We drove into Miami from Ohio on May 6 to make sure we were well rested for the week ahead. We stayed at the Los Palmas Clarion Collection in Doral Florida. A great property, great staff and very comfy beds. This is right next to Carnival's Corporate headquarters as well which added to the excitement of our first cruise. It was a short 20 min drive to the Port of Miami. I would recommend this property.

This was our first cruise and overall it was a great experience. Most of it was very good. But I think Carnival has some opportunity for better service as well. Embarkation was a breeze and we were through the line in about 25 minutes and we were actually in our cabin by 1:00 pm. We bought water and diet Pepsi on board in a plasticPublix grocery bag and was not questioned at all. Our room steward Anel was a very nice guy and made some interesting towel animals every night. Came back once and wanted to rest and they were cleaning the room (which was twice a day for us). So that was a bummer but we came back in about ten minutes to find everything ship shape. Service was lacking though because I had to ask for ice everytime. This may seem minor but I drink a lot of water so it was not minor to me. The room stewards are the only ones who have access to the ice machines or I would have got my own ice. I was even told once I would have to wait while they cleaned my room. What ?? room service was very good and very quick. Plus the ride was great even though we were in the aft part of the ship. We were by a elevator so that was annoying at times but not to bad. The engine hum was not bad at all but you could really hear it coming into port.Overall a great room very spacious (a lot bigger than I imagined) service had some opportunities though.

The food on this ship was great 90% of the time. We ate every night at 8:30 in the Sensation and our waiter Bobby was quite a character and a great waiter. I had the New York Strip the first night and you could have cut this steak with a butter knife. Done perfectly. My wife had fish every night and it was always great. We both has chateaubriand the last night and even though the bernaise sauce was very good it was a very poor cut of meat and tough. The desserts of course were very good but lacked in presentation for a cruise ship. My wife loved the chocolate melting cake my favorite was the Black Forest cake. The Baked Alaska was not Baked Alaska but Neapolitan ice cream with some sponge cake and icing. Read more