My wife and I traveled on Carnivals "Spirit" the first week of November and have just returned. We are a married couple in our fifties. The majority of the passengers were our age.I should mention that ALL ages were present. Embarkation and debarkation at the port of San Diego was EXCELLENT. Parking in lots across the street are $13.00 a day. You can walk your bags across the street easily. We have cruised on eight different ships from small to mega with different lines. This ship is my favorite for its deck plan. All the different areas are easy to find . We rarely had to waity for an elevator.Most of the people we met were from California (all over California).We experienced "perfect" weather and calm seas. The Crew was attentive and friendly. The food was very good and the menu was as expected. Our cabin was comfortable ,and I got several excellent sunset pictures from our balcony. There are several pools,which are separated. You could find a noisy or quiet pool as desired also a no kids pool. The ENTIRE ONBOARD experience was Very good.

Where this cruise suffers is in the Ports of Call. Acapulco looks lovely as you pull into the harbor. When you get off the ship is where it looses its charm. I feel that Carnival should provide MORE information about the port before letting people ashore. They make no mention of anything related to Personal Security. Mexican soldiers patrol the streets with M16 automatic rifles. They make no advisement either.We attended the shore tour talk with the cruise director. The shore tours were of medicore quality . If you walk on shore you will immediately be charged by people begging or hawking you to buy something. Cliff diving tours include a meal which was not very good.The mexican buffet was much better on the ship. My wife shopped in a "Guaranteed" Shop and was almost cheated out of $1000.00 We still need to monitor our credit card.  We immediately returned back to the ship where we heard similar stories.

Ixtapa/Zwhat was the second stop. THIS IS THE ONLY STOP ON THE CRUISE WORTH GETTING OFF THE BOAT. The town was friendly and small . YOU DON'T NEED TO BOOK A TOUR ON THE STOP. YOU CAN SHOP OR DINE IN MANY VERY SAFE AND NICE SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS. THEY WILL TAKE DOLLARS BUT WILL MOST LIKELY GIVE BACK PESOS @ 10 TO 1 EXCHANGE. GO TO THE BEACH !!!!!!!!! IT IS RIGHT THERE AND YOU CAN RENT umbrellas CHEAP. My wife and I took the "Dancer" a catamaran power boat to Ixtapa island. there you can swim on the beach and get food as well. It is costly and it is a good tour if you like BOAT rides since 2.5 hours of the trip are a boat ride. The ships shore talk never mentioned that you really don't need a tour here. ENJOY THIS STOP ITS THE BEST ! Read more