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Snowxman

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    Conquest only Questions! Post 'em Here!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Just remember, there's always a chance of the ship being late to port (for various reasons). If I remember correctly, we were off the Triumph last time by 10 AM, and that was a smaller ship. Personally, I'd go with the later flight just in case something goes wonky.

     

    That's what we ended up doing- instead of the 11 am we booked a 12:30 flight. If the idea of a vacation is to relax, why stress on the last day. Thanks for the response.

    Conquest only Questions! Post 'em Here!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    This will be our first cruise out of New Orleans. On past cruises I usually book a return cruise flight no earlier than mid afternoon and never worry about what time we get of a ship. I do have a flight option that takes of at 11 am saving me lots of money. I do not want to do self assist due to to the number of bags we will have. I am leaning towards the later flight to avoid any issues. Thoughts?

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Explanation please? What, where, when, how, why, whatever?

     

    Thanks so much!

     

    This is a US dept of Agriculture check in you must do when departing. There are at least 2 check points, the lines may be long but the move fairly quickly. As you enter the check in are there is one on the left and one on the right. Look for lines running to the side. There will be many lines. I suggest asking, "Is this the USDA line". You bags will be put through a scanner and they will put a little white sticker on each bag- even CARRY ON. Keep an eye on your stickers I saw many on the floor at bag check.

     

    After USDA you will need to check bags with your airline. Again, there will be many lines and I would ask as you approach what you think is your line.

     

    Hint: After bag check enter the terminal area and go to the left and go through secuirty for Terminal C. Most US bound flights fly out of B. B has longer security lines. But here is the secret- the terminals connect after both security check points.

     

    The ship does offer express bag service for 20 dollars a person (plus any airline baggage fees)and you will not have to do USDA for bag check, they will even get you your boarding passes. The deadline for signing up for this is Thurs night 7pm. I thought we were going to do this but I lost track of the days (I guess that is a good thing).

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    What time did you get to pier?

    Catamaran with turtles

    1.)Can you tell me how crowded the tour was (number of people) and was there enough space to lounge in sun on boat?

    2.)Did you get picked up near pier, or meet Tiami there?

    3.)Time of tour-what time met and returned?

    Scenic Railway St. Kitts:

    4.)Do you see enough to get island feel and is it narrated?

     

    1. we got to the ship at about 2:30 pm

    2. Timini met us at the Pier

    3. I think out Timini tour was at noon, about 24 people on eact catamaran. It was not crowded. For the beach stop the are "next" to the bach in about 12 feet of water. You must swim ashore. My wife is a non swimmer, but she put on a vest and the helped her woth a float to get back and forth. We were gone about 3.5 hours.

    4.RR Tour- I see this has beem answered. The tour goes at 8:30 or 10:00 am. we went at 10:00. In addition to the other replies I would add that the people were very friendy. The school kids would run and wave when the train went by. The tour is pricey at almost 100 each. But I think it was a very unique way to see the island and worth the money. I will try and link some train pics later today.

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    My wife and I just got back yesterday. We had a great time. Thanks to a call from the cheap upsell fairy we had our one, and probably only cruise in a Cat 12 GS suite. (cabin 7306). Loved the space, but we were never disappointed with a cat 8 balcony either.

     

    We flew in the day of the cruise and had no issues. I had read a tip to get a porter at San Juan baggage claim and they will lead you to the head of the taxi line. Best tip I ever got and the best 5 bucks I ever spent. Got our taxi- I felt guilty for about 3 minutes, ok maybe 2.

     

    Got to the pier gave a porter at the end of the pier a tip and the bags showed up in our room 2 hours later. On board processing was quick- 5 minutes in the VIP lounge and we were on board with sail and sign card in hand. Went right to the room. We happened to get there minutes after my brother and wife who were first time cruisers and had a cat 4 across the hall.

     

    We experienced none, as in zero of the complaints that were a theme in these reviews for a while. No long lines at the buffets, no rude Puerto Ricans, no abundance of kids running down the halls- in fact we rarely saw kids. No fights for elevators. This cruise was just as good as all past cruises we have sailed on.

     

     

    St Thomas- Butterfly farm is not worth the money.

     

    We did the Timini Catamaran turtle snorkel booked through the ship in Barbados. +5. Much fun, the turtles were right next to me. The bar opened on the return trip. Yes, we were doing a conga line as we went by the victory. Gotta love free rum punch.

     

    St Lucia- We booked Cosol tours on our own based on CC suggestions. We were not disappointed. Another great tour at only 65 bucks each. It was a full day with lots of stops, food, and drink I highly endorse Cosol.

     

    We did the Scenic rail Tour in St Kitts booked through the ship. A nice relaxing way to see the island.

     

    Ate in the Pacific room all nights but one. Service and food were good

     

    Disembarking: We had zone 1 because of the suite but did not need it. We had a 4pm flight. I have read complaints about the San Juan airport being a madhouse. It was, but then so is Cancun, Montego Bay, etc on a travel day. Don’t forget the USDA line before check in. Suck it up and just do it.

     

    My only disappointment is that it is all over. Great ship, great tour, have fun.

     

     

    And they never found the liter of whiskey in my packed luggage. If you have any questions I will try and answer. Happy cruising!

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Just finished the Victory Cruise out of San Juan and thought I would post on the liquer thing in San Juan.

     

    As others have said there is a duty free shop at the top of the stairs/escalator in the terminal. They have excellent prices and you can get some great deals. The Bailey's irish cream cost $17.00 its 29.95 in FLorida, 1 liter bottles of Bacardi Flavored Rums for $11.00, I pay 14.99 for 750ML in the states, Parrot Bay for 12.95 etc.

     

    Bring a large empty carry on bag so you can buy a bunch of bottles. The staff doing the embarkation and manning the xray are not Carnival staff and they could care less how much you take on board as long as it is not obvious. In fact if you buy $100.00 or more, the shop will give you a very nice rolling bag that they put the bottles in for you. We saved a bunch of money this cruise because we made our own drinks with the stuff we brought on board in San Juan.

     

    Thanks for the info and suggestion on the extra carry on bag. I plan on doing the same.

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    164 days till 3/7/10. The DW won't let me get out the suitcases yet. Thanks to all that have contributed to this thread. We sailed the Victory (E. Carrib) back in 2002. We will try a suite, Cat 11 for the first time. I think having a fridge will be nice, DW thinks the tub is the selling point. We usually stick with an 8-ish. My Brother and his wife will be across the hall for their first cruise. I am almost as excited for them going on their first cruise as I am about going on another. Almost.

    All things "Victory"

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I have been reading the reviews. For those of you that have done this cruise already- do they give you the ok to bring on booze from the duty free shop? Or are the inspectors mearly looking the other way? This will be our second cruise on the Victory, but the first with this itinerary.

    Thanks

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