Background Information: This is our 5th cruise, 4th with Carnival. Our cruise was to the Eastern Caribbean - travel dates April 15-22 2006. We have 2 teenage boys that traveled with us on this cruise. I wanted to write down everything while it was fresh in my mind.
Travel To Port of Embarkation: First of all, BOOK your own airfare. Don't go with Carnival's air, it is not cheaper, and they will book you on the worst flight to save money. You have no choice of flights, and be assured you will not be happy. They try to get out of paying for overnight accommodations. Don't be fooled by their website that says they will pay for overnight accommodations, west of the Rockies. We are from California, (can't be more west then that). Our first flight that Carnival booked for us was a red-eye leaving at 10:30 p.m. with a 4 hour layover in Cincinnati, to arrive in Port Canaveral almost at the same time we were suppose to be boarding the ship. After complaining repeatedly to my travel agent and Carnival, they re-booked us on a red-eye direct flight to arrive at 6:45 a.m. Not sure it was much better, but at least we did not have to sit in Cincinnati for 4 hours. They did give us dayroom accommodations, after much complaining. The trip to the port was good, and the lines to get on the ship went relatively fast.
Stateroom: We were on the Promenade deck (10th floor) Room 1060. Nice to be on a floor that is not all cabins with people running past your door. The room was SMALL for 4 people. The veranda was small too, but nice. The bathroom is standard for a ship; bring hangers for your clothes there is not that many in the cabin.