Review....March 13 Triumph Western Cruise

[Jabee]

Get ready because you are going to have a great time.

 

The Triumph is great, and the weather has been improving in the Carribean. My nephew went in January...too cold...a friend went in Feb...and it rained the entire time....our trip in March we had incredible weather the entire time.

 

We did get a storm in one stop that delayed us departing Roatan for three hours. It caused us to not arrive at Cozumel until 11:30, but we got to stay until 7:00 instead.

 

We left at 7:00 and still arrived in NOLA on time.

 

Embarkation was a mess. The ship did not get in until 9:15 in the morning because of weather issues. Then, it took 6 hours to get the previous cruisers off. The Customs were searching for someone. We sat in the Embarkation are from 10:30 until 2:45 when we finally were allowed to board. The real issue was that we could not get any info on why or when. They allowed people to leave the building to go and eat lunch and told them to be back at 2:00 and then at 3:00. A few took advantage, but most of us stayed. It was absolutely miserable, but by the end of the week it was just a bad memory.

 

You really need to know three decks....

Deck 3 is the lobby deck with the Pursers Desk, Excursions Desk, Lower level of the London Dining Room and the Main floor of the Rome Show Lounge (where most of the shows take place.)

 

If you eat in the Paris Dining Room, you have to go to the rear of the ship and then go down on an elevator. It is a bit of a pain, but one of the quirks of the ship.

 

Deck 5 is the Promenade Deck with the lounges, the Casino, and the Rio Lounge (where karaoke is held as well as the late night shows.)

 

Deck 9 of course if the Lido and you know what is there.

 

You will have a different Cruise Director as Jen took over the day we got off, so there might be some changes, but not much. Carnival is going to a standard schedule of events fleet wide, so all five day trips will have the same events at the same time.

 

The staff is fantastic. We had a bad problem at embarkation as the previous cruise was late getting in and Customs had to individually get people off the ship. But, the next cruise things were great and on time.

 

They will have Boat Drills at 3:30 and the ship should sail at 4:00.

You will NOT have to take your vest, and it is a very short talk. SO, when they are done, you are ready to go.

 

In Beleize we did not do a tour since we have been there before and saw the Mayan Ruins and the city tour. We went on shore and visited all the shops in port, and just walked around.

 

In Roatan we did the West Side tour to see the Island, see all the Plant life and visit a bird sanctuary.

 

In Cozumel we went to Nachi Cocum. It was my second trip there and it was absolutely amazing. The water was a bit cold, but it was just so great to lay out in the sun (it was about 85 the day we were there.) The food was great and they kept the drinks flowing all day long. The beach was full (they limit to 100 a day) but, still never felt crowded.

 

We had 1,000 kids on board during the week, but did not have any real problems. The Camp Carnival folks got great raves from the parents in our Roll Call. I was impressed when I saw them as well.

 

They do enforce rules such as no drinks in the Hot Tubs and no kids in the rear Hot Tubs. But, chair savers were still very active.

 

They shows every night were great, and the male singer is one of the best I have ever seen at Carnival. The Dancers were also wonderful. I enjoyed getting to know them as a part of the Legends Show (you will have a talent show on a five nighter.)

 

I will warn you that the costumes can get pretty revealing. The Magic Show costumes were especially so. We even saw some people with children leave the theater. I loved the last show "The Big Easy" and it is a great tribute to New Orleans. The other big show is "Music Around the World" (or something similar.) It had some fantastic backdrops and is also not to be missed.

 

Ashley in Karaoke is one the best hosts I have met, and they have Karaoke at 8:30 every night. However, they also have late night Comedy and we had a late night Burlesque Show, so Karaoke ended at 10:30 on two nights.

 

I visited the Piano Bar a couple of times, but have to say I was not impressed. After five songs in a row that I had never heard, I decided to leave. I came back the next night, and again, he was singing stuff that is not what you expect in a Piano Bar. He is an excellent piano player and has a very good voice, but I decided to go throw some money in the casino instead of listening to him.

 

The Casino was very tight. I did not see many people winning except on the penny machines. They only had two Blackjack tables with $5 limits, and they were packed the entire time. I had coupons for match play, and never could get a seat.

