US:  We are a family of six:  2 Thirty-somethings, 1 teenage girl, and 3 preteen boys.  DH and I have gone on a one day cruise on NCL, and a one day cruise on Holland America.  Other than that, we have always cruised on Carnival.  Other times that we cruised with the kids, we had two inside cabins for the family.  We got a cheap upsell to the Garden Villa for this cruise, and are now spoiled for all future cruises.

EMBARKATION:   We had originally planned to do a last few hours at Disneyland that morning, but instead decided on a leisurely breakfast.  It was an uneventful drive from our Anaheim motel, and then we dropped off our bags with a helpful porter.  After security and the norovirus questionnaire, a discrete entrance to the VIP line was not to be.   I had to be rather direct to the lady ushering people to the check in desk.  "Stop, we're in the Garden Villa so I don't think we need that number.  We'll follow this sign, alright?"  Oh, okay.

After that, embarkation was smooth as ice:  Check in, meet the concierge, drinks and snacks while waiting for clearance to board, Butler (not ours) escorted us to the villa, and let the photo taking commence.  Read more