Just off the Victory

[barvn]

Barvn

Thanks for the great review. Now that you have experienced both RCCL & Carnival, what was your impression (good or bad) of the food differences. (i.e. variety, quality, etc.)

 

We are planning for a cruise in May and the Victory is one of our choices as well as RCCL Adventure of the Sea out of San Juan.

 

I would have to say the quality is about the same but I think that I preferred the choices on RCCL. I don't recall ever ordering on the Alternate menu on RCCL. Keep in mind that I don't eat Salmon and that was on the menu frequently. But everything that I did order was very good except for one of the appetizers which was suppose to be a crab cake. All of the other appetizers that I had were very good as well as the soups and salad. I am an Iced Tea Addict and I usually get unsweetened iced tea when I am out and add Splenda and I also love Snapples Diet Lemon Tea and believe it or not WAWA's Diet Lemon Iced Tea. The iced tea on the ship was HORRIBLE, by half way toward the end of the cruise I could not even tolerate drinking it. I actually asked for a cup of hot tea and made my own (I think I was going through withdrawl). My mom did not think that it tasted bad. But iced tea is all I usually drink. I was forced to drink soda alot. But overall I think that they are about the same in food quality. The room service entrees were very good. They had fagitas that were very good. Just the right portion when you wanted a snack.

[barvn]

how exactly did they retro-fit the ship for the LED screen? Im anxious to see how they added it in...

 

I didn't want to just not answer this but I am not sure exactly what you are asking. The Seaside Theater was about the area that the band played on the Lido Deck. It was supported by huge beams. (Does that help?)

[barvn]

How did they change the funnel deck. Is it now adult only?

thanks,

All I could tell you is that I mentioned to my husband that there may be an adult deck on ship that may have passengers on it that were topless. He informed me when I mentioned it again later in the cruise that there was no such thing. (I take that comment that he had already scoped it out - haha)

[teeredi2cruise]

I would have to say the quality is about the same but I think that I preferred the choices on RCCL. I don't recall ever ordering on the Alternate menu on RCCL. Keep in mind that I don't eat Salmon and that was on the menu frequently. But everything that I did order was very good except for one of the appetizers which was suppose to be a crab cake. All of the other appetizers that I had were very good as well as the soups and salad. I am an Iced Tea Addict and I usually get unsweetened iced tea when I am out and add Splenda and I also love Snapples Diet Lemon Tea and believe it or not WAWA's Diet Lemon Iced Tea. The iced tea on the ship was HORRIBLE, by half way toward the end of the cruise I could not even tolerate drinking it. I actually asked for a cup of hot tea and made my own (I think I was going through withdrawl). My mom did not think that it tasted bad. But iced tea is all I usually drink. I was forced to drink soda alot. But overall I think that they are about the same in food quality. The room service entrees were very good. They had fagitas that were very good. Just the right portion when you wanted a snack.

 

Thanks for the reply. Most of our group have, (how shall I shall) simple palates and prefer more traditional dishes over cuisine. I am looking at the menus to see if the main entree's will please them more oftern than going to the alternative menu on either line. Hopefully, we can get them to be a little adventurous.:)

[barvn]

I think that I forgot to mention that the iced tea is not any good at all. I remember reading comments regarding the iced tea and I have to say it ws horrible and that is all that I drink.

[Jared19]

great review!

im glad you would sail carnival again.

you just have to know the secrets of these ships

ie the less crowded spots, :D

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for the great review, Barvn.

[luna_goddess]

Let me first start off by saying this was my first Carnival Cruise. I have been on Royal Carribean twice, Celebrity twice and Holland America once.

There was 6 of us traveling, 3 adults and 3 children. We booked 2 connecting outside rooms.

We flew from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale via Southwest Airlines. We then took a Limo from Ft. Lauderdale to the Port of Miami. The cost of the limo was $120.00 which was cheaper then the transfers would have been through Carnival. We arrived at the port around 1pm and stood in line for 2 hours before entering the ship. We then went right to our cabins where I found our dining assignments. I had requested 6:15 dining. One of our cabins was booked for 5:45 and the other for 6:15. I had verified several times prior to our ship that our rooms were linked together. I went directly to the dining room to straighten this out. They informed me that we were not linked together. They would have it corrected by the next evening, but for the first night we would have to show up at the dining room at 6:00 and see if they could seat us together. We went there and there was a long line of people waiting to have their situations corrected. The line was not moving. After @20 minutes we left and ate Cheeseburgers on the Lido Deck.

