Carnival Victory Review--October 14-21st

[kimmyg726]

Well we just returned from our fabulous Southern Caribbean cruise aboard the Victory. This itinerary was fabulous and I would do it in a heartbeat. This is my first review, third cruise so be kind. I have also never uploaded pictures to this site before so I am praying I can make it work!

 

There were 8 of us—5 from Maryland, 1 from California and a couple for Florida. Age range 22-64.

 

 

The five of us flew from Baltimore to San Juan on the 13th to give ourselves plenty of time and to rest up a bit before the cruise. We stayed at the Marriott Stellaris. We met up with the other couple as they were staying at the same hotel.

 

My sister and her husband booked our rooms and we got a major upgrade since they are Marriott Vacation Club people. They had a corner room and we were given the Presidential Suite for the 3 of us. Wow…all I can say was this room was unbelievably huge and beautiful. It had a master suite, enormous bathroom, kitchen, wet bar, two couches, three balconies and a half bath when you entered. I felt like we might be in the room from the Hangover. Thankfully there were no tigers in our bathroom when we got up during the night. The hotel was a great location. We walked to a Mexican place for dinner, stopped somewhere else for margaritas and hit up the Walgreens.

 

This is the view from one of the three wrap around balconies we had.

 

 

 

We had to laugh because we would NEVER have used this huge table. Wait..we did take some fun pictures with it though:eek:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the side balcony looking down to the pool

 

 

Very large living room

 

 

 

[kimmyg726]

Sunday October 14th---Cruise Day/Embarkation YEAH!

 

We left the hotel about 11:00/11:10. It was a quick ride to the port and inexpensive. I do not remember what we paid. There were a lot of folks getting off the ship but not many getting on at that time so we checked in within 10 minutes. They told us that they would be boarding around 12:15. Our friend from California arrived about 12:00 and she was in the line for much longer then we were.

 

As soon as we boarded we all hit the lido deck for drinks and lunch. We set at the main pool area and some of crew watched football. 4 of the 8 of us bought the all you can drink package—more details to follow as I do have some comments about this package.

 

 

Our first drink....wish my eyes were open!! :)

 

 

 

It was lovely outside taking in the sights and sounds. I couldn’t wait to get a fun drink to start off this trip as the week had started off very badly. I did not like the drink of the day so I got something else and paid $3.00 for the glass that said---Officially the best day ever. It just seemed right!!! I had a burger and fries from the grill.

 

 

 

One brief negative moment--We had gone inside to the buffet to grab something for dessert and saw that they had these pretty cupcakes at the dessert bar. I asked the attendant who was slicing cakes what kind they were and she said I have no idea. There was no sign or any details on what type it was. I was concerned that there may have been nuts. This kind of rubbed me wrong. She seemed not to care at all and didn’t even bother to say let me check. At the same time, someone knocked tongs off the bar onto the floor and handed them to her. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.

 

 

We had to do some rearranging with our rooms as there was a mix up with who was in what room. We headed to guest services and got it cleared up. We were then able to get into our rooms around 1:30ish I think. Three of our cabins were on deck 10—balconies and the other was a jr. suite on deck 7.

 

Once everything was settled we headed to CVS. It looks further away then it was but it short walk from the terminal. We grabbed a case of water and three bottles of wine. We had no issues getting back in the port but be prepared to show id and sea pass many times to get back on. When we reached the security check point, they said absolutely nothing about our wine. Had we known it would be that easy, we would have brought some other alcohol with us.

 

Our luggage came a bit later than I had expected but it was still enough time to freshen up and head out for our first dinner in the main dining room. We chose anytime dining but we made it to the dining room about the same time every night. We had the same awesome waiter each time Sanwar and we loved him.

 

 

Our group at dinner... If you were on this trip and sitting around us, sorry. I know our laughter was out of control at times:cool:

 

 

 

After dinner we all walked around the ship trying to figure out where everything was. The muster drill was at 9:30. Yes, it can be long but I would rather do it, know where my life boat was etc then to have an emergency and not know anything. After the drill we headed up to deck 10 for the sail away. We all danced on the top deck to celebrate the start of our vacation. I was beat and in bed by around midnight.

[kimmyg726]

Monday October 15th—St. Thomas

 

 

This is the view that we woke up too...

 

 

 

 

6 of us had signed up for the Sea Lion swim at Coral World. We walked a block or two to get a taxi. I believe it was between$7-9 per person to get there. We arrived at a few minutes before 9 and they were not open yet but told us to walk around.

 

We had to sign the typical hold harmless waiver and we were off to start the fun. We went behind some gates to get our swim shoes and life jackets. We got our first glimpse of the sea lions as we were getting ready.

