First let me say, I will and plan to cruise Carnival again soon.
I can only speak about what me and my wife experienced on this cruise, I read many reviews and don't agree with all of them. 7th cruise, last 2 with carnival, were in our early 50s
First, Embarkment, it took about a hour and a half to get on the ship, I did expect it, so it didn't bother me, patients on a cruise is key.