This was our first time with Carnival. Stateroom was excellent but we paid a premium for it. Dining in the Empire room was OK - food ordinary - service good (except for drinks) - annoying singing and napkin waving. The buffet dining was OK but choice very limited. Food in the specialty restaurant Nouveau was better and service was excellent, but cost $40 per person extra - a little too steep.

Décor was a little too Hollywood/Las Vegas for our taste. Entertainment in the theatre would have been good except for being extremely loud. Singers and dancers were good, but sound was a problem and caused headaches. Smoking was confined to areas on the deck, but we found that our stateroom neighbours smoked on their balcony so it was not always possible to sit outside.

We only took this cruise because it went to Tasmania, and we wanted to check Hobart out before we went on a fly/drive holiday there. In hindsight we would have been better flying down for a long weekend.