We haven't quite made it into port yet, but I thought I might post my thoughts on this cruise.  The good, the bad and the ugly.

Service:  Service throughout the ship was excellent.  The staff and crew of the Holiday were great as usual.  Our cabin steward was the best we've had on any of our cruises.  I can't say enough about the staff.  We had zero bad experiences when dealing with any carnival personnel, except the casino staff did relieve me of a great deal of myu hard earned cash. 

The food was okay.  We ate the buffet for breakfast and lunch and ate in the dining room every night.  The breakfast lines were long and slow moving, but the food was well prepared.  The omelettes were great.  Dinner in the dining room was good, but if you want your steak medium rare, ask for rare.  Eat the lobster, I had two.

Shape of the ship:  The ship really shows her age.  Elevetors are small, slow and crowded.  Rust is evident all over the ship, but it's been painted over.  The rumors of brown water are true, but not to the extent I expected.  The water in the sink is clear for the most part, but in the toilet, it is light brown.  The cabin air conditioners worked sometimes and didn't at others.  Complaints of hot cabins abound.  We were in V9 and woke up in Cozumel because the room was so hot we were sweating.  When we boarded the ship in Mobile and in Cozumel, the heat in the cabin was unbearable.  It was repaired and we were fine as long as the ship was moving.  Hot water was available most of the time.  Some people were talking about they didn't have cold water.  We had both hot and cold water on every day except the first day.  Water pressure was real low and the flow from the shower was a trickle at times.  That improved as the cruise progressed.

Weather:  Couldn't have asked for better and the seas were calm and smooth all the way.

Port of Call:  The only port we had was Cozumel.  Prices seemed to be a little higher this trip and the shops were not as apt to barter.  Most said "the price is the price".  Fat Tuesdays was, as usual, a nice place to grab a drink and eat a little food.  We didn't do any activities, but heard from other guests they were great. 

Entertainment was limited if you are into listening to bands, but the band in the Tiki Lounge was better than average if you like southern rock and country.  The piano player in the piano lounge was out "for medical reasons" the only night we made it to the piano bar.  The shows in the main room were well put together and entertaining.  The comedian was good, but we had to leave the room because there weren't enough seats (Standing room only, and not much of that) and the room temperature wasn't comfortable.  The casino staff was helpful and friendly at all times as were the servers of the ever present drinks.  Slots were overall tight, but one guy did win $2700.00 on the first night.

Overall, we had a great time and really enjoyed the cruise.  I probably would not sail the Holiday again if other choices were available, but if it is all I had time for, I would do it in a second.  All things considered, I think we got our moneys worth and more.  It was a very enjoyable trip, despite some issues, but enjoyable never the less.  What made the cruise was the attitude of the staff and the can do attitude the exhibit.

Well, that's it.  Now all that's left is debarkation.  I wish we were headed in the other direction.

I'm sorry you will soon have to get off.  We get on, on Saturday and I know I will be really sad when I have to get off.  Thanks for the review.  We are all so excited that our attitude will make it a great cruise.  You know that heat rises and if you would stay in stearage like me you might be cooler

Leave the door open, Rusty.  I'll be there in a few hours!!!  Thanks for the update.  Think I'll go pack that little fan.

Here's some more good news for you.  Debarkation is a breeze.  Mobile seems to really hae their act together.  Strive to be platinum.  This was our first platinum cruise and we walked off and were through customs in 15 minutes.  Get the  porter and pay the tip.  He got us through customs and took our luggage all the way to our car in the lot in a flash.  This has never happened before.

Hey,  Thanks for the review.  My family and I will be sailing on our first cruise on the holiday on 6/29/2009. 14 days.  I am absolutely beyond excited.  Great to hear your experience.

