This was our first cruise, so many of my comments do not have a basis for comparison.

As a vacation, Carnival's cruises provide good value, if you make careful selections (as I will in the future). If you do not like sharing the ship with hundreds of small children, either book while school is in session or on another line. I'm not sure which was the most responsible for our less-than-ideal experience New Year's Eve week.

My major complaints only peripherally involve Carnival, in that they made almost no effort to enforce their rules. This allowed babies in strollers in the lounges at midnight, crowds of school-age children in all the hot tubs, running down the cabin deck hallways, etc. At one point, the Asst. CD (Cindy) did bounce a nine-year-old from the "R" comedy show. [Side comment- WHY can't parents be responsible and book appropriate vacations???] Read more