Just returned from a 7 night Mexican Riviera Cruise. I was looking forward to a relaxing easy time, a break from the normal day to day running of my family. I managed to get my girlfriend to run-away with me...we packed our bags, and left our husbands in charge of the kid's and off we went. I have sailed a bit in my past, over 15 cruises, and while mostly with HAL or Celebrity, my first cruise was with Carnival on the Tropical over 27 years ago, and I was looking forward to some relaxation and fun on Carnival.

I had preregistered via the computer, and had my Boarding Pass in hand. I had everything ready to go...and I made my way to the Carnival Boarding area, I was directed to a long line that wrapped around (all the way around!) the Spruce Goose! I asked not one, but two Carnival employees, I have my Boarding Pass, and I have pre-registered on line, are you sure I am supposed to be in that line? "Oh, yes, ma'am. Everyone has to get in that line." As I approached the security screening area, having gone through that line, i was then told, "you should have been in this line over here...we've been looking for our cruisers, all the lines have gotten mixed up..." I was floored! A 2 hour wait only to be told it was for nothing! Geez! Get me on this ship, I think I need a drink! Our onboarding experience was chaotic and filled with lines and noise. We were hoping this wasn't the way our whole trip was going to be run!

We made our way thorough the ship to our forward cabin. It was just lovely! We had the best cabin Steward, Vida, ever. She was kind, competent, and remarked upon likes and dislikes and remembered to follow them. She was excellent. My girlfriend and I then proceeded to walk around the ship to get acquainted. We found the Lido pool and the buffet lines. Lots and lots of lines! Read more