 

We ate all our meals in the London Dining Room. Ajim was our Maitre'd and he was exceptional. Our servers were incredible and they really had a good time. Yes, they sing and dance and really enjoy performing.

 

Our Stewards were also amazing, as always. We are really missing them today when we had to make out own beds.

 

A great highlight, was after we finally got on board, I walked up to the Lido Deck, and heard a voice calling, Welcome Back Jimmy. I turned thinking someone had seen my id, when she said, I remember you from the Fantasy. Her name was Petra, and she made my cruise right there.

 

Debarkation was a bit rocky I have learned from others. DW and I are platinum, and we were told to come to the Rome at 8:00. We did so, and at 8:15 we were able to leave the ship. We were in the car driving at 8:30.

We left at the same time that Level 1 & 2 were leaving self assist.

 

However, I have learned that some of our Roll Call did not get off the ship until 12:30 so there must have been some issues.

 

We had one of the best Roll Calls ever. We had planned a Meet and Greet on the first day, but with everyone arriving so late, only a few made it.

 

On the first Sea Day, we had a Cocktail Party. We had over 45 adults and 11 children. Unfortunately, we only had two servers, but everyone still seemed to get plenty to drink and most important, had a great time meeting each other.

 

It was so good to put faces to on-line names and we seemed to see each other all over the ship.

 

As usual, the big problem is that the cruise was toooo short.

But, it was a great time and I hope to repeat it again.

[CruizinMom2c]

Sounds like a great cruise! I am glad the weather is getting better..I hope it continues to do so for our trip.

 

 

 

Thanks for your review and I agree..the worst part is that the cruises are too short :)

[fircrackr]

When comparing to my cruise in 2006 on the Fantasy, I was very disappointed with this cruise.

 

The staff was not as friendly, most would not even speak when you spoke to them. The ship was not as well kept nor was the service as good as I remember from my 2006 cruise.

 

We had my daughter, my boyfriends daughter, and my daughter's boyfriend with us and we had really talked up the cruise experience only for them to be let down.

[BooBooMonkey]

We'll be on Triumph next Monday! Can't wait.

:D

 

Got pictures?

 

Boo

[Superd296]

We were on this cruise as well and if I had to sum it up in a couple of words I would say..."no customer service". Carnival needs to formulate a plan to accomodate us when a problem comes up like the one that happended on embarkation. They were aware that Customs was going to check every person so they knew there would be a problem with 2500 people in a room with seating for half that. We sat on the floor for 4 hours in that crowded, smelly, hot room. They were kind enough to give us stale granola bars and room temperature bottled water, but I was looking forward to my first "free" lunch on the ship. If Carnival knows that this can happen they could arrange for an alternate venue to move the unseated people to. (There are numerous convention facilities in New Orleans within walking distance to the port). They could then provide a catered meal and maybe some entertainment (to keep everyone happy). I realize this would be a big expense but we paid over $3000 for this cruise and I feel like for that kind of money they could handle things a little better when a problem comes up. I was really disappointed in Carnival and won't cruise with them again.

[karenh1127]

Hey Jabee.....someone from my town was on this cruise and she put $20 bucks in the slots and after 30 mins hit it for $6000! The only winnings I heard about too. As far as embarkation, the water and granola bars were an improvement. On our first cruise we sat in the terminal from 11am until 1:30am with no food or water. Children and babies were crying and some adults too, probably me! A huge nightmare so the water and bars were a welcome sight to me. There was a snack bar in the NOLA terminal but they ran out of stuff quickly. I did a mini review on our roll call so check it out. We had a great cruise but I prefer the Ecstasy or Conquest any day over the Triumph. JMHO

[Cheala from the south]

Hi & thank you for the review Jabee, we cant wait to go. What did you think of Belize? once you tender you go to little shopping area & then in the back the last time I was there they had guards saying leave area at your own risk, did you see this? Maby it has changed since our last visit its been a while but when we where there we saw many people ,citizens riding bikes w/ large guns on there backs. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh Please I have 1 more question whats up with customs? where they checking people getting off the ship or on? Thanks Cheala

[truchattycathy]

Thanks Jabee, I love your outlook! Thanks for the review. I am going on the Triumph in Oct. and can't wait!

