Triumph Review 5/5-5/14

[michellem]

This was our first carnival cruise, we had cruised with Royal Caribbean previously. Our group consisted of 4 adults and 3 kids, ages 6,7, and 11.

 

We arrived at the miami port around 11ish. Within an hour we were eating lunch on the lido deck. Painless embarkment.

The ship was very nice, but difficult to get around.

The weather was wonderful so we spent most of the sea days at the pools or pool bars. The kids loved the waterslide it was open everyday except the first day. The drinks were strong and inexpensive considering we were a captive audience. The bartenders and waiters were great.

Coz, Grand Cayman and Jamaica were all wonderful. We went to the beaches and climbed Dunns River. We loved all three ports.

The pool games and entertainment were also great.

We ate in the dining room 4 nights and it was delicious. If we didn't like anything on the menu they found something we did like. On the other 3 nights we ate at the lido deck. Pizza and burgers were great.

 

Camp carnival was a big disappointment. It seemed to me that all the fun stuff was during the day(when my kids were at the pool) and the boring stuff was at night(when my kids were in camp) . They stayed for one late night,when we were in coz. and at 10 it was movie time. My 7 year old son had to watch alice in wonderland with the 2-5 year olds. They were not allowed to play with any toys from 10pm. I felt that the 6-8 year olds should have never been with the 2-5 year old. Several nights they took the kids to the shows. My kids did not want to see Las Vegas style shows, they wanted to play with other kids.

 

My only complaint of the whole week was camp. Everything else exceeded my expections. It was a wonderful vacation. I would cruise Carnival again in a heartbeat.

 

Debarkment was also easy. We stayed on the lido deck till around 10am. We were off the ship and back to reality by around 11:30.

 

this is my first review, so i'm sure i'm missing lots of stuff. sorry......

michele

[KarenConley]

Thanks for the review. I leave in 11 days on the Triumph to the Bahamas. Any suggestions on how to get around the ship easlily??

[michellem]

Unfortunately I have no suggestions. By the 7th day I still had a hard time, but that's just me. My husband and daughter did not have such a hard time.

 

Hope you have a great time.

The crew was great. You will love the ship.

michele

[BettyB2]

Thanks so much for the review....we sail her this December! Anything else you can think of would be grand!!!:D

[Codfish]

Thanks for the review. I leave in 11 days on the Triumph to the Bahamas. Any suggestions on how to get around the ship easlily??

 

We stayed in cabin 7271 by the front elevators and were assigned to a table on the 2nd level of the Paris dining room on deck 4. We discovered the Worlds Way on deck 5 (except for the passenger decks) is the easiest way to get form the front to the back of the ship while inside. This rout took us past the shops, casino, and several bars. They also had several places set up for photographs. (we stopped at them all on the formal nights) and it was a great opportunity to people watch.

 

you can't get from front to back at all on deck 3. It is possible on deck 4 but you end up going through the London dining room, internet cafe and the Oxford bar.

 

If you are looking for a quite shaded place to lay back on padded lounge chairs, check out deck 3 on either side of the ship. go out the doors by the shore excursions desk on the port (left) side and the pursors desk on the starboard. (right)

 

The best advice is to study the deck plans before you go and bring a copy of them with you. They give you a map on board, but it's small and not nearly as detailed as the brochures given out by your TA. Either that or take me with you and I'll show you exactly where you need to go. :D

[MrsBoo]

Thanks for the review. I leave in 11 days on the Triumph to the Bahamas. Any suggestions on how to get around the ship easlily??

 

Yes. Even numbered cabins are on one side of the ship (port if I remember correctly), odd numbered cabins are on the other side. We would usually use deck 2 or 5 to go from one end of the ship to the other, to avoid the "you can't get there from here" frustration on decks 3 & 4.

 

Have a great time. I'm jealous, we have to wait 5 long months:).

[BettyB2]

Thanks for the review. I leave in 11 days on the Triumph to the Bahamas. Any suggestions on how to get around the ship easlily??

 

here is a good thread with some helpful information on getting around

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=182663

[4JCruiser]

I was on the Valor 5/15-5/22 and had very similar experience: enjoyed everything about the cruise, with the exception of Camp Carnival.

[michellem]

I thought it was just me. I had read so many rave reviews about camp. I was completely disappointed with it.

How old are your kids? I am wondering if the age makes a difference. My 7year old son hated it. My 11 year old daughter didn't like it but didn't hate it because she could leave when she was bored(most of the time)

I'm curious in hearing your experience. What didn't you like? What did you like?

Michele

[dms_cruisers04]

Michele, DD is 5 and she has always enjoyed Camp Carnival. We always look at her Capers and let her decide when she wants to go. She is a water baby too, so she does like to go to the pool. Her only complaint was after 10 also. She doesn't want to lay down and watch a movie, she's on vacation, she wants to party (read play) until she's tired. So we try to make due.

[mnsawyer]

We sailed on the Triumph two years ago and had the London Dining room?? near the atrium lobby. I would agree that the other dining room is very very difficult to find and get around....it's the same situation with all other destiny class ships. We sailed the Glory a few weeks ago and changed dining rooms just because of location.