I'll try to stick to the specifics remaining as 'impartial' as possible. Firstly, this cruise was our 12th since being married on the island of St. Thomas 16 years ago at Blue Beard's Castle so a combo of Anniversary and vacation mixed in. As most, the anticipation and preparing for the voyage is one of the best parts of the journey for us. I am the one who likes to research, plan, and familiarize myself with the ports, the ship and read reviews good and negative before we go. We are very optimistic individuals who make our experience our own, void all the negative reviews. The Carnival Breeze is a beautiful ship. The design is contemporary with an island theme and was kept very clean from top to bottom during our cruise. I would like to interject that those of you who have a cold, flu or some other communicable disease - STAY HOME or get well before jeapordizing the other 3,999 passengers. I did catch a cold that turned into flu like symptoms around the 5th day as others shared the same while on board. I still had a great time but it drained me quite a bit which I am still enduring recovery as I type this. TIP: When packing, make sure you bring along medications, such as; Tylenol Flu and Cold (or similar), Aspirin, Ibuprofin, Dramamine, Preparation H (good for bags under the eyes too-haha), Immodium, Airbourne tablets, etc. You get the idea.

I made a checklist prior to the cruise that covered all the things I needed to do prior to sailing, such as; contacting my credit card company to inform them I'd be out of the country and my card will be used during my vacation. A couple we met did not do this and their Ccard was denied and ATM's were difficult to find at the port they wanted to make purchases at (Nassau, Bahamas). If anyone is interested in a copy of my checklist, simply e-mail me and I'll send you a copy: mrvago@comcast.net

We like to fly IN a day before the cruise and stay a day AFTER as well so we booked our reservations at the Marriott Biscane Bay which overlooks the Bay and the Cruise Ports. The hotel is slighly more expensive during this time of year but well worth it with great views. I video taped the Breeze coming into port and leaving after we got off and were back in our hotel room so bitter sweet to say the least. There are shops all around the complex so if you need last minute things you should be able to find them. TIP: Bringing Alcohol on the ship~ We bought 1 gal. of Absolute Vodka and another bottle of really good Russian Vodka plus a 6 pack of water to put the vodka into. IF you try this method, DO NOT empty, fill and re-pack the bottles back up into the same wrapping. Security simply shakes the bottles and can clearly see that water has BIG Bubbles where Alcohol produces small bubbles so they unwrap the bottles, open them up, smell them and confiscate your hard work and money spent right there on the spot - boohoo - lesson learned. The key is to spread out the bottles in your luggage and/or carry-ons. We also bought alcohol at the other ports and then filled our water bottles with the Vodka - Security didn't check our water bottles coming back on because it's recommended you take water when you are on shore and in the heat anyway to stay hydrated. Read more