Hello firebyrd,
About the dress code: Until just a few weeks ago the dress code required a more formal dress that included a jacket for men. Unfortunately the "I'll do what I wanna do" contingent refused to cooperate and Carnival never had the guts to stand by it's policy, so, while a large percentage of the passengers dressed up as they should, you saw an increasing number show up in just about anything. It was very sad, as it totally ruined the special experience that used to be formal night.
So now, at least in my opinion, there really is no truely formal night on Carnival cruises. That is how I think of it, so as not to be disappointed. ( If I expect casual, and then get casual, well then I'm OK with that. ) What Carnival does have now is something they call : Cruise Elegant. :lol How elegant it will be remains to be seen, as this is still in the shake-down phase. Here's a quote from Carnival's web page:
That's certainly not very demanding. And I predict that eventually the largest percentage of people will not waste their time to pack and dress, in suits and gowns, even people like myself who really enjoyed the formal experience.
As for the casual nights, (by that I mean the ones actually labeled as casual) here is Carnival’s new code.
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So it would seem that the long shorts will be OK, but they still seem to be asking for collared shirts. (Although, I’d be willing to bet you that there will be many men in tees, despite the rule. I’m not encouraging the wearing of tees here. I just can’t help being cynical about any likelihood of the “I’ll wear what I wanna wear†crowd following that little rule, nor of Carnival ever enforcing it. )
For what it’s worth, here’s the first part of that statement on the Carnival page on what to wear onboard..:
You also asked :
Let me recommend you read through the Cruise Addict's Travel Tips page. The second half of the page is an extensive packing list, so scroll down to find it. Here's the link:
http://www.cruise-addicts.com/Cruise-Travel-Tips/cruise_travel_tips_hints.html page
And about the cabin: Unfortunately, IMHO, I really think five in an ocean view cabin will be exceedingly tight. You didn't say what the ages of the five people are, I'm assuming two adults and three children. Perhaps if that includes three very small children, it would be OK. But if any of those kids are teenage girls, :nono If there's any way you can afford to book two adjoining cabins , then I would strongly encourage you to do so. And if given a choice between one outside cabin, versus two insides, I'd still definitely encourage the two insides. Just for the ability to have the second bathroom.
I took a quick look around and found some photos of outside cabins on the Inspiration. These are mosly 5a and 6a cabins:
http://cruises-cruceros.com/carnival/canival-inspiration-cabin-5a.htm
http://cruises-cruceros.com/carnival/canival-inspiration-cabin-6a.htm
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1056524678042290914YEQKgJ
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1056524745042290914wLSbKW
http://www.cruisecheap.com/images/client/360/18/2.asp
One note about that last link, it is the one with the 3D tour. That view is decptive. As the camera pans past the little desk and show the view down the little hall, (with the closet doors in it) it looks way, way larger and longer than it is. The lens they use make that little hall space look larger, and the fact that the door to the cabin is open, and allows the view to extend out into the public hall, makes it look so long. Trust me, that is not a long, nor wide space in the room. That little hall, that holds the closet it the kind of space where two people do not pass each other without touching or bumbing against each other.
