Triumph 11/24

[kgk]

If you read some of my posts you will read that I have stated when American op's were complaining on a number of occasions how rude etc there fellow Americans could be, I stated that we have a lot of Idiots in the UK and in a travel survey we were in the top three worst nations, America was 15th.

 

To your second point, only if it is worth it,

 

To your third point I am an aetheist, so hell and your assumption you may go their for your rather childish remark does not interest me, save to say that I have two standards for a partner, one is intelligence, I need to go no further, you are safe. My kind regards

 

1. Agreed, there are a lot of idiots in the UK

2. Agreed, you seem to find it worth it often.

3. Thank goodness.

 

Kind Regards right back at ya.

[standby 06.30]

1. Agreed, there are a lot of idiots in the UK

2. Agreed, you seem to find it worth it often.

3. Thank goodness.

 

Kind Regards right back at ya.

If you agree with me, thank you, the point of your post was?

 

Dont thank goodness, thank my taste, TTFN

[dst]

WOW - I had a friend who was on the sailing and had a wonderful time. No complaints and would sail again - I sailed the Triumph in January and had a great time, I am sailing the Triumph again in January and intend on having a great time again.

 

Although it is nice for people to post reviews on "CC" it amazes me how very little information is actually shared that can be useful to others. Unrealistic expectations do not help anyone.

 

You had some of the best ports the Caribbean has to offer and you could still not have a good time? Seems strange to me. HMC is one of the most beautiful spots, San Juan has so many different things to offer, St Thomas is great and if you don't like crowds there is St John, Grand Turk is small and upcoming as a new Island for the cruise lines......what could you not like?

 

If you had to pay for your drinks, welcome aboard - every cruise line (sorry there are a few exceptions) charge for drinks. When you go out for dinner do you expect free drinks because you paid for a meal?

 

You had no life jacket; that is horrible, did you tell anyone? Normally they walk around and if you do not have a life jacket they get one for you prior to the drill being over - did you check under the bed?

 

Its sad that the Triumph has gotten such bad reviews from some people with such rediculous expectations. Yes I have cruised 12 times (only mentioning this as it seems to be important to the op) and I have cruised all of the lines.......the Triumph is no different than many other ships on many other cruise lines.

 

I hope that you find a ship that is to your liking and for anyone who intends on taking the Triumph in the near future, she is a good ship and you will enjoy the cruise!

[Kwst8ofmind]

We sailed the Triumph on the last week of Sept. 07 and we will be cruising again next year!

 

I too read and read this board and was a little scared of some of the things I read about crowds, lines, smells ect.

 

 

Well let me tell you my list of complaints is really small.

 

Public bathrooms need more frequent cleaning.

The show lounge was too cold.

The food was not real hot or cold in the dinning room.

Our room attendant did not give us our quesionare the last night.

 

 

 

Other than that we LOVED the cruise!

 

Our waiters were excellent! Never skipped a beat! The drink person for dinner ALWAYS had our drinks waiting.

 

We had fun no matter where we were at. The shows were entertaining,

The casino was fun, for fun. We never really ran into lines for the buffett, but then again we never seem to be on everyone elses time schedules.

 

Room service was ALWAYS fast and friendly.

 

I just don't know what folks find to complain about and if you think after paying just 400 dollars for one weeks unlimitted food and accomidations and you are expecting free drinks you must be delusional!

 

Some hotels are 400 a night and charge you for a bottle of water.

 

So come on and get a grip!

[standby 06.30]

We sailed the Triumph on the last week of Sept. 07 and we will be cruising again next year!

 

I too read and read this board and was a little scared of some of the things I read about crowds, lines, smells ect.

 

 

Well let me tell you my list of complaints is really small.

 

Public bathrooms need more frequent cleaning.

The show lounge was too cold.

The food was not real hot or cold in the dinning room.

Our room attendant did not give us our quesionare the last night.

 

 

 

Other than that we LOVED the cruise!

 

Our waiters were excellent! Never skipped a beat! The drink person for dinner ALWAYS had our drinks waiting.

 

We had fun no matter where we were at. The shows were entertaining,

The casino was fun, for fun. We never really ran into lines for the buffett, but then again we never seem to be on everyone elses time schedules.

 

Room service was ALWAYS fast and friendly.

 

I just don't know what folks find to complain about and if you think after paying just 400 dollars for one weeks unlimitted food and accomidations and you are expecting free drinks you must be delusional!

