Awesome cruise!

We went with 6 other friends to get away from our frigid Feb.  I'm from Louisiana. The experience was amazing from the moment we all pulled into the garage, to the boarding process, then onto the ship.  We first did the muster , ours was by pool. Then we all had to waste time and we ate. And when we got to,our rooms on Empress deck our bags were there and our steward was also. Asked what time was our dining. We all had late dining. When we made our reservations it took 30 mins. I don't see how it could take over 4 hours. We prepaid gratuities because it's easier. If you don't it's a pain. If you order room service you do have to tip them separately. Our room was spotless.  I loved having it cleaned twice a day and chocolates at night and bed lite on.  A month before cruise we got an email saying we could get a $30 ocean view room upgrade. We got it and loved it, still by our friends. We ate our dinners in the Inspiration room. Top notch all the way. We all usually got three starters.  On lobster night got 3 plates each of that. The food was always amazing.  We liked the Did ya ever choices.  Fun. I did send one of those back. All food is included in cruise. Booze and sodas aren't. Take your own sodas. Buy a carnival glass and fill it with ice and your soda. I took dr pepper.  We all gained weight from stuffing ourselves. All of us weren't overweight to begin with so needed this splurge. Every worker on ship was extremely helpful and friendly .  We all have already found next one in Feb 2016. Back to Dominican Republic, Grand Turks, where we were stationed once, Freeport. This is a yearly thing for us. Cruising in our worst winter month.  We don't like the mega ships so much.