Victory review 4-23

[JLTMET56]

This was our second sailing on the Victory..we wanted a Western itinerary since we never made it on the same trip last year because of hurricane Dennis and since a week never seems to be long enough we left for Florida on Thurs. We left Logan (Boston) about 45 mins late and landed about 10 minutes early in fort Lauderdale. rented a premium car from Alamo. booked online including everything for 3 nights was $95. at the ticket counter the guy at the counter gave me the paperwork to sign and it was $144..fortunately I had my confirmation showing the charges ...We got the car and were off to West Palm to my brothers..unfortunately he had to go back out on a work road trip so he wouldnt be there during our visit so we spent some time with my nieces and nephew

 

 

 

Since my brother wasnt there we decided to go to Key West overnight..from West Palm it's about a 4 1/2 hour drive..from Key Largo to Key West is 2 hours.,.pretty drive

 

 

 

I've always wanted to go to Key West and am glad we were there overnight first and not on a cruise...dont try looking for a place to stay on your way to KW but we got VERY lucky and found a place right in the middle of Duval street..still we walked from about 2 pm to 11 pm with a few bar stops along the way..we ate lunch at the Conch Republic on the water and did all the touristy stuff..went to Mallory square where they have street venders and street performers late afternoon into sunset..Sat morning we took the trolly tour and were on the road and visiting with friends in Boca by about 3:30..

 

 

 

Sunday morning we dropped the car off at the Miami location and within a few minutes on the shuttlle to the ship..we were at the ship by 10:30 and in the terminal by 11..checkin was smooth and we had to wait in a room before we could go on to get our cards and onto the ship but we were eating lunch on the ship by noon..we were able to drop our bags off to the room which surprised me

 

 

 

Food: we ate breakfast every morning on the lido deck and had dinner everynight in the dining room..if there wasnt much of a wait for the omelettes I got one,,they were good and had the usual bacon, ham etc..we had breakfast one morning in the dining room and I didnt care for the omelette as much..they had a few different things that you couldnt get at the buffet.. I wasnt up for big lunches although one day I did have a sandwich from the deli and it was delicious and I had a slice of pizza ( OK) I enjoyed the dinners and liked the cuts of meat (tender) and the way they cooked them better than I did last year

 

 

 

We had a balcony cabin....to me (us) its worth the extra $$..we enjoy it first thing when we get up with a cup of coffee , have a drink before going to dinner..I have come to realize that when I first cruised I was in an inside and like most people who say you arent every in the room anyway I agree because when I was in an inside I couldnt stand being in it so I was never in it..we still never did room service. the room steward was , pleasant , funny and efficient...the room (while it might have been my imagination) seemed bigger because we were in a room with a pullout couch and a pulldown bed from the ceiling

 

 

 

We did a few of the shows but not the ones we did last year..we saw one of the R rated comedians and the hypnotist and the last night legends show with the passengers singing

 

we went into the piano bar one night, and the 70's / 80's show in the disco..there was a band called "The Music Network" and THEY were awesome..they played at the past guest party and we went back to see them another time they were playing

 

 

 

Malcolm "in the Middle" Burns was one of the better and funny cruise directors I've seen..I think he was just filling in for the week for Dana Hobson

 

 

 

Victory Review 4-23 part 2

 

 

 

The ports:

 

 

 

Costa Maya:

 

 

 

When you get off the ship at the dock there are lots of shops (none of which we went into) a good size wading pool , chairs and off the shopping area was a place to go by the beach..we went beyond the shopping area where there were stands selling excursions… ended up taking an excursion to Tequila Beach..I’m assuming similar to the Beach break offered by the ship but a lot closer..we got a snorkeling trip as part of the trip..free drinks all day and nachos, cheese etc included in the price,,,nearby within walking distance were some Mexican shops..found a silver bracelet ..some were trying to sell me a “silver” bracelet that they insisted was silver..silver what I’m not sure but for $5 it wasn’t silver..silver should be stamped .925 or .950

 

 

 

Grand Cayman :

 

 

 

Tender port…we didn’t have an excursion planned since we figured we’d just walk around the port so we waited to get off..there were about 5 ships in port that day so tons of people walking around..we were back on the ship by 12:30..loved being on an empty ship

 

 

 

Ocho Rios…

 

 

 

I told my husband unless we booked an excursion I was not getting off the ship so we went river tubing down the White River (through the ship) and it was THE best time..the ride in the van was long..about 45 minutes ..each person got a tube that had a piece of wood attached to the bottom…it really reminded me of a lazy river with just a few spots that weren’t lazy..there were lots of guides with us..I would definitely do that again, especially on a hot day in Jamaica..no walking up waterfalls for me ! we were back to the ship about 3

 

 

 

I LOVE the sea days and was out by the pool by 8:30/ 9 am..had breakfast and pretty much stayed out all day..gorgeous weather the whole week..never went into the pool or the hot tub or down the slide..smooth sailing all week although Sat the last day was rougher than usual but calmed as the day went on

 

 

 

Prices on the ship were good..even compared to NH where the prices are good to begin with but it was still worth bringing home a couple of bottles of Bombay sapphire and cigarettes…husband bought some crystal and the prices were definitely less than back home

 

 

 

Didn’t win in the casino, didn’t play bingo and didn’t gain any weight..I look at some of these people that go to the buffet and want to tell them they can go up for more..I think they are afraid the ship is going to run out

 

Service on the ship was good..everyone (except the DJ and a few ignorant passengers) were pleasant

 

I used the gym a few times but eventually figured I’d rather be walking a few miles on the track outside which was much nicer…

 

 

Anyway, that’s pretty much it..we had a great time and I think I covered everything

[CathyFL51]

I am interested in finding out more about the pull down bed. Can you tell me where in the room it pulls down. I am sailing on the Victory this Month and will be using that bed.

 

Great review thank you!!

[JLTMET56]

I am interested in finding out more about the pull down bed. Can you tell me where in the room it pulls down. I am sailing on the Victory this Month and will be using that bed.

 

Great review thank you!!

 

it pulls down from the ceiling