Back from the Victory! 12/2/07 - 12/9/07 L-O-N-G

[sea*siren]

We have returned from our first cruise, and it was WONDERFUL!

 

We sailed the western itinerary with stops at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios. We had perfect weather mid 80's and sunny the entire time. The Victory is a pretty ship, I love green! The seahorses still bite, my DS has a bite on his leg, and DH had one on his ankle to prove it. ;)

 

The looks on my children's faces were priceless as we were riding toward the port and caught our first glimpse of the ships. To quote my ten year old, "Holy crap they're huge!" Embarkation was best described as control chaos through security, but once past that part, only took about 30 min from start to finish.

 

We were on by 1:15 and checked to see if our cabin (9269 on the Lido deck) was ready, it was not, so no worries, we set out for lunch in the Mediterranean resturant on the Lido deck. Lunch was good, and afterwards we went to our cabin and met our steward Yulee from China. I will say that our cabin location was great as we were near the elevators and all the action on the Lido deck. We really enjoyed the balcony and used it often. I was surprised that it was totally quiet out there as I was expecting to hear music or noise from the Lido deck given our close proximity. But no, just the sound of the sea! it was just what was needed for relaxing. :cool:

We ate in the dining room the first night and met our head waiter Parta and asst waiter Imade both from Indonesia. Both were excellent and Parta was smitten with my 4 year old daughter. We found out he has two young daughters back at home, and misses them very much. We (especially my 4 yr old!) were well taken care of the entire week by our waiter team. After dinner each night both kids went to Camp Carnival and really enjoyed themselves. My DH and I enjoyed ourselves too sans kids, and made a bunch of donations to the casino and enjoyed various bars and lounges. We especially liked the Ionian Lounge (cigar bar) because it was deserted most of the time, and DH could smoke his cigars while we listened to the live jazz, which was very entertaining. We finished up each evening on the balcony while we waited for the children to fall asleep, and it was a very romantic and relaxing way to finish each day.

 

DH and I did not stay up past 10:30pm any night, and did not go to the shows, so I cannot comment on the night life too much. We went on vaction to relax, reconnect, and spend time as a family, so our goal was accomplished. Our son did attend the shows with camp on the first and second formal nights, and he said they were "awesome" and ranked them #2 in his top 3 things he enjoyed most, (#1 was water balloon wars) so I'm thinking they were pretty good. Maybe it had something to do with getting a kiss on the cheek from one of the dancers, or maybe it was the outfits, but he said it was the show itself, that's his story and he's sticking to it.;)

 

We did dress up and do the first formal night, but skipped the second. Just didn't feel like dressing up again. We attended the Captain's reception but were unsure where we were going. My Dh spots a group of gentlemen walking together in the ship dress whites and says "Hey, they look like they are going to the reception, I'll ask them where it is." So he goes up, taps the nearest man on the shoulder and asks. The man politely pointed us in the right direction, and as soon as we sat down, they started the introductions. Well, imagine our surprise when they announce the Capt. and IT WAS THE MAN MY DH ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS! We really got a laugh out of that one! My DH felt like such a moron! I told him there wasn't a better person to know where the Captain's reception was than the Capt. so I guess he made a pretty good choice!

 

Cozumel was nice, we did Paradise Beach and had a good time. We shopped a bit and returned to the ship for a late lunch and relaxed by the pool for the remainder of the day. The pizza was very good, and we never had to wait long for a slice.

 

I was a little worried that I might not like sea days, but they turned out to be some of the best times I had. All I wanted for Christmas this year was a tan, so I worked on that by the pool and have to say, I came home with exactly what I wished for. Besides, it's making everyone here at work jealous, and that's just part of the fun! That's so wicked I know. :D The weather in our part of VA was unseasonably cold last week while we were gone, and they even got ice. Back to the sea days...my DD and I went to the tea party and met another CC member there, and it was fun to meet and talk in person. My DH and DS enjoyed the arcade and we all took a turn or 10 on the water slide as well as played some mini golf. I wanted to do the galley tour and art auction, but I missed them both when I got busy doing other things. I'll put those on my list for next time. My DH and I did catch the Newlywed Game and it was hilarious! We laughed so hard, it was great!

