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HolyCityGamecock

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    Victorious disappointment

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On our Valor cruise last year it poured rain in Nassau. We stayed on the ship, which we do often in port, and enjoyed the quiet. Later that day we met a couple who threw on ponchos and explored Nassau in the driving rain. He said they had a great time and the rain even let up after a couple of hours. That's the spirit!

     

     

     

    I've been on a lot of booze cruises. The first night is always loud and rowdy. I almost get pleasure out of seeing all the poor bastages in the buffet the next morning nursing their hangovers. Day 2 is usually a lot quieter! ;p

     

     

    I can tell you, this trip wasn't a booze cruise.

     

     

    First cruise: Carnival Victory, 4/17/2017

    Victorious disappointment

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    My wife and I were on that ship on that sailing. We had a great time. We got off in Key West, rode a trolley to the Butterfly Conservatory (or whatever it is called). We were on the port side forward for the muster. Didn't see a fight. Not saying it did not happen. Our room was perfect. Our steward was awesome. Matey was great. The fun staff were wonderful (free hugs, purple hair, and all). The shows were a bit racy for our tastes (butts galore). The one comedy show we went to was a bit flat (perhaps it didn't strike a cord with my interests). All in all we had a great time. Honestly, I have never been on a bad cruise. Perhaps I am easy to please. Perhaps I am lucky. Don't know. Don't care. I plan on making the best of whatever is in front of me. Oh... I almost forgot. I saw someone not dressed perfect for elegant night and it made my food taste bad. Sorry... had to. :-) Cheeeeeeeeeerio

     

    Cheeeeeeerrrrriooooo! You, like us, didnt go in with a negative attitude. I think that is clear.

    Victorious disappointment

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    By choice. It was storming. Pouring rain. The people we saw get off the ship would run to the nearest awning, and just stand there drenched. We had planned on walking around town, going to the Southernmost Point and climb up the lighthouse. It wasn't meant to be.

     

    We put on ponchos and walked everywhere along with a ton of other people. I dont know how hard that is to do?

    Victorious disappointment

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Totally different experience of course. I will be sailing on the Victory in July, I've heard it a few times about food choices on this ship but if I lose weight on there good for me :')

     

    I dont understand why people have to "stay on the boat" when it rains. I mean, my God, they must have Ombrophobia. Ridiculous.

    Victorious disappointment

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Just back from a 4 night cruise aboard the Carnival Victory. We sailed during the week of April 17th. We hadn't sailed in a few years. We'd done the same itinerary before but on a different Carnival ship.

     

    The cruise wasn't awful, just disappointing. It started with the lifeboat drill. The crew wasn't ready to handle it. Major chaos with people shoving each other. A fight even broke out with people screaming at each other and the crew just stood there and watched with a smirk. Other passengers had to step in and break the fight.

     

    Stormed in Key West so that was a bust. We couldn't get off the ship. Now, before someone says that the cruise line can't control the weather, I'm fully aware of that. What the cruise line can control is what they do as a response to bad weather and what activities they have available for passengers that don't involve being outdoors. Many activities were canceled and people were just roaming around a claustrophobically full ship. No music, no activities in the lounges. With a little of creativity they could've moved some of the entertainment to indoor venues but that wasn't the case. Casino was obviously closed until we left port which left little to do besides sitting at a bar drinking (which may be super fun for some but not for all 3,000 passengers onboard).

     

    Food wasn't great. It was plentiful and there were a few good things, but many things left me feeling grossed out. More than once I found myself leaving most of my plate almost full after a bite or two. I actually got on the scale when I got home and I lost weight (I guess something good came out of this!) I know I shouldn't expect upscale cusine, but at a minimum I expect food that doesn't leave me wondering if I may get sick.

     

    Our cabin, an oceanview in the Riviera deck was nice but poorly cleaned. Trash was left under the vanity and we found someone else's bathing suit still hanging in the shower. There were used Q tips behind the door when we walked in and we actually left them there to see how long it would take before the steward noticed. By day 3 they were still there so we picked them up and threw them in the trash.

