Previously I have sailed DCL 4 times and I did a Carnival cruise without kids. Embarkation wasn't a problem. It was hectic, like usual, but it only took about 20 minutes. The first impression was EXCELLENT. This is a beautiful ship from top to bottom. There are nooks and crannies all over the ship to curl up on loungers and watch the seas. The colors are bright, but somehow still classy. I LOVED the look of this ship.

The shows were good. I saw the Second City improv team, and they were fun. The jugglers were a riot. The Jamaican band on the pool deck were gracious enough to let my kids come up and play. I have 2 daughters, and they are in a band with my two nephews that were traveling with us. Watching my kids play through that awesome sound system and get hundreds of people on their feet dancing was an AMAZING experience that I will never ever forget!!! They felt like little celebrities for the rest of cruise because everybody told them that they did a great job. They call themselves Monkeyjuice and people remembered! They were beaming!

The staff was wonderful, except for one nasty woman in the finance department. There was a small snaffoo with my bill and it should have been an easy correction, but this woman was actually raising her voice trying to explain something that was clearly incorrect. It was resolved though. The wait staff was so attentive and everybody was great. Read more