Our family of four has cruised before. This was our first Carnival Cruise. We have two boys, age 16 & 11.
CABINS/BEDS: The bed was so hard that I could hardly sleep my first night (tossing & turning). My 11 year old said his bunk was like sleeping on a board! I nicely asked our cabin steward (Elviro)if we could have a comforter to cushion the matress. He put an additional FOAM on both beds, which helped. (Thank you Elviro!) BTW...another passenger (male early 20's) was complaining about his bed, while we waited for the elevator. I gave him the tip about asking for foam cushion.
FOOD: Dining room food was pretty good. If you didn't like the daily specials, there was a basic menue available each day. Can't go wrong with steak.