I wasn't supposed to go on this trip by myself however, unpredictable circumstances, sometimes lead to great experiences, this outstanding cruise being one of memories, I shall never forget. My journey actually started 487 days before embarking. We booked the cruise expecting to sail on the Miracle, using the Early Saver program. I received a call from Carnival shortly after the decision was made to trade out the Miracle for the Splendor. Original booking was a forward slightly obstructed view balcony. Carnival gave me a forward balcony with no obstructions, for the same price. Note that the price was higher for this storeroom than the original booking, so I considered it an upgrade. Storeroom 6212, now all we had to do was wait and of course dream.

Travel to NYC and embarkation: I took the train from central PA to NYC, Penn Station, then took a taxi to the port, arriving at 10:30am. I went straight through all of the checkpoints, in less than 5 minutes. I was given zone 2. Took a seat and started talking with the other passengers, turns out one couples I was talking with ended up being my stateroom neighbors. My zone was called, and was onboard by 11:30am.

I went straight to my stateroom, and found my room steward, and asked, Hernando, if I could leave my bags. No problem. Told him I was traveling alone, and to make the third bed back into a sofa. No problem. Then I went to explore the ship and to find something to eat. By the time I walked up to the 9th floor, the Lido was jam-packed, so I walked straight to the aft, and found the Deli with no line. I ordered the pastrami on rye, and was impressed. Read more