My family was looking forward to our 4 night Carnival cruise. Just the perfect getaway... or so we thought. Embarkation was fairly trouble free (although they are pushing the self service kiosk, which doesn't work well for people with birth certificates). Lido deck was packed, and the food lines were horrible. Ended up with a turkey sandwich (turkey was hot and so was the mayo). Rooms were ready by 1:30... our cabin steward was first rate and kept everything nice and clean!

Other than the outside Lido deck offerings (Asian and Burgers)... the food was a total disappointment. Steak was like shoe leather... lobster small... and if you asked for something not on the menu, you were told NO! Chocolate Melting cake was good.... but who wants it every night. Baked Alaska was terrible. Wait staff was lacking! Had to continually ask for more water! Waited and waited for food at every meal.

Booked a shore excursion after we set sail for Cozumel on Wednesday... was sold a total bill of goods. Got into port 1 hour late... Tour operator told us that Carnival was allowing a full refund since there was a 50% chance of showers in the area. We are from Florida... we get 50% chance of showers all of the time, so we didn't think anything of this (in hindsight, we should have known something was up). They didn't say "chance of thundershowers" or that there was a Tropical Depression in the area (got that info from the cab driver!). None of the stuff that we were told was included was there (Playa Mia Beach Deluxe), no water slide or anything for kids under 18 to do. Sand was shelly and rocky... food was horrible... and so were the drinks at the open bar. The 50% chance of showers turned into a huge thunder and lightening storm. Total waste of $300. Friends son cut his foot in the pool. Tour operator too worried about the waiver getting signed to care! Carnival refunded 10% of tour (WOW $27). When we arrived back in Miami (one hour early) it was raining. No big deal, it is Florida after all. What they didn't tell anyone, was that Tropical Storm Bonnie was coming ashore right as they were putting people off the boat! Shame on Carnival for being so money hungry! Planning a cruise for next summer, but it will not be a Carnival cruise! We will not cruise on Carnival again... EVER!