This was my 3rd cruise, my 1st with Carnival. (Crown Princess & Royal Carribean). My husband and I travelled (mid-40s) with family - a sister-in-law with a bad hip who relied on a wheelchair, my brother-in-law +his wife (early 50s), 16yr old nephew and 13 yr old neice on 7/27-8/4/13.
What set Carnival apart from other cruise lines the sense of community the social staff and crew created. You felt as if you were travelling with friends. Motown sing-alongs and deck parties had everyone joining in. I rarely saw anyone drunk, obnoxious, or rude (my biggest fear of cruising on a "fun ship"). What I did see was everyone having fun. The bands on the ship were great. They brought a local band onboard @ Aruba too.
Ports:
8202--next to the bridge. Kids would get a kick out watching the captainand crew navigate the ship in/out of ports. A far walk to everything on the ship.