This was our first time on a Carnival Ship, having only sailed with P&O before. This was a relocation cruise with the ship heading to Australia for it's summer season and we joined the ship in Honolulu. Boarding was a breeze, very smooth indeed but our luggage took around 4 hours to reach our cabin. We took that time to locate friends and walk around and get a feel of the ship. The decor is a little overwhelming in areas, there is a lot to take in. The ship was not due to leave port until 11.30pm and most people were having a few drinks, some quite a few. Everyone was aware that we would be required to participate in the emergency drill but as the evening dragged on a lot of people put their children to bed and a lot of adults also retired for the evening, we did the same thing at 10.15pm only to have the alarms go off at 10.30 for the drill. We got out of bed and joined the crowds at our muster station,not everyone was in a jolly mood, there were mothers being told to go back to their cabins and get their sleeping children out of bed as attendance for ALL passengers was compulsory. I believe that this drill should have been done by 9.00pm it was badly handled.

We then had 17 days sailing to Sydney. Positives: The food. We ate at the restaurant for breakfast and dinner and had lunch at the buffet. I can't recall any bad meals, especially in the restaurant, the food was always first rate. The Staff. The waitstaff and Bar staff were all excellent, as was our room steward I wayan who look after us so well. The entertainment. Some was ok some was not. Kylie in the Piano Bar was great, some of the shows were good some ordinary. One Magician was bad. Overall the entertainment was ok. The Weather. Ports of Call. Papeete and Bora Bora were great, Moorea excellent, Noumea also was much improved on our last visit, Suva, well that will be in the negatives.

Negatives: No announcements, after the emergency drill, were broadcast in your cabin so if you were in your cabin you missed out. Ridiculous. Kids in Bars up to 10pm. The Red Frog Pub could have had a great atmosphere, live music almost every night, great staff and all ruined by bloody kids yelling, crying, smashing the shuffleboard pucks back and forward while their parents sat and drank. There were enough on board activities for kids to not have them ruining adults evenings. There is only one exclusive adults only area on the ship and it shut at 8pm while kids are still in bars at 10pm. Go Figure. Read more