BACKGROUND: First time cruisers HOTEL INFO: We flew into Ft Lauderdale the day before embarkation, spent the night in Lauderdale, then took Carnivals shuttle from FLL to the port of Miami. We stayed at the Stirling Suites in Dania beach, which was quite run down. The beds were terrible, and the dEcor was really out of date. The staff was rather unpleasant also. The only thing we enjoyed about the hotel was the full hot continental breakfast in the morning. We are going on another cruise in January 2008, and will not be staying there again.

EMBARKATION: We got to the port of Miami by noonish and were through security and on the ship about a half an hour later. We were very impressed with how organized everyone was, and how quickly we were on the ship. We went with our carry-on to the Lido deck to have some lunch, and bar staff walked around with trays of their special 'Drink of the day'. On the ship, you never pay with cash, you just show your sail & sign card (which is also your room key and the key to your in-room safe) the charges are added to your sail & sign account.

STATE ROOM: After eating, and exploring the ship a little bit, we went by our stateroom and it had already been cleaned. We were very impressed with the cleanliness and the special amenities that were in our room. They aren't replenished throughout the cruise, however, there is enough of everything to last through out the entire cruise. There was no bath tub, only shower stall, but that was not a big deal for us, you adjust very quickly. Read more