This was the best cruise I have ever taken.
The first time I cruised over New Year's Eve. 3,000+ people partying on the Lido Deck at midnight. What a blast! The day of boarding passengers were given free Champagne until departure. The food in the dining room was excellent.

Pizza was the best as always. The New Year's Eve Party was the best I ever had. Champagne free for all for about 3 hours. 3,000+ people all on the Lido deck with live band at midnight. What a party!!!!

The ports were secondary to us.

Grand Cayman - We took the Reef and Wreck snorkel trip. Due to rough water everyone's trips were cancelled but ours. I highly recommend this snorkel trip. Its only five minutes from the tenders that take you to shore from the ship and even in rough weather this trip took place due to the calm waters around the harbor. The fish are everywhere on the reef and the wreck site was very interesting. Very experienced divers and snorkelers might find it boring though.

Ocho Rios - We took the Wild Oats trip - Dunns Falls, snorkel trip off shore of Sandals Resort (turned into a swim instead due to rough water) then a wild ride out past the surf into deeper water and BIG WAVES back to the cruise ship. Very pricing but the crew was great and the Mimosas and Red Strip began from the time we boarded until we got back to the ship. Next time in Ocho Rios I will take the river raft as I heard it was very relaxing. Huh, maybe too relaxing?

The service on board was as usual. I have noticed that since the tips are now added to the sign & sail cards that the room, waiter, bus boy do not bend over backwards to be there for you. The service is not bad, it's just not excellent as before this policy (when they didn't know how much they would get).

I had read reviews that really down graded the food service on the Carnival ships. I thought the food in the dining room was excellent and as good or better then previous cruises (including Royal Caribbean). I do agree that the food in the back of the ship was not very good, except for pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Room service BLT's, crudités and fruit were our favorite late night snack as we did not eat the late night buffet.

I would definitely go on this ship and cruise again. The 5 night cruise seemed like a week, especially since we stopped overnight in South Beach the day before departure.

I can't wait for my next "Fun Ship" cruise.