PRE-CRUISE: La Quinta Inn in Cocoa Beach - on a 1 to 5 scale, I'd give it a 3 1/2. Nothing to complain about, but nothing remarkably awesome, either.
Embarkation: VERY smooth - Carnival has clearly worked on making this better/faster/more efficient. From the time we walked into the terminal until the time we were in the ship's atrium - maybe 20 minutes, 25 minutes max.
The ship: Overall, very good. Didn't see anything in a state of disrepair (of course, this ship was recently dry-docked for an overhaul)....
Great cabin, far enough from common areas to cut down on noise, but close enough to be convenient. Typical Carnival room...if you stick a shoe in your balcony door at night, you can sleep to the sound of the ocean (I know, you're supposed to keep it closed, but still... I'm just sayin'....).