This was our first cruise. My husband and I went with 2 other couples. One of which was also a first time cruiser. If you are looking for a good time vacation, THIS IS IT!! The port of Miami was OK, and embarkation was fast. We got to the port about 11am and we were having lunch on the Lido deck by 12:30! My only complaint about the ship was most certainly the navigation of the ship. Very poorly designed. The only decks that go from bow to stern are the 5th and 9th decks. You have to go up and down and all around to get to your desired destination. elevators were fine except for "peak" times such as port disembarkation, meal seatings, and the evening show in the Ivanhoe. Our waiters (Gary & Henry) were the BEST! Funny, fast, courteous and sincere!! The Social Hosts (Becca and Lauren)were FANTASTIC! Happy and bubbly every minute of their day. My girlfriend and I spent 2 of the seven days playing games with them. Winners received the coveted "ship on a stick" that was 100% pure gold plastic and runners up got medals. BINGO was a huge rip off. You pay $20 for 3 cards, and they play one game. THAT'S IT! I'd skip bingo. For those critics who said the decor of the ship was "gaudy", my suggestion would be to get a life! Make it your aim to make friends and enjoy the experience! Who the heck cares what it looks like as long as it is CLEAN! And it was. Our room stewards cleaned 3 times a day, and were always very accommodating to any request I had. With a smile no less. I did not care for the Bahamas or St. Martin, but we all LOVED St. Thomas and spent our day at Megans Bay. For beach lovers and snorkelers, this is your place! We all decided against any excursions (paid enough for the cruise)and free lanced our way around. Now, let's talk prices. If it is possible, get a balcony room! Taxi from hotel (or airport) to the port of Miami is $20, tip is required for the guy who takes your luggage from the parking lot to the ships cargo area ($5 is enough). In the Bahamas, we got off right at the market area and shopped. Walked down the market strip to the Hilton hotel and had access to the beach for free. In St. Thomas, we paid $12 per person to get to Megans Bay and $12 per person for the return trip. In St. Martin, you pay $5 for the water taxi to get you from ship to beach, and is good all day long for unlimited trips. We got to the beach around 9am, went back to the ship for lunch and a shower, then back to shore for shopping. Shopping is abundant, and make sure you go down the "alleys" for your best prices on anything. If you buy the fancy rum's available everywhere, you can bring them back to your room, as they are counted as a souvenir. Ladies, feel free to overpack! Bring AT LEAST twice as much underwear than you think you will need. Bring a colored Hi lighter so you can hi light the days activities you want to participate in. this information is found in the Carnival Capers that is delivered to your room each night. It is perforated, so carry it with you all day, so you don't miss a thing! Make sure to check the drink specials that are also in the capers. $3.75 plus the tax and tip make them about $4.01 each. Skip all the souvenir glasses. Get one for posterity. The Lido deck entertainment could use improvement. They should have auditions instead of hiring the cheapest band they can find. But hey, a few drink specials and they sounded OK! LOL Ship pictures were EXPENSIVE! The food was good in the dining room, abundant at Rosies, and yes, always available. If you go hungry, it is your own fault. I know some folks take cruises for food purposes, but we didn't, and therefore were not disappointed. They had the midnight buffet ONCE during the 7 days we were on the ship, and that too could use improvement. It was kind of big, kind of elaborate, but did not meet expectations, and the line was LONG and inefficient. For all you hear about any ships Midnight Buffet, this was a disappointment. If possible, book your flight home for departure around 1pm or 2pm. That leaves plenty of time to get off, get a shuttle/taxi, and check into the airport. Debarkation was OK. You have to be out of your room by 9am. We had a leisure breakfast at the Washington, and sat in the atrium on deck 3. We waited until about the last possible minute to get off the ship. Had to say goodbye to all of our friends!! They did try to "push" us off, but we figured we would only be standing in line at immigration. AND WE DID! Plan on at least 45 minutes in line to come into the USA. Take any available taxi or shuttle, as they are all about the same price anyway. I would love to answer any questions you have, so feel free to email me. Obviously, you will only get my perspective, but I will do my best. Happy Cruising!