cwestbrook

Oh, and I had motion sickness for the first time ever. Can't say for sure it was being in the back but I can't figure out anything else. The seas were calm and it went away when I was on land.

I was on Deck 6 Aft. The vibrations only bothered me as we were pulling into port. One day that was pretty early.

The worst thing for me was the humidity on the balcony. It was like a sauna. I've had other side balconies and they were nothing like this. It wasn't like this up on deck either. Just back there. I think it is the churning of the water below. It was like this even late in the evening when temps had cooled off. It made the balcony unusable and I had paid extra money just for that.

In previous years I have just asked for one at the window and was given one. This past August, they said you had to be playing in the casino so I just sat down at the cheapest slot machine I could find and played a few minutes. When a waiter came around and asked if I needed anything I asked her if I could have a lanyard and she got me one.

I think it would be really tough in both the MDR and buffet areas.

I've only been on Triumph but I have been to all five ports and I vote the Magic.

Thanks Fedic and Methosage. I'm glad to have both these documents.

I thought Princess did a much better job with entertainment during the day---NOT, the the usual game shows. On our Alaskan cruise, one day they had a woman speak who had moved to Alaska as a child and her family's adventures living that lifestyle. Another day Libby Riddles, who won the Iditarod, spoke--both had lots of great pictures.

On Princess, there was always something to do that interested me. On Carnival I look and look for things to do that interest me and get bored---I don't care for the usual day time games.

I loved the more elegant, adult atmosphere of Princess as well.

I know from reading posts here that some ports are a lot more strict than others. In Galveston they made a big deal of looking to be sure there was an original seal on the bottle. I'm sure they are checking that you haven't emptied the wine and put in liquor. I saw someone in front of me have their bottles taken away from them.

Don't wrap it up too much. In Galveston we had to pull them out of our carryon bags and they inspected the seal on the cork/lids.

Also they are supposed to be taken onboard in your carryon, not in checked luggage.

We were on the Triumph in late July (after 2.0) and did smell sewage from time to time but I have smelled sewage on Carnival Conquest and on Princess Island.

I agree the traffic flow is horrible during the evening when all the photographers with their backdrops are set up. It wouldn't be so bad if there weren't so many and if they didn't do it every night. This is all pretty much on one deck--not all over the ship.

The Triumph is smaller than the Conquest. The same photography stations weren't a problem on the Conquest because there was a lot more walking room.

We really enjoyed the food but we are not food snobs nor do we go to expensive restaurants so it was a treat for us.

We waited until we were on our cruise to book one but it sold out so we had to do something else. Just something to think about. I hadn't really thought about limited space on the transportation getting you to your excursion.

I've always been midship and never had any trouble with motion. My last cruise, I was on deck 6 of Triumph in an aft cabin. I had trouble the whole cruise with my stomach. It was fine before and after the cruise.

I was on the Triumph in late July/early August (after upgrade) and I completely agree with everything you said--especially with the traffic flow in several places and the need for some upkeep of the ship (one of our drawers totally fell apart when we pulled it out the first day and it was never repaired. We just had to leave it sitting on the floor.

I know Carnival is less expensive--you sure get what you pay for these days. I too am glad there are more choices for us Texans.

You know, I don't know why it is so bad to look like I'm from the U.S. if I want to wear white sneakers and/or a fanny pack. So what? I'm proud to be from the U.S.

There are tourists from other countries that I can pick out easily by what they wear. No one thinks that is bad.

You are going to look like a tourist no matter what you wear.

It depends on if the weather will be hot. I paid $120 extra for an aft balcony and regretted it. Hot and very humid back there. I wasn't able to use the balcony as much as I usually use a side balcony.

Some ports may have a vowel renewal service. Friends did it on the beach in Hawaii. May be cheaper.

See the thread about the difference in desserts between the Lido buffet and MDR. No comparison. I think it's the same with the food, IMO.

How about doing a little of both?

I agree that the buffet desserts look great but are tasteless. They need to add SUGAR!!

And use butter, real eggs and good vanilla instead of shortening, fake eggs and fake vanilla. Makes a huge difference.

I will miss all the choices--especially dessert choices.

Great post

First sea day, which is the 2nd night of the cruise. At least that's when it was in August.

5 and 4 day cruises leave all days of the week so Saturday doesn't matter.

I don't think it was some kind or organized drug dealer situation. Probably just a teen/young adult who had it selling some to another person. My SIL saw it all happen and since he was so close was asked to give a statement to security.

My SIL couldn't sleep so went out on the Lido deck around 2am. Saw some interesting things. Drug deal going on and then security moving in.

This isn't a cruise but airport TSA...my daughter went through 4 checkpoints in the last week and had several needles (infertility treatments). She didn't pull them out and never had anyone ask about them.

We had a group of 6 and really wished we had them this past summer. I don't think I ever saw anyone else talking on a walky talky which surprised me. I think they probably only say a few words at a time and keep it short. It's so noisy on the ship I don't think you would hear others talking on them unless they were shouting.

I'm in my mid fifties and I enjoyed your review. Not all those boring details so many include but LOTS of great pictures with captions.

Hope you will continue to write reviews.