So, I have sailed with Carnival at least 10 times before, and I have to say that this cruise out of New Orleans was the absolute worst cruise with them that I have ever been on. Plain and simple, the cruise was understaffed, the ship's crew appeared to be worn down by months of dealing with the rudest group of cruisers ever know to walk aboard a boat, the service in the dining rooms and the Chef's Table Steakhouse appeared to be brand new, or figuring out how to get things to work, and frankly the only highlights of the cruise were the cabin stewards and room service (when the room or the outside of the room did not smell like sewage)....

So we stayed in room 2297 and 2293 because they were connected staterooms. We had three adults and two children, and it was perfect for this setup. One issue, these two staterooms do not have upper berths, so if it is one adult and two small kids, everyone gets a small bed. We overcame this by doubling up the smaller kids on the single bed. The ship has been recently remodeled, and the addition of better food options kept us from starving at sea! The Burger Joint did a nice job, the Taco Joint did a nice job - the Barbeque line was always wrapped around the ship by folks who look liked they did not need to eat anymore Barbeque - but alas, we never were able to try it. Every station at the daily dining choices was always packed. Good luck getting a Deli sandwich - one person would make sandwiches, while the other stumbled around looking confused. Every food option that required more than me scooping some gelatinous stuff on to a plate or required some actual prep (eggs, etc) be prepared to stand in line for a long time. Also, be prepared to deal with the rowdiest, rudest, and loudest group of people that you have ever met- lines? They don't wait in line, they just jump right in and grab a piece of whatever is they want! The crew wanders aimlessly around the ship - and I can understand why - the crowd from New Orleans has just worn them the hell out. I was with them for a week, and they wore me out. From having to ask folks to turn off personal speakers and music players in the pool (playing just about every curse word known to man), to actually having to get security to do something about adults jumping in the pool on top of children - these folks were just plain trashy.

The cruise also happened to be the Poker cruise, and I believe that every resource was taxed. Every public area, eating area, rest area, were always crowded. Read more