Victory Review~~4/4/10

[Buffettfan 225]

1.2. You have a choice to go left or right towards the security checkpoints. There were just 2 that I saw. One you are inside, there is a hallway which connects the 2 terminals...it is also the hallway where you go to the baggage claim. There seemed to be more vendors/restaurants/stores in the terminal to the LEFT. Our terminal had only one food vendor, a liquor store, and a Hudson News store, and maybe a few other small vendors.

 

Mine fell off before we got to the gate! It was a cheap little sticker!

No surprise on sticker.

As far as terminals, can you get between them after security? or are they separate? Just wondering if it will matter which security we go thru.

[duchessuta]

Do they offer the Future Cruise Certificates on the Victory?

 

Do you know if Air Tran is one of the airlines available for Luggage Express?

 

I loved your review! We leave in a week and a half and I'm so excited!!!

[CruiseLover824]

No surprise on sticker.

As far as terminals, can you get between them after security? or are they separate? Just wondering if it will matter which security we go thru.

 

Sorry..I guess I wasn't overly clear in my other answer---YES, you can go between the terminals once you are past security. :D

 

 

Do they offer the Future Cruise Certificates on the Victory?

 

 

Do you know if Air Tran is one of the airlines available for Luggage Express?

 

 

I loved your review! We leave in a week and a half and I'm so excited!!!

 

 

 

 

Duchessuta...I don't remember seeing the future cruise certificates anywhere on the ship. I know on the Valor, there was an actual desk for it--the only desk I saw was the shopping expert's desk by the casino.

 

I really don't remember if Air Tran was on the list for the luggage express. They will give you a sheet I think on Tuesday with all the airlines that participate. I want to say that they were the first one listed....but I don't remember for sure.

 

You will LOVE this cruise! I would go again in a minute!

[kenrod]

Do they offer the Future Cruise Certificates on the Victory?

 

Do you know if Air Tran is one of the airlines available for Luggage Express?

 

I loved your review! We leave in a week and a half and I'm so excited!!!

Unfortunately, the Victory does not offer this. I looked all week last week for the Future Cruises desk, and finally near the end of the cruise I asked at the Purser's Desk and they told me that this is not available on the Victory at this time.

 

Such a pity. I used our Future Cruise Certificate that we bought on the Freedom last year for our Victory cruise last week. If the Victory had this available, I would have bought one or two more certificates!

[83Heritage]

When I cruised last year on the Destiny, in Half Moon Cay we decided not to do a excursion, but the beach was right next to the pier. Carnival provided the tender to the pier as the anchor aways out. Is it the same for the Victory itinerary? My mom will be cruising with us, and has really bad Rheumatoid Arthritis to the point she can't walk for more than 10-15 minutes. She probably won't do many excursions with us. Are there any beaches close by the ports that you can simply walk to? Or is everything a Taxi/excursion trip for all ports?

[Buffettfan 225]

When I cruised last year on the Destiny, in Half Moon Cay we decided not to do a excursion, but the beach was right next to the pier. Carnival provided the tender to the pier as the anchor aways out. Is it the same for the Victory itinerary? My mom will be cruising with us, and has really bad Rheumatoid Arthritis to the point she can't walk for more than 10-15 minutes. She probably won't do many excursions with us. Are there any beaches close by the ports that you can simply walk to? Or is everything a Taxi/excursion trip for all ports?

I have been to some of the ports that Carnival Victory is offering and sailing Victory in July.

Here is my humble opinion: all taxis but most close by, St.Maarten is water taxi and close.

 

St.Thomas- when docked the taxis line up right there, and if docked further down, often have a shuttle like you find in theme parks to get you to taxi stand. We have taken the open air taxi to Megan's Bay, and it drops you right next to beach. The walking would be to get onto beach from open air taxi, and if she wanted to go inside gift shop & bathrooms. It is all paved except beach of course! In order to get chairs/umbrella if I recall correctly, need to send someone into gift shop and pay for them, then come outside to shed area where attendant distributes them.

Dominica- not known for beaches

 

Barbados- cannot comment, but per my research may want to check into a taxi to Rockley/Accra Beach, many local small establishments right on beach. There is also a very lively beach area called Boatyard booked thru ship that includes chairs/umbrella,drink, and taxi back only minutes from port.For my parents (age in 70's) I am looking into Hilton (on atlantic side-so not good for swimming but a view and beach) they can choose to sit by a gorgeous pool, and still view ocean :per another CC post:

Hilton hotel day pass:

They have a day pass which included use of the the beach, pool, chairs, umbrellas, towels, shower facitlity, lunch and a drink for $35.00 pp. Taxi fare was $5.00 pp each way. 10 minute drive from the ship. Taxis available at the Hilton. They said lunch was delicious. Restaurant is on the beach. Had the signature Flying fried fish and a frozen mojito.............next time we'll go to the Hilton

 

St.Lucia- mixed reviews, and would require walking thru hotels to get to beach. IMO not a choice for limited mobility

Otherwise did read this review from a CC post:

"We just got back from a cruise on the Celebrity Summit and spent our day in St. Lucia at the Rendezvous. We were considering Secrets, but it was a longer cab ride and at $110 per person it just didn't seem like good value. The Rendezvous is about a 10 minute ride from the pier, and we paid $50 per person to use the facilities from 11AM to 5PM. This included very prompt and courteous drink service on the beach (just plant a flag in the sand and someone quickly materializes to take your order) and a decent buffet lunch in the main restaurant.