 

Grand Cayman was the highlight of the trip for DH and I. We booked the Rays, Reef, and Rum Point tour with Nativeways for the 4 of us and we were not disappointed. We had a blast! My DS discovered he could snorkel, and my DD stayed on the boat and watched the rays swim around and chatted up our guide Sheldon. By the end of the tour he was calling her "Sher-ee-dan, 4 going on 24" (Her name is Sheridan). This tour was spectacular. The guides were great and we had only 14 people, which made for an intimate experience with the rays. They made sure we each got to hold them, kiss them, and feed them and have pictures. We had lunch waiting for us when we got to Rum Point Beach, and it was the prettiest beach I've ever seen. DH and I are talking about going back to Grand Cayman for a land vacation we enjoyed it so much. We got back to the ship that afternoon tired but very happy.

 

Our last stop was Ocho Rios. We opened our curtains that morning to find we were on the side of the ship facing toward land. It was a very pretty sight with the mountains in the background. We left the ship and were soon bombarded with taxi drivers. We had not planned any excursions in Ocho Rios mainly due to the fact that DH and I have already been to Jamaica a few times, and we suspected the kids (okay, all of us) might be getting tired at this point in the week. Turns out we were right, so we just did a little shopping and then returned to the ship. We did bring home some Blue Mountain Coffee, yum! Oh yes, I forgot to add, my DH got his nipple tweaked and a wink by one of the ladies in the bright dresses with the accentuated rear end. She invited him to "come with her". I think he got a little charge out of that, but I told him to keep walking...:rolleyes:

 

As we left Jamaica to make our way home, the seas started rocking and it was WINDY! We ate dinner and the kids went to camp. Amazingly enough, the kids, especially DS who can't ride 2 minutes in a car without barfing, did not get seasick. At all. My DH and I were sure feeling it, and it was unusally quiet around the ship that night. We all went to bed early.

 

The last sea day was heaven. Seas had died down some, and everybody was enjoying the pool one last day. We went to dinner that night to say goodbye to our waiters and enjoyed, (yes enjoyed) :D the singing and dancing in the dining room one more time. I forgot to mention earlier that we got a real kick out of that, it was fun, but I did look around and see a couple of grouchy faces when the "show" started each night.

 

Debarkation was smooth and easy for us, and we were off the ship before 8:15 for an early flight.

 

All in all, it was a great vacation and we'd love to cruise again sometime. The service was attentive and prompt, the ship was clean, and the drinks and food were yummy.

 

The only negatives we ran into were:

1. Queasiness caused by rocky seas. Oh well, what can you do about that?

2. Some bickering between passengers who did not know that they weren't the only ones on the ship. We didn't let it bother us, just laughed and shook our heads at the stupidity of some people.

3. Some occasional sewage smells. Now if it had been more than a wiff or two it would have bothered me, but thankfully it wasn't lingering. Come to think of it, I only noticed it when we were rocking pretty good, so maybe that had something to do with it.

4. Not being able to find our pictures. We searched and searched but only found one taken in the dining room and only one of the ones that was taken when getting off at cozumel. They took lots of photos of us, but it was frustrating trying to find them. I was especailly disappointed not to find the formal night ones.

5. Some noisy folks in the hallways at 3am, but thankfully that didn't happen too often. I'm a light sleeper.

 

Hopefully, you enjoyed my review, (if you've made it this far) and if you are considering the Victory, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

Happy Sailing!

[coevan]

Thanks for the review, very positive. We will aboard the Victory for New Year's eve cruise. This will be our second trip on the Victory, only 17 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[renata102]

Hi I loved your review. Glad to hear that your first cruise was a great cruise. This will be a first for me too, not cruising but cruising Carnival. We usually cruise Royal Carribean or Princess. Our children will be on this cruise as well, 2 yo son and 6 yo daughter. This will be my son's second cruise and my daughters third. In fact she still doesn't know we are going on a cruise. LOL we are spending a few weeks in florida (disney, family, Miami beach etc...) and we want to have at least one suprise for her.

 

Once you go on a cruise you can get addicted. DH and I just got off the Crown Princess 10 day from Brooklyn (no kids) like 5 months ago and here we go again..... LOL :D

 

Did you guys share one cabin? This will be first cruise (with kids) that we got adjoining cabins... we need the privacy! We also plan on using the Camp for the kids as much as possible. My daughter loved the RCCL ones, so I am sure she will like these. We plan on turning in before 11 as well. Since we went all out a few months ago (partying, late hours, lots of drinking, crazy excursions) we will now settle down to be with family as DH is deploying to Iraq in 6 months :(

My husband normally likes watching the shows and comedy, so we will try to catch the earlier shows.

