Triumph Jan 26

[CasualCruisers406]

Just wanted to write a quick review of our experience on the Triumph this weekend! We are a very different demographic than most on this ship, and that really colored our experience. We are both in our 40's in professional career fields, but we also are heavily tattooed and really enjoy meeting new people and drinking great cocktails. We are from Colorado as well, for what it's worth.

 

We purchased FTTF and Cheers, for lots of reasons. Very glad for FTTF to avoid the lines when boarding. The whole check in process, while fairly quick for us, was not well organized compared to our experiences with Norwegian. We arrived at the the pier at about noon, btw. We were onboard and in our room by about 1, I think. We went to find our first drink, and had to wait about 20 minutes for service, despite very few people being at the bar. We then went for a quick tour of the ship to get ourselves oriented. We then grabbed some tacos from Blueiguana, which were decent. Nothing to write home about, but edible. Best thing there is the shrimp, btw...had to wait another 20 minutes for another drink to enjoy with lunch.

 

Triumph is showing her age, but people were clearly working constantly to keep her in the best condition they could. We were in cabin 6461, an aft wrap cabin. It was spacious, and well laid out. We thoroughly enjoyed the views from both the windows and the deck itself! The deck was amazing, and quite private. We didn't see our steward until the evening. We requested once a day service, but asked to have ice. Only got ice once, so we just drank our bubbly warm...We were never able to reach him on his provided phone number. None of this was really a problem, just another minor annoyance that contributed to the big experience. On another note, we tried 3 separate times to get room service, to no avail. Nobody ever answered the phone...

 

The dining room was good, again, nothing spectacular, but certainly edible. Only tried the buffet once, and was very underwhelmed. The choices were limited, but hot and fresh. The seaday brunch was great the first time. The food was hot and fresh. But drink service was again, very poor. We ordered a mimosa and bloody Mary, and didn't get them until the meal was over. I then got smart and ordered an OJ to go, and made my own mimosas with the warm bubbly in our room! We spent most of that day in the casino, which was fine. Lost some, won some. Drink service improved when I found a consistent bartender. The entertainment was a bit cheesy, but we did enjoy the CD, Adam.

 

It was very hard to talk to people for some reason. We are normally very easy to talk to and usually make friends easily in any situation. People didn't seem eager to chat with us, and we often felt like we were being stared at for our tattoos...most people wouldn't even make eye contact or laugh at our silly chit-chat...but again, I realize that we are a very different demographic than most on this cruise, and probably stood out more because of that. We ended up spending most of our time at the Alchemy bar, and found some similar-minded people there after awhile.

 

All in all, it was an OK experience. After cruising Norwegian twice, and soon to be cruising RCI in March, we probably will not be bringing our business back to Carnival. There was nothing really bad to say, but nothing that really stood out either.

 

HIGHLIGHTS: First to the Fun, staff were always pleasant and helpful when you could find them, Alchemy Bar, aft-wrap cabin, taco bar, late night hot tubs, very few kids on this cruise, cruising the Mississippi was incredible!!!

 

LOW POINTS: EXTREMELY slow bar service. We are pretty heavy drinkers normally, and there was no way we could get close to our daily Cheers limit with as long as it took to get a drink. We were also super frustrated with the inability to get a floater in a specialty drink, for example. Or to be able to order doubles.

Food was a bit below average, even in the dining room. Not being able to get room service. The constant marketing to spend more money at every turn. Lackluster entertainment.

 

I think that young families would enjoy this cruise as would larger family groups. I don't think it's a good fit for our demographic who enjoy great service, great food/cocktails and great conversation. Maybe we are looking for a more targeted, eclectic experience. If anyone has any tips for future voyages, please let me know!

[mtcolgan5]

Please don't judge me by this question lol but did they allow you to get shots with the Cheers package? I understand you can't get a double, but if you wanted just a single shot of tequila or whatever is that included in the package? Thanks in advance

[CasualCruisers406]

I never tried, shots aren't really our thing. But I'm sure they would have. As long as you only wanted one. :rolleyes:

[mtcolgan5]

Thanks!

[easyboy]

Thanks for your feedback

[MsSoloTravel]

I have not been on the Triumph yet but will be next January. I can agree with a lot of what you said especially about the food. I've never been overly impressed with the exception of the steakhouse and the desserts and appetizers in the mdr. They do have less drink servers than they used to but the drinks have been nice and strong.

 

I'm surprised you feel you were a different demographic. I always see plenty of tats on carnival. Probably just a fluke.

 

I would give carnival another chance. Maybe try the Dream. We were on her before her recent dry dock. We had a blast on that trip.

 

Best of luck to you!

[Alabama Alan]

It's a pity you weren't on the cruise that ended the day you got on. Although I wasn't with them, I've seen plenty of photos of over 200 members of the Widow's Sons and wives (Masonic motorcycle riding association) who were on that sailing.

 

I can assure you, there were plenty of 40 somethings with tattoos, many of whom are also professionals. No one would have even batted an eye at you :)

 

Still, I am sorry your experience wasn't as good as it could have been. We've sailed Carnival several times but not yet on the Triumph.