Just Back From The Victory

[luv2cruz44]

Sorry to begin so boring but our cruise was absolutely wonderful. After reading some negative reviews before we departed on 9/30/06, we were not sure what to expect but it really is all about ATTITUDE. Any minor glitches were immediately resolved and the whole experience was awesome.

 

We got to NYC 3 days ahead of schedule to see the sights. Although I had been to NYC on 1 previous occasion, the other 3 people in our group had not so we did the typical touristy things, world trade memorial, Empire State Builing, Lower East Side, Little Italy, Chinatown, Soho and even a Broadway Play (we chose The Producers). Our biggest surprise was that we negotiated the subway without a problem but spent over an hour trying to line up a cab to take us to the port to board our ship. We got to the port early, check-in was smooth and simple and we were on the Lido deck eating by 11:30. It was close to 1:30 by the time we could get to our rooms and we barely beat the luggage. We did check out our dining room to see where our table was as our time was exactly what we'd requested. We loved our table for 4 in the front corner by the windows.

 

After unpacking and the muster we headed up to the topless deck for sail away. Since we had not gotten to Ellis Island or Lady Liberty, it was great to watch them sail by and the Verranzo-Narrows Bridge was exciting. We were so sure the funnel was going to hit it. After that experience it was time to head for dinner. Our wait staff Ulla & Placido were 2 of the best we've ever had especially since they had 20 diners to take care of and no one ever missed a dinner seating, (except us but thats another story). The show that night was great and we had our first encounter with Felipe, the greatest social host. Our social director was Malcolm in the Middle but we really didn't see much of him. We also didn't see much of Jeffrey as his Mother passed while we on the cruise and he had to leave the ship in Halifax.

 

Carlos was our room steward and he was exceptional. Always, after the first night, we had chocolates, towel animals and the next days Capers. Our ice was always full and our room cleaned while we were at breakfast and at dinner. All the staff was friendly, greeting us as we passed by whether they were assigned to us or not.

 

I won't comment on the ports except to say that thanks to this bulletin board, we got the nerve to book our own excursions and believe we had the best experience at a fraction of the cost. In Boston, we did the Boston Duck tour which was great. In Portland ME, we did a land & sea excursion. In St. John, we rode the city transit bus and in Halifax, we rented a car and went to Peggy's Cove and then did the Halifax Hopper when we got back into town. There wasn't a lot of fall color but we weren't surprised because we had heard it was late this year.

 

Now the only bad part of our cruise was something that Carnival had no control over. While in NYC, my DH somehow contracted Noro-virus and his symptoms first appeared just before dinner our second day on the ship. Since I hadn't done any reading on this, I assumed it was a 24 hr bug and he just needed to rest the next day. He did and was ready to go again on Day 4, just a little wiped out. Late that same day, I came down with it and the next morning our friends went to the infirmary on our behalf. That was when we learned what we had and were quarantined for the next 24 hours. We were told to order whatever we wanted from room service including complimentary Sprite and bottled water. During that day, there were no less than 3 calls from the pursers office inquiring as to how we were feeling. Although a bit irritating at first, it began to make sense when we realized that our steward could not enter our room and those calls were the only way the ship knew we were still alive. We missed the first Sea Day but the meds that we got from the infirmary made us both sleep so much that we really didn't care.

 

By the next day, we were ready to go again and enjoy our last port and the rest of the cruise. Our last night in the dining room was very difficult as we had to say goodbye to Ulla & Placido. Words can't express how great they were and how hard they worked. All in all, the shows, shipboard activities, service, food, were all what we've grown to expect from Carnival and we're looking forward to our next cruise in April. Any questions or more information needed, just let me know.

[duchess720]

can you tell me something about your three days in NYC? We are planning on do the same thing, tourist prior to cruise. Going in Aug. 07

Thanks

[luv2cruz44]

Dear Duchess,

 

We booked our hotel thru hotels.com for the four of us. It was a 1 bedroom unit so suited us just fine. We lost the first day although did get out for a short walk & dinner. We had planned on doing a grayline tour but that didn't seem to work out so just talked to the people at the desk who convinced us to try the subway. The first day, we went to the Empire State Bldng by Subway and then to the Soho area from where we walked to Little Italy, Chinatown & Lower East Side. WE had lunch at Katz Deli then took the subway to Times Square where we purchased half price Broadway tickets. We then went to Rockefeller Center before we headed back to our hotel to change for dinner and the theater. A great place close to the theater district is John's Pizzaria, best meal we had in NYC.

