Great for families, not for couples

The dinners were FANTASTIC, don't get me wrong. Something new every night and so yummy. We did dine at your own time, however, so that meant you came whenever you wanted and got whatever waiter was available at the time. That was a bit of a downer because you didn't get the personalized treatment with the same server and Maitre'D that you do with early and late seating. So, if you go, pick a time to eat. It's worth it to get to know one server that you can tip at the end of the trip. Where the ship really lacked was in the buffets they offered as everyday breakfast and lunch stuffs. Coffee was weak (and only one kind :( ), eggs were kinda runny, and the pastries were like something out of a vending machine. Pizza was pretty good, and their three self-serve ice cream machines must've been good because they were always pretty much empty by the time we got to them. The buffet was the same stuff everyday, too--no variety like the sit down dinners.

The only real way to get a list of events was through the brochure they offered every night. The ship would have an announcement, but most of the time the speakers were hard to hear unless you were inside and not in your stateroom. Lots of bingo, raffle giveaways and a fantastic art auction, but otherwise most of the stuff offered was more for family entertainment. A couple "adult" comedians were offered near the end of the cruise, but they were late at night and, quite frankly, when you're out and about all day in the sun you're ready to hit the sack by ten!

This is definitely a kid-oriented ship and we, as a couple with no children, will not be going on this ship again for that reason. Carnival Ecstasy was fantastic for families and had lots of offerings for kids. Guaranteed your kid(s) would probably make some fast friends at the pool or waterpark they offered.

The room service was fantastic--they always smiled and conversed with us as we left the room. No one was ever rude on the ship and guest services were always friendly when we spoke with them. Our waiters were nice at the sit down, but because we did the dine at your own time and had a different one every night, sometimes you could tell they were rushed and we didn't really receive the personalized treatment early or late seaters got. Ah well, you live you learn.

Ship was kept clean and orderly, they washed the decks daily, and it was easy to get up and around. If you're older or lazy would not recommend the lower decks--we were on the Riviera, the lowest, which was the most quietest, BUT we had to climb five flights of stairs anytime we wanted to go up and do something. Yes, there were elevators--but it'd take you nearly twenty minutes to get where you wanted to go that way.

We didn't have a fancy room--simple lower deck room with portholes. But it was roomier than we thought it'd be, the two twin beds pushed together didn't even feel like two separate beds, and they cleaned the rooms twice a day--leaving a lovely towel animal and a brochure with the next day's events in the evening. The ONLY thing we didn't like was the tv--it was a flat screen and lovely, but the satellite stuff offered had some weird aspect ratio that cut off a good chunk of the left screen. We were watching the baseball game and could never see the hometeam's score. It was like that on every. Single. TV. on the ship. The remote wasn't programmed so we could change it, either. :( For that they don't get the full set of smileys!