Galveston Texas was a convenient port for us to take a get-away week, and not having much choice was frustrating, but the ports of call were familiar and usually fun; Cozumel, Jamaica,and Grand Cayman. The boarding process was a snap; Galveston has it's act together in that regard with traffic flow and parking very convenient and plentiful. The downside is that it isn't a pretty port. The ship was interesting and bright on first sight with the appointments almost over-done, and after a few days it started to look like a house of ill repute. Alternately, the cabin was very plain but adequate and our steward was accommodating. The lifeboat drill was efficient enough, although a lot of the employees just stood around and never answered questions. Instructions were hard to hear, which was worrisome, especially as there were elderly passengers and lots of first time cruisers. I don't think it would go well if the ship actually had to evacuate. Lots of the usual drinks and fanfare to go around on departure. There are a lot of families, grandparents and kiddies on this cruise and in the price range, very casual travelers, so don't expect elegant dinner companions. In that regard the food was very poor. Cruisers look forward to good food on the trip, after all you pay for everything else! So don't expect first class taste on a budget cruise. We tried to eat on excursions as much as we could. Plentiful but tasteless cuisine is disappointing.

Shore excursions were as expensive as anywhere else; and about the same as you'd expect but try to book early as I'm sure anyone will tell you about any cruise. It just makes sense if you want to save time and don't need explanations about it. It will guarantee you get the shore excursion you want. The downside of popular ports is that so many cruise ships dock at about the same time, especially during peak cruising season is that you wind up waiting with hundreds of others on the dock. In Jamaica I counted no less than four ships parked in a row. The best time we had was in Cozumel when we all drove 2 seater motor boats to a deserted beach for lunch; I don't remember when I've enjoyed such fun on a trip, especially when we raced each other for home! If I could have backed out on Dunns River Falls I would have: a cattle call for hundreds of people in a conga line snaking up the falls, holding hands to keep from falling; dangerous and a waste of time. (Although you could get a video of you looking ridiculous if you wanted it) Kayaking in the Caymans: a waste of time money and energy for experienced paddlers: avoid! Carnival cruises appeal to the budget minded traveler, young people on spring break and families. Nothing special and for my money I'd spend just a little more, look for a deal and go with a better cruise line, or even a land resort than to be disappointed. Don't go with expectations of more than the basics.