Carnival Victory 8/22 Review: The Short, Quick and Dirty

[JennN]

Hi folks,

 

I was asked by a few to do a review of our 8/22 sailing on the Carnival Victory. As I do with all my reviews, I start with a warning - my wife and I are both females. This makes us gay/lesbian - if that offends you in any way, please click that red X right now!

 

Ok, still with me? Good. Let me preface by stating this isn't going to be a lengthy review as sadly (for you, not for me) I started a new job and won't have days to devote to a review. So here's the quick down and dirty!

 

This was our first cruise IN THREE YEARS that my MIL was not on with us. Don't get me wrong, I love the woman to pieces (though not at this very second as she's currently on a Carnival Alaskan cruise WITHOUT US), but after three years, we wanted some alone time! We started cruising in 2010, solely on Carnival, as we will be hitting Platinum by this time next September when we board the Victory for our 10 year wedding anniversary cruise (today marks 9 years, for the record!).

 

We flew from DC to Miami after work (a whole 12 whopping days after I started my new job) on Friday night, arrived at the hotel LATE because we didn't take the day off and just literally crashed as soon as we got in the room!

 

 

We stayed at the Hilton Miami downtown and it was a-ok! We didn't do anything but go to sleep and wake up but it was fine in our books.

 

We purchased FTTF and always think it's worth it. Got to port via taxi around 11am and we were board and in our room by 12pm. We were in Room 1003, which is an accessible room (we are legally handicap, but would have given up the room if they needed it as it was wheelchair accessible).

 

 

We were on this Victory this past February and were excited to see the upgrades. However, those updates were NOT reflected in our room - carpet was tacky in places, and of course, filthy. But the room was big. Now a word about our room steward, Paula. Sadly, she was pretty bad as far as they go - she was pretty, well, lazy. I read here on some reviews that if you tip beforehand it might motivate - tried and failed. She didn't bring things when we asked or audibly sighed at us (we asked for a laundry bag, for example and she didn't bring the paper to write it all out on, and sighed when we asked for it - she didn't bring it the first time nor was it in a drawer). This doesn't make or break a cruise for us but would have added to the great trip we had.

 

However, we were thrilled about the addition of Alchemy!!! So thrilled, we were there EVERY night - Ioana was amazing!!! She's apparently opened 5 Alchemy's in the fleet. She'll be opening the Vista too, but we will miss her by 6 weeks. Anyway, here she is, in all her glory!

 

 

Thanks to her (and her mom who makes them) I'm not the proud owner of a pair of carnival wine charm earrings!

 

Interesting phenomenon - for three days, the seas were THIS calm - the water really looked like glass!

 

It was in advance of [hurricane] Danny so people have told me it was the proverbial "calm before the storm" only there was no REAL storm. We had a few hours of thunder and lightening in the Bahamas (enough to cancel our Aquaventure but not enough to cool anything down) but even then, the waves were only 1-2 feet. It was amazing and eerie at the same time. We had fun with it though!

 

 

Our Wait staff was amazing!!! Jacob took care of us so well and was so professional, we felt like we were in a fine dining establishment! He and his team were great - we had YTD in the Atlantic Dining Room and were there between 6-7 every night. Table 134 was the best!

 

 

...to be continued with 6 more pictures in next post!

Edited September 9, 2015 by JennN

[JennN]

Not sure why the pics all posted at different sizes (maybe because of the panorama one?) but anyway...

 

Food was good - Lido is always underwhelming to me and the fact that the Victory didn't get a Guys or Blue Iguana was disappointing to say the least.

 

We've never sailed in August before and the ship was definitely more crowded than our usual 1st week of December sailing!

 

 

We couldn't ever get a seat in the Serenity area, which was sad. So we just hung out and read on deck 3:

 

or in the arcade (not sure how kosher it was to be in there with an alcoholic beverage but we made sure to leave the glasses by the casino bar - see? we're responsible adults!):

 

 

Now for the ports: first stop? Grand Turk! We've been here once before and made the mistake of renting a cabana in Margaritaville, not having done my research beforehand about the free beach. Well, this time I was more well-informed and we spent the day at Jack's Shack. It was great!

 

 

 

[JennN]

Grand Turk cont'd

 

 

My wife is a sea glass hunting machine and she found a ton down the beach at Jack's Shack!

