Embarkation was a breeze at 1:30.  No line at Security and headed over to VIP check in.  We were on board in 20 minutes.  Cabin was category 11 aft suite.  Carpet looked new and everything was in good condition.  Lots of drawers and nice large closet.  Met our cabin steward, Erfan.  You don't use a combination or your keycard for the safe; you need a different credit card to lock and unlock it.  Cute little night tables by the bed.  Bathroom amenities like toothpaste and a nice ladies' razor.  I didn't care for the shampoo or shower gel supplied in the shower dispensers.  Luggage arrived around 5:30.

Set off to wander about the ship.   3 swimming pools, one with retractable top!  Hot tubs here and there.  Aft adults only pool area was nice; large open deck.  Water slide was fun—remember to lie down to go faster, place weight on shoulders and heels (hint.)  Lots of deck space on the various top decks.   Clubs and bar areas were very nice, 'funky' even.  Typical Carnival theater.  Atrium very tall!  Games available in the library/internet cafe though the hours for books and games are 2 hours per day and you have to sign games out.  You can walk all the way around the promenade deck (3?) and when you get to the front of the ship walk through Gatsby's Garden to get back to the other side of the ship and continue the walk outside.  

Muster drill at 3:45, sailed around 4:15 pm.  Was a nice ride out of the Hudson River and into a calm Atlantic Ocean.  Then it was dinnertime.  Read more