We are a group of 6 (Grandparents, Daughter & Son-in-Law, grandsons). Galveston is a lovely port, enjoyed that.
Carnival has embarkation and disembarkation figured out it is nice. Elation is a nice ship, easy to get around, clean. Our cruise price was close to many 7 day cruises from other lines in this category. Steward service was good, average. Personnel aboard was generally friendly and helpful.
We have cruised 15 times and the formal dining experience was awful. We tried it twice and gave up. They put us in the middle of a cluster of tables of 8, we were 6, and it was so crowded, I could have grabbed a napkin from the lap of someone at the other table! My general impression was help is cut in numbers and personnel on the ship are overworked. Tiffany's food was average. Hamburgers were average. Pizza was average.