All things "Victory"

[Aplmac]

St.Maarten.

 

 

 

 

I saw jetskis while I was walking the Philipsburg beach boardwalk

 

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Taking the Water Taxi option into Philipsburg provides scenic photo ops at both terminals

not to mention intransit across the stunning turquoise bay!

 

This shot is taken at the shoreside Philipsburg end

not out by the pier where you can see two Carnival funnels in the distance, at right?

 

 

 

but it's cute out there too.

 

 

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[crtzgrl]

Seahorses...

 

 

.. are everywhere!

BIG ones!

 

 

 

 

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I REMEMBER THOSE DARN THINGS!!!! The face is just about hip heighth and I would always turn the corner too sharp and hit them. After a few DOD's (:p) and trying to walk back to our room, those suckers were vicious, LOL.

 

But I LOVED this ship. looking at the pics brings back A LOT of great memories. Thanks for sharing, and don't let the seahorses bite!!! :p

[lknight27]

Is there a 70's night on Victory like there is on Royal Caribbean? We love to dress up in our afro's and bell bottoms when we cruise RCI! :D

[CruisinJazz]

I've posted Polls on St. Thomas and Dominica threads, but am anxious to see what others would recommend. For those who have been to St. Thomas and Dominica have you done any of these excursions and if so, which would you recommend?

 

St. Thomas: Carnival excursions: Capt. Nautica's Ultimate Snorkel, Castaway Barefoot Sail and Snorkel Shipwreck Cove, St. John Trunk Bay or book separate with Eli's Eco Tour???

 

Dominica: Carnival excursion to Trafalgar Falls & Emerald Pool or book separately with Levi Bumpiing Tour or Reyno Tours???

 

I would truly appreciate any and all opinions! Thanks!

 

Keep posting the great pics!!

[beentravelin]

Thanks for the great pictures!!! Does anyone have any recent Capers or Menu's? Also, there is no supper club on the Victory - Correct??

 

Thanks!!!

 

 

Correct no supper club.

 

Capers:http://capers.stateroom.info/main.php

[kelz66]

Correct no supper club.

 

Capers:http://capers.stateroom.info/main.php

 

Wow!

 

You leave this weekend!!!

 

Have a great trip.

[NCTribeFan]

St Thomas - spend the day with Papa Bear (Air Force 1 Tours). He offers many combinations. I'm doing (again) the shopping/island tour/beach of choice. He's wonderful.

 

Doing the Roseau Valley Treasures tour with Levi Baron in Dominica.

 

I don't do cruiseline excursions since I discovered Cruise Critic! :D

 

Let's have more info about the ship. There are separate boards for the ports and excursions. I'm interested in Victory.

 

Anyone know the times the movies play? I don't give a rat's behind about watching TV on the ship (I expect to be so tired from the excursion-a-day routine that it will be island/nap/shower/dinner/casino/bed), but I expect DD (who turns 23 this Friday) may be. Someone said 6 pm and midnight, which seems really silly to me with this itinerary.

 

Is the ship as cold as a meat locker, as I've read? I'm cold all the time anyway, and it really annoys me to be dressed for hot tropical weather, and the interior spaces be so cold you have to bundle up. With a 10 day vacation and only 1 large suitcase and carryon each, I don't have room for winter clothes.

 

Overall thoughts about the food? Were the steaks tender? That seems to be an area that Carnival has slipped in a bit over the past couple of years.

 

Is the casino friendly?

 

I can't wait. I just cannot wait! :D

[libtrek]

Here's some random thoughts and observations. Have done this cruise 2 Januarys in a row and headed back in January 2010. Victory is fine for me and love the ports. We do something different each time. NEVER book cruise tours, can't stand them. Do use island independents following CC advice.

 

Dining room is a bit chilly, IMHO, depending on where you sit. I use shoulder shawl every night and am fine. No "paid" dining room and no frig in rooms (except suites, I believe).

 

With so many ports, I've found dress to be more casual than on other cruises. We did nice clothes, no formal, for formal nights and fit right in. No lunches in dining room, only other venues.

 

Bring alongs: something to decorate your door (they DO look the same), a multiplug device for the only outlet in room so you can charge cameras, etc, zip lock bags, a scale (got mine at Target, less than 10) to weigh luggage for trip home, alarm clock, thermal mug if you plan to run to Lido for early morning coffee, and a good attitude - no body likes grouchy people.

 

We've always boarded noonish, but sometimes there are problems. Last time, we got off very late so next cruise got on late. Problems with the officials for some reason. We do buy booze at the entrance to ship, put it in your carryon, and nothing will be said. Other islands not so, booze will be taken away and delivered at end of cruise. Another suggestion is to buy booze at the San Juan airport on the way home. Close to price you get on islands but you are allowed to carry it on your plane. They package it in bags (with locks) and you just add it to your other carry on bag. Didn't believe this, but found it to be true on trip in January 2009.

Libtrek

[alprice]

Another suggestion is to buy booze at the San Juan airport on the way home. Close to price you get on islands but you are allowed to carry it on your plane. They package it in bags (with locks) and you just add it to your other carry on bag. Didn't believe this, but found it to be true on trip in January 2009.

Libtrek

 

Oh - like this idea - thanks for the tip!! Makes it much easier!

[Aplmac]

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Howza about dat?! :)

 

 

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Edited May 6, 2009 by aplmac

[richbum]

You did good Aplmac....THX!

