I've cruised with Carnival on three prior occasions to this sailing and while I understand it's never going to be the QE2, it was always pleasant and adequate.

Until now.

From embarkation when the surly guest reps gave my family and I difficult time checking into the VIP lounge. We had a suite as well as an interior stateroom across the hall for the kids - please note, that with Carnival Priority Embarkation is determined by account, not by room. The agent wanted my two teenage kids to wait in the regular line and check in separately from us. As we were all on one account we were indeed entitled to check in through VIP as a group (after a fifteen minute discussion resulting in the manager telling the agent she was wrong) we finally were checked in.the agent said that WE should have clarified it to HER earlier. Strike One. Read more