This was our first cruise (my husband and myself), we are 42 years old with no children and WE LOVED IT!!!!! When we arrived in New Orleans we found it to be very organized and everything flowed very smooth. Parking was in a fenced lot with a security guard. The cost was $70.00 cash. You drop your luggage off first then go park. We arrived at the terminal around 10:00am. After dropping our luggage and parking we got inside around 10:30am. There was no one in line at this time and the parking lot was empty, but it did fill up quick. We checked in, got our sail and sign cards and then we sat waiting to board for about 1 hour. You then go through the scanners and have your first (of many) picture taken. After that you proceed to the ship and they take your picture for your sail and sign card. Each time you leave the ship and get back on the ship you scan your card and your picture will come up on the computer screen. Make sure you take your sail and sign card every where you go, you will need it all the time!!!! We were finally on the ship!!! It was around 1:00pm. We headed toward our cabin. This ship is big and it will take some time to find your way around. I recommend getting a deck plan map at the information desk and carrying it with you. We used it all week. Just when you know your way around it will be time to go home. We were happy with our cabin, not the biggest cabin but it was plenty of room for the 2 of us. You are not in your cabin that much but to shower, sleep and change clothes. Our cabin was #M109, we had a window and really enjoyed it. There was a good size medicine cabinet in the bathroom and a big closet. The desk/dresser has 4 drawers. We WAY over packed clothes and had plenty of room when we unpacked (you have heard the old saying pack half as many clothes and twice the amount of money, that is VERY true). I would take hangers (the metal kind from the dry cleaners, they take up less space). I did use the over the door organizer in the cabin. I used it for my hair brushes, hair spray, sunscreen (make sure and use the sun screen), anything else that was too big for the medicine cabinet. It kept the clutter off the desk/dresser. After we unpacked our carryon [luggage] we headed out to explore. What a beautiful ship. We found it to be very clean and saw crew cleaning often. We found the pizzeria and ate our first lunch. The pizza and calzone's were great. There also was a buffet lunch available when we got on the ship. This is when we met our first shipmates (Bernard and Norma, we had some fun times with them, we have talked to them since we are home and look forward to a long friendship with them). Take the time to meet people (that's not hard to do), it's a lot of fun talking with different people. The first night for dinner is casual, whatever you wear on the ship is fine. You may not get your luggage before dinner so make sure you have anything you will need like medications,etc or a change of clothes in your carry on bag. We did however get our luggage around 5:00pm. We had the late seating for dinner in the Mardi Gras Dining Room. Our head waiter was George and his dining service team was the best. He/they made our dining experience very memorable. Going to the dining room for dinner is a big part of the cruise. Lots of fun, great food, entertainment and hopefully nice tablemates. If you are not happy with who you are sitting with talk to the Maitre'd he will find you a different table. There is NO reason to stay where you are not happy and having fun. This is your vacation enjoy it!!!! We had a FUN time every night. Every night while you are at dinner your cabin steward will tidy your room and leave you the next day Capers. The Capers tells you everything about the next day's activities. I took a highlighter marker and before going to bed we marked what we wanted to do the next dayl The first full day on the ship is at sea with lots of different things to do. Today you sign up for your excursions. There is a Adventure Talk telling you about the tours in the morning. I would suggest asking your travel agent or Carnival for a list of excursions before you leave so you have some idea what you would like to do. This also gives you the cost so you can budget accordingly. If you decide before the talk what you want to sign up for you can fill out your order forms and drop them off the first night. I think it was after 6:00pm at the information desk. We ate breakfast in the dining room but never did lunch in there. For lunch we ate on the Lido deck at the buffet or at the pizzeria. We brought with us 2 large cups with covers for ice and water. We filled them on the Lido deck every chance we got. We also purchased soda cards/fountain cards, we are BIG soda drinkers so they were worth the money, the cost was $29.95 per person. We never had any problems using them at any of the bars. Tonight is your first formal night. We are not the "dress up" kind of people normally at home but it was well worth getting dressed up and it was alot of fun too. Another day at sea, we relaxed by the pool, took the Galley tour and there are many other things to keep you busy, if you want that. Our first port was Montego Bay, Jamaica. We did the Ocho Rio's and Dunn's River Falls tour. We had a great time, highly recommend doing the Falls. An experience everyone should have. Jamaica is very poor and the people are very pushy, just say NO Thank You and keep walking. Next port is Grand Cayman. You take tenders in to this port. This is a BEAUTIFUL place. We did the Stingray City and Island Tour. This takes you to the Turtle Farm, then to Hell and then swim with the Stingrays. THIS IS A MUST DO!!! Just an incredible experience. The water is so blue and clear and swimming with the stingrays cannot be described. Make sure to take at least one underwater camera (bring them from home, they are expensive on the ship). After the tour we had some time to shop and walk around the pier area. Also make sure to taste and buy some Tortuga Rum Cakes, out of this world. This is your second formal night with the Gala Buffet at midnight. Worth staying up late for it. Your last port is Cozumel, Mexico. For this excursion we did the Passion Island. Highly recommend this excursion also. You are taken on a bus, then by boat you go to the island. Lunch is included and it's GREAT..the best guacamole I have ever eaten. The soda and alcoholic beverage's are also included. We drank "Passion Islands" all day and let's just say we took a nap when we got back on the ship. This excursion was alot of fun. You can snorkel, swim, have your hair braided, get a henna tattoo, play volleyball, relax in a hammock, walk on the beach, eat and drink. After you get back you do have time to shop in the city. We shopped at the stores right by the port. The midnight buffet tonight is held on the Lido deck under the stars with fun games and dancing in the moonlight. Another fun night. We went to most of the midnight buffets and could ALWAYS find something that was YUMMY!!! One more day at sea. Lots of activities going on all day. We enjoyed the pool, went to the Newlywed and Not-So-Newlywed Game (very funny) and played bingo. We did our packing late in the afternoon before dinner, that way you can enjoy your last evening on the ship We did have to buy an expandable suitcase on the ship because we bought more stuff then we thought we would. Next time I will pack 2 extra expandable suitcases (I only packed one this time). You can't do everything but you can do as much or as little as you like. We had a great time and we look forward to our next cruise. If anyone has any questions please ask I will try and answer them as best as I can. We hope everyone enjoys the cruise as much as we did.

Happy Cruising, Rthearts@aol.comJune 2002