We took our first cruise on the Carnival Ecstasy in 2004 and have cruised every year since with Carnival.  Let me say from the beginning that we LOVE Carnival and are already planning to cruise to Alaska with them next year.  We will probably take a shorter "weekend" cruise between now and then as well.

We sailed from Galveston on June 7th and had cabins 9294, 9290, 9288, 9284, 7704 and 2270.  Quite a crowd.  One in our group was in a wheelchair, one should have been, 4 were between 79 and 85, 2 in their 60's, 4 in their early 50's, 3 in their early 20's.  I need to compliment the Embarkation crew - they allowed us to stay together and check in through VIP check-in because of the wheelchair, and quickly brought another wheelchair complete with "driver" for my father-in-law.  If you haven't boarded at Galveston - the walk is LONG to get aboard ship and the walk can add an equal amount again depending on where you get dropped off in front of the cruise terminal.  Embarkation (12:30 PM) was smooth with no delays.

Cabins:  My only note here is DO NOT book 9294, 9290, 9288, 9284 (Port Side) or the similar ones STBD unless you are an early riser !!!!  For some reason, Carnival picks up all the deck chairs every night.  The crew starts putting them out on deck at 6:00 AM sharp every morning!  The chairs are large and there is one guy putting them out and he (there were different ones on different mornings) literally throws them onto the deck.  It is VERY noisy in those cabins early morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Note to Carnival - this was REALLY discouraging.  I'm sure you know of this and the vacation planner could have warned us. Read more