FYI: This is a Very long Review, so get our cup of coffee, soda, or tea out because this is a good read.....

1st Day-Sunday May 20th, 2007 On Route to Western Caribbean

After a short nights sleep over my excitement for our cruise, we arrived at the airport two hours before we took off. We left at 8:15 on a US Airways flight which would stop in Charlotte, North Carolina in route to our final destination in Miami. We arrived in Charlotte to find this airport to be very busy and booming with several other travelers. We walked around the airport to get to our next flight which left in plenty of time for our Miami Arrival. As expected we found several other people going on a cruise as well either the Carnival Valor or our ship the Carnival Victory. Once we arrived in Miami it was like a 5 minute walk to the baggage claim, which was a confusing aspect to there airport. Then waited about 20 minutes and was praying for the luggage gods to deliver our luggage. Everyone else was there's but ours and the lines for Carnival was getting longer and longer. We met a couple who just got married the day before and we talked and waited with them and then realized that the luggage gods answered our thoughts and finally our bags were in site. We then waited in line for the Greyhound busses to the port of Miami, which we made the final bus. The driver, very funny but forgot to put the air conditioner on when he was loading the bags and several people were hot, he turned it on and gave us a speech about him and that he was retiring soon. The ride was not long about a 10 minute drive to the port where we were on the bus for a couple minutes, to declare our bags to the porter. Which for future refers give them a couple bucks so you don't hear them saying "A couple bucks please". Finally went through the security which was not intense but the lines for checking where long and it seemed our line was not going far. I spoke up to one of the ladies and we were in and out of the line as quick as a whistle. No lines, no waiting when we got near the boat but the ladies who were giving out our room keys were like "You better get on board quick the boat is leaving without you". Made the boat in time, with 15 minutes before the mustered drill so we ran to our room which was difficult to find because the boat was facing a different way then I planned on getting on board. Got into the room and didn't even take in the moment because Malcolm our Cruise Director was telling everyone to go to there station which was on the fourth floor, which we were on the eighth meaning we had to climb down stairs, not the best way to start a vacation. The drill which was hot and humid Miami weather was short and sweet, just the way it should be. Climbed the stairs back to our room, finally took in the moment and got our beads to meet our Cruise Critic members. The Lido deck was booming with people for the sail a way party which didn't go off at the right time due to late flights and late people boarding meaning we had to leave Miami at 6:30 rather then 4:30. We all met on the F Deck on the Victory which states only 21 years and older and people were not listen to that sign. We all had red, white, and blue beads to id ourselves and we all met one another and put names with faces. Had some drinks and took our group photo overlooking Miami Skyline. Went back to the room to get ready for dinner which we didn't have our luggage yet due to our late arrival, but finally came after the face we had dinner already. Yes, dinner in the Atlantic Dining room at 6:15 on the second floor, table 206. Our waiters were fantastic and there names where easy to remember, Glenn our Head Waiter and Ferry our Assistant Waiter, who just returned for another 7 months for Carnival. This night we had Tropical Fruits with a touch of Lime and Tequila, Asparagus Veloute, and the Three Peppercorn Lamb. My father that night had the Baby Back Ribs which looked really good, and dessert I had the Black Forest Cake and my Mother & Father had the Vanilla Crème Brulee. After we returned to the room, our luggage was there and got into better clothes. Later went around the ship on the Promenade deck to explore the Casino, Lounges, Shops (Where there was free shots), and finally the Lido deck. At around 10:30 there was the Welcome Aboard shows where we met our Cruise Director and the entertainment people. Funny and entertaining people, that night we had a comedian called Fat Kat who was very funny and he was doing an R rated show the next night. Stayed up that night and ate at the Pizzeria and had a Cheese Pizza because when I asked the pizza guy about the goat cheese he wasn't making any that night so I had a piece of cheese and pepperoni and some other stuff, the staff sets cookies and brownies every night by the aft pool right in front of the Mississippi BBQ. Made it in at around 1:30 and slept in the wonderful beds of Carnival Bedding the next day would be a "Fun Day @ Sea). Had a stomach ache that night due to eating late and some drinks, hey you have to celebrate your first night....RIGHT!! Read more