 

The next day we took the Water Taxi which we thought would be a good alternative to a grayline tour but it didn't work out. We did get to Ground Zero but that was all before the last one ran. Luckily, since we missed the water taxi when it went by Ellis Island & the Statute of Liberty, we got to see those sights on the ship. We would have had time to see some of Central Park the morning before we boarded the cruise ship but opted to get to the terminal early instead. Hope this helps.

[vbmart]

I, too, was on the Victory from 9/30 to 10/7, and was pleasantly surprised. I had read various negative reports regarding the New England/Canada tour and the Victory. The ship was everything, and probably more than I had expected. The food was good - the prime rib was the best I have ever eaten, the employees were very helpful and cordial. One comment that I had read on cc was that the food was not hot. I do have to agree with that for many of our meals. Even the buffet could have been hotter. I enjoyed the shows very much.

 

The layout of the ship is a pain in the neck though. The first dinner people were all over the place, lost and confused as to how to get to the dining rooms. You can't get there from anywhere. If you are going on the ship, you need to get to the back or front of the ship on a floor that is all rooms, and then take the elevator to the appropriate floor. It is very difficult to get around on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors.

 

The biggest complaint I have is debarkation. After we got out of the terminal, it was so confusing as to where to go and where the Carnival transportation was. It would have been very helpful to have a Carnival employee there to direct us to the bus, and maybe a sign on the bus telling us where it was going.

 

All in all, the Carnival cruise was as good as the RCL and Princess cruises I have taken, in fact, the room was bigger and nicer.

[cruisetmc]

We were on the 9/16 - 9/23 and experienced the same debarkation problems. Once you got out of the freight elevator someone yelled buses to the right taxis to the left and that was the end of someone guiding you. I saw one bus marked with an airport the rest were charters. After stopping in the NCL bay for help, we stumbled onto an unmarked bus that was going to LaGuardia.

 

A wonderful cruise, great ports, loved the ship once we figured out the layout.

[Mr508MA]

The next day we took the Water Taxi which we thought would be a good alternative to a grayline tour but it didn't work out. Luckily, since we missed the water taxi when it went by Ellis Island & the Statute of Liberty, we got to see those sights on the ship..

 

Hi Ann, sounds like a good time.... Lady Liberty is a site isn't she, it's even more amazing to go right to it... I had seen it from afar, but going right to it, is totally amazing (it is huge) I am not sure if they are allowing people in it again

[nybumpkin]

Hi Ann, sounds like a good time.... Lady Liberty is a site isn't she, it's even more amazing to go right to it... I had seen it from afar, but going right to it, is totally amazing (it is huge) I am not sure if they are allowing people in it again

Just back from Lady Liberty today, actually (middle son's 5th grade class trip, went to Ellis Island as well) - you can go inside only with timed tickets for your visit. The highest you can go is the top of the pedestal; the statue itself is closed. Without the timed tickets, you're limited to walking around outside. There is a ranger-guided tour of the island available as well; the ones today were every hour.

 

The weather wasn't the greatest today, but at least I was able to get a glimpse of the Legend docked today in New York. I missed Victory's last day this past Saturday, and Legend left today on her last New York-based Caribbean cruise.

[luv2cruz44]

Thanks to those that responded. I have to agree that debarkation was a problem however our whole trip home was stressful thanks to some problems upon landing at Dallas/Ft. Worth so I kinda forgot about it. We accidentally found the Carnival bus to La Guardia and were the second group off at arrival at La Guardia, so that worked out. our friends, on the other hand, who were flying out of JFK took the Super Shuttle and ended up having a piece of luggage lost so we really felt fortunate to have ended up as well as we did. Just an added perk, on the advice of our travel agent, we contacted our travel insurance and it looks like we may get a small re-imbursement for our "trip interruption" due to the Noro-virus so that is a good thing also.