We're Canadian, (55 and 60) non-smokers who prefer inside cabins and generally try to get deck 6 or 7. We have no brand loyalty and have enjoyed Carnival, Costa, Princess, RCCL and Celebrity cruises all equally as much.

Of the ship, her crew and staff, the food and service, all were about what you'd expect and I have no major complaints. Maybe some of the passengers are a bit trashy, but certainly not the majority. There just seemed to be enough loudmouths, camouflage and tattoos, backward baseball caps, smokers and deck goobers to make you notice. This isn't meant as a mark against Carnival because nowadays the same can be said of the travel experience on long flights wedged in a middle seat between heavy passengers or surrounded by loud gum-chewers anywhere. But for us breathing in the second-hand smoke was the worst part of this ship. Not a deal breaker for me but my GF doesn't want to cruise with Carnival again.

Embarkation took no more than about 30 minutes from start to finish though the mandatory safety briefing / boat muster took much longer than needed as passengers showed up late, some smoking with drinks in hand with a lot of talking and chatting going on. You'd think they would pay attention after the Concordia disaster the previous week to our cruise. Read more