I was a first time cruiser and decided on Carnival because it had good value. It's an older ship but for the most part didn't hinder me and my husband's experience. We had a great time. I also get motion sickness easily but surprisingly was fine with a dramamine and some wrist bands I wore during the trip.
The casino was fun, but small. I would suggest playing roulette to keep your money longer. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub areas. These areas were rather small to fit all the guests on the ship. Food was good, especially enjoyed the made to order omelets. Guy Fieri's burger bar was okay, a bit greasy. Service for our dining room experience was excellent and surprisingly the food was pretty good. You could have several desserts and more than one entree if you wanted.
I tried out different massages. The bamboo massage was a different experience and not worth the value. I felt, Rachel, the masseuse was in a rush during my service. I recommend going with the regular deep tissue massage. Overall, the experience was great and would recommend the cruise to others. I'm excited to try other Carnival ships since I've heard they have more modern amenities.