First time Galveston cruiser

The whole embarkation process was smooth! Had an 1130 check in time and did what most people do and did not heed the advice of the cruise line and that was to get there earlier than my check in time. Being my first time to Galveston I did not want to be late but the layout of the cruise port was so simple, it took us mere minutes to drop off our bags and park our car. As we went to the gathering area to await our check in time, one of the Carnival reps asked us if we were there to check in, looked at our boarding passes and ushered us inside. We were about 45 minutes away from our check in time. Once inside, we were directed right to the people who check our documents. This was super quick especially with the use of VeriFLY…in and out in less than a minute then a quick bag check and we’re then sent to the line to actually “check in”. Once that’s done, it’s upstairs time to sit and wait for your group to be called to actually board the ship. Sat in that room for about 15 minutes and we were then called and boarded the ship. My check in time was set for 1130 and had I needed the advice of Carnival I probably would’ve gotten on the ship about 1230 but here it is not even 1130 and I’m already on-board. Awesome embarkation process!

Very disappointed in the specialty restaurant we went to, food was just ok, not memorable like the Captains table we did on our last cruise. Also, the melted chocolate cake honeymoon is over for me as it lacked the wow factor this time around and I was surprised that i found myself ordering a different dessert the other nights…What?…Sacrilege…I know right? The dinners in the Blush dining room were ok, some better than others but it’s really a crapshoot…if you didn’t like it why’d you order it…the buffet was ok too although I remember it being always open but it wasn’t like that…I would get there early in the morning around 0600 and the only thing open would be the continental buffet, pizza and ice cream…who am I kidding?…back in my younger days that was plenty but I’m old now and I need sustenance out of the gate and a bagel and fruits is not going to get me fired up to do anything. But what Carnival got right on this cruise and others I’ve been on is to have Guys burgers as a choice for food. Simply put, the best damn burger you’re ever going to have whether on land, at sea or in space. Something about that burger that made me crave it all the time. Guys pig and anchor bbq was good too but lunch was always reserved for that slice of Guy heaven. Breakfast in the main dining room was the same as the buffet so it really didn’t matter where you had it. Didn’t do the room service thing but that’s just me…defeats the purpose of being on that cruise and that’s to experience being on that cruise…can’t experience that in my room…ok…enough about that. Overall ok…had better but no complaints!

Too many people on ship to enjoy a leisurely time in the pool…the adults only area was also packed as the adults were trying to escape the madness of the main deck area. The basketball court was always packed as the teens took that area over as well as the miniature golf area…note to self…don’t take a cruise right after school has gone into its summer break. Expected a crowd and got one…oh well…there’s always the entertainment to look forward to.

There was definitely a lack of entertainment on the ship this time around. I remember walking from area to area and there was always some kind of music being played, from a piano guy to a DJ to a violinist and yes this cruise had that but it seemed like it wasn’t enough. The stage shows were nice but there was definitely something lacking. Carnival always has that party vibe and it didn’t disappoint in that area as the deck parties and the discos were rocking but I guess my age is showing and I think I’ve outgrown Carnival and the cha cha slide just doesn’t do it for me anymore. I was looking for that one piano guy who just played your familiar songs and I did find Shawn but his set was always late and by then I was always in Nana land.

Although we had a 14 year old with us, he never used any of the programs and opted for the “hang out in the arcades while the adults hit the casino” thing. Percentage wise I think he did better than us as far as losing less money.

If someone is willing to work at all hours with no days off and somehow manage to keep a smile on their face whilst heeding to every one of my whims and desires then they deserve all the kudos I can muster. The staff are the heroes of the cruise and the service they provide is superb!

Definitely a dated ship…been on several Carnival ships and they always seem the same…old decor mixed with new decor…updated but yet dated…in with the new but still keep the old…alright you got the point!

Typical Carnival balcony room…size was sufficient and room was clean…area where room was located was subject to a lot of late night partiers returning to their rooms as loud as they can be and the occasional track meet at 2 in the morning but despite that I still managed to get some rest. Hated and Loved that the balcony overlooked the deck below us…hated that we didn’t get the direct water view but loved to see all the ladies sunbathing right below us…seemed pretty Pervy to just hang out there and oogle the goodies so opted for hardly going out there…wifey made sure of that!

You know how they tell you not to crowd the elevator areas, staircases and certain floors are off limits before debarkation and then on that day it seems like everybody forgot those rules…well same thing here…we had an early flight to catch so we got a letter to excuse us from the madness and we were able to debark with the “special privileges” people as our paperwork was checked at a certain level and we were ushered into the theatre with the others. An hour later after all the apologies of the late arrival of the customs folk because of traffic, we were then allowed to stream out of the theatre to debark. I could feel the thousands of eyes on me as we walked through the atrium…like headed for the lifeboats as the steerage class watches from behind their locked gates aboard the Titanic…a slow procession but steady line and then we were broken into 2 groups, those with passports and those without…and before you can say “wow that wasn’t too bad, it only took us an hour and a half to get off the ship” we were off the ship. First time I’ve had to rush off a ship…my fault…but no choice really with the flights to Seattle being super early or super late but next time I’m taking my time.