This cruise was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it to anyone. The ship is beautiful and well maintained, the crew lovely, and the ports beautiful. If you bring your patience for the occasional long wait for service or embarkation/disembarking, and have a plan for what shows you want to see, and activities you want to do, you'll have a great time.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Embarkation as a whole went more smoothly than expected (I've heard some nightmare stories about Long Beach). Lines were a bit long, and having to wait outside in the sun was not ideal. Once we got in the terminal building, however, things proceeded pretty quickly. We were onboard and heading to the Lido for lunch in a little over an hour.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food was pretty good in the Main Dining Room and quick service areas. Individual dishes could be hit or miss, but definitely more "hits". I did splurge on the Chef's Table, and found it worth every penny, both for the food presented and the overall experience.
Alchemy Bar
5 out of 5
My favorite bar on any Carnival ship. Drinks are always good, strong, and innovative.
Best bloody mary on the ship! I also enjoyed the trash can nachos, bourbon sweet potatoes, and pork ribs. Good value for an upcharge meal.
The Chef's Table
5 out of 5
A not-to-be missed experience for any food lover. Getting the behind the scenes look at the galley during peak dinner time was fascinating, as was the chocolate melting cake demo.
Piano Bar 88
5 out of 5
This was a great place to hang out and sing along with the piano host. He was excellent, very engaging with the crowd.
Havana Bar & Pool
4 out of 5
Fun place to come late at night for Latin music (albeit a bit over crowded). Plus, excellent mojitos!
Seafood Shack
5 out of 5
I enjoyed the lobster rolls!
JavaBlue Cafe & Shake Spot
5 out of 5
My first stop every morning for fancy coffee drinks.
Pizzeria del Capitano
4 out of 5
Great place for late night pizza and other snacks.
BlueIguana Cantina
5 out of 5
Best tacos and burritos at sea! I especially love the breakfast burritos.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
So many different things to do on this ship -- karaoke, trivia, deck parties, dancing in the nightclub, Q&A sessions, or just chilling by the pool or in the hot tub.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Again, so many options for entertainment; there really is something for everyone. I especially enjoyed the Playlist Productions shows, Love and Marriage, the house rock band, the Latin band in Havana Bar, late night (18+) comedy shows, and the Piano Bar host. So much fun!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I have no complaints. Every staff member I encountered was friendly and helpful.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I was able to upgrade from an interior cabin to a deluxe ocean view. I was impressed with the amount of space and storage this cabin provided. Will definitely book this type again (price dependent, of course).
Ship tip
This is a perfect example of what a "Fun Ship" should be. Excellent experience both on board and in the ports.
This was my first time in Mazatlan, and I loved it! We took a private city tour with Mazatlan Red Truck, and got all the city highlights, ending our day with lunch at Joe's Oyster Bar and some beach time. A fantastic day!
Cabo San Lucas as a port is wonderful, and I'm glad we stopped here. That said, it was very disappointing that our time in port got cut short due to an itinerary change. Also, the tender situation getting back on the ship was horrendous. Waiting in line for over an hour just to get on the tender boat (in the blazing sun during the heat of the day(, and then another 45 minutes to an hour to wait to get back on the ship. Not well organized at all
I absolutely love Puerta Vallarta! This time my friends and I did a "DIY" excursion and had a fantastic time. I especially enjoyed the extended port time that allowed us to take in a stunning sunset on the beach.
I lived in the LA area for 6 years, so I never feel the need to do specific excursions here. Still, it's a great city with a lot to see and do (and eat).
Disembarkation did seem quite slow and chaotic. I was really glad I had changed from an 11:55am flight out of LAX to a 2:00pm flight. It would have been too close for my comfort.
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