 

 

The service was good, drinks plenty strong (we even got a free shot online) and the beach was beautiful. We didn't want to leave! Except we had to because one of the waiters started hitting on me and my wife wasn't thrilled. Topher told us it was time to go after that!

 

 

Bye Grand Turk and bye Jack's! Highly recommend walking down there. I think we spent $50, beach access where it was not crowded and two apps and a few beers/drinks for that price!

 

 

...more to come after my meeting! Promise this will be done in two more posts!

[JennN]

Figured out the picture situation so up next? Half Moon Cay. We (I) did our (my) research here and after a few months of going back and forth, I convinced my wife that we needed a cabana. Marriage is all about compromise, kids, and since I couldn't convince her to do the private oasis or the Villa (hehehe), we settled on a cabana. And boy are we glad we did! When we first got on board the Victory, we made our way right to the excursions desk and were first to pick our cabana - we wanted something far enough away from the crowds but not too far out there so we couldn't pee/eat as needed. So lucky cabana #11 it was (we also put in our soda request)! Later,t he excursions staff told us 6 people wanted #11 so I am glad reserving it was our first stop!

 

Let me just say that HMC is stunning! I've never looked forward to a port more and I was worried, because I was holding it in such high regard based on all the other reviews, that I'd be disappointed. We were on the first tender (thanks FTTF) where passengers crammed into the top and all the food and supplies were in the bottom of the boat. I didn't realize the contract with the Bahamians meant that Carnival had to bring everything from the straws to the napkins tot he food to the liquor (nor did I realize that a pitcher of spiked lemonade, normally $25 on the ship would now cost us $50 in the Bahamas because of the way they tax). So, when we arrived, things weren't quite ready.

 

Now, we're not those uppity people who think our shiz don't stink but the only thing that bothered us - there were three Carnival employees smoking and hanging out on the hammock by our cabana. Hey, staff deserve to relax and chill out but they were rowdy AND SMOKING! Ugh. Chain smoking at that for 35 minutes until the supplies arrived. I just wished they had moved away from us when smoking. But I digress...

 

I give you, Half Moon Cay (and me):

 

 

I took this one from our cabana. I just loved that this was far enough away from the ship that you didn't feel like you were swimming next to it but was close enough too.

 

#11 treated us well! We were glad to have some respite from the sun and later, when it sprinkled a bit, we were glad to have somewhere dry to sit and nosh. Speaking of noshing:

 

 

Look at all that food! We each got two sodas and there were two giant waters in the cooler they brought over. We had more than half the bag of chips leftover and we gave a water to the lifeguards. Totally worth it in my (not so) humble opinion!

 

There were only two drawbacks to HMC - the first isn't anyone but the asker's fault but we had 4 people ask us to use our shower. FOUR. My take was that if you wanted a shower, you too could have shelled out the money for a cabana! Why would you put the ownness on me? Two were mom's asking for kids and I felt bad saying no but if your kid had an accident, I don't want to be walking in that each time I came back to the cabana or used the shower I paid for! Two were drunk people and I had no problem saying no. There was also someone that came and took a float off the cabana and started using it. Um, we weren't using it at the time but you don't think to ask? It's rude! Again, I paid for the cabana right? Is this uppity of me?

 

The second drawback is that the rope cuts swimmers off too short. I wish I could go further out, so I could barley touch and just wade. If the water was waist high, that was generous. Maybe when the tide comes in, it gets a bit deeper but we were on the last tender back (BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE) and it was still pretty shallow.

 

We love you Cabana #11! Next time we go to HMC (in April), we will be with more family and I think we'll rent a Villa - a bit more space for the 7 of us.

 

[JennN]

So, as I mentioned, [the Hurricane formerly known as] Danny hit us when we were in Nassau. There were no announcements so by 7:50am, my wife and I went to the theatre as instructed on our ticket for the Atlantis Aquaventure. We have done this before and loved it and just wanted to enjoy the day hassle free.

 

Danny had other ideas.

 

At 8:30am, they announce that any water based excursions would be canceled. At 8:45am they finally announce that Atlantis will close the waterpark if lightening is within 15 miles of it so we could either risk it or downgrade to the Aquarium only.

