We were a group of 9 adults for the Feb 1 sailing for a 4 day cruise to Cozumel. We stayed at the Quality Inn and ate at Tortuga for dinner the night before the cruise. The hotel was great and the food and margaritas at Tortuga were awesome. There were only 2 ships in port on the day we sailed. The weather for sailing was misty, cool and overcast; but the ship was comfortable and fabulous.

Embarkation was a breeze. Some of our group was on board by 11:00 am, the rest by 1:30. From the first lunch on the Lido deck to the last breakfast before debarkation, the food was great. The variety and quality is over-the-top for the price we paid. I have seen some complaints in previous reviews and I can't understand what in the world they are thinking...the food is GREAT! The ship is in great condition and although we've been on the Zuiderdam in her first year of service and thought we'd be spoiled, we liked this ship as much if not better. The crowd is more lively and that's exactly what made the cruise so much fun. The activities are the usual carnival fare but the guests made the people watching so entertaining. The service was the best we've had from the dining room to the state rooms and we've sailed on 3 Carnival ships, one Holland America and a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine. The constant cleaning and friendly service was very impressive. We took a private excursion from Island Marketing to Nachi Cocom and had the single best vacation day of our lives. We have vacationed all over the world from budget accommodations to the highly refined sort and this was our favorite day in over 30 years of travel. Our group consists of some of the best travel partners you could ask for and that may have made the difference...but if you go to Cozumel and miss Nachi Cocom, shame on you!!! There were only 2 ships in port on the day we went to Cozumel so we didn't have to tender and the island wasn't too crowded. Entertainment was fine, except for the first night comedian act. The jokes were old and tired and his delivery was torturous, but the rest was just fine. The Filipino band in the China Town Club was our favorite. We didn't have any kids with us, but saw a few cutie pies marching around in pirate makeup chanting and having a good time.

Debarkation was the easiest we've ever had. My husband liked the gym and said it is one of the best he's used on board a ship. Self-debarkation is the bomb. We were off the ship and on our way home in less than 30 minutes. We arranged this trip for our employees as a thank-you and ended up having one of the best vacations of our life. Can't wait to say thank-you again next year! ;)