This was our 6th Holiday Sailing. We sailed out of Miami's new terminal. Very nice and love the new Platinum check in room, lots of seats (even though we didn't need them) and lemonade to drink. My 11 year old son was very excited to get his very own 1st Platinum room key. After getting our keys we went up the escalator and got our family picture taken, still no line we thought we were home free until we got on board. They have 2 lines on deck both wrapping around that you have to stand in (no matter what level you are) till it's your turn to put your key in the slot to welcome you onboard. For us this was about a half hour wait and when it started raining the people on the outside row along the railing got wet. Carnival needs to look at this again and change it back to waiting inside the terminal, because there were no seats for the elderly or any facilities if someone had to go to the bathroom!

Once on board we went to our room (it was about 1 pm) dropped off our carryon stuff and proceed to deck 9 buffet. There were plenty of open tables and not long lines at all. I went straight to Fish n Chips upstairs because last time on board I lived on the tuna. Sad to say they changed it now they cut up the tuna and watermelon and combine it in a small cup (much more watermelon than tuna), it just wasn't the same. All the other stuff was good. As I came down to our table I noticed the champagne had started flowing and there was plenty of free champagne all afternoon.

We loved the salute to the military on the new ship horn. The muster drill was fast and easy love not having to take the vest with us anymore. Read more