This was my second cruise and my wife's third with Carnival. This ranks as the best so far.

Embarking: If you are travel in twos it is cheaper to take a taxi to the port. It is about a 15 minute drive and costs $ 25.50 plus a tip. Once you reach the port, curbside baggage check in is fast and chaotic. Recommended tip is a dollar per bag. You may not get your luggage until 8pm, so have a change of clothes with you in your carry-on. The first nights dinner is super casual (anything goes), because most of the passengers have not received their luggage. As you enter the port terminal follow the heard as you zig-zag through the maze to customs. Have your boarding pass and passport ready. From there you travel up to Carnival check-in. There is more zig-zags to follow, and again you need your boarding pass and passport. At the end of the line you are scanned into the computer and you will receive your Sail and Sign card (S&S). Before you leave the counter ask for upgrades and make sure your dinner time is correct on your card. If it is not (as ours was) take care of it as soon as you get on the ship w/ the maitre d. Also get your S&S card punched at the pursers desk, this way you can attach it to a lanyard to wear and you do not have to search for every time you pay for something or enter your room. Now you can head to deck 9 (lido) for a free lunch. Walk toward the back of the ship past the pool to Rosie's (this is where all the buffets are at). To beat the crowd walk the extra flight of stairs to the second floor of Rosie's.

Items to bring to make your ship life easier. These have been mentioned in previous posts and are worth their weight in gold (extension cord, zip strip of outlets, night light, bungie cord, insulated water bottle, covered coffee mug, alarm clock, disposable underwater camera, lanyard, zip lock baggies, pad and paper, collapsible cooler). Read more