Background: I'm a single female, mid-50s; DD is a college student, age 21. This was our 6th cruise, 5th on Carnival. I'm a Carnival "loyalist" only because their product fits my budget (I went to college late in life as a single parent and am still paying off my student loans while putting DD through school, so, yes, I'm on a budget) and I believe they truly provide very good vacation value. This was my biggest ship yet. Our first cruise was little Jubilee; 2nd was RC's Nordic Empress (now Empress of the Seas). Both of those ships are in 45,000 gross ton range. Next came 2 Fantasy and Elation (all Fantasy class ships at 74,000 gross tons).

Sunday, 12/16, Durham to Fort Lauderdale: I didn't think we'd have any problem with our flight down, since it just shuttles back and forth to and from RDU & FLL. Well, got to the check-in counter at about 2:45 only to find our 5:05 flight had been backed up until 6:35. Oh well! I was more worried about the high winds (small Delta Connection flight with about 55 seats). I had real problems when we started our descent into FLL. Seems we came down very quickly (had been cruising at about 35,000 ft) and several passengers, me included, had severe ear pain. I'd been fighting a cold for the prior week, but didn't feel like my head was particularly congested. Anyway, we landed and I couldn't hear anything. It was like I was in a soundproof bubble.

Called the LaQuinta, Hollywood, from the bank of phones in the baggage claim area. Took about 20 minutes for the shuttle to arrive. Checked in and let the girl at the desk convince me that a shuttle at 12 was plenty early. Wish I'd insisted on 11 (more on that later). Elevators by the desk not working, so hauled the luggage all the way down the hall to the elevator at the back. Up to room 318. Pretty nice. Hallway carpets looked like they needed a good shampooing. Walked down the hall to get ice, but that machine wasn't working and, of course, the elevators there weren't working. So, back down the hall, up a level, all the way down THAT hall to the ice machine, and reverse. Still, not a bad place for the $85 we paid. I don't know that I'd want that hotel at $150. Monday, 12/17, Fort Lauderdale, Embarkation Day: I was up at about 7:30. Breakfast buffet pretty feeble. And it was COLD outside! Beautiful sun but very windy and cool. Got DD up and she went down to eat while I rearranged the cases so we had a carry on with the essentials. Read more