[beentravelin]

Wow!

 

You leave this weekend!!!

 

Have a great trip.

 

Thanks kelz66!! I'm super excited about this cruise. No sea days is the bomb.

 

Great pics Aplmac! If I were a cruiseline CEO, I'd hire you!

 

How much liquor do you think I could get away with bringing? Would 2 one litre bottles in each of my and my DG's carryon set off a red flag?

[kelz66]

Thanks kelz66!! I'm super excited about this cruise. No sea days is the bomb.

 

Great pics Aplmac! If I were a cruiseline CEO, I'd hire you!

 

How much liquor do you think I could get away with bringing? Would 2 one litre bottles in each of my and my DG's carryon set off a red flag?

 

After having 6 sea days, this itin is a godsend...LMAO

 

:p

[libtrek]

 

Well, my DH cannot pass up a sale/bargain. They have really cheap bottles near the checkout at the ship-side store. Needless to say, 2 bottles each put in your carry on will be fine. Don't forget though, if you don't finish the booze, you'd have to pack it in your checked luggage for the trip home. And, I think you can only take unopened bottles (not sure on that one). We usually leave the leftovers for the stewart with a note, enjoy!

Libtrek

[MN Cyclone]

Does Victory have tea times when they are doing the port-a-day itinerary? Enjoyed tea on the Triumph last May, but it was offered on sea days.

[NMCruiser55]

After having 6 sea days, this itin is a godsend...LMAO

 

:p

Yep, everything balances out in the end. :cool:

[overwerked]

I didn't go to see any of the shows, but I did eat great food. I recommend eating in the dining room for breakfast and supper. My wife and I tried the buffet on the lido deck for breakfast the first morning it really wasn't great. The next day we ate in the dining room and it was very good. For breakfast we had ham and cheese omlets with bacon, sausage, hash browns, fresh fruit and toast; very good.

 

For supper the menu has a carnival classics section that stays the same every night. The rest of the menu changes daily. The flat iron steak is excellent it has a really good gravy like sauce on it. Lobster was good. The only dish I didn't really like was the Cornish game hen. For appetizer I always had the shrimp cocktail, only 4 shrimp though so you may want to order three of them like I did. Deserts are all good, the cappuccino pie was super, so was the cherries jubilees.

 

For a late afternoon snack I recommend the turky sandwich from the little sandwich bar on the port side of the lido buffet area.

[Aplmac]

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Control Panel in the Caribbean Show Lounge

 

 

 

Still docked in St.Maarten -until midnight!

 

 

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[CruisinJazz]

Wonderful pics as always Aplmac!

[kimber1234]

My husband and I are sailing on Carnival Victory November 15th 2009. 3 other couples will be sailing with us. I have never been on Carnival, I heard it was a party ship? I have been on 4 Royal Caribbean Cruises, Navigator of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Vision of the Seas and Viking Seranade. Loved RCCL. Will I love Carnival as well for those who have been on RCCL?:rolleyes:

[crtzgrl]

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Control Panel in the Caribbean Show Lounge

 

 

 

Still docked in St.Maarten -until midnight!

 

 

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Your pictures are AWESOME!!!! The DH is sitting here with me looking at these pictures and we are loving them. I saw which lenses you were using but the DH would like to know what body of camera you are using. Thanks for sharing. And feel free to continue sharing pics...:p

[welldone60]

A note to the newbies - there is a ton of info on the San Juan POC board about boarding, how to get to the port, what to do after you arrive and before you sail, what to do with luggage when you disembark but have a late flight, hotels, restaurants, etc. etc.

 

I spent hours researching excursions and learning how to bid on Priceline for my pre & post-cruise hotels. Hours!

 

With this itinerary, there are just so many options and choices to make that planning is time consuming.

 

I also recommend you find the most recent reviews and read what others have done and look at their photos. I just love reading about people's excursions. And seeing pictures of food! :D

 

 
I have one of the 4G all-the-way-forward cabins that used to be classified as OV. The ones that overlook the forward decks and were reclassified since you can't actually see the ocean, although you have a window.

I plan on taking a ton of photos, since they're very difficult to find for this particular cabin (I have one of the end cabins that is HC modified and the beds do NOT convert to a King).

 

NCTribeFan

Do all the 4G forward cabins have windows?

 

I must have hit the wrong button to do that!!!!

Edited May 7, 2009 by welldone60

[Aplmac]

Your pictures are AWESOME!!!! ===> Thank you (fisheye)

The DH is sitting here with me looking at these pictures and we are loving them.

I saw which lenses you were using but the DH would like to know

what body of camera you are using. Thanks for sharing.

And feel free to continue sharing pics...:p

I use a Nikon D60 but I'm looking to move up to a D90.

 

I see a D90 body only advertised in the U.S. for about 330

http://www.stopandshopdigital.com/products.asp?dept_id=10004&product_id=337

 

Anyone out there coming down soon ..who might bring it to Barbados for me?

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[TexasRed]

I have never been on Carnival, I heard it was a party ship?

 

Carnival is NOT just a party ship these days, thay may have been true 20 years ago, but now it is just as regular as any other line. But, if you are looking for a party, there ARE plenty of fun folks onboard, especially when certain groups from CC are cruising! :p

[kimber1234]

Thanks for the info, I am very excited to go on this cruise! So far, all of the reviews for the Victory are awesome!! I can't wait to board!