Very little to find any fault with - loved this cruise!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation WOULD have been fast and smooth if not for the "delay" caused by our unexpected upgrade! We sailed the weekend that Southwest canceled so many flights, resulting in multiple cancellations for our sailing. We assume that our upgrade was to consolidate cabins to make the attendants' jobs easier. No complaints at all!!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Loved that their were choices for included dining. We had a choice of MDR, Cucina del Capitano, or ChiBang! for our dinner options. Never set foot in the MDR and only ate one dinner at the buffet. Food and service at Cucina was, as always, spectacular. The various themed bars were a lot of fun. Lunch buffet and dinner selections at Guy's Smokehouse were delicious, as was Big Chicken for lunch and even breakfast sandwiches.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
We are primarily "relax near a bar near the pool and read" people, but there certainly were plenty of activities going on around the ship. It was a little disappointing that almost everything starts well after noon, however - a little earlier start for music on deck would have been nice.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Shows in the main theater were good, especially the "Broadway Beats" production. Shows in the Center Stage area with the graphics on the big screens were awesome. Musicians in the bars were also good. One small complaint - the French Quarter bars (Brass Magnolia and Fortune Tellers) are so close and wide open that it became a bit cacophonous (also adding in people on the next deck at Alchemy singing along loudly with the Fortune Teller entertainment).
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Dhana ("Big D") and Francis near the Red Frog Tiki Bar, our cabin attendant I Wayan, and our server staff at Cucina - Regine, Avinash, and Ralte - were all superb, above and beyond!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Beautiful ship, really not difficult to get around.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We are definitely interior cabin "bookers" (rather spend the extra money on other things) but were unexpectedly upgraded to a balcony, and I have to say, for a longer cruise there is nothing like it! We had an afternoon of relaxing and watching the ocean go by, watched flying fish, and got to see a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral as we returned to port - I am officially spoiled - thanks, Carnival, LOL!
Ship tip
Get a passport! Embarkation and debarkation are so much faster now with passport/facial recognition than if a human has to look at your documentation.
SUPER hot and humid for our day at San Juan (unexpected for mid-October, we expected slightly cooler). We self-toured the Castillo (walking to and from the ship) - would probably have done a bit more if the temperature had been a bit lower. Can't wait to visit again.
We didn't do a lot here - this was definitely an "enjoy the ship while everyone is in port" day. Went ashore briefly to purchase a piece of jewelry that I wanted and then returned aboard. BUT there were definitely plenty of things to do if we wanted to - pool, bars & restaurants, shops, etc.
WOW! What a change in Nassau!! They are reconstructing the entire port area and it is going to be beautiful, but meanwhile, our walk to The Bearded Clam and Pirate Republic Brewing were clean and enjoyable. This had become a "get off the boat for a beer or two at PRB and then return immediately" port, but it is going to be just gorgeous now.
SO FAST! With facial recognition, if you have a passport you just walk through to a tablet/camera scanner, grab your bags, and go. Waiting for transportation with a few thousand people disembarking is never going to be quick - hey, Carnival - drop the price for parking in your garage, you'll still make a ton of cash and will attract more cruisers to park at the terminal and reduce the crush waiting for transportation!
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