Overall the cruise was great, but there were a few hiccups with Honolulu and Ensenada. There are also 4 days at sea at beginning and the end so make sure you are up to it. The cruise director Lee Mason and the Captain are the best at carnival.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Long Beach has been the most smooth embarkation we have ever had.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Food in the main dining room was great no complaints here. Sea day brunch was also very good but not consistent on every sea day. I.e not on every sea day as advertised. The buffet on the lido deck was ok but cold many times. The best food was the Mongolian wok but there is always a long wait.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
This kind of a mixed bag. My wife really liked the knitting group, and the craft class but there was never enough supplies. The adult pool and hot tubs were great. My wife and got a massage which was awesome.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
The stage shows were eh. I think the longer we use Carnival the worse they get. The jugular they had was very funny and put on a good show. Also I don’t know if it goes here or in activities but the Dive in movies play at weird times and if you watch one you will miss dinner in the main dining room. There is no way around it.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The service was great. Lee the cruise director is the best at Carnival. All common areas and rooms were spotless. All the staff were pleasant and attentive to any needs. Also CPT Lafauce (not sure on the spelling) the best captain we have had.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
I would give it a five if it was just cleanliness. The ship design is cufusing to navigate, and there is pink everywhere. It is literally as if someone puked pink all over the walls. Luckily it is getting and update next year.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
What can I say it is a typical Carnival ocean view room. The cleanliness is 5 stars where I take of is there was only one American outlet so bring a power strip. Also the TV is tiny.
We went up to the crater, and getting off the ship was easy and the excursions lines were well marked. It is an industrial port so no nagging vendors, but it is a walk to to get out of the port. You really need an excursion here as there is no beaches within walking distance.
I am being petty but carnival cancelled our excursion one week before we left. We had to scramble for a shuttle to Pearl Harbor, and carnival charged us 35 bucks a person for that shuttle. Make sure you are not here on Pearl Harbor day as Carnival will cancel your excursion. Also don’t waste your time or money on a luau the food was disappointing and the show was eh. The cost for 2 people and exhorbidant 300 bucks. On the positive Pearl Harbor is great and the highlight of Honolulu. Oh forgot to say this is an industrial port so no nagging locals as soon at you get off the ship
We did the Captains Zodiac snorkel and overall the experience was great the captains Ron and Tim were very knowledgeable. We saw spinner dolphins and bottle nose dolphins, lava tubes, and the captain cook monument. The snorkeling was kind of disappointing but it could have been a bad day. After the excursion we ate at Kona Brewing Company. It is a short walk from the port. There is a beach right in the port if you don’t want an excursion, be advised this is a tender port.
This is an industrial port, and the excursion pick up is in he terminal also no nagging locals. We went on a waterfalls excursion and it was great. We also saw lava tubes, and went to a coffee farm. Afterwards we took a taxi from the port to the downtown, and ate at Moe’s Fish and Chips. The best fish and chips we have ever had. The Onno was delicious.
If I could give this a zero I would. This city is dirty, and you are constantly hounded by locals. Also only use cash, as your number can be stolen and they add a 16%charge on the transaction. If I am ever here again I’m staying on the ship.
You know before you book how many sea days etc if thats not what u want plenty of more cruisers its up to you to do your research before you book ..:-)
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