History We vacation a few times a year and have been on at least 20 cruises between us. This is our 2nd Carnival cruise and have been very pleased so far. Our next cruise is in Feb on the Carnival Liberty. I will never Free Style Cruise again on NCL Flight My wife and I traveled with another couple to the Bahamas on the Oct 19 2006 sailing. We flew in from Portland Me that morning. Our arrival at Orlando International was fine and uneventful. At the baggage pick-up area we noticed two Carnival Transportation reps holding signs up. Their fee was $29.00 per person. They could not tell me when the next bus was leaving just telling me "when it was full". We decided to take a cab for $98.50 and arrive a little sooner than the bus. Check in Registration was quick and painless. The lines were always moving along. About 30 mins we were on the Lido deck eating a nice lunch waiting for our room to be ready. We used this time to scope out the ship. The ship A lot of other reviews complained about the color of the interior, Purple and a lot of it. Having said that, we are not one of those who would let that effect our cruise like some others. I would say if it does then counseling might be in order. We thought the size of the ship was perfect for a 3-4 day cruise. Plenty of time to find everything onboard. My wife and I stayed in room E177 and my parents had room E121. Both cabins were outside and had a large window. The cabins did show a lot of use but we both had new bedding and a very clean place to stay. Keep an eye on the water, very very hot. Some of the hallways had an odor but it wasn't that bad. Cocoa our room attendant was great anything extra needed, was not an issue. My wife and I had the couples spa treatment on our first night, a great way to start off your cruise. Take the spa tour and you will get a discount. Only takes 10 mins and is right after the muster drill which was fast. Most of our time was spent on the deck taking in the sun and 90 degree heat. The band was on deck was good and there seemed to be plenty of lounge chairs for everyone, we did set ours out and left a book and bag on them to save them. Drinks were always coming by nice and cold. The pool and water slide were clean and not over crowded. Entertainment We did do the two shows (the best I have seen on any cruise) But get there early the best seating is anywhere on the first level and the first two or three rows on the second. I heard the comedy show was very funny but at 12:00 am too late for us. The casino was small but enough room for me to leave a small deposit. Food They say the average weight gain is two pounds per day per person, mine was closer to four or five. The food was very good. The dining room meals were done well. The usual food all hot and well presented. The wait staff was very friendly and got what ever you wanted. The beef Wellington and warm chocolate melting cake is a must. The buffet was good with many different items to choose from. Pizza and sandwiches were very good and never a long line. Staff I am always amazed at how rude people can be. Not the staff but some of the passengers. If you want to be treated well BE NICE! The staff on board are not yours to abuse for the three days. The only people I saw having a hard time with staff seemed to be having a hard time from the airport on. GET COUNSELING FAST! or better yet JUMP!! Nassau Any of the tours the ship offered you could get cheaper when you walked off the ship. We decided to have a custom tour of the island. Two words BIG BROWN a taxi driver who gave us our tour. The cab was not as new as some others but the tour was great! We asked for one hour we got two. We were brought anywhere we wanted to go even into the very poor section, an eye opener to say the least. Just ask for Big Brown when you see the cab drivers at port. We paid $100.00 worth every cent.
After our tour my wife and I walk to the British Colonial Hilton, for $15.00 you have a safe area to swim use their water toys, beach chairs and the grass beach umbrellas not to mention the bar service and restaurant. If you go to the straw flee market don't pay the asking price most will take 50% off. Watch out for pick pockets. Atlantis after 6:00 pm is free instead of 25.00 per person. Disembarking This went pretty smooth. We all had an early flight so we did the self checkout. We carried our own bags off, the only thing that was kind of annoying was the cruise terminal staff explaining to everyone how to use the After our tour my wife and I walk to the British Colonial Hilton, for $15.00 you have a safe area to swim use their water toys, beach chairs and the grass beach umbrellas not to mention the bar service and restaurant . If you go to the straw flee market don't pay the asking price most will take 50% off. Watch out for pick pockets. Atlantis after 6:00 pm is free instead of 25.00 per person. Disembarking This went pretty smooth. We all had an early flight so we did the self checkout. We carried our own bags off, the only thing that was kind of annoying was the cruise terminal staff explaining to everyone how to use the escalator. "Please Only one person every 3 steps" I guess someone couldn't figure that out and sued the cruise line. Cabs were nowhere to be found when we came out so we found van from a transport company and paid 75.00 for the four of us. Return flight Delta Air lines Has gone so far down hill I can't see a recovery I wouldn't book too far in advance. If anyone has any questions just e-mail me and I would be glad to help out.