We (parents, 3 children ages 6, 9, and 11) have done several all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean in the past (and Disney World once a year too --just so you have our background experience), but I couldn't find an all inclusive that would work for us in Bahamas...and none in Bermuda. Since Carnival cruises to both places, I thought we should try it.

My favorite place in all the world is Eleuthera. We visited there often when I was a child (at Club Med which is no longer there), so I was thrilled to find Carnival's Half Moon Cay is only 24miles from Eleuthera. I was not as excited about Nassau but thought we would make the best of it and focus on the beautiful sand and water.

The ship is *not* in pristine condition. We were aware it was an older ship, but after so many visits to impeccably kept All Inclusive resorts (Grand Palladium, Sandos Caracol, Riu Mayan Riviera, ect), our expectations were high. The interior of the ship (atrium area) looks like Boogie Nights. The stairwells have atrocious carpet paired with hideous wallpaper. We were baffled that anyone in their right mind thought that combination was a good idea. The neon lights and mirrors and brass --it was all pretty tacky. The only area of the ship that we were in that was not strip-club remnicient was Wind Star dining room. We wished the whole ship could have been decorated more similarly to that restaurant -much more tasteful and classier. Hopefully their reno Jan 2017 will tone down the gaudiness in décor!? Read more