This was our first time cruising experience and found it was a good time.
We stayed at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites because they offer a “sail and stay” package. You can keep your car at the hotel, and they shuttle you over to the ship. When you return, you call the hotel, and they send the shuttle again to pick you up. This went off without a hitch!
Once at the port of Baltimore, the carnival luggage personnel take your luggage and deliver it to the ship. Moving through the terminal was very fast. We only had to wait an hour to get on the ship. They load people in zones. You’ll be assigned a zone after you’ve checked in to get your “ship and sail” card. If you go with a cash account, your check-in will be much longer. I did a credit card and flew through the line.
The rooms were immaculate and not an ounce of dust to be found. We didn’t find the cabin to be small at all, and the balcony was a perfect size for up to three people if needed. There was plenty of room to store our luggage and a convenient safe for our important items, i.e. wallets. The water pressure was outstanding in the cabin and plenty of hot water. Our room steward, Gede, was beyond friendly and ready to help in any way possible and provided wonderful turn-down service in the evening. We were always greeted with a new towel animal nightly.