 

Um, you can't sell us a waterpark and not give us the option for a full refund. In the end, that's what I got us and a few others in line when one of the reps misspoke. I know it's not Carnival's fault but it's not ours either, right? Anyway, after getting a refund, we went back up to our room and slept for 3 more hours! We had been shutting down Alchemy each night, which is much later than we stay up - having made friends who met us there every night helped! Anyway, we slept, woke up, changed and explored the port for about and hour or so.

 

Getting back to the ship proved interesting as I GOT HIT ON AGAIN by a port guard - losing that 45 pounds was sure worth it! hey, I was happy and flattered (my wife, not so much!).

 

All in all, we had a blast. 5 days was totally too short for us but it was better than 4! One other thing - the assistant maitre'd - So, first night in the Fun Times they advertise Chef's Table. We've done it twice (on the Breeze and on the Valor) and my wife was just promoted, I got a new job AND they changed the menu so why not try it? I called on our sea day and the woman told me they were booked but if there were enough people, they'd do a second one. No worries! The 3rd night the Asst Maitre'd finds us in the dining room and tells us to wait by the entrance on our way out. He convinced another couple to do it and had a third couple in the wings so we were on! We got the invite the next morning while in the Bahamas. It asked us to call and confirm and I said to the wife, "do I really need to? I mean we booked it yesterday!" Lucky I did because a couple backed out! We went to read on deck 3 and got back to a note apologizing and a dessert plate compliments of the chef. It was nice that they went out of their way trying to do this for us, even though it didn't pan out in the end.

 

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I hope the review was helpful and thanks for reading!

[SMSACE6]

Thank you so much for your review! I am going on Victory next month, and also hope to get down to Jack's shack in Grand Turk. I appreciate the effort to do a review, even a quick one:)

[JennN]

Thank you so much for your review! I am going on Victory next month, and also hope to get down to Jack's shack in Grand Turk. I appreciate the effort to do a review, even a quick one:)

 

Any time! :) I just hope others think the same.

[disneylover89]

We were on the same cruise and had a great time too! We were lucky, we had an excellent room steward. We called him the cleaning ninja. The room was clean and he made sure we had everything we needed. We had 2 balcony rooms side by side with connecting balconies which when open was huge. The rooms were old but well maintained. I would let CCL know on the comments e-mail about your room steward.

 

We may have brought you bad luck in Nassau. Every time we go there, it rains. lol It is our least favorite port and we counted the day as a sea day and just enjoyed the ship.

[JennN]

We were on the same cruise and had a great time too! We were lucky, we had an excellent room steward. We called him the cleaning ninja. The room was clean and he made sure we had everything we needed. We had 2 balcony rooms side by side with connecting balconies which when open was huge. The rooms were old but well maintained. I would let CCL know on the comments e-mail about your room steward.

 

We may have brought you bad luck in Nassau. Every time we go there, it rains. lol It is our least favorite port and we counted the day as a sea day and just enjoyed the ship.

 

I made sure to include it in the comments but felt badly. I've had a room steward who gave 100% but not 75%. It was weird.

 

And yes! I now know who to blame for the rain!!! We pretty much did the same and didn't mind it. Extra sleep time was good!

 

Thanks for reading!

[SMSACE6]

Hi JennN, I have a question about deck three. I see in your photo an upright arm chair on the deck. Did you notice if there were several of these, or was there only the one? I have been on other Carnival ships with that deck 3, and do enjoy that area very much. I like serenity deck, but, I dont take the direct sun very well, so enjoy the shade and the quiet on deck three, but have only ever seen the lounge chairs there, and not many of them. Im getting to be an old gal, and find it hard to get out of those loungers lol. The chair that I see in your photo would be perfect for me, so hope there are a few of these.:) thanks again for your review.

Edited September 10, 2015 by SMSACE6

[ReggaeRoy]

Thanks for a great review. My family will be on the Sensation in March and doing the same itinerary... Our plan is also to spend the day at Jack's on Grand Turk. We also have a cabana booked for HMC. I am hoping to get number 11 too!!!

