Cruising in the Covid era was different , not in a really bad way , it was just different. Carnival requires a negative covid test 2 days before you sail , that was extremely stressful . There's a lot of decisions to make about pre buying internet cheers packages excursions etc.. before sailing having to wait until a couple of days before or gambling on a negative test is quite a is the biggest stressor , we waited . We both got "not detectable" results so there was a huge relief and then a scramble to finish packing. We stayed at "the Radisson at the Port " the night before so we would have to risk the crazy traffic (Disney, Universal) on Saturday morning. We decided to park at the port after many bad experiences with the off site lots . The cost at the port for a 6 day cruise was $116.00. We had a 10:30 boarding time.
Great cabin, my wife loves the layout , there's a place for her many hair products. Tony, our cabin steward, was excellent .
Love the pool , there was another ship there it was a bit crowded, nothing unmanageable. Use the bike transports at the pier it saves a lot of walking and is a quicker way to get where you are going. They work for tips so be nice to them . You need a CC or cash no sign and sail accepted. Umbrellas for chairs are $20 and worth every penny
We didn't get off the ship. There is a lot of pier construction no transportation to or from the ship and it's a crazy long walk you also have to wear your mask and take your vaccination card with you.
It's a tender port so being in a suite was a first off the ship advantage. We went to the beach to the left , we later learned that the beach to the right was much less rocky and less crowded as well its not much farther so that's a good tip . Wear or have water shoes with you its rocky to the left once again better to the right. We wanted to rent a clamshell for the beach but this must be done on the ship can't do it on shore. Your sign and sail card can be used on the Cay.