Carnival Triumph vs. retired Carnival Holiday

The first time I have ever cruised was in June 2002 on the Holiday out of NOLA. I am cruising out of NOLA on July 26 on the Triumph. I know the ship is a lot larger than the Holiday, but what are the main differences that I will experience since it has been 16 years since I have cruised?

In 16 years, I am sure a lot has changed. But as far as differences with the ship themselves... Off the top of my head I can think of the Triumph has 2 pools, a steak house.

Th Triumph DOES NOT have a steak house. Since your last cruise on the holiday quite a bit has changed. My first was on the Celebration in 2005. No table cloths in the dining room except on elegant night. No lobster on elegant night on 5 night cruises. No chocolates on the bed at turn down service and if you want turn down service you now have to request twice a day stateroom service. Changes to lido dining include Guys burgers and the Blue Iguana cantina for burritos and tacos which also serves breakfast and lunch. There is also the Seafood Shack which is an additional charge but includes lobster tails lobster rolls , oysters and crab legs amongst other things. In the main dining room you can order steak and lobster and a couple of other dishes on a nightly basis for a $20 upcharge. That’s a few things I can think of

Go and enjoy the Triumph! We loved both. Do go to the shows! They still have the orchestra. :)

Triumph has best production shows on Carnival - DH says they got their dancers from the special New Orleans establishments...

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They still do Big Easy? Loved that show! Need to go back before they go to dry dock!

Have a great trip! Come back and tell us all your new favorite things - I'm on Triumph in September, and so excited!

They still do Big Easy? Loved that show! Need to go back before they go to dry dock!

Yep. Big Easy, Wonderful World, and they fly a magician in for a magic show and he does a burlesque show with the dancers later That night.

Enjoy the Triumph. We did! Yep, shows are good on the Triumph, whatever the reason.

Triumph has best production shows on Carnival - DH says they got their dancers from the special New Orleans establishments...

 

 

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Agreed

In 16 years, I am sure a lot has changed. But as far as differences with the ship themselves... Off the top of my head I can think of the Triumph has 2 pools, a steak house.

Triumph has 3 pools.

Have a great trip! Come back and tell us all your new favorite things - I'm on Triumph in September, and so excited!

Thanks! I will try to post some pictures and review my experience.

I dont recall the difference in the two ships but just wanted to say that I believe the holiday out of Nola in 2002 was our first cruise. We haven’t stopped since, we go at least once or twice a year. I do know that when we first cruised, we had the midnight buffet, no longer. Also, there used to be hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chili dogs and cheesesteak served at the aft pool. Now there is a deli that serves some of those things. Your sail and sign card will already have the hole punched. I used to carry a single hole punch for that reason. Even if you are on a five day, no lobster in mdr for free but they do serve a very nice shrimp dish in its place with broiled jumbo shrimp. The port area at Cozumel is totally redone is the other thing I remember. Not sure if the hub app is on the triumph but I think it is. Anyway, replaces the fun times but you need to download before you sail away. If you log in now, it will give your cruise countdown. We went on triumph last in 2015 and have sailed her many times from Galveston. Have fun.

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They still do Big Easy? Loved that show! Need to go back before they go to dry dock!

I loved the Big Easy show with the live band, so glad I got to see it before Triumph becomes the Sunrise.

I dont recall the difference in the two ships but just wanted to say that I believe the holiday out of Nola in 2002 was our first cruise. We haven’t stopped since, we go at least once or twice a year. I do know that when we first cruised, we had the midnight buffet, no longer. Also, there used to be hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chili dogs and cheesesteak served at the aft pool. Now there is a deli that serves some of those things. Your sail and sign card will already have the hole punched. I used to carry a single hole punch for that reason. Even if you are on a five day, no lobster in mdr for free but they do serve a very nice shrimp dish in its place with broiled jumbo shrimp. The port area at Cozumel is totally redone is the other thing I remember. Not sure if the hub app is on the triumph but I think it is. Anyway, replaces the fun times but you need to download before you sail away. If you log in now, it will give your cruise countdown. We went on triumph last in 2015 and have sailed her many times from Galveston. Have fun.

 

 

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I really enjoyed the Triumph, but I missed the MDR waiters dancing around each night, besides on just elegant night. I also missed the food show that was presented on the Holiday on the last night (food carvings/sculptures and ice sculptures). The Hub app works great on the Triumph and the chat feature allowed my family and myself to get ahold of each other. Also, the port in Cozumel was really nice, a lot different from 2002 when I was there last.

I really enjoyed the Triumph, but I missed the MDR waiters dancing around each night, besides on just elegant night. I also missed the food show that was presented on the Holiday on the last night (food carvings/sculptures and ice sculptures). The Hub app works great on the Triumph and the chat feature allowed my family and myself to get ahold of each other. Also, the port in Cozumel was really nice, a lot different from 2002 when I was there last.

So glad you and your family enjoyed the cruise and the last of the great Carnival production shows. I would love to figure out how we can get one more cruise in to see them again as they will be retired when the ship is rebuilt next year. We were so happy with the Hub app and chat as well. Probably the one thing my husband really disliked about Royal Caribbean was the lack of a similar feature.

A lot of folks bemoan all the changes. Some things are phased out because as times change, many passengers lose interest or appreciation for them and new things that appeal to the next generation take their place. Others are for cost savings to the cruise line, some of which helps to keep the cruise fare low for us. It is inevitable that some of the things we liked will be discontinued, and new things may or may not fill that void, but you will see many reviews from folks who are really furious about changes. Sounds like you had a good time regardless. If you have any more comments or want to post a mini review of what you enjoyed, I am sure we would like to see it. :)

Triumph has the dive in movies! Holiday did not

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I loved the Holiday! I've sailed Elation, Fascination, Sensation, Triumph and Dream.Of course none compare to the newer Dream with all it's bells and whistles but my least fav was Triumph. That said, I'm going on my third Triumph cruise next week! I love the smaller ships, Triumph is MUCH bigger than Holiday and I'm just not crazy about the flow of the ship. But, Triumph has some pluses, too, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her. 
I hope the OP had a great cruise!

One major difference is that now smoking is no longer allowed in your cabin or balcony.  There are a few places that you can still smoke though.  Smoking is still allowed in the casino so if you walk through there or anywhere around it, you can still smell smoke.  Please don't  turn this into a smoking/non smoking debate.  I'm just telling the OP of one of the changes.