 

So far our impression of Carnival was not very good. I was so dissappointed and on top of it I had to keep hearing my husband say why did I book with Carnival.

 

I have to say from that point on things did get better. The next day our dining situation was resolved. I did not get the 6:15 but we all did get a table together at 5:45.

 

2nd Day (at Sea)

 

We ate in the dining room for breakfast. It was very good. The lines for any of the buffets were just so long. It was like that for the rest of the cruise. I don't really understand why. I have been on large ships before but don't recall the lines being so long. I was even more surprised because there are so many different places to eat for lunch, yet everywhere you went there were lines. We did have a nice day at sea.

It was formal night. Our dining room waiter and assistant were great. There names were German and Judy. I could not get over how many different areas there were to get formal portraits taken. They were available all night so you didn't have the pressure of not making your pictures on time if you were not early for dinner. There were plenty of opportunities to get pictures done throughout the entire cruise.

 

Day 3 (Cozumel)

We woke up early (had ordered room service since I have the young kids) ordered them cereal and stuff. Room service never got our order right throughout the cruise. But that is about where the disappointment ended. Everything else was wonderful. We took a taxi to Paradise Beach. It cost $28.00 for a van for 6 of us. I was surprised at the cost because I had read that it was $12.00 for 4. But it was ok. Paradise Beach was wonderful. There were not many people there at all. It actually was pretty empty. I believe there were only 2 ships in port. It rained a little when we first got there, but we used that time to get my girls hair braided and mine as well. My husband and son rented a jetski. They only charge for the first passenger. The food was great as well as the service. Our server was Manuel. They had a little hut with a couple of parrots there that you were able to touch. My kids loved that. They also had a laptop on the bar that you were able to utilize for free. That came in handy since I needed to check my email to see what time I was meeting for my excursion in Jamaica. We took a taxi back to the ship. There was so many shops at the port along with entertainment.

 

Day 4 - at Sea

We just hung out. Enjoyed the day.

 

Day 5 - Grand Cayman

We booked a private excursion Grand Cayman Eco Tour. We were on a 27 Foot Boston Whaler that took us to swim with the stingrays, visit starfish beach and had lunch at Rum Point.

 

Day 6 - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

We booked a tour through Marva Shaw. The only problem with this was I wasn't sure what time to meet with her. Her email to me said 1 hour after the ship arrived. Well the ship was scheduled to arrive at 8am. So I had planned on 9am. However, the ship arrived early and I wasn't sure what time she would go by. As a result we were late. She was great about it though. The other people had already left on the tour to Dunns River Falls but her son came back and started our tour. We winded up really having a private tour. We went to Dunns River then went River Tubing. We also went to the beach for lunch. This was probably the most fun we had. Our tour guide was wonderful. Felt very safe with him. He seemed to know everyone. We did drive through some very rough areas getting to the River tubing. We had went in the shops at Dunns River and boy was that an experience. The vendors would place items in your hands and then harrass you like you couldn't believe. My husband had a hard time saying no to them. He even handed one of the vendors $20.00 just to leave him alone and he still wanted my husband to by. It was kind of funny. Lets just say we really contributed to Jamaica that day. With all of the hasseling I forgot to pick up my Video of the falls that I had already paid for. The video man offered to go back into the shopping area to get it for us and came out and told us that they had sold them all. However, our tour guide and the video guy worked out an arrangement and they made us another tape but we didn't have to wait for it. While we were river tubing they met up with each other to get the tape. I thought that was very nice of them. We compensated them for that.

 

The last couple of days at sea were nice. I won $130.00 at Bingo. My husband did very well at the casino all week. Practically paid for our trip. We left Carnival with a very good feeling. I would definately cruise with them again. I know that they are always being compared to Royal Carribean and now that I have gone on both cruises within 1 year I can say that they are very compariable. With the exception of the first day we had a great cruise. Probably the most fun that we ever had on one. I am sure that alot had to do with all of the great excursions that we booked. I received all of the information for the private excursions from Cruise Critic and I am very grateful.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions that I can ask.

