Dates: Feb 11-19/2004. Travelers: My Mother and I Ages: 48 and 19 Number of cruises traveled before: Her-10 Me-6 Ports of Call: Belize, Costa Rica and Panama

I received the news of an 8 day cruise to the western Caribbean Christmas Day as a gift from my parents for Graduation this year and Mother and Daughter bonding time before I go to college in the fall. I was very excited and spent many hours on the internet looking up reviews and learning everything possible about the Carnival Spirit. As I read reviews I learned that everyone either loves the ship or hates it. I never got a better answer over another. I decided when I returned from this vacation that I drooled over for many weeks, I would write my own review.

EMBARKATION: In the reviews I read, I came to the understanding that you could board the ship anytime between 11:30-12:30. My Mother and I had an early flight at 7:00am and landed in Miami at 9:46. We went directly to baggage claim where we collected our bags. My Mom then spotted a Carnival staff member. She told us to wait by these seats for only 3 people. Well within 15 minutes the line grew. The staff then told the large group that had formed to follow them single file to the end of baggage claim where we would wait for our shuttle (gray hound bus) to take us to the pier. It turned out we waited in single file up against a wall in baggage claim for 90 minutes with no chairs, drinks, or information what was going to happen next. Read more