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Great Cruise by
Diane from Union, MO Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: I liked the itinerary and the ship set up. It was not so big and easy to get around Cons: The service in the dining room left a lot to be desired The ship was beautiful and well kept. Easy to get around and find things. Ship QualityEasy to find things. Dining/Food
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Entertainment & ActivitiesI did not feel like there were very many activites to do especially on sea days. I have crusie 15 times and have never had this before 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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   We had a BLAST! by
Ali R. from United States Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: The food at the Steakhouse and the great people we met. Cons: Buffet times were very sporadic. The ship was very nice, kept clean with great staff. Very impressed of the outdoor fun zone for the kids with the terrifying water slide. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe food was amazing for the most part, we only had one night of a so-so meal. Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityOur steward Nino took great care of us with a great attitude! Entertainment & Activities
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9 Day Mexican Cruise by
Kala B from Phoenix, AZ Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: Cabo Cons: Not much to see The ship itself was recently taken out of dry dock and therefore was relatively clean and new. There were still some areas of wear and tear and the casino had very few newer machine options. There were more food options on this ship than I have experienced on other ships and the layout was very convenient. Ship QualityThis is the first carnival cruise ship I have been on where the Serenity Deck did not feel like an after thought which was a major plus in my opinion. The casino was well spread out with little to no newer machine options. The condition was in fairly good conditions but did show some age. Dining/FoodThe food on this ship was okay but nothing to rave about. Some nights things would come out fresh and warm other times they looked and tasted thrown together. The buffets were constantly closed and the grills food was very dry. Stateroom QualityThe stateroom was like all the other ships I have been on. Ship Staff QualityWhile on the ship the staff were friendly and kind. However on the last day getting off we forgot a piece of luggage and realized it just as we were walking through security. Carnival took more than an hour to go up to our room and group the bag, Additionally the staff was very rude about it. It appears once your cruise is over so is their service. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe activities were the usual comedy shows, bingo, trivia, karaoke. 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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Horrible - waste of money and time by
Helen C. from Eugene, Oregon Sailing date: Feb 2012Pros: Seeing some sun Cons: Limited activities on ship Poorly planned ports of call and activities on ship. Some promised but cancelled or not offered. Ship QualityDecor was a mish-mash. Not attractive. Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityLighting bad - difficult to read in bed Ship Staff Quality
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A Very Great Experiance and Cruise by
Thomas M from SD Ca Sailing date: Feb 2012Pros: Excellant customer service, professional crew and staff and very clean...everywhere Cons: The only negative...it wasn't a 10 day cruise!!! I enjoyed everything about the cruise and the itenerary. Ship QualityVery clean, and nice friendly staff. Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityGreat appreciative staff!!! Entertainment & ActivitiesLoved it all, especially Jay the Kareoke guy...Just Brilliant!! 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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A good value by
Lv Lawyer from Las Vegas Sailing date: Jan 2012Pros: Balcony cabin Cons: Average food, poor disembarkation handling
Good Value for the Money
Embarkation (1/1/11)
We drove to the ship from Las Vegas and stayed at the San Pedro Doubletree. They let you park for the week as part of a room package and deliver you in their van to and from the pier. Tip the driver, who works very hard at getting you close to the curbside porters. My only complaint was that the porters seemed overwhelmed and you do not get a claim check for your luggage. That said, our luggage was in our room in less than 2 hours from the curb. The Carnival check-in personnel were quick and pleasant. TSA could take lessons. We were on the ship in less than 30 minutes from the curb at the height of check-in.
I was hoping to get some lunch but the Lido deck, where lunch was served, was extremely crowded. That said, we got a quick bite before the ship departed. I think the signage on the Lido deck and throughout the ship could learn a thing or two from Las Vegas casinos. Signs are often small and hard to read, particularly near the elevators. The buffet stations are somewhat confusing but offered an ample lunch. During the cruise, the Lido deck food is well prepared and hot and there are numerous choices.
Safety
The ship held a thorough muster drill before departure. Our cabin steward showed us our life jackets. We had three in a room with only 2 people. We never felt our safety was compromised in any way. Plus, I read the signs and practiced going to the muster station.
Room/Ship
Our room was a starboard balcony. It had two chairs and a small table outside with a wooden deck. It was quite comfortable. We watched Mexico go by -- a lot. Our floor had only cabins above and below (hat tip to my Orbitz travel agent for that recommendation.) The room is about 185 square feet. The bathroom was clean and had free samples of various products. Towels were changed when we asked and not changed when we asked. Our cabin steward, Jessie, learned our names on day one and was ready if needed.
The decor of the ship can be described as "Vegas casino modern." It is an eclectic mix that grows on you. After the first night, people spread out and the ship did not seem crowded. It was a mix of families, young people, and retirees. The casino looks interesting but I can gamble in my grocery store so I did not play.
The shows were good. I recommend New Orleans night on the last night.
