thefish

Just cruised on the Carnival Triumph. It was a five day cruise out of Galveston Texas visiting Progresso and Cozumel Mexico. This was our second cruise on the Triumph, the previous being about a year ago. This time we opted for an Ocean Suite instead of the handicap room under the ship’s bridge in which I had a difficult time maneuvering a mobility scooter in the space provided. We then upgraded to the Grand Suite, the most spacious cabin available on this ship. I said what the heck and upgraded even though I see the “Upgrade Fairy” as more of a giant blood sucking annoying mosquito.

The full size spa jet tub and dual shower heads were enjoyable even though ours leaked water onto the floor from the plumbing underneath the tub when using it. They could not seem to get this problem solved during our cruise so we used every towel we had to keep the water soaked up.

The balcony was long, almost like a bowling alley. Just two of us did not need all this space but spending the time I do on the balcony it was nice. I like to go onto the balcony before bedtime to relax, breath the salt air, see the stars, when I can and watch the illuminated water churn at the side of the ship. I also enjoy going onto the balcony just before dawn to watch the clouds and sky change colors as the sun rises. The vivid pinks and blues are beautiful. On one of the balconies above me our neighbors also enjoyed getting up just after dawn. They must have been interior decorators because every time they went onto their balcony they felt the need to rearrange all the furniture on the balcony. The metal on wood scraping, banging and clanging continued until the balcony was arranged in such a configuration that temporarily sated their burning artistic desire. Then, being drained, they would settle down and light up a cigarette.

I know, you are thinking “Smoking on balconies is not allowed!” You would be right but also it is stated that wearing shorts, flip flops, T-shirts and caps “Will not be allowed in the dining room” on formal nights. These are just meaningless words if not enforced and those breaking these pseudo ultimatums know it.

Now let me state that to a great part you cannot control another person’s behavior. “Some people’s parents!” So I do not allow this to ruin our cruise. But I find it funny that when questioning a charge or requesting a refund a company official (not just Carnival) will say “According to page twenty-four, paragraph five, section ten of the contract that you agreed upon by giving us your money it clearly states that we have your dollar and you ain’t getting it back” .

On one of my morning balcony sojourns I noticed the sun was rising facing the stern. To me this meant that we were heading west and back to Mexico. I hoped that the ship did not have the same GPS system that I have in my car. I love my GPS because of its sexy female voice that always sounds as if it is trying to seduce me. It would say “At the next place that you can conveniently and safely pull off the road please do so and look at a map because we are lost.”

In my mind I can picture the ship’s Captain and First Officer jabbering and pointing at an old, tattered Texaco highway map spread across a table. The only thing missing from this picture would be the Captain’s wife standing behind them, arms crossed and rolling her eyes.

Some things have changed since my last five day cruise on the Triumph. No more were the little chocolates left on the pillows. They must have been pretty expensive. It is probably for the best because no one wants to wake up in the morning with a square of chocolate stuck to their cheek and spread across their pillow. There was no more gold and above meet and greet in the aft lounge. Now I did miss this. You did get a coupon for one free drink on the last evening of the cruise but it is so impersonal.

This was my first non-lobster cruise on Carnival for formal night. I made up for it by ordering two entrees. I had as one of my entrees the Japanese Sea Bass, it was very good. The waiter did not know if the fish was from Tokyo or if it had been caught near South America by a Japanese fisherman. I did google it and it seems that this species does exist. I is also called Suzuki but has no wheels. It seems that it is extensively farmed. It suits me much better that Tilapia.

I did let the waiter know about my disappointment pertaining to the decision to drop the lobster from the non-upcharge menu of formal night to which he replied “According to page fifty-seven, paragraph eight, sub section eighteen of the contract you agreed to by giving us your money it clearly states . . . . .”

Otherwise the cruise was great. This is about our twentieth cruise so we have seen Progresso and Cozumel umpteen times. Because of this and problems of transport for the disabled we chose to just visit the shops near the dock. The weather was nice, our servants, I mean the crew was nice and the sugar free mango cake was delicious. All in all another enjoyable cruise.

