DH and drove from Phoenix,AZ (22hrs) and got outside of Galveston at 3AM Sat/Sun exhausted for our much needed vacation. Don't try this folks! We spent the next 2 days exhausted wasting beautiful Sea Days collapsed in our cabin. We elected to book an inside Spa cabin vs a balcony cause we enjoyed a Spa room on the Splendor previously and we were not disappointed. Our cabin (11242) was a corner room on a quiet floor near the main elevators. Bring a LED travel clock if you have an inside cabin cause it's so dark you can literally sleep away your vacation.We were right off the Pool/Lido so we enjoyed not having to traipse to the other side of the ship if we forgot anything. Also, we were able to enjoy activities, shower quickly and make it to late dining without exhausting ourselves. I have health issues that make mobility choices difficult. Our centrally located room was perfect. The Spa itself was somewhat disappointing. The Spa Staff were snobby and if you asked a question that did not involve Booking a Treatment they turned their nose up at you. The last day at sea they closed the Thalossotherapy Pool at 3PM to chlorinate it. The maintenance could have waited until later for chlorination which disappointed a lot of guests who were enjoying the last chance in the spa. The activities left a lot to be desired. I have sailed with Carnival since 2000 and can remember and still have the Funtimes from 2000 that was Full of Fun activities for all ages. Now, the Top Ten Daily List of Activities in the Funtimes have at least 7 activities involving a way to get the guests to spend money. Sad and in my opinion, a Lack of Imagination on the part of the Cruise Director. Staff morale seemed very Low. I brought a gift for my Cabin Steward and the next day I saw it laying on top of his cart with the wrapper still half on. He never said Thank You. I don't care what country you are from, when someone gives you a gift gratitude is the least you can express.

Food was Golden Corral quality. We stopped eating lunch in the Lido after the second day cause the lines were Ridiculous. We just ate breakfast in the MDR and then Dinner in the MDR again. Again, this is the fault of the Cruise Director. There has to be a better system then lines of people fuming as they wait for an omelette (pass out numbers) I waited the first day 40 minutes for the Mongolian BBQ, and it was not even very good. The MDR staff were good to us. But I felt sorry for them having to sing the same tired songs at they sang on my last cruise 2 yrs ago. And apple bottom jeans was sung by the staff on the Splendor 4 yrs ago. Pluses, the Sky Course, the Seaside Theater, the staggered chaise lounges on the side of the ship with Jacuzzis on the side of the ship. The Karaoke now out in the open for everyone to enjoy ;-), and the Lovely El Capitano restaurant which is Free at lunch, Yum! But WHY, WHY, WHY, do you have the Smokers Area on the deck where families with children have to pass through the Smoky Haze??? The Smokers Camp Out on that Deck Chain Smoking in the middle All Day where people walk by. This Smokers Paradise at times was ridiculous with the smoky haze ruining an otherwise beautiful LIDO.

Jamaica-Sunset Beach booked through Resort for a day was a secluded, beautiful beach with a swim up AI bar but the Food was Awful. I was looking forward to eating the Jerk Chicken but the server would only dole out a half a thigh and said "We don't have anymore" , then the man behind me asked her for chicken and she gave him a tiny piece and said the same thing. For $65 I expected decently cooked food. I tried the rice (crunchy) but was afraid to try the macaroni salad. So we waited to eat until we got back on board. Grand Cayman we took a cab for 2$ each and went to the Royal Palm Resort where we had the best plate of calamari,margaritas and beer for $35. Beautiful beach with immaculate restrooms/changing rooms. Cozumel we took the Catamaran by Power to Passion Island excursion through Carnival. The Catamaran ride was fun but the staff kept repeating that they were only paid in tips. Once on the island the food was again horrible, Guacamole was wonderful, but the server would only dole out a small square of fish. Hammocks under shade and in the water was nice but the drinks were really like Koolaid with a splash of alcohol. My advice, Plan out your own excursions unless it's to see stingrays or Ancient Ruins or Dolphins. The best excursion we went on was the trip to the resort in Grand Cayman, and they only charged $6 pp to get in. Although I heard that they charge for the chairs and umbrellas. All in all I will be sailing again on the Magic in Sept. to Belize, Roatan and Cozumel. Know that the ship itself is Beautiful and don't expect a whole lot of activities. But if you take advantage of the amenities that they have on board you should have a great time!