 

Some hotels are 400 a night and charge you for a bottle of water.

 

So come on and get a grip!

I agree with you about the staff and for $400 a week great, but what if you payed $1600 or more for the same week?

Regards

[dst]

I agree with you about the staff and for $400 a week great, but what if you payed $1600 or more for the same week?

Regards

 

 

if you paid 1600.00 per week then you probably had a balcony cabin....which costs more than an inside. Even at 1600.00 per week (228.57 per night) is a hell of a deal!

[nimbex1970]

I'm going to add the unpopular agreement. Having cruised several times, on Carnival I have witnessed bar wait staff, group and seek out unsuspecting pax, arriving at the lido deck, handing the drink of the day.... Saying "Try our drink of the day... " hands over the drink, new passenger samples and the poor unsuspecting person is then asked for their card to pay. This group, hit quite a few people before we decided to grab an officer and stop the nonsense.

 

So this first contact, can and does leave a bad taste that can last a while for some and we've seen it happen, we were lucky to have our first cruise with experts and knew better, not everyone has the luxury of knowing in advance when their being had.

 

While this represents a select few employees, the lack of customer training and supervision leads to a poor initial experience, which leads to hightened awareness of flaws.... it does happen and I think the OP was a recipient of this sell the drinks scam. Left a bad taste in my mouth just watching. I'm sure there are many others that have had this occur... if you've not cruised, you just don't know you've been had... and had as your first experience on the ship is a bad one.

[kgk]

I'm going to add the unpopular agreement. Having cruised several times, on Carnival I have witnessed bar wait staff, group and seek out unsuspecting pax, arriving at the lido deck, handing the drink of the day.... Saying "Try our drink of the day... " hands over the drink, new passenger samples and the poor unsuspecting person is then asked for their card to pay. This group, hit quite a few people before we decided to grab an officer and stop the nonsense.

 

So this first contact, can and does leave a bad taste that can last a while for some and we've seen it happen, we were lucky to have our first cruise with experts and knew better, not everyone has the luxury of knowing in advance when their being had.

 

While this represents a select few employees, the lack of customer training and supervision leads to a poor initial experience, which leads to hightened awareness of flaws.... it does happen and I think the OP was a recipient of this sell the drinks scam. Left a bad taste in my mouth just watching. I'm sure there are many others that have had this occur... if you've not cruised, you just don't know you've been had... and had as your first experience on the ship is a bad one.

 

I have to admit that I've seen this also (funny, no one in our group has ever fallen prey). On our last cruise we saw this exact behavior. New cruiser (my assumption) walks on and is handed a drink. Sips it, and then is asked for his card. He handed the drink back and walked away. The look on the waiters face was a highlight of the cruise. Sales people (and isn't that what the waiters are sometimes) cannot take advantage of you if you don't let them. Of course, it would be better if the behavior was not allowed to begin with. (But I do think that most people know that drinks are not included -- at least the people who read their cruise documents know..)

[CruiseFuse]

Our family is taking our second cruise next week on the Triumph, so of course I read everything I can. Just like I did for our very first cruise. I did so much reading the first time that we knew exactly what to expect and had no surprises at all. Even my dumb southern self thought to look in the closet for our life jackets. If I hadn't found them, I'm absolutely positive that this oversight would have caused a crew member to find us some. I was distressed to read the poor review at first. Especially since a week out - we're so ready to leave. Right now. Then I kept reading the reply posts and felt much better. (Thanks to all of you). We loved the Victory and I'm sure we will love the Triumph. As far as the ports go, we've been reading everything we can about those particular ports and we knew we'll have a great time. Maybe it's all mindset. My husband wanted desperately to go to St. Thomas. The only thing he really cared about was seeing the ocean while standing in St. Thomas. He will not be disappointed no matter what!

 

Good luck on your next Crystal Cruise and I hope the staff warms their hands before they buckle you into your life jacket. Or - do they just go overboard for you? Just curious.

[DiamondBill102]

First let me say Im new to the whole cruise vacation thing. This August me, DW,DD and DS took our first cruise. We sailed the Miracle out of NY. 7 days to San Juan...St.Thomas and Tortolla.

 

Being new to cruising I found this board from a friend. I researched a lot and read, read and read.

 

I find it hard to believe you thought the drinks we going to be free. After all the cruising you have done I think you would have known. Also as Sandi had said, you can't blame Carnival for the parking.

