Carnival Victory 7/18/10-7/25/10

[chachi]

I just got back today from my cruise on the Carnival Victory. I am very tired, but wanted to get started on my review before I forget anything.

 

This was a birthday cruise for my nephew (16) and me (33). My mother (55) also came. I have been several cruises with Carnival, and one on Royal Caribbean. My mother had only been on one weekend cruise with Disney about 10 years ago. My nephew has never cruised. This was actually his first time seeing the ocean.

 

I had a notorized letter for my nephew to travel with me, but I was never asked for it.

 

I always fly in a day early, but didn't this time because of the late departure time. Our day started at 2:00 am so that we could leave the house by 3:00 to go to the airport. Our flight was on time. We had a layover in Chicago and then we were headed to San Juan. We arrived in San Juan on time at about 2:30.

 

There was no line for a taxi. We got to the terminal, and there was a huge line, but it moved fairly quickly. We were lined up outside around the block. One thing I did not like about the San Juan terminal was that I had to keep my luggage with me until we entered the terminal. It was extremely hot and we had 6 bags between us. When we got inside a man told us that if we want him to take our luggage, we have to take care of him. Wow, very rude. I always tip, but to say they won't take your luggage unless you do is unprofessional. They are paid to do their job. My mom didn't have any singles. I was there and able to tip for her, but I would imagine that there are others who don't have tip money on them.

 

We got on board by about 4:30. We were able to get in our room right away which was nice. We had an oceanview on the Riveria deck. We went and had lunch at the buffet. I did not notice any rude people. The lines were long, but not terrible. The food was good. When we went back to our room, our luggage was already there so we unpacked. We found the laundry room and ironed our clothes for the night. There was no line on this day, but every other day did have a line. We walked around the ship a little and then got ready for dinner.

 

It was open dining and we were sat with 3 couples. It has been awhile since I have been assigned to sit with people. My last few cruises have been anytime dining. It was awkward. Nobody really talked to anyone else.

 

I had the baby back ribs. They were very good, much better than I remembered. I also had the chocolate melting cake. My nephew tried a bite of mine, and then ordered it everyday for the rest of the cruise.

 

After reading several reviews about the rude passengers on Victory, I was a little nervous to begin with. During our dinner there were 2 large tables that would shout back and forth between them. They were dancing innappropriately in their seats. One girl kept shouting/singing da da da da oop. They were singing loudly and just generally indifferent to the environment they were in and the people around them. I was very nervous about what I had gotten myself into. By the way, these were not Puerto Ricans.

 

We went back to the room to get ready for the muster drill. When we entered there was a pink letter on the floor. Our excursion to the Baths in Virgin Gorda had been cancelled for the next day because they did not have enough people to go. This was a huge disappointment because this is what I had been looking forward to the most.

We didn't have much time so we quickly scanned the excursions available. We settled on a boat ride over to St. Johns and swim at Trunk Bay.

 

I don't remember what time it started, but it started to pour. We tried to stay out for the sail away party, but it was just raining too hard. We listened to the first couple songs the band played and left as soon as the ship pulled out. The majority of the other people left the deck as well. On the way out my mom fell flat on her face because the deck was so slippery. She was fine, but quite embarrassed.

 

We went back to the room and went to sleep. It had been a long day.

[Cinderose]

and...

[JMonty42]

My wife and I have booked this cruise for 3/6/11. We've been on one cruise before for our honeymoon. It was the Carnival Destiny and it was a blast. We're taking my best friend and his wife who have never been on a cruise before so we're really excited.

 

We're looking for stuff to do at each port of call, not necessarily excursions through the cruise line, though. Were there any places or things that you highly recommend at any of the ports?

[VictoryLover2]

My wife and I have booked this cruise for 3/6/11. We've been on one cruise before for our honeymoon. It was the Carnival Destiny and it was a blast. We're taking my best friend and his wife who have never been on a cruise before so we're really excited.

 

We're looking for stuff to do at each port of call, not necessarily excursions through the cruise line, though. Were there any places or things that you highly recommend at any of the ports?

 

JMonty42.... First try looking at the "Ports of Call" thread and click on Caribbean... it will tak you to the different islands and you can read reviews on the different tours.

I use "Woody" in Dominica "Off the Beaten Trail" adquatics@yahoo.com Tell him Ed & Brookie sent you.

Calabaza Sailing Cruises sailcalabaza@gmail.com in Barbados or Tiami Catamaran... this would be an excursion through Carnival.

Nereus Francis with Cosol Tours in St. Lucia cosol966@hotmail.com

Bernard Augustin with Bernard's Tours in St. Maarten bernard1332002@yahoo.com

Woody does private-small groups 2 - 10, Calabaza Sailing has only 12 customers at a time, Tiami will do 30 - 40 per trip, Cosol has lots to offer and Bernard will do private tours up to 6 or offers his taxi tours for 10 - 14 - 25 - 33 people. All offer "drinks" and snacks, Gina with Calabaza Sailing provides lunch... all home made.

All these can be found here on CC.

Hope this helps, Have a great time on the VICTORY.:D

Brookie & Ed:cool:

[swellbay]

My wife and I have booked this cruise for 3/6/11. We've been on one cruise before for our honeymoon. It was the Carnival Destiny and it was a blast. We're taking my best friend and his wife who have never been on a cruise before so we're really excited.

