Just off Victory

Hi everyone,

My wife and I just came off the Victory, Ill be posting a review shortly. Sorry, no pictures, (see Gambees review for outstanding photos of the ship.) We visited Ocho Rios and Grand Caymen, and took part in the Chefs Table. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Hello again.

Started our trip with a one day, pre cruise stay at the Intercontinental Miami.We were a little surprised that the taxi fare from the airport to the hotel was $47.00. Beautiful hotel, view of the port from our room. CVS about a block away.We had dinner at Wolfgang Pucks about a block away. Very nice. Pre cruise breakfast at the hotel, very overpriced at $25.00 each for a not so great buffet. Convenient but pricey.

Welcome back, hope you enjoyed your cruise.

Looking forward to your review, thanks for posting it. I enjoyed my cruise on the Victory last October. I too am surprised at that amount for your taxi ride. I flew into Ft Lauderdale and took the Go Shuttle to Miami, but flew back from Miami, and when I got in my taxi at the Port of Miami, he had a screen, with a quoted price of 27.00 that I had to tap to accept the price. so 47.00 in the reverse direction seems like you were over charged. This year I am flying into Miami, so will remember to get the driver to quote me a price before getting into taxi. Looking forward to more of your review:)

You're absolutely right. Our trip from the port to the airport was a flat $27.00. Evidently not the case when going to the hotel!

Before I start, I want to say that I am neither a Carnival cheerleader or critic, I just wanted to share my experience, take it or leave it, your choice. My wife and I have cruised 5 times, three with Carnival, and I was a little bit concerned seeing all the negative reviews about the Victory prior to our sailing, Hopefully this will help someone else.

We purchased FTTF, which was a great choice for us. We arrived at the port about 11:00, were directed right to the counter, received the sign and sail cards, and went to sit and wait for boarding. At about 12:15 they started boarding, we were on the ship by 12:30. Our cabin wasn't ready, so we went to explore the ship. Our cabin was ready and the luggage was delivered by 1:30.

We met our room steward Victor, who introduced himself, and asked if we wanted our room serviced in the morning, evening or both. We chose both. Victor was very low key, we didn't see him much, but everything was taken care of and worked out fine.We are pretty easy going, so we really didn't have any special requirements that needed attention over and above what we received. The last night of our cruise, we needed an additional luggage tag, we called Victor, and he was at our door in less than 5 minutes. Can't ask more than that!

How was the Chefs Table? Where did they hold it?

Is the casino still ridiculously smoky?

The Chefs Table was outstanding, Ill go into it more later. It was held in the library, which was great.

My wife and I are non smokers, so the casino did seem very very smoky. Actually, just walking by seemed to be almost overwhelming, but that comes from a non smoker. We didn't gamble much at all because of it.

Before I start, I want to say that I am neither a Carnival cheerleader or critic, I just wanted to share my experience, take it or leave it, your choice. My wife and I have cruised 5 times, three with Carnival, and I was a little bit concerned seeing all the negative reviews about the Victory prior to our sailing, Hopefully this will help someone else.

 

We purchased FTTF, which was a great choice for us. We arrived at the port about 11:00, were directed right to the counter, received the sign and sail cards, and went to sit and wait for boarding. At about 12:15 they started boarding, we were on the ship by 12:30. Our cabin wasn't ready, so we went to explore the ship. Our cabin was ready and the luggage was delivered by 1:30.

 

We met our room steward Victor, who introduced himself, and asked if we wanted our room serviced in the morning, evening or both. We chose both. Victor was very low key, we didn't see him much, but everything was taken care of and worked out fine.We are pretty easy going, so we really didn't have any special requirements that needed attention over and above what we received. The last night of our cruise, we needed an additional luggage tag, we called Victor, and he was at our door in less than 5 minutes. Can't ask more than that!

Victor on Deck 7??? I loved Victor in January. He was awesome.

The Chefs Table was outstanding, Ill go into it more later. It was held in the library, which was great.

 

My wife and I are non smokers, so the casino did seem very very smoky. Actually, just walking by seemed to be almost overwhelming, but that comes from a non smoker. We didn't gamble much at all because of it.

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing more about the Chefs Table.

I can usually tolerate the smoke in Carnival casinos (unless the person right next to me starts smoking) but we couldn't even go into Victory's casino because it was so smoky. Sorry to hear it hasn't changed since our cruise.

It was Victor on deck 7!!

A note on the condition of the ship. I know it's an older ship, but we didn't see anything drastically wrong. Some worn off paint in some areas, maybe a little rust, but nothing crazy. We had an extended aft balcony, which was great, the room was clean, an older tv, but we didn't even turn it on. During the Chefs Table the Head Chef mentioned that at some point it was going in for dry dock and then sent to China.

