This was a Christmas family cruise, 3 generations, we had 2 balcony rooms with some first time cruisers. Due to a booking error the rooms were on opposite sides of the ship. Embarkation was fine, as to be expected. Food was too be expected. The cruise wasn't packed, so lines were not too bad. I spent a lot of time reading reviews prior to the cruise, so I had reasonable expectations. Balcony rooms are worth it.

Camp Carnival was great for the under 9 year old crowd. My niece preferred Camp Carnival to Cabo San Lucas and swimming with Dolphins (booked outside of Carnival). The age 9-11 group needs some serious rethought. My 11 year year old son is a really easy going kid tried and very hard to have fun, but, was bored. Most kids in that age group, from the other parents we spoke with, said the same thing. They wouldn't let us bump him up to the 12 year old group, even though he was almost 12 and already in middle school/junior high. Needless to say, he didn't spend a lot of time at Camp Carnival.

The adults all did the Cheers program. It is well worth it. It pays for itself, mimosas in the morning, a few beers here and there, etc. Even a couple of fun nights can easily cost more if you are a drinker. There were some pretty shocked people the last day of the cruise when their Sign N' Sail bills came in. Drinks at dinner, i.e. wine cost extra. They charge per person by the glass to pour. All the adults at various times during the cruise ended up getting the free drink card for the casino. We brought wine on the cruise and never drank it due to the Cheers program. Be courteous to your servers as they don't get the standard gratuity for drinks with the Cheers program. You may want to have some singles handy for good waiters/waitresses. I am not sure why Carnival nickels and dimes their staff, but, they do. The staff do get gratuity for the Casino free drink card, so even ordering the free bottled water if you are not drinking in the casino helps them out. Read more