We just got back from the June 6th cruise, and everything was great!  Yes, the water is brown for the first few seconds, but after that it's okay.  The dining staff was EXCELLENT as usual.  If you're in Seven Seas, try to get Alexander and Jose - they're awesome.  We had one time when the water pressure was low, but you just have to stagger your showers.  Don't try to shower when everyone else is!   Embarkation was typical, but debarkation is a breeze if you ask for a porter.  We did the "zone" thing, and when we got off, we stood immediately in a porter line.  Within 30 seconds, a porter appeared, got our bags as we pointed them out, and zipped us through the entire customs line in about 3 minutess!  We passed all those self-assist people and even the zone people who didn't get a porter.  There is an express porter line, and it's well worth the few dollars tip to get through without a wait.  

Enjoy the ship, she's a fun ship to sail and we had no problem with listing, etc.  The captain announced when we left Cozumel that we had strong winds, so the ship would list for about 30 minutes.  Well, I guess we had been on board too long, because we didn't even notice it.  The entire staff on the Holiday wants to make your vacation a good one, and go out of their way to resolve any problems you may encounter.  You just need to call the main desk if you have any issue! 

Wish I were going back again!

Rusty I am sorry to hear of your small items of concern. And sorry I missed your other post and the free drink. I was with a group and we all had a blast. They have not stopped talking about it yet.

Our water was fine no brown color, hot was hot and cold was cold, air conditioner worked excellent, had to turn it down a couple of times [we were in E37]. {Did have a noisy neighbor with a baby }

Didn't mind the crowded elevators because I ate so much I needed to used the stairs. I too had 2 lobsters. I pretty much had 2 of everything. My waiter were excellent and most accomodating. I can't comment on the breakfast because I stayed up so late at night I missed breakfast. I hope it was as good as lunch was.

I do disagree with your assessment of the slot. They were downright stingy!!! If I must have something to complain about that would be it. The slot are old and don't work. I could get the 7"s to line up at all, not once. They all need to be replaced.

Cozumel was great, we did however, get approached by some people who tried to sell us so crack cocaine. Kind of caught us off guard but we got over it. [couldn't find a cop]

We had a great time and probably would go back again except, my wife wants to go to Jamaica. I doubt if I will get back to the Holiday before here final cruise. I hope all of you who have yet to go will have as great of a time as we did. Tell Chris and Joe in the Seven Seas Dining room Lynn says hello. They know who I am I hope. If they don't tell them I'm the guy who always asked for extra ice cream on the chocolate melt and a baked potatoe with every meal.

Rusty I am sorry to hear of your small items of concern. And sorry I missed your other post and the free drink. I was with a group and we all had a blast. They have not stopped talking about it yet.

Our water was fine no brown color, hot was hot and cold was cold, air conditioner worked excellent, had to turn it down a couple of times [we were in E37]. {Did have a noisy neighbor with a baby }

Didn't mind the crowded elevators because I ate so much I needed to used the stairs. I too had 2 lobsters. I pretty much had 2 of everything. My waiter were excellent and most accomodating. I can't comment on the breakfast because I stayed up so late at night I missed breakfast. I hope it was as good as lunch was.

I do disagree with your assessment of the slot. They were downright stingy!!! If I must have something to complain about that would be it. The slot are old and don't work. I could not get the 7"s to line up at all, not once. They all need to be replaced.

Cozumel was great, we did however, get approached by some people who tried to sell us so crack cocaine. Kind of caught us off guard but we got over it. [couldn't find a cop]

We had a great time and probably would go back again except, my wife wants to go to Jamaica. I doubt if I will get back to the Holiday before here final cruise. I hope all of you who have yet to go will have as great of a time as we did. Tell Chris and Joe in the Seven Seas Dining room Lynn says hello. They know who I am I hope. If they don't tell them I'm the guy who always asked for extra ice cream on the chocolate melt and a baked potatoe with every meal.

Rusty I am sorry to hear of your small items of concern. And sorry I missed your other post and the free drink. I was with a group and we all had a blast. They have not stopped talking about it yet.

