We are very new to cruising, this one being our second - so many of you may not think we know enough to write a review, and we probably don't since our first was on CCL Ecstasy and we loved it!

The problems started almost from the beginning, not all Carnival's fault. The first CCL problem was that we were promised a CCL rep would met us at the airport to make sure we were transported to our CCL arranged hotel, no one ever showed. After the large group of us found our way thru the airport and around the building we found the shuttle pick-up, but the hotel only brought a small van (They used the large vehicle to transport groups for other things), so we waited over and over for the van to return until it was finally our turn (even though several people thought they were to good to wait in line). The CCL arranged hotel was nice & the staff very helpful. The next CCL problem was that a CCL rep was suppose to be at the hotel on departure day for those of us that arranged a pre cruise tour. That rep never showed and when the CCL rep in charge of the shuttles from the hotel to the port arrived she met with a very angry mob. After many phone calls, our tour bus arrived over an hour late and with not enough seats and no room for our luggage which was suppose to be transported with us according to the tour description. After more phone calls and loud arguments between the tour guide, the CCL rep and the concierge about what to do with all our luggage - it was finally decided that we would leave it in the lobby and the CCL rep would stay with it until it was transported by truck to the ship. We later learned that she did not stay with it and many people had items stolen from their bags (ours were locked). The tour was nice, but a bit rushed due to leaving so late.Embarkation was difficult, but probably our fault. We purchased a souvenir on the tour that the Spanish customs wasn't sure we could take with us. Since no one spoke English and our Spanish is weak, the only thing we got was that our walking stick might be considered a weapon, but no one was sure. The CCL rep & CCL security would only speak to the Spanish customs staff, no matter how many times we tried to ask questions or offer to just leave it behind. Finally we were told they would check into it and if we could have it they would give it to us in Galveston (yes we received it in Galveston). All that time and mess for a 10 euro wood walking stick. By the time we were onboard our room was ready. We dumped our stuff and then joined the fantastic CC Roll Call on deck for a M&G and sail-a-way. This was the first time we had joined a Roll Call and the group was so nice and really added to the cruise for us. It was also the first time we noticed that we could not find a waiter to get a drink. This continued for the entire cruise no matter where you were. We never had this problem on our other cruise and I have heard many people talk about how the bar waiters drive people nuts trying to get them to buy drinks.

Since I don't have a lot of experience to compare to, I can only talk about things I thought were a problem and would have been a problem on a cruise or any vacation. Read more