We wanted a pre holiday getaway to some warm islands. We got that, Aruba, Grand Turk, Bonaire and Princes Cay. All were great. Warm water, easy access, enjoyable snorkeling and day trips. What was bad, was the ship experience. First, the food. The main dining experience is entirely via the Carnival Hub app. If you're looking for printed menus and any semblance of fine dining and excellence, for get it. Its a cattle car experience with food that normally graces the buffet, only, if you're choosing this ship's buffet, its a shore selection of steam table standards.

The ship. The main performance venue, Liquid Lounge is essentially facing bleacher with a few chairs and tables on the basketball court separating them. The actual performances, from mediocre comedians to standard broadway/contemporary music mashups is on par with the venue. The best entertainment is in the lounges, with competent bands, individuals acts, dance classes, piano bar and karaoke/quiz sets. All good, personal and responsive to audience needs.

The worst however of this ship however was the complete lack of attention to normal health norms. It was as if noro virus, flu and Covid had never happened in the minds of Carnival. No visible sanitizing, hand sanitizer machines pushed to the side or inoperative, in the buffet all was self serve with spoons and tongs handled by every customer accessing every offering. Consequently we had lots of flu and covid cases, which we uncovered in discussions with fellow passengers and subsequent contacts in social media. Carnival NEVER informed us of the active Covid cases so we could mask up. Given the age and obesity levels among us guests that would have been the responsible thing for Carnival to do. They just ignored it or covered it up. Read more