Hey! We are cruising on 6 March to the Bahamas on the Victory in an extended aft #7425. Is that the room you had? Never had an extended aft before. How was it?

We were 7416. Room for a lounge chair and two regular chairs. Great!!

Overall, the food was good.Our waiter in the main dining room was Andrew, service was excellent. At dinner I usually ordered some type of beef, the flat iron steak, prime rib, and it was cooked medium rare,as ordered,each time. My wife was more toward the fish, which she also enjoyed. Appetizers were also good, we had the Cesar salad each night also. Dessert was good, chocolate melting cake, baked Alaska, and cherries jubilee were some of the choices. The only item ordered off the "pay" menu was the lobster tail. For $20.00 you received 3 grilled tails. They were on the smaller side, but my wife enjoyed them.

We usually had breakfast on the Lido, where we had made to order omelettes, eggs, fruit, etc. Never more than a couple minute wait. We did eat breakfast in the main dining room, both food and service were just average.

I heard about long lines in the buffet, but really didn't experience it. I think we might have been there earlier than a lot of people, before 9:00 AM. If we wanted something, we got in line, got it and were done.

We never tried it for dinner, so I can't comment.

As far as lunch went, We went to the deli twice, walked right up, no line. The complaint I have there was that the food wasn't hot enough either time we went. We did have pizza also, about a 10 minute wait, and the pizza was good.

We also ordered room service. We ordered wings off the "pay" menu, delivered in about 15 minutes, hot and ready to eat. Our opinion was that the "buffalo sauce" was way too mild, not sure if they gave us the right sauce or we are just used to something much spicier.

Hey! We are cruising on 6 March to the Bahamas on the Victory in an extended aft #7425. Is that the room you had? Never had an extended aft before. How was it?

We are on that cruise also. Keep the details coming on the cruise. Very interested.

You purchased FTTF but your cabin wasn't ready until 1:30? Is that typical with FTTF? That seems about the time that most of the cabins are available anyway - but it's been a little bit since my last cruise.

You purchased FTTF but your cabin wasn't ready until 1:30? Is that typical with FTTF? That seems about the time that most of the cabins are available anyway - but it's been a little bit since my last cruise.

That's what I was wondering! I thought FTTF allowed you early access to your cabin.

I was under the impression that we could get in as soon as boarded. That was not the case for us. We still feel that FTTF was the way to go for the rest of the benefits.

Our first stop was Ocho Rios. Prior to the cruise I tried to arrange an excursion with several operators mentioned on Cruise Critic. We wanted to go to Dunnes River Falls. NOBODY would take us there! Every tour guide wanted to take us to Blue Hole. We did find one that would do it for $120.00!!!:eek:

We decided to just take our chances once we got there.

Getting off the ship was a bit chaotic, took about 20-25 minutes. Once on land, there were taxis and vans galore, we walked up, told them where we wanted to go, we were directed to a van, I asked how much, $10.00 round trip each. That was more like it!

It was a 10 minute ride and we were there. $20.00 each to climb the falls. We were assigned a guide and up we went.

I am not a small guy, 6'2, 260 pounds, it was challenging in some areas, but the guides know where to step, it was a lot of fun. It wasn't too crowded, and they ask you to hold hands, that lasted about 10 seconds. Everyone climbed up in a line, basically on your own, unless you needed help, then the guide would be there. It took about an hour.

Once at the top, on the way out, you need to go through the market area. We were warned by our driver, there is no such thing as a "gift" in Jamaica, and that's what everyone was trying to do, "give" us a "gift." About 40 "no thank yous" later, we were back to the van. On the trip back, the driver asked if anyone wanted an additional tour for 5.00, nobody took them up on it, and we went back to the pier.

We walked through the shopping area about a block from the pier, had a jerk chicken lunch, bought some Blue Mountain coffee, and went back to the ship.

During our short walk, we were approached maybe a dozen times for everything from a taxi ride, to show us the best best place to eat, to asking if we wanted to buy some weed, a "no thanks" took care of it, but it might be uncomfortable for some.

How much was the Blue Mountain coffee? I heard the prices went up quite a bit recently due to a drought.

It was higher than I thought it would be. Started at $54.00 per pound, we ended up paying $28.00.

How was your dinners? Did you do early or later or MTD? Any good advice for tables in the dining room? How was the food? How as the ettertainment? Comedy club?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for any help.

It was higher than I thought it would be. Started at $54.00 per pound, we ended up paying $28.00.

Thanks! I've been reading about $40 a pound. Too high for me. Sounds like you did well at $28.00.

How much was the Blue Mountain coffee? I heard the prices went up quite a bit recently due to a drought.

You know you can buy same coffee at TJ MAX, and Marshalls for $9 a bag, right?