My wife and I traveled with three other couples and we all made our own arrangements for travel to the port. We flew in a day early and toured the Queen Mary. You can tell that the was once a very elegant ship but it has definitely not been kept up by current management. We also found the submarine quite interesting and worthwhile. We also stayed at the Embassy Suites El Segundo and had a very nice stay there. Also went to the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach to see John Caparulo. Very funny!

On the day of embarkation, we used Carnival transfers from LAX and met at the airport. The greeters were visible and very helpful in guiding us to the bus. After stopping at each terminal at LAX, we then proceeded to the Long Beach port. You have to identify your bags and then give them to a porter. After giving the bags to the porter, we met our other three couples and waited in line to get through security. One thing is quite obvious...the Long Beach terminal is not equipped to handle 2000 passengers. The lines wound and wound outside just to get to security. Once inside, the lines were so long, people were placed in a holding area to wait to get into another line. San Pedro has many, many more clerks that are able to handle embarkation than Long Beach. Communication is sorely lacking as well. We were told at one point that we would no longer need passports and then a few hundred feet later, we needed to show them again. Security is also quite questionable. We packed a few gag items for our friends (fuzzy handcuffs) in carry on luggage that were confiscated by security, but the set in checked luggage somehow made it on to the ship. Before flaming, we checked carnival.com and nowhere on the site were handcuffs mentioned. If they were dangerous or weapons, then fine, but the inconsistency of security staff was troubling. From the time we started waiting in line until getting photographed for Sail and sign cards was 1 hour and 45 minutes...WAY TOO LONG!!! Furthmore, the ship set sail while the muster drill was still taking place. Part of the cruise experience is being up on deck while the ship pulls away from the dock. Is waiting a half hour really going to affect arrival in Puerto Vallarta??

I found the ship to be well decorated and elegant. I loved the art pieces and didn't get all excited about seeing "boobies." Having been on the Freedom and Imagination, it was refreshing to see decor that was not inspired by a bad acid trip. I liked the setup with most of the cabins on upper floors and the common areas and theater on the lower levels. I found this ship fairly easy to navigate. Our room was a balcony cabin and fairly roomy. Soap, shower gel, and shampoo were always availability. Bedding was comfortable and there was plenty of closet space. The cabin steward did his job well and we saw him occasionally. No complaints there. Read more