This cruise was started as a graduation gift for my 18 year old granddaughter. Grew into a combined family and friend group of 8. The last cabin that we needed, we decided to let Carnival choose, since it was nearing sail date and not much choice left. By the week before departure we still had not been assigned and I was in a panic, thinking that the occupants of that room were going to be stuck in some ungodly corner somewhere and have a horrible "first cruise" experience. All of the reviews of anyone getting an upgrade were pretty scary. I argued with my Cruise Planner, I argued with Carnival, and still on Friday evening before a Saturday departure, we still had no 3rd cabin. Finally............. Late on Friday we checked in again and had a room! Yes, we had been upgraded!!!!!!!!!!! From an Ocean view room on deck one or two, to a Balcony room on Lido Deck! Some totally happy and excited people!

Since this was a first cruise for my 38 year old grandson and the 17 year old graduate rooming with him, we were all thrilled. I have never cruised on a line other than Carnival and as long as I continue to be as pleased as I have been so far, I will stay a Carnival Cruiser! My sister was along for her first cruise and I heard her tell someone "I think if I had asked, they would have hand fed and dressed me!" "Never felt so pampered in my life!" The only sore point with her was the Life vest Safety briefing, which was the biggest waste of time and the most unorganized thing even I had ever seen. That procedure definitely needs some work.

We were on Aruba, where the beaches were just gorgeous, on Bonaire where some of the crowd went scuba diving and said they could not imagine anything more exciting, then to Grand Turk, where the rusticity and beauty filled our hearts. On ship, our group of age range from 17 to 73, all found plenty to do to suit each need. Could not have asked for more.