This was our third cruise with Carnival and unless we get a GREAT deal, I think it will be our last due to our experience on this trip.
To begin with the embarkation was angering b/c they wouldn't let you get in line until you fill out the sacred sign and sail card, however, there were no pens b/c people were stealing them, but no Carnival employee would say anything to anyone. In front of a Carnival employee (whom I'd just requested a pen from) I attempted to pick up an unused pen and the lady that was just about to leave the pen turned around, and took it with her, chewing me out the whole way out the door!
The first night out was tumultuous....EVERYONE was ill the next morning....seriously, most everyone we ran into was either sick or had to have taken something to get over their illness. The Carnival employees who had to deal w/ public directly were just awful. Hardly anyone smiled or was pleasant, most were downright rude.