I just need eleven more days for my platinum card on Carnival. I hope that the customer service cut backs do not affect the customer loyalty awards too much by the time I reach this goal. Otherwise I might end up with just two coupons for free drinks to show for it. (Stated with tongue in cheek, not the more painful tongue in teeth)

Oh yes, I wrote the above with two spaces after each sentence to piss off the one spacers. Some people’s parents.

Thanks a lot guys.

1. will not worry about our flight connection at 1:10 pm. Should have plenty of time and no use worrying about the weather.

2. Would be nice to have a scooter for my wife but we are together all the time and I can still push when needed. Save the money for the spa.

3. Will bring our own coffee and 4cup filters and ask for a 4 cup maker if not in our room. Will make do.

4. Will be taking taxi from airport and pier.

5. Will find that elevator to the Tsar dining room.

But I do have a new question. We will be staying 3 nights in NOLA so I will be doing laundry on the Jewel. What day of the cruise do they have their wash special. I believe it's $25 a bag. I've become quite good at getting a lot of stuff in the cruise laundry bags.

Thanks

Duane

Thanks a lot guys. I will cancel my shuttle reservations and go with a taxi. Our problem with mobility issues and luggage will keep us off the local busses and streetcars for airport transportation. Even my wife's purse contains the inventory of a moderate sized dollar store. My brother and sister in-law have been living in the Caribbean on their sail boat for 15 years and have packing down to an art. They can get just about all the clothes they own in two carry-ons.

thanks again, Duane

One other thing you may want to check before renting a scooter is how many of your ports are going to be tenders... We are going on the Jewel on Dec 1st and for some reason we are tendering at Cozumel as well as Grand Cayman.. So 2 out of 3 of our ports will be tenders. They normally will not allow scooters on the tenders.

 

From what I have seen, when you rent a scooter they have it in your room waiting for you when you board.

 

As for catching your flight, it should not be a problem barring any problems with disembarkation or weather. You'll have plenty of time.

Thanks Monalis (and others)

I've been checking on the scooter rental and I could call the rental company and get specific information pertaining to the Jewel but I decided against it. We will still need to bring our collapsible wheelchair and this and the scooter will make things a little too comfy in the cabin. I would like for her to have the scooter for her freedom of movement but I would rather save up the money for a good travel scooter that I know she will "need" in the near future. Being retired saving money is like having a job. Your pay is the money that you don't have to spend. Fixing things, mowing your lawn and cleaning your house instead of having someone else do it. I found that I can live on a lot less money than when I was working.

That being said I still have a couple of questions about the Jewel. We usually have dinner close to 5pm so this would be outside the prime dining hour. When do they start sitting in the main dining rooms? Our first experience many years ago with NCL freestyle dining was a disaster. They had just started it on our cruise and it was total chaos. Because of the lack of employees to clean the rooms (made waiters out of them) our room was not cleaned and beds made for several days. Also the newly designated waiters had no clue as to what they were doing.

Also for those that fly into NOLA, is there a problem at the airport or the cruise port in getting a cab? Is there a long wait? I asked this on the port boards and have not received an answer.

thanks Duane

I have made reservations for an airport shuttle for my wife and I from the airport to our French Quarter hotel and from the cruise port to the airport. The price for the shuttle is $40 from the airport and $36 from the cruise terminal for both of us, $76 total. By what I am reading (I do know about the taxi fare calculators on the internet) it would be just as cheap and probably more convenient to take an individual taxi. Should I cancel my reservations for the shuttle and just go by taxi? Wouldn't waiting for a shuttle to fill and then going to different hotels and destinations take a lot longer than standing in line for a taxi at the airport and at the port? Will their be a problem or long line at getting a taxi at the port?

Thanks

Duane

Ignore the question about leaving a scooter outside your cabin, even if you are near an open public area. NCL states that scooters must be stored in the cabin. I have read one post where the steward took the cushions off the couch and stored the bottom of the couch under the bed making room for the scooter. I don't know if this would be possible on the Jewel. Also the door width might be a problem. The narrowest scooter I saw for rent is 21" wide.

Thanks for the responses.

