My bff and I were looking for a cruise to celebrate 50 years of friendship, and we were somewhat limited in dates by her school schedule (teacher). We ended up on a Carnival 4 day/3 night cruise to Ensenada and back. Boarding was a nightmare -- we entered and saw very long lines, but as we approached them we were directed to another room with a row of numbers that each had a long line behind them. We sat on the concrete floor for 30-45 minutes, then were sent to the next room to join the long lines we had seen when entering the terminal. Another 20-30 minutes in line. It looked like there had been some water available earlier, but all the cups were gone. Temps were in the 80s and we were extremely thirsty. Finally get on board, drop off luggage, and go for a drink. Bars closed for the safety drill, although it didn't actually take place for another 45 minutes while we waited for everybody to finally board (they were still stuck in the lines). We first reported to out muster station in the theater, got the full instructions, then went up row by row to the lifeboats. It ended over half an hour after the start of the early dining. Finally got drinks....

We were on the Our Time dining....big surprise, another long line. We ended up with a beeper and returned later when it went off. I ordered the available daily flat iron steak, and it arrived cold. I had the molten chocolate dessert that was pure heaven though. Flashing dining room lights signaled the wait staff dancing, and flashing lighted shot glasses were available with a shot of some kind of liquor (extra fee of course).

Room was nice, beds nice, some noises even though we were under the backstage area of the theater and the show was long over. Read more