Just back from Triumph 4/17 Western

[bajohnsons]

Just returned from Triumph 4/17-4/24 western
Carribean and had a wonderful time. Here is my synopsis for those interested. This was our fifth cruise.

Embarkation: The smoothest so far. We had the Fun Pass complete online prior to sailing and literally spent less than 5 minutes at the check in. Found our room quickly, met our cabin steward and were off to have fun. Our room was an 8A balcony on the upper deck/forward. Was adjacent to the elevators but had no problems with noise from that.

The ship itself: Enormous. Largest we have sailed. I thought overall all very clean and in good condition. No real maintenance issues I could see. My only complaint is that this was the first cruise where I felt it was a bit crowded. Lots of kids of all ages on board, apparently spring break still in the northeast. I thought overall they were well behaved. Despite the crowded feeling, we were always able to find a deck chair (after a little looking) and even some quiet time on deck just outside the Capitol (lobby) Bar. The passengers all seemed to have fun and I heard very few complaints about behavior and witnessed no real conflicts. The air filtration was excellent, I thought especially in the casino, though I did hear complaints about the Piano Bar in this regard.

Food: With one exception, I thought the food was excellent. Carnival, in my experience and opinion, does a very poor job with their beef offerings. The prime rib and sirloin steaks are no better in my opinion than Sizzler, Ponderosa or whatever other budget steak house you have in your area. The seafood and other offerings I thought were exceptional. The lobster was the best of our previous cruises.

Entertainment: The CD, John Heald, lived up to his billing. Best so far in our experience. Very funny and entertaining. The comedian (already forgot his name) was weak. The magic show was entertaing, although, I think there were some lighing issues in their finale that allowed the audience to see how the trick was done. Didn't see any of the musical/dancing shows. The musical options on board all were very good and appealed to almost all tastes.

Ports of call: Cozumel was a lot of fun. Swam/snorkeled with the Dolphins in the lagoon at Chankanaab Park. A great experience. Lots of shopping as well. Didn't venture far from the "tourist" scene this time but will next time. Grand Caymen was a mixed bag for us. There were 4 megaliners in port at the same time. Far more crowded than the previous three times we had been there. Wall to wall people. Many people complained of this. We snorkeled at Abank's at Eden Rock. Had our own snorkel gear so this was a free activity for us. Incredible underwater scenery!! I heard from many that 7 mile beach was intolerable due to the crowds and that stingray city also disappointed for the same reason. I didn't partake in either, just reporting what I heard from at least several people. Not a scientific sample. Jamaica has changed a lot, for the better, than when we were there a year ago. We weren't accosted by taxi drivers or others immediately outside the pier area. Very easy walk to the Taj Mahal shopping area and to the new (not there a year ago) island village. Many shops there. Most popular was Jimmy Bufett's Margaritaville.

Debarkation: Once again, the smoothest of all our cruises. Or course this time we had an early flight and so had "VIP" tags, making us the second group off the ship. New to us is the option to carry off all of your own bags at 7:30 am. These were the first people off the ship. Time wasn't that critical to us so we didn't take advantage of that.

All in all we had a great time. Only a few complaints that I discussed. Certainly nothing to "ruin" the cruise. I'd be happy to share any other details, just let me know!!

Mitch

[JohnnyO]

Wow....

I like the way that you write....Quality stuff(engish/spelling)...great review in general...not too intricate but enough to get the good information/points across without having alot of questions as to what you, exactly, meant.

We need more reviews written with this format...while I do love alot of details...I appreciate the shorter/more general reviews when written with enough info to "put me there".

JohnnyO

[stlrboo]

We must have missed you along the way. I remembered 'talking' to you here, but don't remember ( [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]) meeting onboard.
I'll be doing a review in the next day or two after I get everything together.
I must add that the weather was beautiful..
A little 'rocky' one night, but excellent for the most part!
And yes, for all who followed the conversation before the cruise, the wedding was fabulous!
My hat is off to Carnival and Jasmine in OchoRios, Jamaica. Near perfect!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Be back tomorrow with a review of sorts.. !