Alvarado - My wife can walk short distances but on trips I bring a collapsible companion chair. We prefer a handicap cabin but sometimes, as on this cruise, we have a regular cabin. We have not rented a scooter for a cruise but this sounds interesting. I don't know if a scooter will fit into our balcony room. Can you leave it outside? If you do rent a scooter how do you pick it up and return it? How easy is it getting taxi transportation in the ports the Jewel visits?

Thanks again - Duane

This will be our first time on the Jewel and our first time out of NOLA. We have a 1:10 flight departure. Does anyone see any problems in making this flight on debarkation day?

I have read that there will be a coffee maker in the balcony rooms. What is the brand of coffee used. Is it possible to bring our own coffee and use 4 cup filters in these coffee makers?

I can only see one elevator serving the Tsar dining room. How difficult will it be for someone in a wheelchair to access this dining room and does anyone have any suggestions on how to get to the Tsar from the 10th deck.

Thanks

Duane

Thanks Cruisinskier

Yes I remember your review with all the fantastic pictures. I don't know how I missed the photos of room 6208. Room 6207 should be a similar layout. A sofa would not be required but a padded chair with a back would be nice. If not I guess I could bring in a chair from the balcony.

Thanks again, your review was great

Duane

The only showers with the fold down seats in the shower are the HC cabins. We did a HC cabin once (assigned) and it was really nice to have it as my sister is borderline needing a HC cabin.

I'm sorry, I did not make myself clear. These cabins are the forward balcony cabins on deck six of the Magic on the starboard and port sides.

While the description for 6208 mentions roll in shower and fold down seat the description for 6207 does not. Even though it probably not a "roll in" shower because of a lip I was hoping it still had a shower seat. They are both wheel chair access cabins.

thanks

Have cabin 6207 on TA. If anyone has this cabin or handicap cabin 6208 prior to TA please post a review.

Is the bridge overhang bothersome? Is it easy for wheelchairs? Does the shower in 6207 have a fold down seat? Sofa, chair? Noise and view?

I see on the sister ship Dream that the balcony of 6207 has a solid steel panel instead of glass making it an obstructed view balcony. It seems that on the Magic this has been modified but by how much?

thanks in advance

Duane

Has anyone stayed in cabin 6207 on the Dream?

 

It is a handicap cabin. I found on one site that it is listed as having a steel railing but by looking at pictures of the ship it seems that it has a solid steel wall on the balcony and it looks as though it is a bit higher than the normal railings on the cabin beside it. It doesn't seem like you would have a clear view of the ocean from your room like the other balcony cabins on this deck and would have to be standing up and on the balcony to see the ocean.

 

It also looks like it has no partition on the top part of the balcony facing the front of the ship. Since this cabin is the first balcony cabin forward on this deck it seems like there would be a wind problem.

 

Thanks

Duane

From pictures of the exterior of the Dream it looks like there is a solid steel (wall) partition, on the balcony of this cabin and a partition to help block the wind. It seems that if this is indeed a handicap cabin, like some other posts say it is and you are confined to a wheelchair, then you will not be able to see anything but a wall on the balcony of this room. It is listed as obstructed on carnival's web site.

On the sister ship, Magic, 6207 is not listed as obstructed on the deck plan. I have no pictures of the exterior of the Magic but the artist rendered art work shows that the exterior deck six forward has been re-designed on the Magic and this cabin now has a balcony with glass/plexiglass and a wood top rail like it's neighboring cabin.

In any case, we have room 6207 on the transatlantic on the Magic and hope we won't be spending 16 days looking at a solid wall on our balcony. Perhaps my travel agent can find someone at carnival who would know.

Has anyone stayed in cabin 6207 on the Dream?

It is a handicap cabin. I found on one site that it is listed as having a steel railing but by looking at pictures of the ship it seems that it has a solid steel wall on the balcony and it looks as though it is a bit higher than the normal railings on the cabin beside it. It doesn't seem like you would have a clear view of the ocean from your room like the other balcony cabins on this deck and would have to be standing up and on the balcony to see the ocean.

It also looks like it has no partition on the top part of the balcony facing the front of the ship. Since this cabin is the first balcony cabin forward on this deck it seems like there would be a wind problem.

Thanks

Duane