 

IMO I feel you went on this ship half expecting it not to be good. I believe a lot of people are right when they say cruising is what YOU make it. Sure there were things we didn't like but we didn't let that upset our whole vacation. We just chalked it up to not knowing better and will know better on our next cruise.........Jan 09.....ewww seems so far away.

 

Bill

[standby 06.30]

if you paid 1600.00 per week then you probably had a balcony cabin....which costs more than an inside. Even at 1600.00 per week (228.57 per night) is a hell of a deal!

$3200 there were two of us so (457.14 per night) with very poor food for our taste( I lost weight that was a bonus) so it was half a hell of a deal.

 

Another bonus we met a lot of great people from America, from this board.

 

Some of them have posted some interesting comments,one of them a die hard Carnival fan posted that like us She did not want to sail with them again and is giving RCL a try. regards ps I would not have missed the experience for a ?

[gusandgidgetsmom]

228.00pp a great deal for meals, a water view, entertainment and hotel room. Looking at an average of 150.00 for half of a hotel room and 78.00 for 3 meals what a bargain!!I know of very few places that are that inexpensive in the states. If the cost is too great for you then I would wonder if you could afford another cruise line.

[standby 06.30]

228.00pp a great deal for meals, a water view, entertainment and hotel room. Looking at an average of 150.00 for half of a hotel room and 78.00 for 3 meals what a bargain!!I know of very few places that are that inexpensive in the states. If the cost is too great for you then I would wonder if you could afford another cruise line.

Not if the food was xxxx, regards

[dst]

$3200 there were two of us so (457.14 per night) with very poor food for our taste( I lost weight that was a bonus) so it was half a hell of a deal.

 

Another bonus we met a lot of great people from America, from this board.

 

Some of them have posted some interesting comments,one of them a die hard Carnival fan posted that like us She did not want to sail with them again and is giving RCL a try. regards ps I would not have missed the experience for a ?

 

 

This is interesting, I would be curious to know what type of cabin you had, as the highest price for a balcony is 1,269.00 per person and I have serious doubt that you paid that.

 

Even if you may have spent 1,600.00 per person; once broken down it is still the best way to go.

 

I must say you are the first person to ever say they have lost weight while cruising

[standby 06.30]

This is interesting, I would be curious to know what type of cabin you had, as the highest price for a balcony is 1,269.00 per person and I have serious doubt that you paid that.

 

Even if you may have spent 1,600.00 per person; once broken down it is still the best way to go.

 

I must say you are the first person to ever say they have lost weight while cruising

Cat 11 + plus some extras plus £to$ conversions

[fllady61]

Just got back Saturday from the Triumph. Port of Miami is okay, but expensive to park. $20.00 day. Arrived by 11:00am and check in was quick and smooth. Can't stand the musical chairs before you go up the escalator. This seemed to anger many people before they even get on board. Upon entering the ship there was no one giving any direction or information. It was mass confusion. You were pretty well on your own. The first person to approach you is a waiter with a tray full of exotic drinks, beware, they are not free.....NOTHING IS except your meals, coffee, tea, and juice. Purchased the coke card, but did not even get a complimentary cup, that was an additional 6.95. Everywhere you turn on this cruise someone was trying to nickle and dime you to death. Oh, yes, there was free soft ice cream aft 24/7. Sorry, would not cruise this ship again just for free ice cream.

 

Had a balcony cabin, lido deck. It was spacious with a nice sized bathroom. Lots of storage and closet space. Cabin steward was as efficient as any other cruise I've taken. Not better or worse. We did however go the whole cruise without lifejackets.

 

The buffets were horrible. The lines were the longest I've ever seen on a ship (this was my 12th cruise). The food was the quality of the Golden Corral (don't mean to offend anyone) except the Corral has a better seleciton. The design of the ship is just not condusive to 3,000 passengers. The hallways on the public decks were always crowded and blocked. They set up jewelry tables where there was not enough room to pass. The entrance to the lido pool is a small opening causing backups at that door. The sushi bar and New York deli lines overlap with the buffet lines making in nearly impossible to pass.

 

The only staff I could give any kind of praise to was the dining room staff. Our Waiter and assistant were fantastic. Their attention to detail was equivelant to any 5star restraunt. That's where it ends. Maitre'd had a skit he obviously memorized and it was evident he never changes it from cruise to cruise. No one on that ship seemed sincere or happy to be there or have us there. The bar service was terrible, especially the pool bar, smoking side. The bartenders were indifferent and you got the feeling they wished they were somewhere else. The automatic tipping is the worst thing that happened on these ships.

