I was traveling with husband and two sons (16 and 18) and about 10 other families (friends and family) It was our first cruise.
Embarkment and debarkment: Went smooth and quickly. Better than what I had expected. Carnival knows how to herd you through, that's for sure!! We came to the pier by cab and left by way of NOLA's Airport Shuttle. My brother's family came by car and he said parking at the pier was a nightmare. After we left NOLA we were very surprised how long we're on the Mississippi. It took at least 6-7 hours to get in the Gulf!
Cabin: I was dreading spending 5 nights in a cabin with two teenage sons but it turned out to be fine. The only complaint I have is once the bunks were turned down at night there was no sitting room except for one chair. If you sat on the beds you had to lean way over as not to bump your head on the upper bunk. We were in the Upper Aft which was fine even though we did hear the motors all the time. The air conditioner goes on and off all the time so we did get warm and then cold. Blankets on, then blankets off.