Hope this wasn't too lengthy.:) :) :)

 

 

It looks like we missed eachother the whole cruise haha. We did Paradise Beach in the afternoon in Cozumel and we were the group ahead of you with Javia Shaw! haha it worked out good though because it seems like we each had our own private tours!!!! :D

[barvn]

It looks like we missed eachother the whole cruise haha. We did Paradise Beach in the afternoon in Cozumel and we were the group ahead of you with Javia Shaw! haha it worked out good though because it seems like we each had our own private tours!!!! :D

 

J was wonderful wasn't he.

How did you know to meet them on time. Marva said 1 hour after we docked, but I just assumed it was based on the time we were scheduled to dock. Oh well. I did keep asking J where your group was. He said that you all cut a little early to shop.

I probably did see you on the ship but just didn't know it. We did stay at Paradise Beach the whole time. I had to see you. My girls and I all had our hair braided in Cozumel.

[barvn]

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/30598/2397071180102537538S600x600Q85.jpg Starfish - Grand Cayman

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/30479/2177425570102537538S600x600Q85.jpg Seaside Theater Victory

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/30886/2512758890102537538S600x600Q85.jpg Parrot - Paradise Beach

[streaks23]

Thanks, Barvn!

GREAT JOB! Thanks for taking the time to post your great review and pics! Much appreciated! Can't wait for Dec. 16! Thanks, again!

[BBigfoot613]

Sorry to intude but jared says you have to know the secrets to the less crowded places on the ship. So if I can ask.....where are they on the victory. I'll be sailing on her in june of next year for my first cruise and worry about 3000 people all trying to do the same thing.

[luna_goddess]

J was wonderful wasn't he.

How did you know to meet them on time. Marva said 1 hour after we docked, but I just assumed it was based on the time we were scheduled to dock. Oh well. I did keep asking J where your group was. He said that you all cut a little early to shop.

I probably did see you on the ship but just didn't know it. We did stay at Paradise Beach the whole time. I had to see you. My girls and I all had our hair braided in Cozumel.

 

 

We are the type of people who like to be first off the ship so we just got off and went to the tour area. Generally the guides are waiting at the dock for the boat to get there so you can never be too early.

 

I'll be uploading my pictures soon so maybe I'll see you in a few of them! haha or at least we'll be able to see if we recognize eachother!

 

I actually found the ship to be quite boring. This was my 2nd Carnival cruise and we were just tired of all the same options for activities on the Sea Days. - bingo, art auctions, hairy chest competitions, survivor, etc... We even sat through a country line dance lesson because we were so bored by the 3rd day at sea!! I will never do that many again!

 

As for the food, it was terrible compared to last year on the Destiny. Even the lobster. And the service didn't even compare. Most of the workers I talked to were counting down the days until their 2 month breaks (I was informed that they work 6 months straight (60-80 hours a week) and then get 2 months off - this was food service staff). My head waiter has been with Carnival for 7 years and he said he was done with them for good in February. His $1000 a month salary just wasn't cutting it and he was heading back to Indonesia.

 

I'm glad we're trying Royal Caribbean next year. I'm a little disappointed. Maybe the novelty of our first cruise has worn off.

[barvn]

We are the type of people who like to be first off the ship so we just got off and went to the tour area. Generally the guides are waiting at the dock for the boat to get there so you can never be too early.

 

I'll be uploading my pictures soon so maybe I'll see you in a few of them! haha or at least we'll be able to see if we recognize eachother!

 

I actually found the ship to be quite boring. This was my 2nd Carnival cruise and we were just tired of all the same options for activities on the Sea Days. - bingo, art auctions, hairy chest competitions, survivor, etc... We even sat through a country line dance lesson because we were so bored by the 3rd day at sea!! I will never do that many again!

 

As for the food, it was terrible compared to last year on the Destiny. Even the lobster. And the service didn't even compare. Most of the workers I talked to were counting down the days until their 2 month breaks (I was informed that they work 6 months straight (60-80 hours a week) and then get 2 months off - this was food service staff). My head waiter has been with Carnival for 7 years and he said he was done with them for good in February. His $1000 a month salary just wasn't cutting it and he was heading back to Indonesia.

 

I'm glad we're trying Royal Caribbean next year. I'm a little disappointed. Maybe the novelty of our first cruise has worn off.