 

We are also sailing the same itinary as you. We planned Paradise Beach for the day (last year we all were in COzumel, my daughter actually turned 5 that day in port) and we had a BLAST. I got a massage, hair braided daughter in downtown, we all snorkeled except my than 11 month old son. THat is the day we discovered that my daughter can snorkel. We plan on going back again and hit the shopping center for a few minutes.

 

In Grand Caymen my DH felt that alot of the excursions may be to rough for our 2 yo. So we decided to go to Grape Beach and hang out together.

 

IN Ocho Rios we booked a tour of plantation and dunns river falls. We want some jerked food and hang out.....

 

Well after reading your open minded post I really look forward to getting on the ship.

 

Where did DH get his sea horse bites?

 

As for the women inviting your husband we will keep a look out for them. We see a lot of that in our professions. DH is a state police (trooper) and I investigat child abuse/neglect and we meet them often in our line of work. (he arrests them and investigate them if they have children)

[sea*siren]

Did you guys share one cabin?

 

Yes we did share one cabin, and it was not as bad as I was expecting it to be. I think having the balcony helped with that.

 

 

Where did DH get his sea horse bites?

 

On the stairs! You will see all of the stairs have seahorses as railing supports and when you round the corner to ascend another flight of steps, you can really bang your ankles. It's been a joke here on CC to call that being "bitten" by the seahorses.

 

As for the women inviting your husband we will keep a look out for them. We see a lot of that in our professions. DH is a state police (trooper) and I investigat child abuse/neglect and we meet them often in our line of work. (he arrests them and investigate them if they have children)

 

I don't know who was more surprised, me or him!

[gypsyrose]

Thanks for the review and glad you had a great time!! We are thinking of doing the rays and rum point in GC. What time did they pick you up and bring you back? I know it is about 45 min to RP so I was wondering how much time you have to spend there.

[sea*siren]

Thanks for the review and glad you had a great time!! We are thinking of doing the rays and rum point in GC. What time did they pick you up and bring you back? I know it is about 45 min to RP so I was wondering how much time you have to spend there.

 

 

Yes, do the rays, reef and rum point! We left on the tour bus at 9:15am for a short ride to the marina where we boarded the boat and were quickly on our way. We took a 20-25min boat ride and stopped to snorkel for about 45 min. Then we packed up for a 5 min ride to Stingray City where we stayed about an hour. Next we boated to Rum Point Beach which took about 15 min from Stingray City. We stayed at the beach for about 1 1/2 hrs. before heading back to the marina and tour bus. We arrived at the marina at about 2:15. We made it back to the port with about 30min or so to shop before tendering around 3:10. Plenty of time.

[streaks23]

Thanks for the great review. We leave Sunday on the Victory - west. caribbean.

Did they show any movies during the day - before 5 p.m.?

Just wondering...only way I can get my husband to stay in the sun for more than 30 seconds!

Thanks!

[Classynfun1]

Thanks for the review, very positive. We will aboard the Victory for New Year's eve cruise. This will be our second trip on the Victory, only 17 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Us also, roll call buddy! Can't wait. We love this ship and this review makes me even more excited!!!!

[grandmato4]

With 10 weeks to go before we board the Victory I really enjoyed reading your review !! Thanks !

 

How was tea on the Victory? I dragged a reluctant DH to tea on our last cruise and he fell in love with it and made sure we didn't miss another one for the rest of the cruise. :) We haven't decided what to do in Grand Cayman yet so appreciated hearing what you enjoyed.

 

I am in search of one Caper to put in my DH's Christmas stocking, would you have one that you could share ?

[sea*siren]

Thanks for the great review. We leave Sunday on the Victory - west. caribbean.

Did they show any movies during the day - before 5 p.m.?

Just wondering...only way I can get my husband to stay in the sun for more than 30 seconds!

Thanks!

 

 

They did show a couple of concerts movies during the day. I can remember Barry Mantalow; Earth, Wind, and Fire; and U2 off the top of my head. The real movies were played mainly in the late afternoons and evenings. The rest of the time there was a loop that played fish swimming.

[sea*siren]

With 10 weeks to go before we board the Victory I really enjoyed reading your review !! Thanks !

 

How was tea on the Victory? I dragged a reluctant DH to tea on our last cruise and he fell in love with it and made sure we didn't miss another one for the rest of the cruise. :) We haven't decided what to do in Grand Cayman yet so appreciated hearing what you enjoyed.

