Carnival Victory Review 6/19/04

[RavensFan]

Recently returned from the Victory's first sailing to Canada for 2004. My two children (girl 9 and boy 12) and I had a great time. With a few exceptions the Victory met our expectations.

Prior to sailing: Spent two great nights in New York.

 

Embarkation: We were scheduled to set sail at 5:00 on Saturday, and were told by Carnival not to even consider arriving at the port before 1:00 for the boarding time of 1:30-4:30. Also was told by a friend to be prepared for major traffic congestion at port. He suggested arriving around 3:00. We did not listen himeither and left our hotel at 11:00 and did sit in a major traffic delay for about 30 minutes, but was well worth it. The terminal was virtually empty. There were no lines to check in, and we were onboard by 12:00.

 

Cabin: We had a great cabin. We were on the Empress deck. Our steward was very attentive, and pleasant. I think it really helps to tip him as soon as you meet him. He made some great towel animals. While we were only three in our cabin, we chose a quad. This is in the brochure with the sideways 8 with a squiggly. It had a comfortable queen bed, a twin sofa bed and a twin wall bed. We had plenty of room. Plus a balcony. If you can get a balcony it is worth it.

 

Entertainment: The Vegas style shows were good. I thought the magic show was pretty weak, and didn't really give the comic much of a chance. The Ionian lounge was a comfortable place for jazz and cigars.

 

Casino: The casino is placed just were I guess Carnival wants it to be. It seems to get anywhere you have to pass right by it. Or in my case right through it. It is small and gets very crowded around 10:00-11:00.

 

Dining: Food, food, food. Who didn't already know that. The East River Deli was a real surprise. The pastrami was quite good. The Yangzte Wok was a huge disappointment. The menu is very very limited each day as are the hours. I love chinese food, but only ate there once. Pizza, pizza, 24 hours. I think my daughter ate enough for a year. It was hot and not bad. The buffets were pretty standard and average, as was the dining room. We were a bit disappointed at first when we had a table all alone. Your dinner table can really help make for a lot of fun. However, our wait staff Rolando, and Marlon were fantastic. They really entertained the kids.

 

Cleanliness: I thought the ship was clean and well maintained. It had its rough spots. But any hotel/resort that handles that many people would.

 

Cruise Director/staff: I thought Skippy was just okay at first, but he kind of grows on you after 5 days. There was something about Simon I just have not figured out yet. As for the other staff members. Two things really stick out the most. How everyone smiles and says hello. Whether it is a guy shampooing the carpet or someone busing a table. The other refers to the busing of tables. Carnival has some incredibly great looking women working for them. I saw women busing tables, that looked like models (well almost).

 

Ports: I said to myself it was not about the ports before we left. It was more about the ship. Well, I have re-thought that a bit. Saint John was quite boring. There was not much there for me. The Reversing Rapids Ride looked good. We did not do it. Halifax was better. More shopping, more to do.

 

Camp Carnival: If your kid says " I am not going to Camp Carnival" they really miss out. I have heard others say there kids think it's not cool. These kids have a blast. For 9-11 they can come and go as they please. For 12-15 it's basically not even supervised. The kids love it. I only saw my kids at dinner. They were so busy with the kids they met, and activities they had.

 

Debarkation: If you are not going to carry your own bags off. Cheat and leave when the first color is called. Most of the bags will be ready. It is a zoo outside. If you want a cab tip the starter, or you may wait a long time until your number is called

 

Overall: I am not a great writer. But we did have a great time. If you have any specific questions just email me.

[marcyjane]

Glad to hear your family had a good cruise.

 

We will be on Victory in September New York to Halifax.

[ali38]

what time should we get to the port? leaving schenectady around 7 am due to arrive around 10:30 am will we be too early?I was told nyc is busy during the weekend early hours. don't want to stand around for a long time with 2 kids 7 and 9 yo.?

[RavensFan]

based on our trip you should be in good shape.

[Aldeya]

The time to arrive is my concern.

 

Usially my family arrives at the terminal around 11 a.m. and board the ship around 12.

 

This time I'm travelling with my parents, and my mother is not in a good health.

 

I don't want her to stand in long lines. We are going on Victory from NY on 7/22. This is my first cruise from NY(usually it's Miami).

 

Anyway any suggestions when to arrive at the terminal to avoid long lines? I'm not concerned about getting to the terminal, just the lines inside.

 

TIA

[Aldeya]

Bump

[cruiseobsessed]

Hi Aldeya

My husband and I will be on the Victory on the 22nd also. My understanding is that wait time inside the terminal is minimal around 11:30 - 12:30. Maybe Carnival could have a wheelchair or something for your mom so that she could sit down as soon as she gets there. That has worked for my mom at airports. She doesn't need it for transportation, just that little extra "sit down" when she gets in to the terminal. I'm freaking out about driving in New York...I drive in Washington DC all the time, and people tell me it's not much different. I dunno about that! Maybe we'll meet up on the ship or in the terminal.

Good luck!

[sea-n-ski]

Aldeya,

 

Carnival will have a limited amount of wheelchairs ( with attendants who stay with them through the entire embarkation/debarkation process!) They are 1st come 1st served though. If you get there too early, they will be helping with debarkation from the previous cruise. If you get there too late, they may be all gone. I don't know what to advise you as far as arrival time. Look in the back of the brochure and call the special needs phone number. They should be able to help! We ended up using the wheelchair the entire week (without attendant) because it was much easier/quicker to move Mom around the entire ship. Even the slight movement of the ship threw her balance off! It also was very helpful in port to get around town!

 

Good luck and have a great cruise!

 

Laura

 

P.S. They will allow you to accompany her to the ship ( bypassing the lines!)

[Aldeya]

Thank you so much for your responses.

 

I did called Carnival and requested a wheelchair. I was told that we can use it only for getting on and off the ship.

 

Laura, how did you get to keep the chair during the cruise? Was it a special request?

 

Thanks again.

[cruiseobsessed]

Hey Aldeya,

Our pharmacy rents out wheelchairs by the week for a pretty reasonable price. Maybe you could rent a fold-up one for the week and take it with you if it's not too expensive in your area. Have a good evening

[Cruisin Amy]

Were you pleased with the food and the ship overall!!!

 

We are leaning towards this ship because it is one the newer ones that sleeps 5!!

 

thanks!

[sea-n-ski]

We went to the infirmary before stopping at the first port and asked if we could use it for the day. They said that they had plenty and to use it for the week. I'm not sure if we were lucky or what but it was sure nice to use. We had to put down a deposit that was returned the night before we debarked. The same attendant that we had for embarkation came to get Mom to debark.

 

Hope it works for you! They couldn't have been nicer!

 

Laura