Victory 12/16 review

[msu11y28]

Just got off the Victory this past Sunday... was the first cruise for me and my husband and we had an absolute BLAST

 

We left NYC Friday evening and spent Friday and Saturday nights in Miami. We had never been before so we spent the day Saturday relaxing by the pool and shopping. We had plenty of time to be lazy Sunday morning before heading to the cruise terminal. It was much more relaxing than it would have been had we left Sunday morning. The embarkation process was much quicker than I expected. Check in was very smooth and we waited probably less than 20 min. before being called onto the ship. Once on we just hung out by the pool, ate, and had a few drinks of course :)

 

Monday was kind of a drag as it was overcast and choppy but we still spent most of the day hanging around outside. The captain's cocktail party was fun and the lobster was better than expected. We were surprised to hear we would be speeding up to arrive in Cozumel at midnight instead of the expected 7 (I think) AM. Someone had gotten critically ill. We were allowed to leave the boat though, so husband and I went to some of the bars lining the pier. Carlos and Charlies was great. We only bar hopped for about 1.5 hours as we wanted to be up early to explore Cozumel!

 

Tuesday was our day in port. We had booked all of our excursions through Carnival since it seemed easiest for us first-times, though next time I think I'll look into these boards more carefully and find some things to do myself. Here we did the dolphin swim which was great (something I've always wanted to do). My husband was wary at first (more because of price than anything else) but was glad we did it.

 

Not much to say about Wed. other than we experienced some deja vu as it was another cloudy day, and it was again announced that we'd be speeding up because another person had gotten critically ill. We could not get off the boat in the Cayman Islands when the ill person was dropped off since it was a tendering port.

 

In the Caymans we did the Stingray City and Island tour which was amazing!!!! I would definitely recommend swimming with the stingrays. They were so friendly and fun. For this tour we also traveled to the town Hell (got some cool photos/postcards) and to 7 mile beach which was so beautiful. We also toured the turtle farmed which we loved. The Caymans were by far our favorite port. We went into some shops as well...loved the black coral jewlrey but unfortunately a little out of my price range!

 

In Jamaica (Friday) we (along with what seemed like 98% of cruisers) did Dunn's River Falls, which was also a blast. We bought the DVD but with the holidays haven't had a chance to view yet.

 

Saturday was a sunny day at sea--FINALLY! We spent the day lounging outside.

 

Sunday went surprisingly smoothly as well. We were the 6th group to be called off the ship. We got our luggage rather quickly, and the line waiting for customs was a little slow but nothing too horrible.

 

Other things.... We did the early dinner seating and next time I think I would do a later seating. Just so we could have a little more time to relax between returning to the ship from port and getting ready for dinner.

 

I would have liked to get a massage, and am definitely going to take advantage of the spa next time around.

 

Spent some time in the casino where the odds seemed to be terrible (couldn't even catch a break of a few dollars on the slots!) My husband was up around $30 on roulette but quickly lost it all.

 

We took in a few shows. The comedians were pretty good and the Legends show was fun (we spent a few nights in the karaoke bar watching auditions as well). Did not enjoy the magician as he seemed to be doing a comedy act more than magic (I think he did about 3 tricks total).

 

The ship was very clean, and the crew was very friendly and helpful. Always answered our questions politely.

 

Sorry for the long review... and I'm sure I'm forgetting tons of things. Let me know if there are any questions!

 

And my question... we're looking to cruise again this summer, but out of New York this time as we're from Long Island. Anyone have any experience on the Miracle? Thanks!

[NCTribeFan]

That wasn't a long review! I wrote a long review of the Miracle 12/17 sailing! :p

 

I'm thinking of booking Victory next 12/14 out of San Juan. Will you have pictures posted?

 

It was quite cold and windy in Southern Florida, wasn't it? I was totally unprepared for that.

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for your review.

[msu11y28]

I read your Miracle review... it was great! I would like to take it out of NYC this summer (haven't told husband about thisyet) but am not sure if we'll be able to swing it financially.

