We're Gold members of Carnival's VIFP club, so we've sailed quite a few times before and had realistic expectations as to what to expect. Overall, I am glad I took this cruise and the ports were amazing - as well as most of the staff. That being said, not sure I will be booking my next cruise with Carnival, and certainly not this ship again.

This was the first cruise I've been on where the steward only attends your room once a day. I had to choose mornings or evenings, at first I really didn't understand...then I did. I always though that was one of the nice things about cruising, the room experience. Now, it felt like this was just a hotel room. Didn't help that the room was not very clean when we boarded. When you cut staff this is going to happen.

Our first night dining our table wasn't in existence. This resulted in a very poor experience the first night. The second night, our table was there, but service was terrible. We were getting our appetizers while people around us were getting desert. At this point I brought in management and from then on service was actually really, really good. The food, however, not so much. It's really declined, there were a few meals I couldn't even eat what was given to me. The worst was the Filet Mignon, literally couldn't eat it. I ordered a $20 steak (twice), the first night it was great, the second night no so much. I probably should have sent it back. Read more