     

    On our last Carnival cruise we had fun, and I enjoyed it very much. We made some good friends that we still keep in touch with via Facebook. Not so much this time. Many fellow cruisers were poorly behaved and this affected our enjoyment. Lots of people who either don't get out much or have never taken the time to learn some manners and courtesy and who didn't care much about screaming profanities even in the presences of small children at dinner. Now I'm all about having fun and letting go of inhibitions, but I'm also about having some sort of restraint and respect for others people's vacation.

     

    I messaged some of the friends that we met on our previous cruise and 2 said that they've sailed again on Carnival but will not do so again. They've had similar experiences as ours and refuse to be lured back with Carnival's affordable prices and fun advertisement. I feel the same way.

     

    We got off the ship glad that we took a vacation, but at the same time feeling disappointed and wishing that the experience had been a bit better. I think that Carnival still offers a lot for the money, but maybe they've taken the experience a bit too far down for many cruisers.

     

    We are not rich or sophisticated people, and even though this was one of the cheapest cruises that we could find, we still had to work hard to afford it. We didn't expect luxury (or cared for it), but I don't think that the things that we were expecting were unrealistic.

     

    We were on the same ship, on the same dates. Ill match point for point with you, and give my experiences.

     

    1. Lifeboat Drill. It really didnt seem that long, and everyone was very orderly. At least where I was. Even the lifeboat "instructor" was very funny and advertising his band in the casino lounge. It could have been worse, but it wasnt.

     

    2. Key West - I, and many, many others, got off the ship and did activities. We walked to Hemingway's House. We had drinks at Sloppy Joes. It rained, big deal. Thats when you put on a poncho and walk to wherever. It didnt stop us from having a great time.

     

    3. The food was fine. Honestly, I prefered the buffet food overall over the MDR food, but nothing was actively bad. Everything we ate (which was A LOT), tasted very good. The Seafood Shack was great.

     

    4. Everyone we encountered was friendly to us. Our neighbors down the hall were a little rowdy on the first day, and embarkation morning, but it was basically excitement and disappointment of getting on/leaving the ship. Everyone, including the staff, had a smile on their face (except for one bartender, but it happens).

     

    I couldnt have been happier, but its funny to see two different opinions. I think it boils down to having a positive mind over a negative one when entering a cruise ship. We looked at the good in things and took advantage. Seems like you saw any negative things you wanted to see. Too bad.

    Carnival Victory Review - 4/17 to 4/21/2017

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Cruise Report

    4/17 to 4/21/2017

     

    Hi all. Had a great time on the Carnival Victory. I won't bore you with the intricate details, but I will share with you my overall impressions on the important things.

     

    Embarkation:

    Easy process. Got in early and were the 3rd group in line. They let us in the terminal around 9:45am. It took 5 minutes. We waited until 11:30 and we were on the boat and having lunch at 11:50. Couldn't have been smoother.

     

    Debarkation:

    Easier. Pulled our luggage off. They called Deck 6 ahead of schedule at 8:45 and we were off the boat 10 minutes later.

     

    Entertainment:

    The ship needs more things to do that don't involve sitting around and drinking or gambling or spa activities. We attended a few game shows, which were great, and went to both stage shows. Living in America is hokey and terrible, while Vroom is very fun. I recommend doing the Carnival Quest. I can't talk about it, but it's worth going. Also, the comedy club needs to be in a larger location.

     

    Food:

    Honestly, I thought the food at Lido was mostly better than the dining room. We enjoyed the dining room experience, but it was hit or miss. Highlights include goat, WCMC, Escargots, Stuffed Mushrooms, Portobello Mushroom entree. Try the Seafood Shack. Lobster Rolls were terrific. We had room service most late nights and it was fast and good.

