Victory review; 9/6 - 9/13/09

[Cigar Dude]

Several of you asked me to review our Victory cruise when I returned, so this is the first (short) installment. We returned last night around 9:30 pm so I have not had a chance to download the 520 pictures from my camera yet, but as I do I will post some pertaining to each stop. As you will recall, we're beach nuts, so a lot of beach pics are to come! The only stop we did not go to a beach was Dominica.

First, let me tell you about the only real BAD thing about the trip; embarkation. Without assigning blame, It was a complete nightmare! It was hot, slow, and frustrating. I'm not sure if it was Carnival's fault or some government agency overseeing homeland protection, or who, but it was very, very frustrating. The only thing that partially saved us was a Carnival employee who saw us with the older gentleman (Mr. Bob) who was having problems with all the standing and the heat. The Carnival employee took us to the front of the line to get processed for boarding the ship. At this point we'd been in line for well over 2 hours; probably 2 1/2. Be prepared for the San Juan embarkation process. Perhaps it was a fluke that only happens once in awhile but...be prepared!

The other curious thing was how many kids were on this cruise. Didn't school just start everywhere? There were school age kids everywhere! Most were well behaved, thankfully!

Once on board the pains of embarkation quickly went away. We were beginning the fun stuff! Tomorrow, St. Thomas and the beautiful Magens Bay!

[PollyNJ]

Glad you had a great time..i got up this morning and said to my DH I hope CigarDude writes his review ASAP..lol..can't wait for the full review and the 520 pictures <gasp>

[katiecat]

What time did you arrive at the port?

[k&mluv2travel]

Can't wait for your review and pictures!

[tiggerman101]

I actually wondered how your trip was going last week. What time did you show up at the terminal to embark? We were there at 11 and it was a ghost town. I am looking forward to reading your review. I know how excited for the cruise you were.

[DOTTE]

Looking forward to reading your review and seeing pics.

[Motley]

I will be on this cruise in just under 2 weeks. I am also looking forward to hearing your review.

[erin1998]

I am really looking forward to your review and your pictures! We are heading out on this cruise in November and are going to be "beaching it" in a few ports. Can't wait to hear about your trip!
Erin

[torontomale26]

Looking forward to the review as well, going in December

I to am wondering what time did you get to the port?

thanx

[ronniesanders1]

I know you had a had time getting on because we had a hard time getiing off. We were on the week before you. What they told us was that every few months they have a 100% customs check. Usually they have 2 or 3 customs people checking you as you walk by. This time they said they called everyone in on there day off (holiday weekend) and had everyone go through and get checked. We did not get off until after 12:30pm. It really did not bother us but I'm sure trying to get on was not fun......

Ronnie

[whendoweleave?]

as one of those looking forward to your review with pics!! Love, love, love reading reviews WITH PICS!!!! I don't care if it's a ship and ports I'm not going to!

[SmogMonster]

Can't wait for your review. And dont forget the cigar report! We leave on the Victory on Sept 27. I hope you had a great time.

[Cigar Dude]

Pics coming tomorrow!

Several people asked what time we arrived at the port. Our flight got in a little early, so we arrived at the port around 1:30, along with 3000 of our closest friends!

I met SO MANY people from Cruise Critic that recognized me. People came up to me all week and said, "hey, you're Cigar Dude"!

Hang in there for pics; there'll be a lot of 'em!

[Nunu]

Tux pics or you never went.

[jimbo5544]

Originally Posted by Cigar Dude

Pics coming tomorrow!

Several people asked what time we arrived at the port. Our flight got in a little early, so we arrived at the port around 1:30, along with 3000 of our closest friends!

I met SO MANY people from Cruise Critic that recognized me. People came up to me all week and said, "hey, you're Cigar Dude"!

Hang in there for pics; there'll be a lot of 'em!

Late departure in San Juan does make embarkation weird. Loved the 3000 of your closest friends line.

[dallas52]

cant wait to hear all about it, sorry about the wait, hope everything else went good for yall.

[tikimon]

Looling forward to your review, we sailed on the Victory back in 2002 and am wondering what things might have changed since then if anything.

[charliedog]

Originally Posted by ronniesanders1

I know you had a had time getting on because we had a hard time getiing off. We were on the week before you. What they told us was that every few months they have a 100% customs check. Usually they have 2 or 3 customs people checking you as you walk by. This time they said they called everyone in on there day off (holiday weekend) and had everyone go through and get checked. We did not get off until after 12:30pm. It really did not bother us but I'm sure trying to get on was not fun......

Ronnie

Not stealing the thread, but we got off the ship by 8:40am on Sunday Sept 6th also, no problem. Mom's platinum, second one out the door literally. Guy in wheelchair first. Had to go through customs and there was not a line. I know trying to get off the ship that the security box where you insert your card was not working properly.

Cigar Dude looking forward to your review

[sunseeker09]

I was wondering how your cruise went and thought I'd see if you posted a review yet. I knew you'd have posted something already I realize full reviews are time consuming, but I'm going to make some popcorn tomorrow and check back. Also being beach bums I'm really looking forward to a review that has a lot about beaches!
Sorry to hear embarkation was so bad, but I get the feeling the rest of your cruise was fabulous!

[pnjkeith]

Waiting on the cigar reviews too.