Triumph Review 8-11 / 8-18

[red sox girl]

A little background on us we are a family of 5 our 3 ds are 12-15 and 17. this was our boys 1st cruise and they loved it. Me and my DH this was our 2nd cruise. We booked 2 cabins a balcony and a inside deck 8 verandah. Once in our Cabin we got a call asking if me and my husband wanted an upgrade to a 9A on the same floor just a few cabins down. They had 2 guys in the 9a and the bed wouldnt seperate and they didnt want to sleep together so I jumped on that upgrade. we had the 8433 9a aft wraparound. Loved it :D. the boys had 8415 or 8417 cant remember but it was the inside and enough room for them to sleep. 2 beds with a roll away they all had to take turns on the roll away to keep it fair and no fighting.

 

We did fly into FLL the day before from Pittsburgh we decided to fly to Fll becase it was 400.00 cheaper and we knew we would rent a car either way didnt matter if it was from Miami or Fll. The car rental from the Fll airport was painless fast and easy 75.00. We stayed the night in Miami by the Miami airport and that is where we had to return the car. they gave us all a FREE shuttle to the port. We were on the Lido by noon.

 

Our luggage didnt arrive in time for dinner so we had to go in our shorts. We had the 6:15 seating in the Paris table 429 for 5 so we didnt have to worry about table mates. Our wait staff was wonderful Carlos & Monika were both funny and attentive. I wish we could take them home with us. They recomended food each night and 1 time I didnt like it they felt so bad Carlos had a replacement within minutes then gave me 2 warm chocolate melting cakes.

 

We saw a couple of shows very entertaining played bingo maybe 4 times me and my youngest played in the cornhole compititon. WON in the casino my DH played balckjack while I was playing craps.

 

Ports we went to Half Moon Cay had a Cabana we were in cabana #1 twice we had to ask people to leave one time a woman came up on the porch after she saw me use the fresh water shower we had and she used it to wash her feet then moved out lounge chairs that were in her way:eek: .

It did rain in the morning so we were delayed getting off the ship about an hour and they cancelled the BBQ on the beach but we still got our 8 sodas 2 big waters fresh fruit chips and salsa that came with the Cabana rental. We swam in the ocean used all the water toys that came with the cabana I would definitly do this all again.

 

St. Thomas we used Godfrey great tour then he took me and the oldest to Coki Beach the husband and 2 younger ones went back to the ship. Coki beach has the clearest waters I have ever seen. They have chair rentals for 5.00 I think but we didnt get one we spent the enire time in the water we snorkeled and just enjoyed our time together.

 

San Juan we did the rain forest excursion thru the ship and we had a great tour guide he showed us everything told jokes just a great man. The views are breathtaking we are really glad we decided on this tour. The driver even took us to the Harley store after he dropped everyone else off at the shopping district.

 

Grand Turk we did the ship excursion Gibbs Cay snorkel and stingray. The stingrays swim right to you me and the youngest fed them it was a bit strange it felt like my 1 finger was sucked up with the fish but what an experience. We saw them clean a conch and my oldest ate some of it raw I dont know if thats how its eaten but yuck. I didnt like the snorkel part of it they anchor the boat to the shore where you play with the stingrays then they have you swin out to the left of the boat and it is a distance from it. I just felt like if something happened you didnt have much of a chance being that far from the boat and shore. I asked if there were sharks and the guide said YES but only at night (yeah right). We did see some big fish and reefs but I was uncomfortable and me and the boys swam back. If they achored the boat where you snorkel it would have been better I would have felt safer. Then me and the older 2 went to Margarittivle the fresh water pool was nice was over priced. I bought 2 sodas and 1 margaritta it cost me 25.00 we finished our drinks then looked at the shops and headed back to the ship.

 

The ship was in good condition but I was looking for problems. Our cabins were always clean and ready for us when we came back to them. The hair dryer that everyone talks about wasnt that bad I have thick long hair and it did the trick. This was vacation for us so no we didnt complain and look for stains or rust or anything else. We had a blast. Now my kids are hooked and want me to book one for next summer for the 5 of us. One other good thing the arcade only lets the kids take 20.00 per day. Carnival did a great job for activites for the boys.

 

After the Cruise we rented another car seeing we had a later flight home and it gave us time for a late lunch and sight seeing. I didnt want to get stuck at an airport for hours which would have happened if we used the cruise transfers at 150.00 for all of us. So for 75.00 again we had our own car and it was as simple as when we first arrived. We talked to another couple that was waiting at the airport for 6 hours because of the transfer! I'm not sure when we got off the ship but it was between 9-10 not to bad Tampa was easier and faster than Miami but not to where it caused problems or complaints for us.

 

If I missed anything sorry any questions please ask

 

WE HAD A BLAST

[Froufie]

Great review - now I am looking forward to my cruise even more (is that possible? :D:D)

 

Questions:

 

1) who was the cruise director? What do you think of him? Was Rinaldo there?

 

2) Did you visit the piano bar at all? Any comments?

