I must admit from the beginning, this was my first Carnival cruise, although I have been on almost 20 cruises, and even worked for Carnival once in the early 1990s. This was a cruise with 7 other friends who also live in the Miami area...a lively, fun-loving group...so a Carnival cruise seemed like a natural choice. Also, the price was exceedingly modest.

In today's cruising world, it seems like more cruise lines (and cruise ships) are becoming more and more like each other...I've been on three cruises the past three months, and was struck by how the onboard atmosphere of a Carnival cruise is so markedly different...in some good and some bad ways.

Friends dropped us at the Port of Miami about 2 p.m., perfect timing for a stress-free embarkation. The process was without incident and we were onboard in less than 15 minutes...the only annoyance and delay being the inevitable photographers trying to take your pictures as you board. Read more