Wish there had been a "first time cruiser orientation". Enjoyed my time with my friend and 5 days away from life. Appreciated the cleanliness of the ship and the staff were great.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Timely and organized. Staff who checked us in was very helpful knowing it was our first cruise.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
The evening "early dining" in the Inspiration room was wonderful. Food at the buffets "Tiffany's" was not always as hot as I'd like. You had to walk a lot around the dining room to collect all you wanted to eat and drink. No where to buy soda except at bars. Chairs in Tiffany's were sticky, needed to be wiped down. Pizza ordering was confusing. Expected choice of simple or popular pizzas instead of 6 gourmet options. Cups for tea and juice were too small.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
One pool for 2800 people was not enough. The area for over 21 where there were two hot tubs was not monitored. Mostly college students (under 21) took over. Enjoyed sitting areas on Lido upper deck.
Spa Carnival
1 out of 5
most of the treatments offered cost more than half of my cruise ticket. To add salt to the wound, I received a $50 gift certificate for my birthday from the ship. Nothing available in the spa for $50. So it wasn't a gift certificate but a coupon. Wasted my time finding that out. Spa staff didn't try to help or seem to care to offer me something.
Photo Gallery
1 out of 5
I receive a $12 gift certificate for my birthday. The cheapest picture was $15. So it wasn't a gift certificate but a coupon.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Shows in the Mikado were wonderful. Trivia looked fun but held in places too crowded to enjoy like the Atrium. Some of the music programs got boring night after night in the Casino/Bar.
Mikado Main Lounge
4 out of 5
Seating is awkward with all the poles. Hard to find a seat where you could see without straining your neck and the lights were too blinding to the audience. Only two waiters so I never got a drink.
Children's Programs
didn't travel with children
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Stateroom steward was very friendly and attentive. attended to our room at least twice a day.
Waiters in Inspiration at table 406 were fabulous. Best meal and Staff experience the entire trip.
Spa staff not very helpful or friendly.
Casino staff were helpful to teach us how to play games.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Smoking areas weren't designated well to non-smokers and I didn't like walking through them to get to where I was going. Lines at Guy's Burgers often blocked the door to go in to Tiffany's.
Staff were always clean :-)
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Worked well for two of us. The TV sound was always at maximum when you turned it on...weird. Mattress was a little hard but each to their own. All was good.
Ship tip
Never, ever, go during Spring break. Students only cared about drinking and staff was too busy catering to them to help others.
We arrived about an hour after the first ferry over but when we arrived there was absolutely no where to sit on the beach. There were not any signs (or visible/good signs) showing us where to go to access different parts of the beach. We ended up dragging two chairs out of the water's edge all the way back to the brush beside one of the bungalows. Then we went to have lunch at the BBQ. Again, no staff or signage about where to go. My friend and I got separated trying to find it and then I was to frustrated to eat. We went back to our chairs packed up and took the next ferry back to the ship. Waste of time and a big disappointment. Needed more staff on the beach. Best part of the day was getting back to the ship and enjoying the pool for ONCE while everyone was at the beach.
Not what I expected. Maybe the time of year was off. Expected more excitement, things happening. Mostly window shopped. The weather was too windy and cool for the beach (not Carnival's fault).
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