EMBARKATION: Smoothest that we have ever encountered. We arrived later but there was little wait and check-in was very short.
PORTS: Personally, the worst ports of call were in Rome and Messina, Sicily. The city of Rome itself was quite dirty, but the Colosseum was spectacular. Messina was a smaller city, but the problem was everything was closed. Barcelona, Spain was the best part of the cruise and another scenic wonder was Dubrovnik, Croatia. Cannes, France was also interesting as it is like a movie star's playground, there were exotic cars and yachts everywhere.
FOOD: Of the 3 Carnival cruises we have been on, the food was the worst on this one. The buffets on the Lido were mediocre, but I would recommend the Stir-Fry, Fish & Chips, and the Deli. The food in the dining room was a little below par for Carnival, but the waiter, Martin (who has been with Carnival for 10 years) was excellent and always willing to go out of his way to get us something, even if it wasn't on the menu. Putri, his assistant waiter was very good as well.