I will keep this simple.... My husband and I have cruised before. We have extremely high expectations when it comes to cuisine, etiquette, service, and ambiance. We knew that Carnival would not be able to meet our expectations when we booked our cruise, but we thought we would give this cruise line a try because of the desirable itinerary and proximity or Port Canaveral at the port of embarkations.

Bottom line, Carnival is a great bargain line for families and the general non discerning public. However, if you have higher expectations for your cruise experience, I suggest you find passage on Princess or Holland America.

The ship itself is outdated with tacky decor and an illogical layout. There is only one pool. I'll say it again... ONE POOL. The sight of other passengers crammed into the small pool like sardines was enough to turn my stomach. The "adults only" area has comfortable chairs, but no bar area and there is no direct route to reach this area of the ship... You have to go through the buffet and down a flight of stairs to get to the Serenity area. Read more