[JennN]

Hi JennN, I have a question about deck three. I see in your photo an upright arm chair on the deck. Did you notice if there were several of these, or was there only the one? I have been on other Carnival ships with that deck 3, and do enjoy that area very much. I like serenity deck, but, I dont take the direct sun very well, so enjoy the shade and the quiet on deck three, but have only ever seen the lounge chairs there, and not many of them. Im getting to be an old gal, and find it hard to get out of those loungers lol. The chair that I see in your photo would be perfect for me, so hope there are a few of these.:) thanks again for your review.

 

On our deck 3, starboard side, there were at least 40 chairs, alternating between loungers and chairs, on the deck. Around 7pm they'd stack them for the night (we saw them through the dining room window, hehe). So at least 20 chairs. If for some reason that changes, just ask an employee for one - they'd be happy to get one (even happier if you have a $2 tip). I've done this before too (perhaps I too am an old gal but those loungers are just uncomfortable to me!). Thanks!

[JennN]

Thanks for a great review. My family will be on the Sensation in March and doing the same itinerary... Our plan is also to spend the day at Jack's on Grand Turk. We also have a cabana booked for HMC. I am hoping to get number 11 too!!!

 

#11 rocked! I wish you much success in securing it! :) Let us know how you like the Sensation!

[SMSACE6]

Thanks, great to know this. Deck 3 will probably be my favorite spot again:)

[JennN]

Thanks, great to know this. Deck 3 will probably be my favorite spot again:)

 

It was ours as well - super quiet, nice breeze, great for reading (I read 5 books on this cruise!)...close enough to a bathroom and bar as well ;)

[cthrn27]

Nice review. We were on that cruise, also and had a wonderful time. I found this to be my new favorite ship as almost every crew member I encountered did a great job. The review brought back good memories! Thank you ;)

[GranysT]

We were on this cruise as well. It was my best friend since 3rd grade, 63 yrs now, and myself. We had a wonderful time. We also got a cabana on HMC, #8. We had a horrible time trying to get to it. Wasted about hour and half, before we finally actually made it to the cabana.

We had no one ask to use our shower, but one girl did ask to use one of the floats. She had chairs right below our cabana. We told her yes, but to please return it. She promised, used it for an hour or so, and did bring it back.

But, while we were in the water, 2 more people just helped themselves to floats. We never knew who, nor did we get them back.

So rude. People know those floats are not free, you have to rent them. So to just help yourself to 1, is just so wrong. Some people think they're so "entitled".

So glad our cruise was amazingly "smooth sailing".

[JennN]

Nice review. We were on that cruise, also and had a wonderful time. I found this to be my new favorite ship as almost every crew member I encountered did a great job. The review brought back good memories! Thank you ;)

 

Thank YOU for reading it! I like her, second time on her this year. She's not my fave but then again, I've never met a cruise ship I haven't liked!!! :D

[JennN]

We were on this cruise as well. It was my best friend since 3rd grade, 63 yrs now, and myself. We had a wonderful time. We also got a cabana on HMC, #8. We had a horrible time trying to get to it. Wasted about hour and half, before we finally actually made it to the cabana.

We had no one ask to use our shower, but one girl did ask to use one of the floats. She had chairs right below our cabana. We told her yes, but to please return it. She promised, used it for an hour or so, and did bring it back.

But, while we were in the water, 2 more people just helped themselves to floats. We never knew who, nor did we get them back.

So rude. People know those floats are not free, you have to rent them. So to just help yourself to 1, is just so wrong. Some people think they're so "entitled".

So glad our cruise was amazingly "smooth sailing".

 

Nice of her to ASK the share but rude of the others. Why did it take you so long to find #8??

 

Glad you had a good time :)

[ObstructedView2]

We were in Room 1003.

Now a word about our room steward, Paula. Sadly, she was pretty bad as far as they go - she was pretty, well, lazy. I read here on some reviews that if you tip beforehand it might motivate - tried and failed. She didn't bring things when we asked or audibly sighed at us (we asked for a laundry bag, for example and she didn't bring the paper to write it all out on, and sighed when we asked for it - she didn't bring it the first time nor was it in a drawer). This doesn't make or break a cruise for us but would have added to the great trip we had.

I am usually very happy with all of my stateroom stewards, however I find much better odds in obtaining an extremely good, attentive steward by selecting a cabin on a deck where there are more suite category cabins. This is typically where the best stewards are assigned. In regards to the Victory the best stewards are assigned to Empress deck 7.

 

 

:)