 

I think that alot of the activities, even on the other cruise lines, are about the same. I am a little embarrassed to say, but we never really participated in alot of it (even before we had kids). Then again, my husband loves the casino, so when we were at sea (prior to kids) that is where he spent most of his time. He balanced himself out alot this trip. He would go to the casino for short periods of time, always leave when he was ahead, and we came home with more money then we left with even after spending a ton of money on excursions and souveniors. My kids were in the arcade, mini golf, sat by the pool and just really hung out on the sea days. I have been on RCCL twice in the past and I can tell you that there definately is not as much going on at night as there was on Carnival. You don't get as many deck parties and buffets by the pool. We were on Explorer of the Seas 9/07 and we had a very hard time finding something to eat if if was after 10pm. They had a little cafe open with not much there. In that aspect I liked Carnival better. But I think the activities were bascially the same.

 

You need to depend on yourself to make the most of the cruise. You can be as involved as little or as much as you want. It all depends on what you like to do.

 

By the way, I was there for the Country Line Dancing. I was waiting to play Bingo. I actually had my 2 little girls with me to play bingo and I won $130.00.

[barvn]

Sorry to intude but jared says you have to know the secrets to the less crowded places on the ship. So if I can ask.....where are they on the victory. I'll be sailing on her in june of next year for my first cruise and worry about 3000 people all trying to do the same thing.

 

Well waiting in line with 3 kids is tough. I pretty much avoided the Mediterranean buffet. We ate alot in the dining room for breakfast and sometimes lunch. There service was quick there and there was not a wait to get seated. We did have lunch on the deck a few days and did have to wait in some lines.

 

As far as the deck, by the time we got to the poolside alot of the chairs had towels on them (but not people). If we found an open lounge chair we sat in it and if there were lounges next to it with no people we sat on them to. We would have gotten up if people actually came back to the chairs but they never did

 

As far as the shows, I always just went to the upper levels to watch them. I actually enjoy it that way better. I did however, get a close seat for the magic show thinking that the kids would get a better view of the magic but it was not at all what I thought. The "magician" did a couple of cool optical illusions and then it was just kind of silly. He was a little more of a comedian than a magician. The juggler was really good.

 

You want the least crowded place to be.....that would be your cabin. My kids had as much fun jumping off the bunkbeds then any other entertainment that Carnival could have provided. Go figure.

[BBigfoot613]

Thanks for the little tip as I will be travelling with my 5 year old and she'd not nearly as patient as I am (gets it from her mom). Having sailed with children before could I get your opinion on cabin selection? We are currently booked in a 4a cabin on the riviera, as are my parents. We couldn't get next to each other but that gives us some "away" privacy. I'm contimplating an upgrade to a balcony so I can have some time to just relax without a ton of others around. With this being our first cruise I'm not sure that the extra 900 or so dollars would be worth the upgrade. Also if we were to upgrade should it be done now or maybe wait till closer to departure to hope for a better rate? any thoughts?

[leadout_kv]

The last couple of days at sea were nice. I won $130.00 at Bingo. My husband did very well at the casino all week. Practically paid for our trip.:) :) :)

 

What games did your husband play in the casino to do so well? Any tips? Thanks.

[barvn]

Thanks for the little tip as I will be travelling with my 5 year old and she'd not nearly as patient as I am (gets it from her mom). Having sailed with children before could I get your opinion on cabin selection? We are currently booked in a 4a cabin on the riviera, as are my parents. We couldn't get next to each other but that gives us some "away" privacy. I'm contimplating an upgrade to a balcony so I can have some time to just relax without a ton of others around. With this being our first cruise I'm not sure that the extra 900 or so dollars would be worth the upgrade. Also if we were to upgrade should it be done now or maybe wait till closer to departure to hope for a better rate? any thoughts?

 

I definately would not spend the extra $900.00 on the balcony, especially since it is your first cruise. Use that money towards excursions. Although it would be nice to sit outside while at your room I would be too nervous. It is hard enough worrying about your kids safety all the time and I just wanted some peace of mind at least when I slept.

We traveled with my mom and had 2 adjoining outside rooms. It was just having the extra bathroom. 1 of our rooms had 2 single beds (pushed together) a couch bed and a birth, the other room had 2 single beds, couch bed and a birth. At the beginning I asked the cabin steward to make up all of the beds. I just wanted the options. After a couple of days the 1 birth I asked to not be made. The kids were constantly playing up there.

Here are some specifics for your daughter.

 

When ordering room service,

They only have peanutbutter and jelly, not one or the other, and they automatically toast it. So unless she likes it toasted ask for white bread not toasted. My kids had cereal alot at night as a snack. Ask for 2 boxes because there are days when they woulhd just forget it.