 

3) When was the past guest party and did you attend?

 

4) Would LOVE more details on the rainforest tour (I have booked it as well thru Carnival) - how was the bus ride? how long? what did you do/see at the rainforest - was it enuf time in your opinion? (and what about that note on the website tour description about 'turning' off the air conditioning on the bus???)

 

5) Any chance of posting a copy of the Capers?

 

Glad you had a great time and are now raising the next generation of cruisers! :D

 

Froufie

[dst]

Red Sox Gal : First its nice to see a Red Sox Fan in Pittsburg :)

 

We traveled on the Triumph in Jan and because of the change in itinerary decided to try it again in January 08.

 

I am traveling with my family which includes two nephews who will be 15 at the time of sailing; can you tell me what activities your children enjoyed and were they kept pretty busy?

 

Also, how did you book the Cabana? When I traveled on HAL we could pre-book the cabanas but I guess now for the small cabanas you can only do it on the ship, is that correct? Being in the first one are you closest or furthest from the ship. Last time we had the Green Cabana and liked that it was furthest from the ship.

 

I was thinking of booking the tour in Grant Turk but after your review I am having second thoughts. I am a strong swimmer but members of my family are not so I appreciate your feedback.

 

Nice job on the upgrade :) We have an aft cabin (same floor as you) and one of these cruises we will have to try the wrap around....

 

Glad you had such a nice time, thanks for taking the time to post a review.

[red sox girl]

The cruise director was Paul Stanley and he was great. He had me laughing so hard I was in tears. Much better than who ever it was on the miracle.

 

piano bar no we didnt go but always seemed like a crowd when we went by it. Looked like fun but we never went in wish we did.

 

Past guest party was was like 4 in the afternoon and I wanted to go but missed that also I cant remember the day I think it was a port day and I know it was tight on time for other things that we were doing and next thing we knew it was over.

 

Ok the rainforest on the way up they take you along the coast and like I said they show you everything we saw where the peole shop on weekends and it was like a stip of shops for food,clothes everything. He showed us a man made forest where the bike excursion is from the ship. Showed us great places to eat if we ever come back so we know where to go he talked about the income and prices for property. The ride up was about an hour and he talked the entire time so it didnt seem that long. I also was a bit worried about the air being turned off I think he did at 1 time but it wasnt bad. When ever we made a stop he had to turn the bus off they cant keep it on and I think that is what they mean by the air being off because he told us not to come back until the time he tells us because he cant turn it on and it will be stuffy. Our 1st stop was an overlook it had food and drinks for sale. At another stop it has a tower you can walk up it has 98 steps and but if you can do it you have to the view was out of this world amazing. At this stop they also have a tree that flowers he did get a flower that had fallen to the ground and took it apart for us. he said the local kids use it as a swirt gun it was cool then another part we smelled and it is called the pee-pee tree for a reason. another part of the flower is used to make perfume and that smelled great. He aslo took other fallen leaves and talked about those during the tour. You cant take any home. The waterfall stop was also amazing he told us to be carful if you want to climb the rocks it can be slippery our youngest did I have great pics of that I will be posting all of them soon on webshots probably this weekend. I will add a post to this one with the link. On the way back he took the freeway I think (I fell asleep). he said he has to do the coast at least 1 way but we all wanted to get back for shopping and we were running late so I think we agreed on the freeway. Also with all the news about Vick he showed us a building on the way out have you camera ready i didnt but on the side of the building it has cock fighting and it is very big in PR. even on tv out there all legal. It was definitly enough time seeing I had to take a nap on the way back. it was well worth the money for the 5 of us. You can even take a walk on a small path not to long but enough maybe 10 -15 minutes

 

I would have to scan the capers maybe I can get that done this weekend aslo and I will post those with the pictures

 

have a wonderful cruise dont let the small stuff bother you and you will have a blast like we did

[jimbug]

Great review...we were in Cabana #1 (the tan one) on Half Moon Cay last year when we sailed there on Holland America Zuiderdam. Like you, we constantly had to "shoo" people away who thought it was for everyone's use. If I go there again (I hope so!), we will definitely get a cabana farther down the beach for more privacy.

 

Also, we were just in St. Thomas 2 weeks ago today, actually...at Coki Beach, they wanted $20 for one chair and umbrella. What a rip-off! $5 sounds much more like it...

[red sox girl]

hey DST another fan I love it.

 

The older 2 boys went to the dances at night well they just hung out they didnt dance they would last until 2am!!!!

They had things like water wars, toga parties, movies, video games, amazing race, mardi gras parties, basketball, putt putt

 

The cabana we booked once on the ship thats the only way and the desk opens at noon. Yes Cabana #1 is closest and the higher the number the further away you are. We were 1st in line thats why we got #1 probably could have asked for another but we didnt. The color was Toupe

 

As far as Grand Turk it was a great experience I loved the stingrays and even though we didnt do the entire snorkel time we were still able to pet and feed the stingrays while the others were snorkeling and just swim closer to shore. One guide took you out the other stayed by the boat not everyone swam out to snorkel about 1/4 never even attempted to go out one older lady was on the tour with us and she came with capris she never even went in the water just sat on the beach.

