I just got back from the 4/27 sailing on the Carnival Legend. I went as a single parent with my 16-year-old son. This was my 12th carnival trip with the VIP benefits. It has been years since I went just with my son usually family or friends go along. My son was too busy with the teen club that I might as well have gone on the ship by myself. I know to bring along a friend next time.
This was our first time out of Tampa, which was very confusing once getting to the port area. They have many signs for the port, which we took to shipping yards and went in circles trying to find the actual cruise port terminal. Once we found this then we had complications with the parking once again going in circles trying to figure out where to go. Port Canaveral is much more simple and direct. The parking was $12 a day and you get this yellow chip that they say guard with your life or you pay heavy penalties.
Going into the terminal for Carnival was a very pleasant experience. The VIP lady escorted us right to a special area and we boarded within minutes about 11:30am. We were the first to make it to the lunch area on the lido deck. Very good food overall and plenty of it.