There are 20 cabin price categories, in 7 different suite/ cabin types, sizes and grades. These include suites with private balcony; deluxe outside-view cabins with private balcony; outside-view cabins with private balcony; outside-view cabins with window; cabins with a porthole instead of a window; interior (no-view) cabins; and interior (no-view cabins) with upper and lower berths. There are five decks of cabins with private balconies. The standard cabins are of good size and come equipped with all the basics, although the furniture is rather square and angular, with no rounded edges. Three decks of cabins (eight on each deck, each with private balcony) overlook the stern. Most cabins with twin beds can be converted to a queen-size bed format.

Book one of the suites (Category 11 or 12 in the Carnival Cruise Lines brochure) and you’ll get “Skipper’s Club” priority check-in at any US homeland port – useful for getting ahead of the crowd.

There are even “spa” cabins aboard this ship – a grouping of 18 cabins that are located directly around and behind SpaCarnival; so fitness devotees can get out of bed and go straight to the treadmill without having to go through any of the public rooms first.

A gift basket of personal toiletry items is provided in all grades of cabins; it includes aloe soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, breath mints, candy, and pain relief tablets (all in sample sizes – and most in paper packets that are difficult, sometimes frustrating, to open).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008