We truly had a great time. From getting on this massive ship (that we had no idea of the layout) to going to the ports and playing the games and going to the shows and chilling in the hot tubs and eating more than we needed to and to the staff even though they were short staffed. We always have a blast on Carnival cruises.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
This would’ve been a 5 star, but we were originally booked on the Freedom which got canceled and since we had booked less than 24 hours, we had to go through a big time security check which took a little while. And I know it was for safety so not complaining. Other than that it was quick.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The Palm Restaurant had great food, but some of the nights not so good of service. I think this is mainly due to short staffed and they just couldn’t keep up. The staff was super nice and apologetic though. The buffet up on the Lido deck was ok but not the best. The desserts were pretty bland and all the buffets were not open but again I think due to short staffed.
Guy's Burger Joint
5 out of 5
Guys always have amazing burgers and fries but after the first day the fries changed and we didn’t like them as well. Not sure if they just didn’t get the natural cut fries in and had to go to an alternate or what. And this ship didn’t have my mushrooms like all the other ships. 🤷♀️ But still a 5 star
Big Chicken by Shaq
5 out of 5
This was one of our favorite places on this ship.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
We love the hot tubs and laying out in the sun, but with this big ship I just don’t think there were enough hot tubs or chairs to accommodate that many people. The putt putt and outside activities were good but you had to pay extra for the roller coaster which I didn’t think was right.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
They had plenty of shows but mainly in the Center Stage area and not the theater. We missed a lot cuz all the other ships have their shows in the theater and that’s what we were looking at on the schedule. We didn’t realize until the last few nights that the Center Stage actually had some pretty good shows. If we ever go back on Mardi Gras, we will definitely focus here. And there was a magician onboard that was amazing. His name is Manoj and he really needs his own show and not just in the dining room or running around the ship. He’s super nice and is great at what he does!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
I will give a 5 here cuz the staff are always great and we had a super nice steward. My mom and dad on the other hand did not have a really good one. He didn’t speak to them and used the same towel animal from the first day. He never made them a new one. Never seen that before. But even with the ship being short handed on staff, they did a great job and worked their butts off.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Don’t get me wrong. This is a beautiful ship but we didn’t like how all the food choices were spread all over the ship. One day my family had me going up and down floors cuz either the place was closed that they were going to or didn’t like the menu, etc and I got tired trying to find them so I ended up going back to our room and getting something from the Family Harbour Lounge which was right across from our room and I might add it was Great and will definitely pay the extra to have one of those rooms again if we go back on this ship. And I’m sure there were things we never saw on this ship cuz it was so big. But it was clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We loved our cabin!! We didn’t get to pick it and ended up with this by pure luck of someone cancelling at the last minute. We were supposed to be on the Freedom which got canceled and we’re very thankful to be in any room. But we absolutely loved it. It was big and had a window and we were unsure about being on the 4th floor but we actually didn’t feel as much movement on that floor as my parents did on the 16th floor. The bathrooms seem smaller cuz of the shower I think. There’s not as much floor room. But we also loved the Family Harbour Lounge being right across the hall. It had breakfast every morning and lunch and snacks throughout the day and had the soda machine and ice cream etc.
Ship tip
Probably to take a physical tour of the ship the first day to get to know where everything is and ask questions about the activities cuz we were not thinking that great shows would be in the Center Stage which on most ships would be considered the Atrium and most shows are in the theater on other ships but on here I think the Center Stage had just as good shows as the theater. I think the theater had 2-3 performances and had the family feud and love & marriage shows along with a few others but the Center Stage had some amazing shows throughout the week.
Cozumel is beautiful but I prefer ports that have a beach right there. And I have been to Cozumel several times cuz it seems to be on every itinerary in the western Caribbean.
This is one of our absolute favorite ports. We were here in January on Carnival Glory and since Freedom got canceled then this was on Mardi Gras itinerary and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We love Daniel Johnson’s sloth and monkey hangout and going to the beach here. It is absolutely beautiful. My daughter told us that she could see why we love it so much. It is now one of her favorite ports as well.
We had a super easy disembark process. We love how they have the Face ID camera now which makes it super easy if you have a passport. Which I recommend so you don’t have to wait in the big long line for birth certificates. The last 2 cruises have been super easy cuz of the Face ID.
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