I thought I would write these reviews in parts so that I remember to tell more, and it isnt too long of a post. HOWEVER, I may still forget some things so look for updates from me and others.
Approaching the cruise terminal. There will be two archs. The one to the left will take you to the Queen Mary and this one (to the right) for the cruise terminal. This one will take you to the luggage drop off and parking garage. It is laid out so that it flows nicely in my opinion. With 3000 trying to leave the terminal and 3000 trying to go into the terminal, I have to say it wasnt crowded at all.
The cruise Terminal- This reminds me of the ball at DisneyWorlds Epcot. It use to house Howard Hughes' plane "The spruce goose" It is gigantic and only a portion of it was even in use when we went through it. You will go through this building to get to the gangway, but only after you go through the people checking ID and passports and giving you your sign and sail card. It doesn't take very long to get through (but then again we had vip entry because we were in a suite) If you do have VIP, make sure you tell the first cruise worker so that they direct you to the right place to get your cards, then when you have them, come out of that building and go toward the terminal. Go to the far right of all the lines and show them your VIP printout. They will usher you right past everyone and into the right place.
I suggest if you do not want to lug things all around until after 2pm, CHECK everything with the baggage guys at the drop off point. (BE SURE TO LOCK YOUR BAGS- we were told not to by some people on this board, but the desk clerk on the Queen Mary (Where we stayed 3 nights prior to sailing) told us we should lock them as the baggage guys do not work for Carnival- so we did ) If there are things you want to carry on with you, (Laptop, camera, purse, etc definately do not check) you can, just remember that you will have to keep it with you at all times until your rooms are ready at 2pm.
Here is hubby on the gangway. Right before this spot, you will have your first ship taken photograph...one of many to come. We bypassed the phot op and took our own..wish we wouldnt have passed it up now. This gangway is longer than it looks. Once you get close to the boat you go through a "one at a time" area before actually stepping foot on the ship. Then you walk down the deck and into the ship. Right at the ship entrance they will take your sign and sail card, take your photo, give you your card back and say welcome aboard..you are now ON VACATION!!!
Once you pass the people taking your photo for your sign and sail card, you will be in the main atrium. Looking up you will see the glass dome and floors 4, 5 and 6. Looking around you will see the glass elevators, the bar, the piano with dance floor, and all of the comfy chairs. To the sides you will see the pursers desk (called guest service for those of us that searched all over the ship for a "pursers desk"). you will see hallways going to the left right, and every other direction. I didnt think the colors were too bad, but then I did use to live in Vegas.
Also on this floor is the floor level entrance to the Spectacular Spectacular Lounge. I thought it was a beautiful place! After we got past the sign and sail thing we went straight to the buffet to eat lunch. To do this you take the elevators (Glass or the ones right by the glass ones) to the 9th floor. Go around the corner and through the hall and doors (you will hear the music !) through the doors you will first see the backs of the musical guests and then the pool. You will be entering right under the big screen. In this picture you can see the big screen and if you look close you can see the singers right under the screen. The area of lounge chairs isnt as small as it looks in pictures..this was one thing I noticed right away because watching the dancing on youtube I kept thinking..HOW can all those people dance in that little space and not fall in the pool!? In this picture you can also see deck 10 and 11 and the slide.
On either side of the pool are tables and chairs for eating and relaxing. Windows floor to ceiling are great for watching all the little boats, and birds before you leave port. After getting our food we came back to this area to eat and "people watch"
After we ate we took our things to our room (That review is already here - Suite 7273) and went exploring the ship (Those reviews and photos to come) until the muster drill. We headed to the muster drill and it was a mad house. My honest opinion is, watch the presentation on this in your room and then head down for the drill so you know where to go and which boat is yours (also printed on the plaque on your staterrom door) because chances are you will not hear a word they are saying. We were standing at the wall with 4 lines of people in front of us...Anyone thats been to Disney World will know what Im talking about when i say "If you can see floor in front of you, your not close enough" It only takes a few minutes once they start..but getting to that part is the trick.
After the Muster Drill we went to the top to watch the sail away (not much of a sail away if you dont have someone to wave goodbye to, but still neat to watch the land get farther and farther away.
