Carnival newbie cruising with Victory (trip report and photos 5/29/17 - 6/2/17)

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Whitehead Street dead ends at the Southernmost Point where of course we had to get a picture. 9:23am

 

 

**There was already a line (probably 25 people deep) waiting to get their picture made in front of the marker but it moved pretty fast.

 

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The trolley stop for City View was at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory just around the corner on Duval Street. We got on the trolley there (this was actually stop #5) and made the last half of the loop until we got back to Front Street where we switched trams and road the complete loop again.

Cemetery

 

Sites around Key West

 

 

 

 

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We decided to get off at stop #8 to check out Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, it was only 10:52am but it sure was hot.

 

 

 

 

 

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We wanted to do some shopping so we walked down Greene Street and turned right onto Duval Street.

 

IT’SUGAR candy store (11:23am)

 

Bar (cute sign)

And we ran into Spiderman (11:40am)

(Our last name is Webb and my husband’s nickname is “Spiderman” hence the photo)

 

I couldn’t believe Jaycee let him pick her up but she has been doing gymnastics and she loves Spiderman; she thought it was the coolest thing.

We tipped Spiderman and kept walking.

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We made it back to the Front Street to where we would ride the trolley back to the base, the line was manageable so we decided to run into Ron Jon Surf Shop which was just next door. Within a matter of 20 minutes the line had grown all the way around the building and down the street, wow.

We got in line and were on the trolley at 12:27pm.

 

We were back at the ship at 12:49pm and the lines were looong to get back on board. Matey the cruise director was out there directing traffic and cutting up with everyone (he was a hoot).

Matey

Crowd

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We finally made it back on board, dropped our stuff off in our room and decided to grab some lunch. We were at the buffet around 1:33pm and the lines were pretty long but moved fast.

Buffet

 

 

Roger decided to try the Seafood Shack (I meant to the whole trip but never did), he got the oysters and really liked them.

Here is a screen shot of part of today’s Carnival app.

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At this point is was around 2:30pm and everyone went different directions, I went back to the room to shower and hang out on the balcony.

 

 

Tonight was formal dining so we got ready and headed on down to the lobby on deck 3 to hang out before dinner. We decided to eat at 5:45pm when they opened and would meet up with everyone then. Photographers were everywhere and since my husband hates dressing up and hates having pictures made even more I drug him to at least 3 different stations to have our pictures made;). Some of the pictures were just awful but 1 guy did an awesome job so of course I was suckered into those pictures.

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Our group met up at 5:45pm at theAtlantic Dining room and were seated immediately, this time at a large roundtable right at the bottom of the stairs. Later on that night the wait staffwould perform and we had a front row seat.

 

Most people that I saw were dressed up but nothing too extravagant, I would say Sunday best. I did notice a couple of guys in jeans but nothing too out there (it really didn’t bother me either way, I was there for my family and didn’t worry about other people).

 

 

Tonight’s bread basket

 

Table setting

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Again we decided to try different appetizers and see what we liked; tonight we tried…

Appetizers:

Shrimp Cocktail – got it again because it was awesome

 

Broiled Sea Scallops – good but didn’t like the pasty rice

 

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms – really good – the consensus of the group

 

Caesar Salad – good

 

KidsMenu:

 

Kids Spaghetti – I didn’t try it but Jaycee said it was good

 

Chicken Nuggets & fries

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Tonight's Menus

 

 

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Mains:

Blue Crab Ravoli – I thought it was good but couldn’t finish it, not crazy about the sauce

 

Oven Baked Japanese Sea Bass – Gavin liked the bass and he said the rice tasted like it had been cooked in coconut oil???

 

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp – good (but I love shrimp) the potatoes were just ok

 

Roasted Duck – had a good taste and was tender

 

Tender Roasted Prime Rib – tender and cooked good, Roger loved it but I am not a prime rib kinda girl

 

Pork Chop – I did not try but it looked good

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Zucchini and Eggplant Parmigiana – ok as a vegetarian dish

 

Flat Iron Steak w/ baked potato – John ordered this medium rare tonight so it came out perfect but he got some kind of deep fried potatoes instead of a baked potato

**John ordered the New York Strip off the Steakhouse Selections menu and the waiter said it would be at least 40 minutes or so before they would have it ready. He decided to skip it and go with the flat iron steak again.