They don't give you straws when ordering from room service, so if she needs one, ask.

Dining Room:

There were plenty of times that I would order them an entree off of the main menu and also a kids meal. Just so that they would try different things and not just eat nuggets every night.

There is always apple juice, punch, lemonade and iced tea available at the buffet. There is no need to purchase a soda card unless she doesn't drink juice. You can even order milk and juice at dinner at no charge.

 

I don't know how your daughter is but my kids did not want me to leave them in the camp. They did go for a couple of hours 1 day when they colored Tshirts. My kids are 5 turning 6 in December. I asked for them to be placed in the 6 - 8 year old group. I thought that they would enjoy that more than being with2 and 3 year olds. They were very accomodating.

They give the kids a bracelet indicating what muster station that are in. On my first cruise with the kids I didn't dare take it off. This time I did. I spent way too much money on all the formal portraits to have them have a green bracelet on. I just asked for a new one the next day.

 

Are you going on any excursions?

[barvn]

What games did your husband play in the casino to do so well? Any tips? Thanks.

 

He was just playing blackjack. He won around $3,800 not counting all the money he would hand me that I would feed the slot machines with. Although I did win $300.00 on one of the machines. Because there was $400 credit in the machine the money did not come out of the machine. The attendant had to come over. He just had a different strategy this time. He would play and be satisfied and walk away if he was up 300 - 500 dollars then he would go back later or even wait until the next night. He just got a little every night. It made for a nice time. He played the traditional Blackjack.

[luna_goddess]

 

By the way, I was there for the Country Line Dancing. I was waiting to play Bingo. I actually had my 2 little girls with me to play bingo and I won $130.00.

 

 

Wait a sec..... did you say that your two little girls had their hair braided?? Blondes?? I think we were sitting in the same row!! :D How funny!

[luna_goddess]

By the way, I posted my review as well!!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=662593 :D

[barvn]

Wait a sec..... did you say that your two little girls had their hair braided?? Blondes?? I think we were sitting in the same row!! :D How funny!

 

Their whole head was braided and so was mine. We were kind of sitting in the middle. I was the one that yelled out BINGO!

[luna_goddess]

Their whole head was braided and so was mine. We were kind of sitting in the middle. I was the one that yelled out BINGO!

 

How funny!!

[BBigfoot613]

I definately would not spend the extra $900.00 on the balcony, especially since it is your first cruise. Use that money towards excursions. Although it would be nice to sit outside while at your room I would be too nervous. It is hard enough worrying about your kids safety all the time and I just wanted some peace of mind at least when I slept.

That's kinda what I was thinking as 900 bux can go aways if you spend wisely. That along with the fact that our daughter is the adventurous type and would be worried she'd be heading to the balcony before we woke up.

Here are some specifics for your daughter.

 

When ordering room service,

They only have peanutbutter and jelly, not one or the other... Ask for 2 boxes....

Dining Room:

There is always apple juice, punch, lemonade and iced tea available at the buffet. You can even order milk and juice at dinner at no charge.

 

Are you going on any excursions?

 

Wow more must know tips for kids! I read on a post on these boards that it's the "little things" that makes the trip great instead of just OK. The soda card wouldn't be needed for her as I don't care for her drinking it alot. The better half or my mother are a whole different story. Plan on bringing a case of pepsi for them.

We're going to freeport and nassau and plan on doing glass bottom boat with all 5 of us and deep sea (bottom) fishing with just myself and my parents. I know I would like to hit the straw market for a little and would like to find a beach close by in either port and catch a cab. Have you been to these ports before? and if so do you know which would have easier access to a beach close by? Believe we'll only be in freeport for 7 hours but in nassau for a day and a half.

[barvn]

We're going to freeport and nassau and plan on doing glass bottom boat with all 5 of us and deep sea (bottom) fishing with just myself and my parents. I know I would like to hit the straw market for a little and would like to find a beach close by in either port and catch a cab. Have you been to these ports before? and if so do you know which would have easier access to a beach close by? Believe we'll only be in freeport for 7 hours but in nassau for a day and a half.

 

I have never been there with my kids. In fact I have not been there since my honeymoon in 1992. I am afraid I will not be much help to you there. If you think of anymore questions just let me know. Have a great time!