 

The 6 of us were in the pool at the same time together which made it even more fun. 2 of the 6 of us was a couple so they made sure to get those priceless couple shots together J The other 4 of us are best girlfriends.

 

The swim cost about $125 which included admission to the park and let me tell you—it was worth the money. It was a blast. Even our 64 year old non-swimmer in our group loved it. They took a ton of pictures and there was plenty of interaction with the sea lions. At one point, the trainer made the four of us hold onto a rope across the pool so this huge sea lion would jump over our heads. It was great.

 

After the pool part, there is a dry land encounter with an older sea lion who is going blind. We took tons of pictures with him too. In case anyone asks---these sea lions were rescued animals who would have been killed if they stayed in the wild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the swim, a few of us headed over to Coki beach for some sun time. The water was great, the beach wasn’t too crowded and for $5 we got a lounge chair. Around lunch time we order some conch fritters which were yummy. The heavens did open up so we ran into the bar/grill and finished eating.

 

[lukydog]

loving your review! We are going on the Victory next June with 2 other couples. We will have an ext. aft balcony, aft wrap & premium balcony rooms all in a row so we are hoping to have our balcony partitions opened to one super huge balcony! One question about the drink program that I've not seen answered elsewhere....can you purchase it day by day or do you have to purchase it for every day of the cruise (ie: if you were going to be in a port most of the day & didn't want it that day). Thanks!

[kimmyg726]

The amazing sunsets in St. Thomas

 

 

[kimmyg726]

We all met up for dinner around 6:00ish and talked about our St. Thomas experience. After dinner we hit bingo and the Welcome aboard show. I was feeling crappy with a bad sinus infection and lost my voice so I turned in early. I felt so bad that I missed the meet and great for our role call. Sorry folks!!!!!

 

 

Me and my BFF Dawn playing bingo.

 

 

 

 

 

[pafam4]

I'm loving this review. Your pictures are great! We sailed on the Victory in June and loved it! Reading your review is like re-living it! Thanks, and looking forward to the rest of your review.

[kimmyg726]

Tuesday October 16th—Sea Day

 

Well it was nice to sleep in a bit since we knew we had to be up early every other day. 6 of our eight headed to the main dinning room for breakfast. I had the eggs benedicts (which is my FAVORITE) way to have eggs and a mimosa. Perfect start to my day. After breakfast everyone just vegged out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I met up with my sister around noon to go play the slots. She wanted to do the slots tournament for $20 so I joined her. After we played our round we headed out the pool. We always seemed to luck out with chairs near the aft pool. It is a great location with the bar, grill and pizza station all right near by. Oh and the ice cream station was there too. How could I have forgotten that??

 

Time flew by after laying outside in the sun and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for dinner. It was our first formal night and we were excited to get dressed up. Our group are the people that enjoy getting dressed up, we love the singing waiters and just being big kids. After all….it is VACATION!

 

My dear friend Heather and I

 

 

 

 

 

My sister and I on our first formal night!

[kimmyg726]

After dinner we hit the theater for the nightly show. The theme for tonight was Vroom. It was music through the ages. It was a pretty decent show with great music. The two guys left a few minutes early to go get seats at the comedy club. PLEASE don’t flame us for seat saving. They went a bit before the show started, grabbed a both and we all showed up before the show started. The comedian was pretty funny. It was an over 18 show but I didn’t really think he said anything overly offensive.

 

 

Once the comedian was finished we hit the casino again. It quickly became a nightly tradition. I have no idea how long we stayed up but I was ready to get sleep because tomorrow was Barbados and it was the port I was most excited about.

 

 

My brother in law on the comedy club stage

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the comedian

 

[kimmyg726]

loving your review! We are going on the Victory next June with 2 other couples. We will have an ext. aft balcony, aft wrap & premium balcony rooms all in a row so we are hoping to have our balcony partitions opened to one super huge balcony! One question about the drink program that I've not seen answered elsewhere....can you purchase it day by day or do you have to purchase it for every day of the cruise (ie: if you were going to be in a port most of the day & didn't want it that day). Thanks!

 

 

Hi Lukydog:

 

You have to buy the package on Sunday or Monday for the entire week. You can't just pick the days that you want it for and both people in your room have to have the package.

[paget]

I'm loving this review. We did the Victory in April and loved it so much we rebooked for next August on the Valor, same itinerary.

[kimmyg726]

I'm loving this review. Your pictures are great! We sailed on the Victory in June and loved it! Reading your review is like re-living it! Thanks, and looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

 

Thanks! I am enjoying writing it...typos and all:):)

It was such a great trip and the islands are fabulous

 

Kim

[kimmyg726]

Wednesday October 17th—Barbados!

