We have been on 1/2 of Carnival's fleet, from Paradise to Breeze, all shapes and sizes. This ship is awkward. The option to retract the roof ruins the 11th floor view. You can't see the Lido pool area due to the drive mechanism. Random areas of the ship give off a raw sewage odor. Even outside areas. I intended to call this review "Carnival Get This Turd Out of Your Fleet".
Embarkation was the best I have experienced. We did airport check-in that is somehow still under used. Our flight from DC was right on time landing at 10:10AM. Walked right up to the Carnival desk and five minutes later we were in a cab. $27.00 flat rate to the pier. Our assigned time was 10:30-11:00 but the lady said walk right into the terminal through the Priority door. We found a seat and boarding for Platinum and FTTF had already started. We boarded with Zone 1 and I was having my 1st Reuben by 12:30. Platinum friends of ours beat us by about 5 minutes. We checked on our cabin about 1:15 and it was ready. The steward tried the choose AM or PM to have the room cleaned. I politely told him we expect both, no problem.
We were a group booking of over 50 people so we did not do many shows. We saw three different comedians. One PG and two R-rated. The manager of the Punchliner was Jeff the Fun Dude and he was really funny. Hard working guy. The R-Rated shows were filthy, loved them. We saw the Playlist Production of Epic Rock which was really good. We were traveling as fans of a band so live music was our thing. THANK YOU CARNIVAL FOR THE RETURN OF LIVE MUSIC!!! Sorry, got excited there. We were on Breeze last March and you had to search for anything that was not a DJ. Not here, Calypso, Acoustic (way to go Travis), Funkology that played everything. Carnival really listened!
Location, location, location. We wanted aft for access to Lido Deck and Dining Room. Cabin is well kept, nothing worn. Most comfortable bed I ever slept in. Comforter on bed very nice. A/C worked great. Plenty of storage, not much "ship noise".
Iberostar Costa Dorada stinks. Do not book All Inclusive Beach Getaway. My Pastor said never eat at a stingy man's table. He is right. Stay in the Carnival supplied area. No excursions
Booked our own excursion on the pier. Ask for Jaba, go to Koki Beach and have Michelle pamper you
Stay along pier area. Chairs and umbrellas supplied free. Clean beach, crystal clear water. Bring cheerios to feed the fish in the water. What a great day