Victory sots part two

[palmbeach12]

This afternoon we visited the main lido deck (Mid Ship 9) and herein lies my biggest complaint of the cruise. All of the events are held on a middle stage with chairs and tables surrounding the stage. The acoustics, sound system, something needs to be replaced. Unless you are sitting directly in front of the stage you can't understand a word of what the announcer/host is saying. It was a very noisy place and I visited it only one other time during the week. Frankly it gave me a headache. The aft pool is a much better choice. Later that evening we attended the captains cocktail party. When I got to dinner that night I found out the composition of our table had changed. Whats this -- you don't like fun loving sots for dinner partners????LOL We were sitted in the senior citizen section with a bunch of 60 to 80 year olds. It was not a fun dining experience. The two 80 year olds were the most interesting ones at the table. We had the lobster tonight. It was a little tough but definitely edible. The entertainment was "Living in America" in the main show lounge. We skipped it to go to spend the evening at the piano bar with Kevin. He was on fire tonite and we had a great time. Kevin convinced us to go to the midnight comedy show - David Sayh (Again ;(

He wasnt any better the second time around. Back to the balcony and bed.

Cozumel. We docked at the pier. Carnival now owns the old international pier and has converted it into a shopping mall for tourists. You are forced to walk through this "village" for about a mile in order to take a taxi anywhere. This is unacceptable. Now i can see why Western carib cruises are a real bargain at this time. We took a taxi to Paradise Beach (did not get to see PB TOM ) for 12 bucks each way. We sat in comfortable lounge chairs with umbrellas (free) and drank buckets of Dos Equis (5 bottles for $12). It was a beautiful day and the beach and the ocean were great. This is a great place to bring the kids. For an additional $5 per person you get free watersports - snorkeling stuff, kayaks, etc. Dinner was open seating so we skipped it (we were very spoiled by our dining team) and had burgers and pizza at the aft pool. Entertainment tonight included a deck party and a mexican folk show. We went to the casino bar and met some new friends. There were lots of Brits on board and they were all friendly and fun to hang with. We also met three drag queens - Biscuit, Kelly and Monica. The drag queens invited us to a private show they were putting on Friday night. After the casino bar closed we hit the aft pool bar till 4am and had more pizza. Wednesday - day at sea. We drank beer on deck and played "shut the box" It was a board game we had brought on board and I highly recommend it. Later that aft, my sis and I got picked to play "family feud." It was a real blast and we both won our first "ship on a stick." I have always wanted one!! We went to dinner. I was pretty trashed but still wasn't ready to hear two of the old ladies badmouthing us. We decided that we were simply not fit to be dinner partners with anyone and made the decision to buffet/room service, etc. at this point. "Magical Moments" was the show and I heard from other pax that it was pretty good. We spent the evening in the casino bar and aft pool. Thursday (Grand Cayman) My sis and I booked a stingray city tour right at the dock for 35. It was good but the seas were really too rough for the tour that day. We had some cheeseburgers that night at the bbq. They were great. Entertainment that night was lame - "Who wants to be a millionaire" and "the marriage show." The pits. This is entertainment???? Sorry carnival - not for me. The piano bar was SRO Again! Went to the disco and danced with some nice people. Then we hit the aft pool bar and to bed.

Friday (jamaica) Well folks I know this is gonna be a shocker -- Jamaica has improved about 200% !! It is a really fun place to spend the day.. We spent some time at "Margaritaville" IN THE island village. There was excellent shopping there at Hemp heaven and Oceans 11 Liquors. A great gift shop also with souvenirs $1.50 and up. Jamaica was beautiful and a real delight. Not one person asked to braid our hair. NOW that is progress!!!!!!! Tonight was formal night. Many dressed up - we wore slacks and blouses and dined on prime rib. We went to the "Divas" show before dinner. This is a private show for invited guests only - $5.00 cover charge. It is not assoc. with Carnival. It was a drag queen show and was the best entertainment (besides Kevin at the piano bar) that I had seen on this cruise. Bisquit, Monica and Kelly were awesome. I also made some new friends at this show. One of the highlights of my cruise. One of the friends I met there was a beautiful woman who invited us to join her dinner table. It was the most fun dinner of the cruise. We offered her waitress Lilliana an extra tip if she would let us return for the last night of the cruise. She agreed. We retreated for the piano bar for awhile and then went to the show "VROOM." It was outstanding - don't miss this 70's and 80's musical revue. Loved it! Hit the disco which was really packed and rocking. Danced with friends until our legs gave out. They were playing classic 70's disco. Great venue - glad to finally see some other people there. My batteries ran out about 3am and I hit the sack. Saturday (at sea) Slept late, had lunch with friends, packed and wrote this review. Plans for tonight include a pajama party at the piano bar. It was one of the best nights of the cruise. The piano bar and disco were both packed and we made it till about 1am. Alternate entertainment on this last evening was a guest talent show and juggler and comedian. Overall:

I love to cruise am a cruise addict and overall I am still satisfied with the carnival product but not this ship. I love the green decor but was disappointed in the lido deck sound system and some of the entertainment options offered. I really liked sailing from Miami - very convenient. I am booked for my next cruise on the Valor. If you want to have a funship "fun" experience give Carnival a try. Happy cruising!

[Krittie67]

Thank you for the review - it was great - only 187 days til I am on the Victory..

[MinniIndi]

Hi Palm Beach and welcome back

I want to move to Florida so I can take advantage of those last minute cruise deals. Your so lucky not to have to coordinate airfare and hotel, etc...

We're sailing on Victory mid Jan. (my 40th B-Day). Toes in the sand and a margarita in my hand!! And no annoying Happy B-Day phone calls. I'll be swimming with the stingrays in Grand Cayman.

I've been to GC and Cozumel but it'll be my first to Jamaica. Any have to go there's?

Anyway Great review, and we wouldn't of minded you as dinner partners, sounds like you had fun. This will be my first time on Victory, been on the ecstacy, norwegian, and RCCI.

Hooked on cruisin, that's for sure.

[palmbeach12]

Thanks for the compliments on my review. I had a good time writing it!!! Enjoy your upcoming cruises - mine is 349 days away - Carnival Valor Vampires!

pb