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Desserts:

Vanilla Crème Brulee – good but sweet, I really like the topping

Carnival Melting Chocolate Cake – John ordered it tonight but asked for double ice cream, still good

Malted Chocolate Hazelnut Cake – OK but I did not like the coffee taste

Fresh Tropical Fruit Plate – yummy

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Cheese Plate – Cindy and I both ordered one to take back to our rooms (keep in mind the plate will not fit inside the fridge) **I didn't get a picture of it**

Bananna Split (kids menu)

 

COFFEE CREAM CAKE **Sorry no picture**

 

The waiters danced and sang for us tonight and encouraged everyone to participate. Overall I really enjoyed dinner tonight.

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We didn’t make it to the Taste Bar until after dinner and we were too stuffed to try anything. Tonight they were sampling from Cucina del Capitano: Nonna’s Meatballs and Hand Whipped Ricotta Brushchetta.

 

 

We went to the 8pm showing of Living in America (they even did a number to “Rocky Top” which the husbands loved because of Tennessee football).

After the show (around 9:45pm) the kids went to the arcade while the adults went to try out Alchemy Bar. The menus light up when opened …

…our bartender Ionia did an awesome job.

 

You can order from the menu or they can make you a custom drink which all were good (except for the Cucumber Sunrise which I really found just horrible). They can make regular or non-alcohol drinks if you prefer.

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We went to the 10:30pm adult comedy show and it was packed. We found a table and stayed for the 11:30pm show too.

 

After the last show we swung by the arcade to get the kids then back to our room for bed.

 

Tonight's Towel Animal

 

I just realized I didn't post today's Fun Times...

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Day 3 (May 31st) Cozumel:

 

 

We decided to try breakfast in the dining room this morning so at 8am we all met up at the Pacific Dining Room (again the Victory is a little confusing navigating the ship). It was not crowded at all and the service was a little slow; I think I still like the convenience of the buffet since I’m not a big breakfast eater.

 

 

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The waiter brought around a bread basket and each person selected a pastry from it, the basket was not left on the table.

From the menu our group ate:

Cereal

French Toast

Omelettes

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After breakfast we decided to all go with Jaycee to the Adriatic Aft Lounge to meet up for the Dr Seuss parade at 10:15am. They let the kids pick up tambourines or flags to carry in the parade.

 

Matey came out dressed for the parade…

Then Sam I Am came around and visited the children.

The parade started and we made our way down to deck 3 into the Caribbean Lounge for the Dr Seuss Storytelling where Thing 1 & 2 as well as the Cat in the Hat were waiting.

 

 

 

The kids went up on stage for the storytelling while Matey selected 4 audience members to help tell the story.

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We finished up around 10:45am so we headed back to our rooms to get ready for Cozumel. We docked around 11am and were off the ship by 11:43am.

As you exit the ship you walk thru shops at Puerta Maya dock then it opens up into another large outside shopping area with more chain type stores.

 

 

 

 

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As you approach the street there are souvenir stores everywhere.

 

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I had booked us an excursion for a private jeep tour with Cozumel Cruise Excursions and we were to meet up with the guides at the Hard Rock gift shop.

We got there a little after noon and Paco and Yaret met us then we walked a short distance to the jeeps.

They had 3 jeeps reserved for us, the guides drove the 1st one, while the husbands drove the other 2 as we followed them. (The jeeps were older but mechanically were ok, our jeep had a/c and a hard top and the last jeep was a standard shift.)

 

Before we headed out the guides went over the tour and got our input on what sites we would like to see, snorkeling was at the top of our list so we did that first.

 

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When we arrived at Tortugas Beach Club to snorkel the guides helped explain everything to our group since none of us had been snorkeling before; Paco lead our group out in the water and Yaret stayed right with the 5 year old to make sure she wasn't afraid and got to have the same experience as the rest of us (this was worth the cost of the tour by itself)!

 

 

 

 

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We left Tortugas Beach Club and headed south for more sightseeing.

 

 

 

 

 

They took us to the Punta Sur Park where we would see a small set of ruins…