 

I will post a link as soon as the pictures are up!

 

Some other things I've been thinking of since writing the review--

The food at dinner was generally good (grilled shrimp) to very good (lobster). A few nights we were disappointed...the baby back "ribs" were hardly ribs, and a vegetarian lasagna was absolutely COVERED in cheese... by the time I ate through the cheese to get to the actual lasagna I was almost full. Trying to push the remaining cheese around to get to the lasagna resulted in a horrible mess. Also did not enjoy the mahi mahi, which I usually love...too dry here.

 

I don't want to say I was disappointed by the sushi, just very surprised to find it was all cooked. I still enjoyed what I did eat but would have preferred a wider variety of uncooked sushi.

 

We bought the soda card at the beginning of the week and if we had taken advantage of it properly it would have been a great value. Often we'd find we wouldn't have it or the requisite Carnival cup on us, or we'd argue over who had to get up and leave the room or wherever we were to refill. I'm sure we were exactly the suckers Carnival hopes will buy this card and never take advantage of it :)

 

I enjoyed getting our photos taken on the formal nights. We ended up buying copies of the photos from both nights. A few weeks ago, I read a suggestion on one of these boards that it would be a lot easier to simply upload everyone's photos into some sort of program that would allow you to view your pictures on your TV and order what you want. After going to the photo station I have to say this is a great suggestion...maybe the cruise line figures they'll make less money if the person doesn't actually see a hard copy of their photo though?? Anyway that's just a minor thing I noticed.

 

I am totally addicted to cruising after this one trip. I know there's so much more to say, I will keep adding as I think of things!

[Cincinnati513]

Well were back to reality & 99cent menu's...LoL

Had an Awesome time & met some reality great people on board.

Embarkment went quickly...got there at noon & by 1:15 We were on Lido deck eatting. Our luggage didn't get to room till about 7:30 that evening. We were on the Veranda deck in the back of the ship (One deck below the pizza resturant) WooHoo. 1st. day at sea me & 2 of my girls were sea sick, Thank Goodness for free pills they give out. Five hours later we felt better.

Our 11 year old signed up for Camp carnival but after 1st visit there she met 2 other children her age & they hung out every day together doing there own things on board. Service was Good, Our room steward Michael Was AWESOME!!! he made anaimals every night that my girls looked forward to each night & he always made sure we had every thing we needed...Kudo's to you Michael:) There was also a bartender in the back of the ship by the pizza resturant that was Awesome as well, She knew our 1st names & always said Hello everyday.. Kanchana was her name....Kundo's to you also;)

We had late night sitting 8:30 which we thought we would not like cause it was so late, But actually it worked out Great cause we were not rushed to get ready. Only down fall was our server was so slow & took like 2 hours to eat & get out of dinning room, so we were usually late on getting to the 10:30 show. We did not find out till the 3rd night that they had a kid's Menu that our daughter could order off of & I had to ask for it...It even has different derserts like Banana splits that even I could order.

The melting cake was good as long as it wasn't completely Melted by the time you got it. And the Bread Pudding was GREAT!! Now a Little about the Photo's they take...They take Alot BUT Be expected to pay alot too, Like $22 an 8x10. The 1st Island was Cozumel, we did the Royal dolphin swim & I booked it onlined & saved. But Take extra $$$ there cause they will get ya on the DVD & Photos ($150 for Dvd & 12~ 6x8 pictures) 2nd Island Grand Cayman~ we waited till we got off ship & there are several people out there waiting to take you on an excusion...We found a Deal for $25 a person, they took us to String Ray City...Swam with the string~ray's then took us to snorkel at a beautiful reef, then dropped us off at the beach for 2 hours then came back & picked us up. GREAT Deal. 3rd Island was Jamaica once again we booked our own Excursion once we got off ship, for $12.00 a person took a taxi ride for a couple hours then to the beach then shopping.

