We traveled as a group of 3 couples plus 2 single guys. This was my fifth cruise, the first with Carnival.

Embarkation was very smooth. Some of us had VIP boarding and some standard. All of us got on quickly, beginning around 11:45 a.m. Of course, our cabins weren't ready yet but there was plenty to do.

We went to the Lido deck and had the "drink of the day" and ate at the buffet. We then toured the ship to get a feel for the layout before things got crowded. Read more