We and another couple and their college age son booked this cruise because it was sailing on new years eve. We drove down from north central Arkansas on Sat and stayed over night in Metairie at the Holiday Inn . We have stayed here before and it works well for us. We were able to leave our cars there for there and arrange a ride to the port about a 20 min or less trip. We arrived at the port a little early about 10:30 am since we are Platinum and our friends had faster to the fun we were checked in in just a few min. The port and the crew did a great job of clearing the ship and we were on board a t 11:00 am. We went to our cabin on the Lido deck forward to drop off our carry on and our checked luggage was there already great job longshoremen and Carnival crew on that. As we headed out to get something from the buffet the crew was already handing out free Champaign. The balloon drop and festivities that night were a whole lot of fun. The whole week went well with no big problems for our group. Overall the food was good the first night was the best in the MDR Lobster, Prime Rib and some great Lamb Chops. We did anytime dinning and never had to wait for a table for 5 but service was hit and miss , great one night and slow the next but over all fine for us. The ports we had been to many times before so we did no excursions Montego Bay Jamaica we did not get off the ship as we don't care for this port. Our friends did but did not stay off for too long . Grand Cayman we had to anchor on the other sis of the island because of weather . Nothing there so they had shuttle buses back to the other side but again we have been here many times so we just stayed aboard again. Cozumel our favorite out of the three ports was the same just a beer or two at Three Amigo's and a little window shopping. Again disembarkation we did the carry your luggage off yourself and were off the ship about 7:00am and back at the Hotel by 7:25 am and on the road home by 7:40 am. To summarize It was a very good cruise the crew was great the ship was in good condition , more kids than I expected most well behaved and having a good time just a few teenagers who where unsupervised and rowdy. I do wish the buffet menu would be improved it was ok at best. Dinner in the MDR was good. Did not do the Steakhouse this time. Overall I would do it again. The only reason I rated Dinning as just average was because the buffet needs improvement. All in all a very good cruise with a great crew that seemed to be having a fun time along with the passengers.