We chose Carnival to cruise with. I researched the ship and also the ports we were to visit. I asked friends that had cruised before and most told me the ship would be so full of activities that we would never be in our room. We are not drinkers or smokers but the booking agent still assured me that cruising would be enjoyable for us. When we boarded the ship, it was beautiful. The lobby was circular in shape and one could stand in the middle and see the glass elevators and all of the upper floors. Our room was beautiful also. We had gotten a grand suite just to accommodate two teenagers and two adults. Once we were settled, we read the activities for the day, gambling, bingo, R rated comedy in the evening and an early show at around 7:00. We walked around the ship to check out the pools. The main pool was about 50 feet long and 14 feet to 16 feet wide. On the back of the boat was another pool and two very small "hot tubs". The round pool again was very small (to accommodate over 2000 people) and the hot tub could seat 6 comfortably. There was also and "adult only" section on another section of the boat with two of the six seater hot tubs. We knew there would be no swimming on this trip! We did go on some really great excursions. The port of Calica however, we thought was a very strange stopping point. It is not picturesque at all. It is a gravel pit. Once off the boat there are no shops and no where to just walk. You must take transportation into Playa Del Carmen or Cancun. The food on the cruise was plentiful but we are not buffet people. I think the better way to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Cozumel and Carmen Del Playa is to stay in one of the all inclusive resorts. The pools are actually big enough to accomodate the guests and the food isn't the only thing that makes me want to be there.