I will focus on our December 2010 cruise on the Carnival Dream.
Check-in was fast and efficient; our travel agent is incredible, and we have all necessary paperwork done before boarding. We ate as soon as we got onboard, and the staff was ready, the food was hot, and the choices were many.
The Carnival Dream - the ship and staff - could not be more accommodating. As soon as we made a request, it was taken care of. Our cabin steward and his staff kept our room (we were at the back of the ship which I love...)spotless. I asked for extra towels once and had them the rest of the cruise without asking.