Boarding was easy for us because we were over 60 and had all our paperwork completed before we got to the port. We proceeded to the usual buffet and we were pleased with the selections. They also had hot dogs and hamburgers by the pool if you wish. Promptly at the 2 pm our suite was ready and our bags were there also. Now let me say this is a typical Carnival ship so if you have sailed Carnival you will have no trouble getting around because everything is in all the same places. The difference from Carnival is when Costa took the ship it redecorated it in a wonderful European style. Muted earth tones, new carpet, everything beautiful. No neon lights anywhere. We were in Suite V4 on the 11th deck. This ship has only 10 balcony suites and they are absolutely beautiful. From our balcony we could see the bridge and the captain. The suite was huge. We had a king size bed with a flat screen, a sitting room with parlor chairs and coffee table with a bigger flat screen. The TV, like on all Carnival ships had camera forward and aft of the ship. The bathroom also looked redecorated because it was mosaic tile. It had a walk-in closet that you could change your clothes in it was so big. These suites were at 4 star if not 5 star quality.

This ship is a dream to sail on. I have been to Freeport at least 25 times because I live in Palm Beach County and have sailed in the Gulf Stream with ships ranging from 450-650 feet. And believe me you could feel every wave on those ships. I felt we were just standing still. The restaurants were a buffet if you choose which is called the Ocean Breeze, Stellar Prime and the Admirality Club. I wanted to try the Admirality Club but was voted down on that so we ate at the Stellar Prime every night. The first evening the prime rib was terrific but the next night I had the New York Strip and it was a tad chewy. The Stellar Prime Restaurant looks like the Carnival ship restaurant which looked very nice. But we happened to go the piano bar where the Admirality Club was and am very sorry I didn't go there by myself. By the way, Stellar Prime had a young lady by the name of Brooke Alford playing violin music which added to the ambiance of the room and dinner.

On our day in Freeport, we should have stayed on the ship. No slam to Freeport because they have added so much to the Straw Market there. They have a bandstand with great music Senor Frogs and many, many little tiki huts with food and all kinds of island things to spend your money on. However, having been there so many times I should have stayed on the ship and explored. I forgot, we attended the wine tasting which I always enjoy because you get to meet other peoples from different parts of the U.S. and the world. That was fun. This ship has a Latino Bar, a country bar, a piano bar, 3 pool bars and I am sure I am leaving out something else. Read more