 

 

 

Yeah! I am really excited and bounce so quickly out of bed that I felt like Tigger. We grabbed an omelet on the Lido deck and relaxed until it was time to get off.

 

We were off the boat as soon as possible and walked through the terminal, down the road out the gate to meet our tour for the day. I booked a private turtle swim and snorkel with Thriller Tours. I can not say enough fabulous things about Steve and his daughter. This was the one thing that I was so excited about swimming with these magnificent creatures.

 

It was so great to have a private tour with just our 8 folks as opposed to being on a crowded catamaran with 100 people. It was about a 20 minute boat ride and before we knew it, it was time to get the snorkels on and jump into the water.

 

When I leaned over the boat, there were two turtles already swimming around the boat. I felt like a little kid. I threw my legs over the side and in the water I went. I couldn’t wait. Steve’s daughter Kim got in the water with us and kept feeding the turtles. Before we knew it there were 8 turtles around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve with our group

 

[kimmyg726]

 

 

Really yummy rum punch we had on the boat. It had spices on the top..

 

Steve's boat...

 

 

[TravelGal22]

Love your review. We are thinking of doing this cruise next Dec. It won't be on the Victory though. They are switching it with the Valor. I see you were on that ship. What did you think of it?

[WiscoGirl32]

Thank you for the review!! Cant wait for more!!!!

[Dirkgun]

Great review, thanks for taking the time to do it. We are going on her again in December...... Can't wait. Keep it coming. Love the pictures. :D

[Donna - dsw]

Love your review - but want to hear about the all you can drink package - "My Awsome Drink Package"

[kimmyg726]

Love your review. We are thinking of doing this cruise next Dec. It won't be on the Victory though. They are switching it with the Valor. I see you were on that ship. What did you think of it?

 

 

Hmmm, Valor was my first ship so anything would be exciting but honestly I liked the Legend better. It wasn't a bad ship. Then again nothing in my mind would make it bad...we bring our own fun which you will see in upcoming pictures:D

 

As for this cruise itself....DO IT!! The ports were awesome! It can be tiring but it is so worth it.

 

Kim

[kclvt]

We will be doing this itinerary on Valor in March so I am looking forward to reading the rest of your review!

[kimmyg726]

Love your review - but want to hear about the all you can drink package - "My Awsome Drink Package"

 

 

Hi Donna:

 

Eager for the drink package eh?? Just kidding!!!

 

4 of the 8 of us did the package--my sister and her husband and the young couple from Florida. My brother in law is a big drinker and got his moneys worth. The other guy totally surpassed what he paid.

 

Did the guys drink a lot...yes

Where they ever a bit drunk---yes they were feeling good one day.

 

I found that the two women who had the package with their husbands tried more drinks etc. From mimosas in the am, a couple drinks with dinner, drinks during the show and drinks in the casino--they cleared the $50 that it cost. A few long island ice teas, a couple beers and wine at dinner was way over $50.

 

Now...I will say that the paperwork that they received showed unlimited drinks BUT one night the guys got cut off because the bar tender said they had hit their 15. This was on their sea day and there was plenty of time.

 

IMHO, I would have had a friendly discussion with a manager if I was told I was cut off when the paperwork says unlimited.

 

Please let me know if you have any other questions

Kim

[kimmyg726]

Thursday October 18th—St. Lucia

 

For this stop, I had hired Fabian Tours for a private tour of the island for our group. As soon as we got off the boat, we headed through the port shops and he had a sign with my name on it ready and waiting for us.

 

We had a large and very comfortable van for the day. He would take us wherever we wanted to go and it was at our own pace. We could stop where ever, stay longer, random stops etc. It was perfect.

 

He took us to the most picturesque stops. The views of the fishing villages, rain forest and Pitons were amazing. Along the way he stopped for some AWESOME fresh bread. Hot and right out of the oven, it was so yummy.

 

 

 

Our first views of the breath taking Pitons

 

 

 

 

Yummy fresh bread

 

 

View of our ship from one of the stops

 

[kimmyg726]

More of St. Lucia....

 

 

Bamboo as we were heading into part of the rain forest

 

 

Next we headed to the "Drive in volcano". We checked out the mud bath and decided against it.

 

It wasn't exactly what I expected but it was very fascinating to see. We had a guide jump in our van with us and walk us through all of the spots.

 

 

 

[PathfinderEss]

Great review and love your pictures.

[hockeyluver]

great review so far, we will be on the Victory in Feb. but doing a different itinerary. Some day we will do the San Juan departure.