 

The casino staff were the friendliest people on the ship. After the first night, I figured out why. This was the worst casino I had ever played in (land or sea) for pay backs. The slots did not pay back at all! It was a complaint I heard from everyone on board.

 

I chose this cruise for the itinerary. I expected one beach port and the rest to be much more interesting. The only two ports worth while were San Juan and St. Thomas. Half moon cay has a great (crowded) beach. The lunch carnival served on the island was horrible. Don't go hungry and don't want a drink. The lines for drinks were 10minutes long. Grand Turk has NOTHING on it. It's a beautiful beach, but that's it. We met up with a few people who went to town and were very disappointed to find out town consisted of a hospital and grocery store. The port shopping was such a total rip off. It is just put there for the cruise ship. The prices were outrageous and quality of most items poor.

 

The entertainment was typical cruise entertainment. I was not expecting much and was not disappointed. All in all I would give this cruise a 3 out of 10. The features I found worthwhile were not enough to make me ever cruise on Carnival again. The only thing they have going for them is their price and as we all know, you get what you pay for!

 

You are not the first person I heard complain about this ship. I had friends go on it, and they had a lot of the same complaints.

 

On what cruise line were you on where you got free drinks? As far as I know, no ship does this. NOT even DCC.

 

Try another ship with Carnival. Like Glory. That is a really nice ship. Parking 12$ pd. unless it has gone up since September.

[Sandi149]

Actually there are cabins that can cost over $4000 for 2 people. Carnival Miracle out of NY, Cat 12 suite is 2299 p/p.

[Knights on the Beach]

You are not the first person I heard complain about this ship. I had friends go on it, and they had a lot of the same complaints.

I have read complaints about EVERY ship. If I believed half the stuff that was written in some reviews, I'd never cruise. Some cruises are better than others, but fortunately, we've never had a BAD cruise.

 

Not if the food was xxxx, regards

Obviously, not everyone feels that way. We were on the Triumph in June and I enjoyed the food.

[Sandi149]

I thought the food on Carnival was quite good. While it's not gourmet, no mass market line can be when feeding thousands at a time. But everything we had was excellent. I don't know how anyone could go hungry on a cruise. :confused:

[KruznKel]

To each their own as they say.. not one person on this earth is the same.(unless you are one of those cloned pigs or sheep:eek:). so reviews are subjective.. why get bent out of shape about what somebody you have never met has to say about their trip.. go and enjoy yours .. only you can make the vacation the way you want to.. if you go into it with a crappy attitude you will have a crappy time no matter the reviews or not;)

[dst]

Actually there are cabins that can cost over $4000 for 2 people. Carnival Miracle out of NY, Cat 12 suite is 2299 p/p.

 

 

Sandi I know that the suites are expensive but the way this was written I expected this person to be in an inside - with all the perks of a suite how could anyone complain.

[Sandi149]

Sandi I know that the suites are expensive but the way this was written I expected this person to be in an inside - with all the perks of a suite how could anyone complain.

 

Actually I was looking into booking one of those suites but there really aren't that many perks. Yes the cabin is larger than a regular balcony and you get priority boarding, and your dinner seating I believe is guaranteed but I don't think there are any other perks.

 

I was very happy in my regular balcony cabin. It was quite roomy for hubby and I. :D

[KruznKel]

Actually I was looking into booking one of those suites but there really aren't that many perks. Yes the cabin is larger than a regular balcony and you get priority boarding, and your dinner seating I believe is guaranteed but I don't think there are any other perks.

 

I was very happy in my regular balcony cabin. It was quite roomy for hubby and I. :D

 

Sorry to jump in OT here.. but I would forgo the suite and take the aft wrap :D The only perk with a suite is priority embarkation.

[dst]

Its also nice if you have a lot of ports that tender, because you also get priority for that. On some lines they will do your laundry (not sure about Carnival) and you get special little treats in your cabin upon boarding.

 

I'd rather save my money for excursions and stuff but we have upgraded a few times (when the price was right)

[dst]

Sorry to jump in OT here.. but I would forgo the suite and take the aft wrap :D The only perk with a suite is priority embarkation.

 

 

I agree - I like all the aft cabins! I'll be in one in 50 days :)

 

Jump in anytime ;)