We cruised the 4-day from Los Angeles on 2/10/03. The cruise was pretty much what we expected from Carnival - the Burger King of cruise lines.
We hate the smell of cigarette smoke, so we have to flee from many areas of the ship. We were hoping for a good deal on the Drink of the Day, but that item costs $6.25. Ridiculous. On the QE2, the two specials of the day are nice cocktails for $3.75 either.
We weren't expecting much from the dining experience, and didn't get it. The food is very institutional, and made in large quantities and held at the ready. I was crammed in with strangers, and the serving was rushed. On different nights the waiters sang O Sole Mio; Hot, Hot, Hot; and the Macarena. Please jettison the Macarena. It caused pain to everyone I observed.