 

We're looking for stuff to do at each port of call, not necessarily excursions through the cruise line, though. Were there any places or things that you highly recommend at any of the ports?

 

 

 

 

 

join roll call

we have a few on now

look forward to trip

and to meet fellow critic's

 

later

[chachi]

My wife and I have booked this cruise for 3/6/11. We've been on one cruise before for our honeymoon. It was the Carnival Destiny and it was a blast. We're taking my best friend and his wife who have never been on a cruise before so we're really excited.

 

We're looking for stuff to do at each port of call, not necessarily excursions through the cruise line, though. Were there any places or things that you highly recommend at any of the ports?

 

The only excursion I took that I could really recommend was Bumping Tours in Dominica. We went on a hike to Middleham Falls. We saw Titu Gorge (I think I spelled that wrong) and were able to soak in some hot springs. It was a very enjoyable day. Some parts were strenous, but definately worth it. The other excursions I took were just okay. Actually I did a Power Raft, beach, snorkel and shopping excursion through Carnival in St. Maarten and that was fun.

[chachi]

On Monday I was still pretty disappointed about missing the Baths, but was happy that I was able to sleep in. Our new excursion to St. Johns didn't leave until 11:45. We slept in until about 8. We had breakfast at the buffet and headed out shopping for a little bit before our excursion. There was a nice little shopping area right at the pier. Of all the stops, I think that this one had the nicest souveniers (t-shirts, magnets, etc..) I didn't look at jewelry, so I am not sure about that. Within a few minutes of shopping it started to pour. It would rain really hard for a few minutes, then stop for a few minutes, then start up again.

 

St. Thomas had a post office very close to the dock which was nice to mail post cards. The only other port that I noticed a post office close by was Barbados, but I could have missed them.

 

St. Thomas also had a little shop that you could buy pop (sorry, soda), bottled water, and snacks to bring back on the ship.

 

Our excursion was on a boat called Island Girl. This was a Carnival excursion, but Royal Caribbean passangers were also on it.

 

We sat on the left side of the boat near the front. Within a few minutes we were soaked because the water was spraying up on us. We wrapped ourselves up in our beach towels, and those were soaked by the time we made it to the beach. Even though we were soaked, it was a fun ride. We even saw a few dolphins, which would turn out to be the only ones we saw on the trip.

 

Once we docked we go into open air vehicles that took us to the beach. They did a photo stop overlooking Trunk Bay.

 

Once we got to Trunk Bay we found a place to lay our towels down, and it started to pour and pour, and pour. I tried to go in the water, but it was too cold for me.

The beach was pretty, but was a huge disappointment for me. I have been to a lot of beaches, and this one didn't seem worth the $250 price tag. I am sure the water would have been prettier if the sun had been shining, but I think I would have rather saved my money and found a beach on St. Thomas. I prefer beaches with waves, but this one didn't have any. My mom and nephew went snorkeling, but I just sat on the beach in the rain. Every once in a while the rain would stop and I would try to go in the water, but as soon as I did the rain would start again. We had two hours at the beach. Then we got back in our vehicles that took us back to the boat.

 

This time we decided to sit on the upper level so we wouldn't get sprayed. Well that didn't work because within a couple of minutes it poured. It rained the entire 40 minute ride back.

 

We got back to the ship and we all took showers. I was just going to get room service, and my mom and nephew went up to the buffet. Room service was going to be over an hour so I decided to just wait until dinner to eat. I took a much needed nap instead.

 

We had anytime dining. We went to dinner at about 6:45 and were given a table right away for the 3 of us. There was only one night when they asked if we wanted to sit with other guests.

 

I had the Ceasar salad and pork chops. Both were excellent. I also tried the Bitter and Blanc after reading so many wonderful reviews. It was outstanding! I wish they offered that more than once on the cruise.

 

This was also the night that my mom saw the waitstaff perform. From then on we had to be sure we were in the dining room at 7:00 to see their performances. We also had to request a table by the railing so we could look down and see them. By the end of the week they knew our preference. We never had to wait for a seat, and were always given one with a view of the show!

 

I don't know his name, but the table artist was a fantastic dancer.

 

 

We went to a welcome aboard show where we met Karl with a K for the first time. I loved him! I never understood why people cared so much about who the cruise director was, but now I get it. If Karl was on a another ship I would book it just to see him. He was so funny. He had an amazing voice. He did a little impersonator show. He would put props on and sing and the audience had to guess who he was. Then a comedian Al Romero came out. He was very funny as well. We were happy to hear that he would be doing an adult show the following night.

 

After the show I went to the casino. I chose a machine on the edge of the casino so my nephew could stand in the hall, but still see what I was doing. My mom doesn't gamble, but she had fun watching me win bonuses on Texas Tea. I put in $10 which ended up lasting me 3 days. While I was in the casino, they had live music right outside. It was different every night, but always good.

 

We called it a night by 11:30. This was a very different cruise for me since I am used to going with friends. I felt like I missed out a little by going to bed so early every night.

Tomorrow is Dominica. Next to the Baths at Virgin Gorda, this is what I was looking forward to most.