Trying Carnival once again this time on Victory instead of DCL

[PatLuv]

Hi,The day before I happened to see a 299$ per person offer on the Carnival website.We did our 1st Carnival cruise in Jan for our anniversary because it had the same ports as Disney Fantasy with a couple more added.The ports were great but the ship was terrible.We had anytime dining,and the food was subpar.Trying to get seated with a serving team we found we like was almost impossible,the people at the front were rude about it everytime.We loved theseaday brunch and the food from room service,and the pizza and drinks,but there was very little we cared for at lunch or breakfast on the Lido deck.Most of the time the workers acted like they could have cared less.At night we'd get woken up by noise across the hall apparently there was some kind of service area.

 

We had a cruise to the western Caribbean booked on Fantasy,and usually prepay gratuities,and get insurance,so when I saw the western sailing on Victory,for half the price I grabbed it.I just learned she'll be out of drydock shortly before we sail,so I'd like to know about what to expect on The Victory?I'm not ready to give up just yet!:D

[Domino D]

Hi,The day before I happened to see a 299$ per person offer on the Carnival website.We did our 1st Carnival cruise in Jan for our anniversary because it had the same ports as Disney Fantasy with a couple more added.The ports were great but the ship was terrible.We had anytime dining,and the food was subpar.Trying to get seated with a serving team we found we like was almost impossible,the people at the front were rude about it everytime.We loved theseaday brunch and the food from room service,and the pizza and drinks,but there was very little we cared for at lunch or breakfast on the Lido deck.Most of the time the workers acted like they could have cared less.At night we'd get woken up by noise across the hall apparently there was some kind of service area.

 

We had a cruise to the western Caribbean booked on Fantasy,and usually prepay gratuities,and get insurance,so when I saw the western sailing on Victory,for half the price I grabbed it.I just learned she'll be out of drydock shortly before we sail,so I'd like to know about what to expect on The Victory?I'm not ready to give up just yet!:D

 

Which Carnival ship were you on in January? It will help in comparing what to expect on Victory as far as ship amenities and outlets.

 

In terms of dining, some people like the anytime plan, others like my family prefer the traditional. Like you, we enjoy sitting with the same waiters and knowing what time dinner will begin and end. A lot of other people talk about how you can just request a certain table or wait team, and you can, but my experience was we had to wait if we made these types of requests. Perhaps you should consider booking a traditional dinner seating on this cruise.

 

If you can include which ship you were on, and maybe a couple of specific questions about the Victory, I'm sure you can get some answers.

[serene56]

5 cruises on DCL. Carnival will not even come close to what you are used to sailing. dCL is a premium line and comes with the premium price tag.

 

 

How long out if dry dock are you looking to sail?

 

I would not be booking the first few sailing

Edited December 2, 2014 by serene56

[RMcoolX]

You say you couldn't find a serving team you liked? Sounds like you must have had Anytime Dining. That is the reason we don't do AD. In our experience, you get better dining room service if you go with assigned dining, which gives you server a chance to get to know you...and more importantly, what you like.

 

Carnival is a better bang-4-the-buck when compared to DCL in my opinion. Hopefully it works out better for you this time.

[PatLuv]

Good Morning,and thank you for the feedback.We sailed on Freedom before she had drydock in ,so we didn't sail with any of the new features that have since been added.

 

Serene,we're sailing on April 13th next year.Our CP said she was doing drydock in March,and there's a sailing before ours.Yep,we did alot of comparing with DCL which probably hurt us,but don't intened to this time,as we want to cruise and enjoy ourselves.

 

As for the port excursions,is theere ever any way that groups are arranged before you leave the ship,or is it always just left up to te pasengers to get to the group ontime?

 

Also I'd love to hear any recommendations as to evening shows,food,etc.We booked a room on the 7th deck,and the CP told us that was a good deck to be on.

 

Also,this is a 6 day cruise,so does that include a formal,and a semi formal night too?

 

Domino,thank you for your suggestion.Any other ideas will be gratefully accepted!;)

[PatLuv]

serene56 I've just noticed you're sailing Victory in January,so I look forward to whatever you have to tell me!;)

[serene56]

I have sailed the Victory quite a few years ago.

We are doing the Thursday thru Monday sailing. Key West and Cozumel.

 

We are in cabin 7491 - no across the hall neighbor. (its the firedoor storage)

out the door and there is the elevator/stairs. Up two decks for food down two decks for entertainment.

[joeyancho]

In this world you pretty much get what you pay for.

[serene56]

In this world you pretty much get what you pay for.

 

 

Im sure but I can not justify the price of over $1800. difference for a vacation.