We enjoyed this cruise and would consider Carnival again for a future cruise- just not in July. It's way TOO crowded in July and some of the people are rowdy. Carnival attracts a younger crowd and more people of colors and Latinos than we have seen cruising on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. This was something we liked BUT we also found that Carnival passengers get more rowdy and combined with long lines at the buffet, bars, and inability to enjoy the pools, it was inconvenient. This is a beautiful ship and it offers a lot to do that you really can't do it all in 8 days. If using the pools and having bars with later hours are important to you, consider a different Carnival ship that has bigger/ more pools and extended hours for their bars. Or try another cruise line that offers this.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food at the buffet was pretty good overall. The lines at the buffet were very long but this is typical for July with all of the kids being out of school and on cruise trips with their family. The specialty restaurants (Italian and 555 Steakhouse) were excellent. The main dining room was pretty good. There were some meals that were just okay but nothing was ever terrible.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We enjoyed the adults only area. The jacuzzis were nice but there was no adult only pool. The pools on this ship were tiny and so we only used the pool on embarkation day. The rest of the time the pools were full of children and then each side was full of adults with their feet in the pool. It didn't feel sanitary although the lifeguards were checking the water frequently. The size of the TWO pools on this ship were smaller than my sister's pool in her home in New Jersey. Imagine two pools that are the size of pool for suburban homes, and they are meant to be used by 3000 passengers!
Entertainment
4 out of 5
We liked the comedy show and rock show. The singers/ bands performing around the ship at night were very good.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff was friendly and very attentive to our needs and wants.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
This is a beautiful and modern ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The room as comfortable and had plenty of storage space. The balcony was spacious enough for two. The bed was comfortable.
Ship tip
There are only two bars that are open past 11:30pm. One is in the casino and one is in the nightclub which gets crowded and somewhat rowdy with the younger people there. The bar in the adult only area on floor 15 closes at 5:45pm so you have to go to Floor 10 to enjoy a drink even if you are relaxing in the adult area until 8pm. Do not take a room on floor 9- it's under the dining room, pool and restaurants on floor 10. The noise starts at 6:45am and continues until midnight- kids running, screaming, furniture being dragged. You will not be able to sleep in or relax in your room much until midnight.
Beautiful port. Do the excursion called Dominican culture. They take you to the countryside and you learn t make cigars and sample coffee, mamajuana and make a mofongo. Then you spend a little time at the beach. Perfect day!
Rent the beach umbrella as soon as you book this cruise. There are not enough umbrellas and beach chairs for even half of the passengers that disembark. The sun is extremely hot and the sun will burn you even with sunscreen SPF 50 and sitting under an umbrella. It was over 90 degrees and my fitbit was tracking my resting heart rate at 117. This is my heartrate when I am lightly jogging on my treadmill. So be safe and rent the umbrella. The beach is beautiful and the water is very calm. The buffet is from 11:30am- 1:30pm and there is no food after this time on this island. So make sure you eat enough if you plan to stay on the island until 5pm.
Thank you for the detailed review and advice. Yes cruise pools are small. If you really need to swim on your vacation, don’t cruise. Not sure if any other line would have more bars open late than Carnival.
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