Embarkation: Our group of 9 (5 adults & 4 children) arrived at Tampa Airport on 8/22. Cabs were plenty. We needed a car and a van since we were told it was against the law to put 5 in a car size cab. The one cab driver taking the 4 people in our group advised us the price is the same: $20. from airport to pier regardless of cab type. Our van driver tried to up the price & we haggled to $22. The other cab driver, who had the rest of our group, had them call us on our cell phone & tell us not to pay more than $20. & don't give a tip because what our driver did was illegal. We appreciated the concern. On the return trip we got a yellow cab van service outside the pier & had no problem. Just know ahead the law is $20 per cab -period!

We arrived at the Pier around 11:00 a.m. The embarkation process started immediately with being directed to the counter of Carnival reps standing ready to check us in, take our Sail & Sign card info & assign room keys. Then onto being seated in a comfortable waiting area (unlike NYC port with no chairs). After a short wait a representative made a bit of a game out of boarding by saying the first person to bring him a butterscotch candy was a prize winner - that being first family to board, next was showing a driver's license from a state he named, etc. After a few of these to pass the time a little, group #s on your boarding pass were called. All luggage came later in the afternoon with plenty of time to unpack before dinner.

Cabins: Our group was assigned 2 oceanview rooms and 2 interior rooms, Main deck aft. It was a convenient area, only negative was vibration from the engines at night when the ship traveled at a faster speed. Only one night did it actually wake me up. All our rooms were the same in size and decor; the only difference being the window. Our room steward kept our room in excellent shape, made towel animals and kept out wine chilled. He never did introduce himself so until the end of the cruise I was unsure exactly who he was; he basically slipped in and out unnoticed and we never had reason to call him for any problems. Read more