This was a truly amazing experience. We had some really rough weather our first day at sea but the crew took excellent care of us all. I was impressed with the organization of the staff. Every detail you needed to know was at your fingertips. The Carnival Hub App is so helpful, no need to carry a lot of extra papers. If you had a question any one you asked could help you. I just loved the ports of call and all the activities. I felt no stress on this vacation.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Half an hour from the time we entered the parking lot until we were on board.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food was excellent in all food venues.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Serenity over 21 pool area is a plus. Quiet, nice area to just relax and read a book or have a poolside drink. Loved the shaded area for those who didn’t want to take in the rays. There were many who took advantage of the sitting area with the comfortable chairs and sofas. Very relaxing.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Loved all the shows. Performers were talented. Leigh is an excellent Cruise Director. I especially enjoyed the last night at the Lip Sync Battle. Having the children from the Kids ‘ Club perform is an excellent idea.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff is excellent! We were so pampered! Everyone had a smile and were helpful . It was such a great experience to have everyone so upbeat!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Someone was always cleaning, although it never interfered with guests comings and goings. The staff on Lido deck kept tables cleared so there was a smooth flow in this busy dining area. Ship was kept in pristine condition. The common area bathrooms were always well maintained. This is a big item on my check list. I have been on another cruise line that this wasn’t the case.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I’m spoiled. We booked this extended balcony suite since it was our Fiftieth Anniversary. I loved the make up lighted mirrors in the dressing room. The bathroom’s double sinks made it so much easier to get ready in the mornings and evenings. I loved the whirlpool tub and especially the handrails which are nice not only getting out of the tub but also when the ship’s a little rocky, it helps in the shower. The bed and pillows were comfortable. The walk in closet is large and there are numerous drawers and other storage areas in the suite. The sitting area is spacious and comfortable. I like the added bonus of the fridge. It was of a larger size than I expected. It held a twelve pack of water and a six pack of soda. The room was kept impeccable. Even the balcony was maintained the whole cruise.
Ship tip
If you want to see the shows and don’t like late dining, you probably should book early dining. Anytime dining has a long line that starts at 5pm even though the dining room doesn’t open until 5:45. It doesn’t take long to enter the dining room once it is open because of the computerized system they have. Remember that it is a leisurely dining atmosphere. If you are seated at 5:45, it will be an hour or more experience. The first show is at 7:30 most nights with another at 9:30. The Normandie dining is aft and the Taj Mahal is in the forward of the ship so you need to walk the length of the ship. We never had a problem but others missed some shows because of the line for anytime dining. Early dining is at 6 and you have the same table every night. They were served fast and efficiently. There would be no problem making it to the early show if you chose this dining time.No excursion
No excursion. This port was excellent. Sufficient handicapped parking, the staff is friendly and willing to help with any questions or needs. It’s a well oiled machine. I just can’t get over how friendly everyone was.
We did the island cruise excursion. The guide and the boat captain were out going and gave us a detailed talk about the vegetation and animal life on the island. The beach and activities on the island were well maintained. Beautiful island. Lunch was served and is included. Beach day is also included.
The dock at this port is long. If you have trouble walking ask for assistance, it is available. We were docked in the first berth and it was a distance. I would suggest wearing something other than flip flops for the pier walk, then change if you re going to the beach. The walk is two ship lengths or more to transportation, boat or van. On the dock you will need to wait for your excursion guide. There is water and some seating near aft and mid ship gangway. There are also small pavilions to keep you out of the sun. If you go to Balamoral Island, the boat will leave you off at the dock down the street from the security checkpoint. It is a little walk.
We did the Sea and See excursion. It was a nice excursion. We had two excellent guides that gave us a lot of information about the area. We went to the Nature Center first. It was just the right amount of time and walking. There were a number of children on this excursion and it held their interest. We went on the glass bottom boat next. The crew was excellent, the day was great and we saw sharks, rays, beautiful fish and coral. The ride to and from the reef took us past beautiful scenery. We then proceeded to the beach where we could use the beach , dining and drink facilities. There is also a nice little inexpensive shopping area. The merchants were so friendly and accommodating. There is a nice shopping area with bars and food areas right off the ship
We waited in the Red Frog Lounge to be called. There was a nice little refreshment area set up with coffee, tea, juice, water, and pastries. Everything was well organized. We had checked our luggage once called it was ten minutes and we were in the parking lot. Totally different from my last disembarkment, however, that was many years ago.
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