Overall Score
| BERLITZ'S RATING |
| |
Possible |
Achieved |
| |
| Ship |
500 |
426 |
| Accommodation |
200 |
165 |
| Food |
400 |
219 |
| Service |
400 |
269 |
| Entertainment |
100 |
85 |
| Cruise |
400 |
287 |
| |
There are 20 categories, the price depending on grade, location and size. Over half of all cabins are of the outside view type (and at 225 sq. ft./21 sq. meters they are among the largest in the mainstream cruise market). They are spread over four decks and have private balconies (with glass rather than steel balustrades, for unobstructed ocean views) extending from the ship’s side. The balconies have bright fluorescent lighting.
The standard cabins are of good size and come equipped with all the basics, although the furniture is rather angular, with no rounded edges. Three decks of cabins (eight cabins on each deck, each with private balcony) overlook the stern.
There are eight penthouse suites, and each has a large private balcony. Although they are quite lavish in their appointments, at only 483 sq. ft (44.8 sq. meters), they are really quite small when compared to the best suites even in many smaller ships. There are also 40 other suites, each of which has a decent sized bathroom, and a good amount of lounge space, although they are nothing special.
In the cabins with balconies (more cabins have balconies aboard this ship than those that do not), the partition between each balcony is open at top and bottom, so you may well hear noise from neighbors (or smell their cigarettes. It is disappointing to see three categories of cabins (both outside and interior) with upper and lower bunk beds (lower beds are far more preferable, but this is how the ship accommodates an extra 600 people over and above the lower bed capacity).
The cabins feature soft color schemes and soft furnishings in more attractive fabrics than other ships in the fleet. Interactive “Fun Vision” technology lets you choose movies on demand (and for a fee). The bathrooms, which have good-sized showers, feature good storage space in the toiletries cabinet. A gift basket is provided in all grades; it includes aloe soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, breath mints, candy, and pain relief tablets (albeit all in sample sizes).
If you book one of the suites (Category 11 or 12 in the Carnival Cruise Lines brochure) you automatically qualify for “Skipper’s Club” priority check-in at any US homeland port – useful for getting ahead of the crowd.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2010.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
