A good getaway cruise to turn off the phone and decompress. The food options are hit-and-miss...most times the buffet is offering the same selections as the main dining room - with the service being quicker, food hotter and fresher, and your time more controllable. Onboard activities are whatever you want them to be. The ports are challenging with current health protocols and have been literally the same thing for the past 5-10 years. All-in-all, was a good trip on a good ship with a great crew at a decent price.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
This process is getting a bit smoother despite all the masking requirements, health screenings, etc.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
MEH... overall, the quality, flavor, presentation, and flair of dining on a cruise ship is suffering. Can't say if it is staffing problems, quality and availability of ingredients, or just the overall global attitude towards customer service. The Carnival menus have been stagnant for about 3-4 years and there's just nothing special sitting there for revisiting passengers. Experienced the "for fee" Italian venue this trip and was impressed by the contract to the main dining room venues...far superior quality, service, taste, etc.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Standard cruise offerings for a smaller, older ship.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Good stage show for the Motown review. Cruise Director was absolutely the most personable and interactive one that we've experienced in the past 3-4 years.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
They're stressed. Ratio of staff/guests has gone up. The overall age and experience of the staff has gone down and it shows in attitude, cultural differences, and behavior.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
This is an older ship scheduled for a Spring 2022 drydock in Spain. It needs it. However, that said, for a smaller ship (3,300 capacity), it is comfortable and easy to get around.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
WOW...this is an extended aft balcony room. It was about 6 feet deeper and a couple of feet wider than your standard interior or balcony room. We were impressed and will be challenged to go back to any other type of room. The ability to sit comfortably on the balcony with extra room between you and the outer wall was welcome and the view off the ship's stern is not to be missed...especially at night with a full moon.
Ship tip
Patience. Not all venues are open all the time and you have to plan to be early to get into see or experience whatever is on your agenda.
Used Galveston Terminal 2. Once you cross the ship's threshhold, you literally never stop moving until you clear the outside door. Customs facial recognition software is darn near flawless and getting back in the country is seamless now days.
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