Kids did not like that Island...they hated being hasseled by the folks to buy Buy BUY...Tip TIpTIP....& some would not be nice when we said No..But the experience was worth it. Well sorry for such a Long reveiw, Only thing I could recomend to folks with Kids is Bring walkie talkies to stay in touch & Clips to clip your Towels to the Deck chairs & Dont pack alot...We only wore 1/2 of what we took. Oh Yea, If you have an inside cabin as we did...Take a Night light. Happy Holidays to all.

OH Yea, To the cabin 3 doors down...We ALL Smelt ur wacky smoke, LoL

And Mikey...The girls Loved you:D From Cincinnati we all say Who~Dey

[momladybug]

We will be on Victory Jan 13th. Do you have any capers? What movies were showing on the b ig screen?

 

Thanks in advance!:)

[bchbum641]

we will be getting on when you get off and

I'm sure you will have fun. I'd ask you to post but we will be on the ship. have a great time!!!!!!!!

[LHP]

Did anyone go into the piano bar? This was Bob's first cruise with Carnival and I am trying to see how it went!!

[msu11y28]

Unfortunately we did not save any Capers.. I wish now that we had!! But if you had any questions about an activity or something let me know because we tore off the little "at a glance" schedules every day so I became pretty familiar with what was going on.

 

We didn't watch anything on the big screen but I do remember seeing somewhere that Wild Hogs and Fantastic 4 Silver Surfer were playing. If I had to guess Live Free or Die Harder was on there also cause it was on tv constantly the first few days. In the mornings they'd show CNN...my husband's take.."who wants to keep up with news on vacation?!" :)

 

Sorry if that wasn't much help!

[msu11y28]

We went to the piano bar a few times... I liked Bob a lot...didn't realize this was his first cruise...He knew every song on the list, a few others that weren't, and if he didn't know something that was shouted it, he'd invite the guest to provide the vocals. I think a lot of it depends more on the crowd than the performer too. One of the nights it was really subdued with hardly any singing along, while one or two of our other visits was filled with a rowdier crowd that made the experience tons more fun. For better crowds I would suggest going a little later once everyone has some drinks in them... :) And that probably makes the pianist perform better too, knowing the crowd's into it.

[LHP]

We went to the piano bar a few times... I liked Bob a lot...didn't realize this was his first cruise...He knew every song on the list, a few others that weren't, and if he didn't know something that was shouted it, he'd invite the guest to provide the vocals. I think a lot of it depends more on the crowd than the performer too. One of the nights it was really subdued with hardly any singing along, while one or two of our other visits was filled with a rowdier crowd that made the experience tons more fun. For better crowds I would suggest going a little later once everyone has some drinks in them... :) And that probably makes the pianist perform better too, knowing the crowd's into it.

 

Yep, this was Bob's first Carnival cruise. He has played on HAL, but I told him to be prepared for a different crowd. ;) Glad you enjoyed him. Same thing with karaoke...the more drinks that people consume...the better I sound!!!

[infoquest52]

Momladybug,

I too am leaving January 13 on the Victory. My husband and I are 2nd time cruisers but met lots of people who do lots of cruises. I will be going with my adult children this time.

Do you fly down and if so do you stay near by? Thanks for any reply.

Jan

[Vacple30]

We were also on the 16th sailing. Also had a Veranda Aft Room with Michael as our steward (I told hubby I could smell something fishy when we walked down the hall but he did not believe me). We went to the Piano bar almost every night and had a really good time. I checked out Bob's website Bob-Style.com when we got back. It's a little hard to manuver because its mostly in German.

[Vacple30]

Infoquest - we flew in 2 days ahead and stayed in Ft. Lauderdale since it was cheaper to fly in there. Only took us about 25 min to Miami. We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Cruiseport the 1st night and loved it (right beside a great seafood rest and BassPro Shop store) and at the Hilton across the street the 2nd. Hilton left a lot to be desired.