     

    Cheers Program:

     

    Worth it. We had around 11 drinks a day so it added up and we saved a bunch of money using the program. Service was always fast. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a drink except for the Comedy Club. There were just too many people for the waiter to manage. TRY THE ALCHEMY BAR.

     

    Staff:

     

    Cruise Director Matey was fun and his Cheerrrrrrrrioooo signature line is quite addicting. His assistant Lee, the Comedy Club Manager, should be a Cruise Director one day. He is a blast. Never got a cold shoulder from anyone other than this older guy who tends bar in the Ionian Room. He's an *******. Nikola in the Alchemy Bar is the best and a true pro.

     

    For our honeymoon, they offered us 50 in 32d165805edeb2d980bb5548e7e3f8de.jpg0f210841973d812b987a5b6f37e61d88.jpg66210138af1513367d5f78ab4f86afd8.jpg7924a9acf36b837e0045989e6d6fe771.jpg5973380cc22c4327428ccf8d5a4c4578.jpg12a7c1a1a014e8b9ecfb7a37cd946e86.jpgspa credit but we didn't use it. My wife did have her hair cut in the salon for 70, and the people did a great job.

     

    Room:

     

    We were in 6366, a balcony room. Completely updated, beautiful room. Fridge, hair dryer, flat screen TV. The only problem we had was, well, we were changing clothes when the balcony divider swung open and a staff member went barging through on sea day. They were supposed to clean the balconies from 10am to 12pm but he thought it was okay to do at 1pm. I dunno if he saw us but easy to say I went and filed a complaint. Stick to your claims, Carnival!

     

    Ports:

     

    Key West rained the whole time we were there. We walked to Hemingway's House and did that tour which was great, then walked to Sloppy Joes and bought some touristy crap in that area.

     

    DONT do the excursion for this. Our table mates did for double the cost and half the value. Do it yourself.

     

    Cozumel:

     

    We did the Paddle Board and Snorkeling excursion. It was a great time. Paddle Boarding is exhausting but Snorkeling is something I can do forever. Mario is an amazing guide and the entire staff from port to the beach area was outstanding.

     

    I don't know what I am forgetting.

     

    Tidbits:

     

    1. Victory is dry docking in Jan of 2018 and getting the 2.0 upgrades.

     

    2. Very easy to get around the ship, but we always got confused going to the Pacific Dining Room. You have to go down 2 levels from Deck 5 in the back.

     

    3. Serenity area was great except on sea day when it was just too windy and the hot tubs were lukewarm.

     

    If you have any questions about anything let me know. Thanks!

     

    Some pics are below. Excuse the messy room. Just wanted to give y'all some pictures.

     

     

    First cruise: Carnival Victory, 4/17/2017

    Non-AI or Resort Activities

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Not a lot of "activities" downtown other than shopping, drinking, eating! Here is a link to a self guided walking tour, which includes most points of interest:

    http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/CozumelCruisesOnYourOwnWalkingTour.htm

    Other tours that come to mind Amazing Race, Food tours and walking photo tour, Cooking with Josefina.

     

    Snorkeling could be achieved by $10 taxi south of Puerta Maya to Money Bar before or after downtown trip. Or if you take a taxi downtown, walking back towards the ship you could snorkel at Jeanies, or No Name Bar at Hotel Barracuda on the edge of town. You can easily get a taxi back anywhere along Rafael Melgar, Main Street.

     

    Thank you for the kind assistance.

     

    Does Money Bar cost anything to enter?

    Non-AI or Resort Activities

    in Cozumel

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    So we will be in Cozumel on the 19th. We do not want to do any AI/resorts. We are looking into exploring the downtown area. The ship will dock at Puerta Maya. It seems easy to get a cab and take it downtown and go exploring. Any recommendations for activities? I heard there are some great authentic restaurants and museums.

     

    We MAY want to do snorkeling - how easy is that to find? Can we just scour the beaches near the port, or is there a better spot farther away?

     

    Thanks for your help.

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