The ship has Internet access, which worked fine, albeit a bit slow. I used both my iPad and the Internet cafe. ($29 for 40 minutes.) Word of caution -- don't use your cell phone on the ship. You will get service (Cell at Sea). It is $2.99 per minute! Also, don't use your cell phone in Mexico without discussing it with your US carrier before you go. Foreign cell changes can be very high. I have a friend who ran up a $3k bill on a recent trip since his iPhone was pinging the Mexican network. You get wireless service from the shore anchored in Cabo.
Dining
We ate most nights in the MDR with anytime dining. We got a table for two by the window, most nights. The lower MDR can be loud but our area was relatively quiet. The food is well-done though lukewarm on a couple of occasions. The wait staff was attentive and never pushed drink specials. The menu ranged from comfort food to more interesting choices, like frog legs. Wine prices are a bit high but not extraordinarily so. The wine list is what you would expect on a value-oriented cruise ship. Carnival is constantly hawking drinks but it is not as intrusive as some reviews claim.
We ate breakfast in the MDR but try not to sit in the back. The vibration from the screws is annoying.
We also ate dinner in the Steakhouse ($30/pp supplement). The food was extraordinary. My 18 oz rib-eye steak would have been $75 at Smith & Wollensky in Las Vegas. The wine list was superb and our wine captain helped us make a great selection. Dessert is not to be missed, save room.
One food tip -- try the sushi cart early in the evening. Usually 3 interesting items but not enough for a f Ship Quality
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Cabo Cruise by
Lorraine M. from California Sailing date: Nov 2011Pros: Service was wonderful and food was excellent. Cons: Our room was too small but that was our fault. Loved the ship, always plenty of things to do and staff was excellent. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodWe had late seating for dinner and it worked great for us. The staff was excellent. One night we did go to the steak house and it was worth every dollar. Stateroom QualityWe put four women in a room and it was a mistake. We enjoyed ourselves but should have booked two rooms. Our fault. I loved the balcony. Ship Staff Quality
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Cabo San Lucas, MexicoThe shows were very well done.
Don't Miss: Must have dinner at the steak house. 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Thanksgiving Cruise by
Dawn D. from Portland, OR Sailing date: Nov 2011Pros: Pretty ship. Lots of nice areas to sit and read. Cons: The itinerary was changed and the ports weren't great. People smoking on board. The ship was beautiful, the staff was friendly, and we had a good time. I have never been to Cabo; it was my favorite port. It was clean and the beach was really nice. We went horseback riding in Ensenada which was fun for beginners but for anyone else it was very boring. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe food was very basic. Some of the food was bad but most was just average. A couple of dishes were excellent like the veggie lasagna. We ate once in the Steak House ($30/person). It was very good (just like the regular dining room use to be 25 years ago). The service wasn't great and the restaurant was not even half full. Stateroom QualityThe beds are not very comfortable. We would wake up every morning with a back ache. I wondered if this was on purpose so that you would want to go to the spa for a massage. Ship Staff QualityThe staff was very friendly however not really helpful. I was on the lido deck when a man who was in a wheelchair with one leg was trying to scoot himself to a table with his tray. Staff walked right by him and did not help. I asked him if I could push him to a table and he was very thankful. Entertainment & ActivitiesI went to a couple of shows and they were awful.
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Ensenada, MexicoWent horseback riding which was fun as I was a beginner but boring for those who weren't.
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoPV was again very clean which impresses me. We took the excursion "Pirate Ship". Not worth the $99/person. The beach they took you to was not as nice as Cabo and they didn't have lounge chairs just regular uncomfortable chairs. The water was ok.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoMy family went on the Zip Line the first day and had an awesome time (this excursion was through Orbitz as we got a coupon for booking through them). The second day we went to the beach was really nice. Cabo is very clean. The bad thing is on the beach there were so many people trying to sell you things. Literally every 2 minutes people were asking you to buy things. The walk to the beach is long, take the little boats to the beach. $3/person.
Don't Miss: Zip Line Manzanillo, MexicoWe didn't even go in to port. The excursions available were not exciting and the ship didn't even have shop or restaurants that they recommended.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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good time! by
jeff e. from medford,or Sailing date: Nov 2011older ship starting to show its age.. Ship Quality
Dining/Foodbland food!this was our big disappointment Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Qualityvery friendly staff Entertainment & Activities
Children's Programscamp canival was amazing!!!!! highly reccomend 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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A very wonderful cruise. by
Bob L. from California Sailing date: Oct 2011Pros: Comfort, staff, extremely clean everywhere, a most comfortable and enjoyable cruise. Cons: The food stations were confusing and wasn't made clear where to go. Loved it, the Staff was like family and wanted us to be comfortable and would do what they could to help us feel 'at home'. Ship Quality
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Ensenada, MexicoNo change in Ensenada from many cruises.
Don't Miss: Nothing, wouldn't visit anymore. Would rather stay on the ship. Puerto Vallarta, MexicoTHe same as above.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoBeautiful, they are charming people (when they get your money).
Don't Miss: None ~ Manzanillo, MexicoSame as above. First time there, very small but worth seeing once.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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