In response to review, ItaVero says ...

One thing I learned on my last cruise with Carnival is that if you sign up for the Faster to the Fun, one of the perks is bypassing the long line ups at the customer service desk as they have the VIP/FTTF line which is near empty every time. You also board the ship sooner and is totally worth the $50. It wont help with the rude waiters and such but there is some comfort in the little things!

We noticed when we boarded the Dream in January that, a customs agent was monitoring the boarding process and would stop it when he felt the gangway got too crowded. I hadn't seen this before. We sailed hours late because the dock workers hadn't finished loading the ship, nothing Carnival could do about that.

Cruising isn't for everyone, I am sad the OP didn't find the trip he was looking for.

No problem. Disagree away. I don't know who runs the embarkation process where you embark - but the cruise lines are all over it wherever I come and go from. Oh, there is port security, and maybe a customs person or two (or maybe not) - but everything else is the cruise lines - those goofy roped off lanes? Cruise line. The people behind the counters? Cruise line. And comparing airports to the waterfront warehouses is false equivalence. And - the airport could care less about your airline experience. The cruise line? They have a vested interest (or should have) in your level of satisfaction.

Why should the cruise line take over the port operation when each cruise terminal staffs itself and the cruise line "volunteers" that often help out are a minor factor in the process? Seriously, do you expect the airport to to provide a beverage if you are hot ,,, Do you fault the airline if there's issues at the airport? Sorry but I have to disagree with you on this one ....