 

The beach is just "okay" in my opinion, but the pool areas are a real standout (there are three: a very secluded section with linked shallow pools and cosy sitting/lounging areas; a mosaic-tiled pool next to the spa surrounded by comfortable loungers; a larger pool beside the beach with a swim-up bar).

 

As it's an adults-only resort it was very quiet. And apparently it was also a location for this season's edition of ABC's "The Bachelor"! I would go back

We contacted the Rendezvous beforehand and they sent us an e-mail confirming our visit. No monies were exchanged. Our taxi driver made sure we had a reservation before he would take us to the Rendezvous. I would not show up without contacting them first.

The taxi was either $3 or $4 per person each way. Our taxi driver came back for us."

St.Kitts- Considering Marriott Beach Restort package, and have read good reviews about the train tour booked thru Carnival that looks relaxing, a scenic tour worth checking out. I read the fort is gorgeous, but many steps and an incline so rule that out.

 

St.Maarten-biggest walk is down center to get to water taxi area- for $6 all day water taxi wrist band- take it across and pick a spot on beach that is right there on boardwalk.(A walk thru of hotel/bar from beach will put you on main street shopping of Phillipsburg) Most are sponsored by hotels on the boardwalk or a bar and offer packages of chair/umbrella and bucket beer usually $15-25 depends on time of day -earlier=cheaper. Very close and good view. One's party can come and go shop,eat etc. I'd just leave someone manning the stuff.

 

p.s. check out Carnival shore excursions that list limited mobilty / handicapped, that will give you idea of ease

[Jeans*Fanatic]

This is such an excellent review!!! Thanks so much! I took down all your info on the excursions you did!!! Thanks again!

[4funtraveler]

Thanks for the all the information. You answered several questions that I did not think to ask. :) Great Review

[83Heritage]

p.s. check out Carnival shore excursions that list limited mobilty / handicapped, that will give you idea of ease

 

Thanks for all the info, I have been trying to look at Carnival's excursion, but they only have 2 posted. Both are for scuba diving. I keep checking though.

[Buffettfan 225]

Thanks for all the info, I have been trying to look at Carnival's excursion, but they only have 2 posted. Both are for scuba diving. I keep checking though.

Here is link to page for itinerary excursions -under shore excursion pull down menu for southern & under that each island.

http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursions.aspx

 

Hopefully these links from Carnival shore excursions will work, I am only posting links that offer limited mobility / handicap lisitng:

 

Dominica:EASY DOMINICA & JACO FALLS FOR WHEELCHAIRS $50

http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=CS&portcode=DOM&excursionname=Easy+Dominica+%26+Jaco+Falls+for+Wheelchairs&excursioncode=415037

St.Kitts:

PANORAMIC ST KITTS & CARIBELLE BATIK- WHEELCHAIRS $56

 

http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?region=CS&portcode=STK&excursionname=Panoramic+St+Kitts+%26+Caribelle+Batik-+Wheelchairs&excursioncode=431022

[CruiseLover824]

This is such an excellent review!!! Thanks so much! I took down all your info on the excursions you did!!! Thanks again!

 

I am glad you liked the review! I absolutely loved this cruise! If you have any more questions, let me know. :D

 

 

Great Review

 

Thanks! I had fun writing it!

[83Heritage]

Here is link to page for itinerary excursions -under shore excursion pull down menu for southern & under that each island.

http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursions.aspx

 

Thank you again, I was looking under my booking, and there were only two listed. I didn't know the page you posted even existed.

[cruzeluver]

Thank you for a great review! I was particularly interested in St. Lucia as we will be there next Spring. Cosol's sounds like exactly what we are looking for.

 

Glad you enjoyed Bernard's tour. He is the best!!

[SoonerOne]

Great review! Thanks! I too took down the names of your tours/excursions to use when we go.:) BTW, we are booked on the Lido deck too. We've been on it once before and now we are spoiled!:p Which island did you like best and why?

[PreciousCruiser]

Was on The Victory the week of 4/25/10. Our favorites, were Dominica (Bumpiing Tours), St. Lucia (Cosol Tours) and St. Martin with Bernard. Those 3 islands were our favorites and can't say in which order. The islands, tours, tour guides, rum punch, beer and snorkeling were great! Also have to say our tour in St. Thomas with Air Force One (Papa Bear) was also awesome. So I guess I'll change 3 island favorites to 4. Ok, they were all AWESOME! The whole week was AWESOME!

[CruiseLover824]

Which island did you like best and why?

 

Hmmmm....If I had to pick one island that I like the best it would have to be St. Maarten.

 

This is my favorite island because there is a variety of things to do there. There is some great shopping in Phillipsburg, great beaches, and overall I just really like the scenery there. It is just a really beautiful place. Of all the places we went, this would be an island I could spend a week on.

 

My 2nd fav would probably be......St. Thomas. There are some great beaches there too, and I love sitting out on the beach. St. Thomas also has a wide variety of activities available.

 

 

I was particularly interested in St. Lucia as we will be there next Spring. Cosol's sounds like exactly what we are looking for.

 

 

 

Glad you enjoyed Bernard's tour. He is the best!!

 

I really did enjoy Cosol's tour. It was a full day, and I think we saw more of the island on his tour than we would have on any of the Carnival tours. It was well worth the $65 he charges!

 

I loved Bernard!! He was a really aweome tour guide!