 

I am in search of one Caper to put in my DH's Christmas stocking, would you have one that you could share ?

 

 

Tea was very good, many types to choose from. There was live music being played, and finger food type desserts as well. My DD and I enjoyed the time together at a "real" tea party.

 

I'm sorry, I did not keep any of the capers. I don't like a lot of extra stuff lying around, so I threw them away each day once the new one came.

[gypsyrose]

They did show a couple of concerts movies during the day. I can remember Barry Mantalow; Earth, Wind, and Fire; and U2 off the top of my head. The real movies were played mainly in the late afternoons and evenings. The rest of the time there was a loop that played fish swimming.

 

 

Barry Manilow:eek: OMG! I think I would run to my cabin and hide if they played that while I was trying to relax by the pool. I know I may offend some, but I don't think I would enjoy listening to that poolside. Is it loud or can you get away from it and still lay out in the sun?

[Hojo's redbeard]

Barry Manilow:eek: OMG! I think I would run to my cabin and hide if they played that while I was trying to relax by the pool. I know I may offend some, but I don't think I would enjoy listening to that poolside. Is it loud or can you get away from it and still lay out in the sun?

 

LOL I was on the same cruise and I don't remember any Barry Manilow being played. The noise was just enough to listen if you wanted and ignore if you didn't.

 

The ship was great. If I'd done better in the casino, I would have tried to buy my way on for another week :D

 

My seahorse bites were always on my thigh from rounding the banister too close. Happened a lot the first couple of days, then I quit with the banister and went down the middle. I always do the stairs on cruises, trying to counteract the food :D

[Hojo's redbeard]

sea*siren, did you ever get the feeling that the camp counselors were annoyed with the parents? I normally tip them big, but these counselors didn't get anything.

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for the review, sea*siren.

[sea*siren]

Barry Manilow:eek: OMG! I think I would run to my cabin and hide if they played that while I was trying to relax by the pool. I know I may offend some, but I don't think I would enjoy listening to that poolside. Is it loud or can you get away from it and still lay out in the sun?

 

 

It was on a sea day, I think the second one, Barry started up at 10am and was LOUD. My DH was ready to poke his eardrums out, but we suffered through. I'm not a Barry fan either.

[sea*siren]

sea*siren' date=' did you ever get the feeling that the camp counselors were annoyed with the parents? I normally tip them big, but these counselors didn't get anything.[/quote']

 

 

I did get that impression from some of them. They were very nice when I'd call on the phone to check on my DD, but in person weren't very friendly. I even got fussed at for not bringing my pager one time when I dropped her off. I thought they only needed the pager number, not the actual pager, sheesh. Wonder what was going on...:confused:

[Hojo's redbeard]

I did get that impression from some of them. They were very nice when I'd call on the phone to check on my DD, but in person weren't very friendly. I even got fussed at for not bringing my pager one time when I dropped her off. I thought they only needed the pager number, not the actual pager, sheesh. Wonder what was going on...:confused:

 

You know how women that live together get, maybe they are all cycling together and we just got the wrong week of the month :)

 

I couldn't believe how much they were fussing at people, and telling us what time to write down (rounding up each time) was kind of "interesting" to me.

[smashley]

What a great review! We aren't going on the Victory but we are visiting the same ports on the Freedom. We booked the same tour in Grand Cayman and are really looking forward to it. One question I have is, how did getting off the boat go before this tour? Did you try to be one of the first off? We arrive at 7:30 so I am kind of worried we won't get off in time.

[nybumpkin]

I couldn't believe how much they were fussing at people' date=' and telling us what time to write down (rounding up each time) was kind of "interesting" to me.[/quote']

We had that happen on our August 2006 cruise on Victory (one of three we've taken, with a fourth booked for next August). The counselors were okay, but were very abrupt with the parents. Invariably they told us to pick up the kids 1/2 hour before Camp Carnival's scheduled closing time - they gave us the impression of a group that didn't want to work one moment longer than necessary. I suspect it's a matter of who the head counselor is rather than the ship itself - Camp Carnival on our other Victory cruises was great, as has been our experience on other Carnival ships.

 

Sea*Siren, thanks for posting your review!

[islandersx4]

Hi Sea*Siren, We're on the Victory in February, can't wait. We'll be in cabin 9270. Do you have pictures of your cabin and or can you tell me about it. How was Yulee? Guy or girl? I'm thinking we may have the same steward. Thanks for any info.