I just wanted to add that my 13 year old daughter contracted covid on this trip. We are very thankful that her symptoms didn't start until we were departing but she got very sick and she was fully vaccinated. None of her friends who she hung out with on the cruise ship got sick. 90% of passengers chose NOT to mask up. There was a false sense of security. We have been well for 3 years and she got sick just as USA lifted the mask mandate. I did see some people with sniffles and coughs boarding the ship...most were very young children who had exemptions from physicians. We also had a couple sitting directly behind us on our Cabo shore excursion coughing everywhere and parents not advising their children to cover their mouths when coughing. One little girl coughed all over the buffet. Please be mindful of others and mask up when indoors and in crowds. We had an amazing vacation but my daughter did get very sick and missed a full week of school coming back and the whole household had to wear masks in our own homes coming back.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We arrived well before we were supposed to and waited for our covid tests to come through from another state and didn't come through in time but Carnival was able to do last minute tests on us for $100 pp. Once that was completed then we boarded immediately and walked on our suitcases. We tested negative both with Carnival and our pretests taken at home before departing.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Food selections were very good. Upcharge of $20 for the filet mignon and lobster expected in dining room. Bonzai Sushi was amazing. I ate there 4 times... fish fresher during first three days. They we able to accommodate me by serving me my hot sake in a glass to go several times during the evening. Pizza was really good. Long lines late at night. Was really upset about the fact they advertised having Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc on the menu and the server gave me a completely different wine. I knew the difference and compared color, clarity, and taste to the same bottle I brought on board. I even returned the glass and asked for another one but they of course served me the same nasty cheap tasting wine and called it Oyster Bay. I went to Guest Services and showed them the wine they gave me and the bottle I brought on to prove that it was NOT the same wine. Guest Services agreed and removed it from my tab. 2 days later I inquired again for Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc from a completely different bartender and he told me that they haven't had it in stock for 3 weeks! Be aware that what you order may not be what you get and they will still up charge you.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Very happy with options. The Skybike thing was Amazing and super fun. I never made it to the ropes course. They require closed toe shoes and I was ill prepared at the time I went. Lots of mini golf and the indoor trampoline was a lot of fun for my 13 year old. There was a upcharge of $18 (for the glow night time one and came with socks and a tshirt) Party on the lido deck was a lot of fun....thankfully you can go to the adult section for some quiet tho.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
I saw 2 different rater R comedy shows. Very adult and laughed until I cried. The have a PG family friendly comedy show earlier which I never saw. Piano bar was Amazing and I spent 2 nights in there. Live shows were very beautifully done and extremely talented singers and musicians.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
My daughter LOVED Circle C (12-14 year olds) She made great friends and spent almost every night with them. They still text even though we have long left the cruise.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Everything was exceptional except the one night we dined in the main dining room our server was very slow. We were just a table of 2 and the server was very pushy to encourage the upcharge menu items since they make more money off of it but then once the order was taken then service declined. It appeared as if larger tables that came after us got better service. I ended up having to stand up to leave since we were waiting soooo long for our check that they held us back for our server so that I could sign the check for my upcharge.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Layout and design was awesome. We loved the elevators that would auto select which elevator to take depending on what floor you were going to. Everything appeared clean and sanitizers were plentiful. They had masks available for those who entered indoor crowed areas but most people chose not to wear them. They even advised to wear them but most people chose not to.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We loved our cabin. Granted we were on the 2nd floor but it was quiet and away from the party area yet near to the elevators. We had a cove balcony which I prefer since there is much more privacy than those on higher decks where you can see into other balconies. We were also closer to the ocean which drowned out noise. We were toward the middle front of the ship which helped when heading back up to LA and we were making up time and more waves. You want to be closer to the bottom for seasickness anyway.
Ship tip
They ran out of contact solution for sail by day 3 and had no sunscreen after. They also ran out of maxi pads and tampons for sale in the shops but luckily you can get them from guest services for 25 cents each. The type of alcohol you order may not be what you receive. Make sure you return all of the pool towels. I know some people who were charged.
Did our BEST shore excursion in all of our cruises. It was called "The Greatest Outdoor Adventure With Lunch" Must be somewhat physically fit and need hiking/water shoes/close toed We did a speed boat, UTV, Mule ride, Ziplines, a roller coaster zipline, repelled a 90 ft waterfall, surfing zipline, a waterslide, and amazing lunch. Margaritas are Horrible and they wont let you take a camera and try to you photos for $$$$$ but excursion was top notch and not for the timid.
We did the mini boats through out the canals with lunch and lounging at a beach resort. All inclusive and had locals selling us things at the beach. We ended it with shopping before going back onto the cruise.
We hated the port. Do not do any snorkeling activites in Cabo. The clarity is very dirty even miles from the port. No proper sewage disposal in oceans so coral and clarity very poor. Whale watching good. I would do land excursions in Cabo if I could have changed. Not much to do here at port except drink, eat, and shop.
Sorry your daughter got Covid. Too many peop,e tnink the masks are useless. They are definitely helpful. I don't understand why you would pay for the lobster or steak for dinner as the lobster is free on formal night and there is always free steak every night. Glad you enjoyed most of the cruise.
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