Embarkation.. If you have an opportunity to check in early, then read on and you will be eating by 1:20pm. OK, assuming your cruise docs read "fun pass completed" go to the "early check-in" counter at the Queen Mary. This area will be located at the tail end of the Queen Mary entrance, look for the sign for early check in. Get there at 9:30am to check in. You will show the Carnival Rep's your cruise doc's, passport, then you will give them your cash deposit or credit card for your sign and sail card. They will have already your sign and sail card and it will be given to you there. They will also give you a "slip of paper" with a zone number on it. I believe its a # 1 or a A . So, Zone 1 gets on first, Zone 2 gets on second etc.. If you think being in Zone #2 ain't bad, Zone 1 or line #1 is a huge line. Anyway, if you check in early like i did, you'll be in the first line of people to board. Now you have some time to kill, its now 9:45, and you could check on the "west" side of the dome, and see if a line has formed yet, and if it has, get in it. Once they open up the dome at around 12:30 you go in for all the security screening, and after your done with that, its time to board and grubb!!
Quick tips:check in first "before" you stand in the dome lines. Eyeball the lines that enter dome. Even if you have to wait in line 1.5 hrs, DO IT.--- ENJOY!
The Grub/Activities.. OK, the breakfast/lunch grill is buffet style so expect that, its a given to what you are thinking, but its not bad. Theres also a 24hr pizza station that is great, great cause they make it the way i like pizza, light on the sauce and fluffy crust. No free soda's, you'll have to purchase them by the can or you can buy a unlimited soda "card". However the coffee, orange/apple juice, ice tea, lemonade, and chocolate milk, and milk are free. Didn't do the formal dinner, but regular dinner food was good, and served fancy. If you don't want to do the reserved dinner table thing, there is another restaurant that does buffet style food that's causal. If you do want to do the reserved dinner, get early seating cause you will have some daylight still and you can see out the window for the views.