 

If by chance you have Rodwin tell him we said Hi my boys tought him and his assistant the handshake they will remember us. His assistant went home the same day as us but if you get Rodwin he is great your room will always be clean he has a radar as soon as you leave he goes in. I know this for a fact becasue twice I forgot something and went back there he was music blasting from the radio on the bed and he as dancing as he cleans a very very funny sight. Great guy hope you get lucky and they keep the same cabins

[SunnyinMA]

Thanks much for taking the time to write a review - it makes the wait much easier :-)

[Payd]

Great review. Happy to hear you had a good time.

 

Payd:)

[dst]

Thanks so much - we will definately have one of the boys in line to book the cabana. Did they just put it on your sail n sign card?

 

I think my nephews will enjoy the cruise, if they can go out until 2:00 am they'll think they'd died and gone to heaven (lol)

 

Thanks again,

 

 

 

PS - And the Red Sox are doing very well.........lets keep our fingers crossed!

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

What a great review!!!! My brother Handsome58 and his family were on the same cruise, they had a great time also!!!!

[red sox girl]

yes they put the Cabana on your sign and sail

 

Ms.fun bunch your brother was on our roll call but I only met 1 person from it HI Dennis. Glad to hear he also had a good Cruise

[teanbean16]

Fabulous review. I can't wait for March!!!! Thanks so much.:) :)

[CarribbeanTina271]

Thanks for the review!! Will be on this cruise on Oct 6, just my DH and myself, looking forward to it.... I would love to rent a Cabana in HMC, but it is just the 2 of us, so I don't think I want to spend the cash!! Maybe I will see if anyone from our roll call list wants to split, lol!!! The cabanas sound like heaven and very much worth the money.

I might also check more into the Rainforest tour, it sounds great too!, SO you also had time to do some shopping, what about lunch?

 

Thanks Tina

[Yankeegirl]

Thanks for the great review. We leave 4 weeks from today and can hardly wait. I have heard about the cabana situation (getting the closest one).We are considering renting one, but like the previous poster there is only two us. We have been thinking about the Rainforest Tour and you sold us on it.

 

Glad to hear you had a good time and Thanks again.

 

[Froufie]

Thanks so much for the responses to my questions!

 

The waterfall stop was also amazing he told us to be carful if you want to climb the rocks it can be slippery our youngest did I have great pics of that I will be posting all of them soon on webshots probably this weekend.

One more question - do you remember the name of the waterfall you visited? Also were you able to swim in/under the waterfall - or just time to visit/climb? How long was the stop there? (and did people actually swim there during your tour?)

...and can't wait to see the pee-pee tree! :D:D

 

I am so looking forward to your pics and Capers posting! Thanks again!

 

Froufie:)

[cancan]

Thanks for the great review. Could you tell me if they used

the number or the color for the disembarkment? What number of color

is the Veranda deck?

[bcs819]

we are in 8433 on the Triumph next month - can you tell us anything you didn't like about the cabin/balcony? can other eople see onto the balcony, from pics I've seen it looks like you can on the aft part, but not on the side of the ship part. We like the privacy our balcony usually offers, so we may have to pack a little differently, if it's not totally private ;)

[red sox girl]

Ok I will try to answer all the questions if I miss one sorry

 

rain forest tour yes you have time to shop and get lunch in old San Juan but no lunch is provided on the tour but the 1st stop does have food for sale but it is still early. I dont know the name of the waterfall but no you cant swim in it, it is right ny the side of the road there is no water pool at the bottom to swim in. I also thought there would be from other post that I have read but no. They do bring you to a natural pool but no swimming is allowed now because a few years ago a girl drowned and died in it.

 

Yes they have numbers to get off we had a blue tag with 14 BUT others on our floor had blue 24 so I dont know how they figure it all out. They call 5 numbers at a time but after a while you know others are just getting in line not by there numbers so we did also but within 5 minutes they called out group anyway.

 

The balcony I found out the hard way it is NOT all PRIVATE on the aft part. We came back from the HMC and I had sand in my bathing suit top so I flashed my husband on the balcony and next thing I knew I hear WOO WOO from above the lido can see down because of the slant so the aft is private only about 2-3 feet from the back wall dont go to the rail. On the side it is private no one can see down and still big enough to enjoy. Also on the aft the divider between the cabin is very low by the rail it slants from the top to the rail so if you are close to it you can see the other balcony and Im sure they can see you. One more important thing on sea days they clean the balcony so close your curtians and door I walked out and found the cabin stewards out there cleaning it:eek:

 

The cabin was great no complaints at all enjoy it 2 great big windows plus the huge balcony.

 

Get the Cabana if you can see if anyone on your roll call wants to split the cost well worth it we paid 219.00 at the desk they put it on your S&S card.

[JnK]

Hubby & I leave next Saturday....woo hoo! We are looking forward to this itenerary. Thanks for all the information.