Ok folks, this won't be one of those novels that some people write because they like to see themselves in print. I'll make it quick and simple. I read many, many reviews about this ship and this cruise before going. Some were very negative, some were far too flowery. Let me set the record straight for everyone:
1. If you are going on a cruise for peace and quiet and elegant dining and all the amenities of the Ritz Carlton, don't book your cruise with Carnival. If you do, don't complain, because it's your own fault. Carnival is a family friendly, kid friendly cruise-line and if you don't like kids, shame on you for one, but secondly, don't go on a Carnival Cruise.
2. The food. The food is good. It's not great, it's not disappointing. Tiffany's for breakfast and lunch is just as good as going to the dining rooms. The selection isn't as broad, but the food is good. The ice-cream and frozen yogurt machines are a nice touch and got a constant workout by all ages. The deli-sandwich bar is also a nice touch. Regarding dinner in the main dining rooms... I would suggest to CCL that they cut back on the number of main course items offered each night and increase the quality of the items. Don't get me wrong- nothing on the menu was bad. As an executive in the food industry, I easily identified areas where they cut back on the quality- especially in the center-of-the-plate items. It seems that there goal is to introduce 5-star dining to people who don't get a chance to enjoy it in real life. This is an admirable goal and they do a pretty good job of it. But, as I said, they could stand to cut back in quantity and concentrate a little more in quality. A side note...they don't advertise it, but if you don't like what is being offered as a main course on any given night, you always have the option of filet mignon, chicken breast, or salmon filet. Nice touch, especially for the younger crowd.