We will probably try another cruise line next time.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We must have timed it just right. While the FTTF folks were in a line, we walked right by and were on the ship and in our room less than 20 min after we parked.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Well...everyone always talks about how great the food is on a cruise. This was our first cruise and I guess we set the bar high. The buffet was...edible at best. It was Golden Corral quality. So if you like that, it should be fine for you.
We ate most of our breakfast and dinners in the main dining room. Service was great. However the food was banquet quality. Never served hot, just warm. Everything was just OK, mostly under flavored. I guess making 2000 covers a night puts everything in the middle. While you can order seconds or thirds...nothing seemed to be worth eating again. If it was a land based restaurant, I doubt we would return. This was probably the most disappointing part of the cruise. We were expecting outstanding food, and we got, food.
The bars though were all very good. We didn’t have any issues with any of them.
David's Steakhouse
3 out of 5
Great service, fantastic dessert, ok steak. This was another letdown. We both ordered the Australian Waygu steak. Perhaps it was kangaroo, it lacked flavor and was chewy. Waygu should be able to be cut with a fork, not a Crocodile Dundee knife they give you. It is not worth the extra price, save your money and go to Ruth Chris’s or Texas Roadhouse on land.
Alchemy Bar
4 out of 5
We usually grabbed a drink here while we waited for dinner. (We had the anytime dining option.) They had some creative selections on their drink menu. So explore what they have to offer.
Pizza Pirate
5 out of 5
Wow... Perhaps the best food on the ship. Really surprised by that. Nice thin crust, very flavorful. I wish we would have tried it earlier in the cruise.
Redfrog Rum Pub
4 out of 5
Live music most nights, the band had a cheesy name (CocoNotes) but were really good. Each night has a theme, 80s, Country, POP... all were good. But the country night was the most crowded. The bar staff was efficient and entertaining.
Piano Bar
4 out of 5
Nice entertaining spot. We stopped in most nights, and always had a good time.
Guy's Burger Joint
2 out of 5
I was so looking forward to this place, I had one burger, and I was sick for 2 days. Every time we walked by the smell turned my stomach after. My GF enjoyed it and had a few burgers.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Since we are over 21, we did not spend any time at the main pools. They both seemed chaotic and loud. The Serenity was were we spent most of our ship days. Great bar, sure the pool is small, and the hot tub always crowded. But it was still a great spot to relax. Oh and anytime they can bring you a drink while in the pool, always a plus.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The shows were entertaining, a notch or 2 above an amusement park show. The piano bar guy was great as was the CocoNotes...don’t let the cheesy name fool ya.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Service was great. Everyone was friendly and seemed to enjoy serving the guests.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Everything seemed clean, sure the ship is a little older, but it is always sailing. So maintainability on the fly is amazing.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
It was always clean. Fine for 2 people, but 4 would be tight. The balcony was great to sit and watch the world go by. If you can get a balcony cabin, it is nice to sit out in the morning, and in the evening before bed. When ever we were in our room more than half of the time we were on the balcony.
Ship tip
Whatever your expectations are for the food. Lower them and you will be fine.
Easy drive to the port. Even on Ravens game day (the port is close to Ravens Stadium) so traffic could get busy if you leave on a football Sunday. Very efficient system at the port getting to the ship.
We actually took a small packable beach blanket. So walk past all the people and within a few minutes you have the beach to yourself. We went to Margaritaville for lunch, pricy but it is what it is. Bring CASH for the local market.
Great sand! Nice clear water! Sure the beach is packed with chairs. But this is Carnivals own island so no locals trying to hustle you for a chair. They have a few small stores and local market. Again CASH at the local market.
Perhaps because it was cool and rainy when we got back to Baltimore everyone seemed to be hanging in the buffet after breakfast. While we got off by 12:30, it just seemed like it took longer. Just waiting around with little to do.
Buffet/banquet quality food is about all you can expect when they are feeding several thousands of people three meals a day every day for months at a time. We have always found the selection and quality very good on all Cruises and Cruise Line’s we have been on.
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