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;4;17;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
This much time until I leave to marry my best friend

[img]http://www.xpectmore.com/images/odie_anm.gif[/img]
Triumph 4/04
Imagination 5/00
OceanBreeze 11/96
USS 'Neversail' SanDiego 10/65

[storm'n norman]

[B]How was Ed Rrocks, Wee Jimmy and ............Dick Wooden? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img][/B]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/kangaroo.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/aus.gif[/img]


Storm'n Norman & Skippy

The Aussie Cruise-a-holic Duo

Triumph 8th May "Cruisin' KRAZY Caribe Crew" Social Directors

Cruise Photos @

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman"]http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman[/url]

CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS (IN ABOVE LINK) FROM THE "STAR PRINCESS" (18TH OCTOBER 2003)!

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta"]http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta[/url]

[bajohnsons]

Ed Rocccckkkkksssss was great as was Wee Jimmy. I never met Dick Wooden but did enjoy meeting Willie Banger [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[rpsinnj]

john wee were great norman .....

ed rrockssssss the best in several years in piano bar......you will have a blast in a few weeks...

no dick wooden.....but there was dick from new jersey who was the jumper all week

[storm'n norman]

[B]I'M SO EXCITED... AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT... I'M ABOUT TO LOOSE CONTROL... AND I THINK I LIKE IT!!!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Only 12 and a bit TILL WE'RE CRUISIN' ON THE "T" BABY!!! [/B]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/kangaroo.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gameznet.com.au/australian/animated/aus.gif[/img]


Storm'n Norman & Skippy

The Aussie Cruise-a-holic Duo

Triumph 8th May "Cruisin' KRAZY Caribe Crew" Social Directors

Cruise Photos @

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman"]http://community.webshots.com/user/stormnnorman[/url]

CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS (IN ABOVE LINK) FROM THE "STAR PRINCESS" (18TH OCTOBER 2003)!

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta"]http://community.webshots.com/user/justgotta[/url]

[rpsinnj]

THE STAFF ABOARD IS GREAT, I WAS ABOARD THE TRIUMPH LAST OCTOBER AND THEY HAVE MADE A BIG EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE SHIP, NEW RUGS IN HALLWAYS ETC.

FOOD WAS VERY GOOD, STEAK COULD BE BETTER LOBSTER GREAT.

JOHN HEALD IS GREAT, WEE JIMMY ASST CRISE DIRECTOR AND KEVEN / KARLA SOCAL HOSTS ARE GREAT REALLY MAKE AN EFFECT TO KEEP THINGS GOING, ACTIVITIES ALL WEEK LONG, EVEN MIDNIGHT KARAOKE PARTIES TWICE DURING THE WEEK....I EVEN FORGOT TO MENTION 2 SLICK, PURE BAND IS IN CLUB RIO AND XCENTIQUE IS POOL BAND WITH GREAT CALYPO MUSIC DAY IN AND DAY OUT...THEY MADE A GREAT EFFORT TO SUPPLY SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, AND ACTIVITIES FROM GAMES SHOWS TO BINGO, FREE CRUIE RAFFLE, GIVE AWAYS, JAZZ MUSIC AFTERNOON AND NIGHT GOES ON AND ON...

ED RROCKKKKKKSSSSSSSS IS EVER THE BEST IN PIANO BAR......HE WILL PLAY AND PLAY MAKE SURE YOU GO THERE..........HE PLAYED THE LAST 3 NIHTS OVER HIS TIME LIMIT, THIS IS THE BEST PIANO BAR I SEEN IN SEVERAL YEARS AND SEVERAL CRUISES...

NEW PHONE RATES ABOARD 1.99 TO CALL STATES...GREAT NEW PRICE.......

[This message was edited by rpsinnj on 04-25-04 at 10:01 PM.]

[stlrboo]

"Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]
Didja' ever get tired of hearin' it??
It's "yaba-daba-do time" [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;4;17;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
This much time until I leave to marry my best friend

[img]http://www.xpectmore.com/images/odie_anm.gif[/img]
Triumph 4/04
Imagination 5/00
OceanBreeze 11/96
USS 'Neversail' SanDiego 10/65

[rpsinnj]

no i really loved it..was best medicine in the world for me..........i couldnt even get out of terminal or terminal parking lot without people saying good bye thanks and dick dick dick....it was unreal.....wife was getting into cab and I was still talking to people......last 2 or 3 days was little over bearing but it was ok, had to talk and shake hands with 300/400 people.or more..amazing.