These cruises are just long enough to give you a taste of life at sea to see if it agrees with you.

Families: With activities for all ages, there’s something for everyone. Parents can relax knowing their kids are in good care and having fun doing supervised activities with others in their age group. Then everyone is happy to see each other again at dinner.

The Internet Isn’t Very Fast: Although affordable, the ship’s Wi-Fi is provided by satellite. That means it will be much slower than the service you’re used to at home.

The Violins Bar Is Smoky: Unfortunately, this bar is directly across the promenade from live music and other events. If you’re not a fan of cigarette smoke, you’ll likely miss out on some good entertainment.