 

To all of those of you that were upset. When our embarkation was delayed in Galveston, everyone checking in was given a $15 OBC and told to go eat lunch and return later in the day. I thought that was very thoughtful of Carnival.

[Jabee]

The mess at Embarkation was a big downer. I wish Carnival could learn a simple thing called COMMUNICATION.

 

If they had just given us an idea of what was happening it would have helped. Intest we kept being told...you should board at 12:30...then 1:30 and then 2:00...and finally 2:30.

 

And the rumor mills were starting... a death on the ship... a drug bust...

late because a a long stay over for maintenance in Nassau... the previous cruise missed a port.... bad storms over the gulf.

 

Still not sure which ones were true and which were not.

 

And, then when we were three hours late leaving Roatan, we were told it would not affect the schedule. And, then the next morning, we wake up at 9:00, and are told we will not arrive until noon.

 

I actaully appreciated the water and granola bars. I still remember my first cruise, which was from Galveston on the Conquest we stood in line for over three hours to board the ship. Of course, that was less than a month after Katrina.

 

I just found a way to put that behind me, and enjoy the ship, being away from home, having awesome stewards, fantastic meal service, and some very entertaining shows.

 

Like I said, after Petra saw me and recognized me from past cruises, my cruise was made. I am sorry those coming will not get to see her, as she is on vacation.

 

Also, we had a fill in CD, as Jorge left the ship early for foot surgery. Squishy is just not read yet, and some of that showed. I did not want to dwell on that much, as he is also gone and on vacation.

 

Jen Baxter joined the ship, and will now be the CD. I hope she gets things in order better.

[medcruiser8]

JaBee

I enjoyed reading your review - as a fellow cruiser I found it very informative and accurate with a positive bent. I could have just said "what he said" and saved some time writing.;)

[autobahn]

We sailed on the Fantasy out of Mobile for Spring Break this year and are thinking of doing the Triumph out of NO on 3-12-2011 for Spring Break next year. Looking at the ship plan, it looks like the Paris is the more exciting dining room with lots of windows. One question the family had though, does the Paris move around a lot more being in the back of the boat vs. the middle and can you feel it? Would hate to book a table at the window and not be able to enjoy our meal. Also, is breakfast served in both rooms or just one and if so, which one? Thanks in advance.

[fircrackr]

We had dinner in Lower London and it was very nice and there are windows to the side. We had table 100 and it was almost center of the room, and had a barrier seperating it from the tables that were a couple steps lower. Which worked out nice for me as I can't stand people to walk behind me and hit my chair while I'm trying to eat.

 

Breakfast was only served in the Paris dining room. We ate lunch there one day on a calm sea day and there was lots of movement, I thought compared to the dinners we had in London on rough nights with little movement noticed.

 

I thought the London dining room was nicer.

[autobahn]

We had dinner in Lower London and it was very nice and there are windows to the side. We had table 100 and it was almost center of the room, and had a barrier seperating it from the tables that were a couple steps lower. Which worked out nice for me as I can't stand people to walk behind me and hit my chair while I'm trying to eat.

 

Breakfast was only served in the Paris dining room. We ate lunch there one day on a calm sea day and there was lots of movement, I thought compared to the dinners we had in London on rough nights with little movement noticed.

 

I thought the London dining room was nicer.

 

Thanks. Think we will ask for a window in lower London. We will have a group of 8 this time.

[scamper713]

I was on the cruise that arrived late.

 

We did not miss any ports. They had a maintenance issue in Nassau. We arrived at 1:00 a.m. and left over 24 hours later at 3:00 a.m.

 

For us on the cruise, it was nice, because we had a long stay in Nassau.

 

However, not so nice for those having to wait to get on board. Sorry about that because I can imagine how that was.

 

It seems like the port should have a better system to handle issues like that. Shouldn't be so hard to come up with a solution.

 

I really enjoyed the cruise. I never had any issues with customer service. They employees were all courteous and nice. I thought the food was fine. I'm always amazed how many people the ship serves.........

 

Happy sailings!