This is a review our 20th anniversary cruise. While we have cruised over 20 times in our years together, this was our first cruise without the kids in more than 7 years. It also had been over 2 years since last cruise (a considerable dry spell for us) and 3 years since our last Carnival Cruise. Needless to say, we were primed to have a fantastic time as a couple and we certainly did.

We enjoyed our 6&1/2 hour drive from Mission TX to Galveston the day before our cruise and arrived on time to see the Triumph's sail away. We used HH Points for a free night at the Island Hampton during prime season and were very pleased with the room and staff there. Saturday night we went to Moody Gardens for "Bands in the Sand" and Fireworks. $12 got twilight admission to the small waterpark and lawn chair seating to listen to "Midlife Crisis." This band played all kinds of great beach music against the backdrop of Galveston Bay. Fireworks show was also very good. We liked Galveston so much that we're considering a Family trip there soon - even though we have South Padre just an hour away.

Embarkation day was our smoothest ever. We had been huge fans of lighthouse parking, but the Galveston Park and Cruise right across the street worked out even better. Drop you bags with the porter then park across the street. Simplest thing ever. We were super early - like 9:30 at security, but there was no wait at all for Platinum either at security or to get our passes. We did have a major snafu with DW's Platinum status - which we've documented here: (see: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1688085) But this did not keep us from being escorted on to the ship at 10:15. Despite the fact that they ask you not to, I did pop in to the cabin to drop most of our carry-ons - the room was already made up in the King bed configuration we requested. Emergency drill was completely uninformative and ill timed - we missed our sailaway. Read more