Just returned from our second Carnival cruise...previously, we enjoyed a fantastic 8-day Legend trip in November 2005.

This one was every bit as good, with some things BETTER than Legend...and others NOT quite as good, in our personal opinions.

Port of embarkation -- San Juan is an incredible improvement over Ft. Lauderdale...plane fare is slightly higher, but not that much more. You could easily choose to get there a day or more before cruise, as Puerto Rico has much to see..in San Juan, within walking distance of port, the "Old San Juan" area itself is worth visiting. (We'd previously been there ourselves). With departing time of 10:00 PM, and Carnival allowing boarding beginning at 1:30 PM, the boarding is fantastically spread out. Our plane arrived in San Juan at 3:30 PM, we arrived at port by 4:00, and with no wait, were in our cleaned room by 4:25, and eating on Lido deck by 5:15, with luggage then in cabin as well. Read more