Our water was fine no brown color, hot was hot and cold was cold, air conditioner worked excellent, had to turn it down a couple of times [we were in E37]. {Did have a noisy neighbor with a baby }

Didn't mind the crowded elevators because I ate so much I needed to used the stairs. I too had 2 lobsters. I pretty much had 2 of everything. My waiter were excellent and most accomodating. I can't comment on the breakfast because I stayed up so late at night I missed breakfast. I hope it was as good as lunch was.

I do disagree with your assessment of the slot. They were downright stingy!!! If I must have something to complain about that would be it. The slot are old and don't work. I could not get the 7"s to line up at all, not once. They all need to be replaced.

Cozumel was great, we did however, get approached by some people who tried to sell us so crack cocaine. Kind of caught us off guard but we got over it. [couldn't find a cop]

We had a great time and probably would go back again except, my wife wants to go to Jamaica. I doubt if I will get back to the Holiday before here final cruise. I hope all of you who have yet to go will have as great of a time as we did. Tell Chris and Joe in the Seven Seas Dining room Lynn says hello. They know who I am I hope. If they don't tell them I'm the guy who always asked for extra ice cream on the chocolate melt and a baked potatoe with every meal.

rebric:

My family and I will be sailing on our first cruise on the holiday on 6/29/2009. 14 days.  I am absolutely beyond excited.

We are sooooooo ready also!!!

we just got off to. we all had alot of complaints. the vibration was horrible along with a 15 degree tilt. we played bingo every time they had it,and my wife won the free cruise along with another lady. they both had to draw a ball out of the machine and the highest ball wins. well let me tell u that B-2 isnt very big,so we lost out. no free cruise nothing at all.  they tried to smooth it over with a free bottle of champagne,but i told them where they could put it. staff tried to get tori the cruise director,but she wouldnt even talk to us.

now lets talk about the smell. WOW  certain parts smelt like raw sewer.

the weather was great,along with our room stewart and the food.

but im still not done with carnival yet, i want my free cruise

Hey revdrh...sorry to see you're home, LOL.  I think you missunderstood my slot assessment.  They were overall tight and didn't pay much.   I only saw two people win any significant amount, and one of those only won $300.00.  The one guy did win $2700.00.  We saw it happen.

We had some friends in cabin E-19 and their airconditioner never worked.  We never could seem to figure out the rhyme of reason why one room was fine and the other burning up despite being on the same floor in the same general area. 

There was a really noisy baby in the Dining room that about drove us crazy the first and third night.  I felt sorry for the child the last night because she didn't look like she felt well.  I hope she was just tired.  We met our neighbors but we never heard a peep out of them the whole trip.  The cabin was wonderful whenever the air was working.  And I have to say, when it was working, it was working VERY well.

Glad you all had a good time.  We always seem to find a way to have a good time without having to work to hard at doing it.  The Fantasy is moving to Mobile and if you liked the Holiday, you'll love the Fantasy.  Slightly larger, not too many people, and the service is as good as the Holiday.

Enjoy the evening.

Yes, sir...there was a little vibration.  I never noticed the 15 degree tilt.  Maybe I was listing 15 degrees in the opposite direction.  I wouldn't doubt that at all.

What, you lost in a tie breaker?  Did the other lady get the cruise?

We enjoyed the 6/11 cruise very much.  Service on the cruise was great.  Rusty, I have a quick question:  We are planning on taking our children next summer (ages 6-17) and were wanting some input on the Fantasy.  It was just the two of us on the holiday and the crowd seemed more of a party crowd which was fine with us. Do you remember if the fantasy seemed to have many kids and are the kid activities pretty good on that boat?  We would like to stay with the Mobile port because we are only 3 1/2 to 4 hrs away. Also I saw that the Fantasy has "Water Works" water activities. Thanks

The ship has nothing to do with the crowd.  I think it has to do with the time that you go and where you are going out of.  I have been on the Holiday two different times and both times were very different types of crowds. 

The 17yr old you will probably never see....the 6yr old will have a blast at camp carnival.  Just book it and enjoy!