Carnival Victory Review 3/20-3/24

Went on the Victory 4 day Key West/Cozumel with my college daughter, her roommate & her mom. The girls were on their spring break so we planned a girls trip for some sun & fun. This was my 11th cruise (all but 2 on Carnival). The other girls are cruisers too just not as many. We're from Chicago area & the girls are sophomores at the University of Illinois. Hope you don't mind my background info!

We flew in Sunday (3/19) into Ft Lauderdale due to flying Southwest. Did a lot of research on where we should stay the night. I lived in West Palm Beach for 3 years in the early 90s so I do know this coast. I love Ft a Lauderdale but I really wanted to give the girls a little taste of South Beach. I know Bayside & Brickell are popular areas for pre-cruise night, but had to go for the beach. I wanted to stay at Loews or the Ritz, but we really wanted to keep costs down. Found a great deal on Expedia for The Royal Palm (price kept going down the closer it got). Got it for $225. I knew there would be the resort fee but I have to admit, the drink prices threw me ($9/beer, $18/wine). There's a Walgreens at the corner so buy your own. They had everything at Walgreens from fresh fruit, sandwiches, to beach towels. We loved the location of this hotel. Right by Ocean Ave & beach action, and also Lincoln Rd which the girls loved. The hotel room was very small w/ 2 double beds but that's South Beach. The hotel backs up to the beach & a really cool Boardwalk that you can walk, run or bike on. Loved that.

We had a great day on the beach and then headed to Lincoln Rd for dinner.

There are so many places to choose from you cant go wrong. We ended up going to a Cuban restaurant (sorry forgot the name). Sat outside and it was fantastic.

Gonna test this picture posting thing. Never have before and I hope it works! More later

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Embarkation Day: we had the 12:30-1:00 board time and had also received the delayed boarding email from Carnival. So we taxied over to the port around 1:30 to check in. The line outside was crazy long. Then we heard someone saying "if you have a 12:30 boarding time follow us" Hallelujah!! We walked right up to security & then right up to the check in counter. Then we walked right into the ship! I kid you not...No waiting!!

Our rooms were on Lido port side #9238 & #9242. They were ready so we dumped our carry-ons and headed for the pool area. We had already purchased the Cheers program online before the cruise. This is a must! You don't have to wait in any lines to sign up and you get a slight discount ordering ahead of time.

There weren't a ton of people on board yet so we grabbed a Fun Ship drink and headed to the back for some pizza. Next we grabbed some sun chairs and listened to the DJ while we people watched. The DJ Zen was really great. Reminded me of why I love Carnival. They really are the fun ships!

Muster drill is ridiculously long and I don't know why. But we started to leave before it was over and that always stresses me out! We left port around 6pm but hung out on lido for a bit longer to dance and party. We chose anytime dining so no stress for dinner.

I liked anytime dining and we hardly waited any of the 4 nights (except the last because of the waiters singing I think). I did miss getting to know your own wait staff tho. We had the same waiter Johni the last 2 nights and we treated him like he was part of our group! The girls loved him and it made me miss that relationship you have when its your own wait staff every night.

After dinner we went to the welcome aboard show. I loved the CD "Matey" but this show was pretty uneventful. The next 2 shows made up for it but he needs to step up that first night a little. Can't they all just be John Heald?? We then went to the comedy show and he was hilarious. An Hispanic big guy (sorry name?) and his speel was being Mexican so I can say that. He was really good. Stumbled into the piano bar after that and found our favorite place. More on that later but Andy is sooo great!! Love him and dare I say better than Ron Pass? So funny and cool and the girls loved him

That's all for tonight. Thx for reading!

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Looking forward to more :)

Can't wait to read more! Headed to victory in sept

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I love this so far! Sailing on the Victory in May!

following... :)

We will be on the Victory in May so looking forward to the rest of your review.

Following.... thanks for writing your review. We will be on this ship in June!

Looking at this cruise for my daughters 30th bday. Enjoying the review so far. How did you get from FLL to MIA after your flight?

Following your review.....we are on the Victory 2 weeks!!:)

Thanks for the review...less than a month and we board! I wonder if it'll be the same piano player when we get on...the alchemy bar and piano bar are my frequent places! Did you ever hear the house band play?

Loving your review so far. Cant wait to board the Victory in April!!!

Subscribed !

We get to sail on the Victory in April and this is just what I need to help pass the time. 😎

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Looking forward to more :)

Thank You!! :)

Can't wait to read more! Headed to victory in sept

 

 

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Thank you...and I'm jealous! :)

I love this so far! Sailing on the Victory in May!

Thanks so much! Have fun :)

following... :)

Thanks for the follow! :)

We will be on the Victory in May so looking forward to the rest of your review.

Thank you! Have fun on your cruise :)

Thanks so much for the review! I'm enjoying it. We will be aboard the Victory for my daughter's wedding in April, so the timing is perfect!

Going on Victory on April 17. Looking forward to this!

Looking at this cruise for my daughters 30th bday. Enjoying the review so far. How did you get from FLL to MIA after your flight?

Perfect cruise for a Birthday celebration. We found the 4 nights plus the hotel stay the night before was the perfect length.

Thanks for asking about the transportation because I forgot to mention that. I looked into just about everything including renting a car on both ends since our flight home wasn't until 5:00pm. Since we arrived at noon on Sunday, we wanted to get to our hotel & beach as soon as possible, so we ended up booking Sunshine Shuttles for a private shuttle right to the hotel and returned to the airport for $75 ea way plus tip. We got a discount for booking round trip and the dropoff was more expensive due to going right to the south beach hotel (vs pier or airport), but it averaged about $75 ea way.

Following your review.....we are on the Victory 2 weeks!!:)

I am seriously jealous and I'm sure Andy will still be there then...have a great time! :)

Thanks for the review...less than a month and we board! I wonder if it'll be the same piano player when we get on...the alchemy bar and piano bar are my frequent places! Did you ever hear the house band play?

I'm sure he'll still be on...I hope for you!! And omg...the Alchemy bar(tender). Nicoli (?). Tall, dark, handsome...you can't miss him. We flirted endlessly with him and he's so nice. And makes a great "Antioxidant"

The house band (playing by casino you mean?) was Magic Power. They were great if you like 70s & 80s rock, which of course I do. I think I had read about this band a few years ago when I was getting ready for my cruise on the Dream but they were gone by the time I sailed. They're a Filipino band but sound just like whatever artist they are playing. Very entertaining for pre or post dinner.

Loving your review so far. Cant wait to board the Victory in April!!!

Thank you! And have a great time! :)

I am seriously jealous and I'm sure Andy will still be there then...have a great time! :)

Thanks! Eagerly waiting the rest of your review!!