Babycat

I'll be enjoying the Triumph in April for an 8 day cruise with my wife and toddler. I've sailed her twice before and she's my favorite against the Conquest and the Dream.

Prior to my last cruise, I had been on five cruises as a couple. My sixth cruise was with my toddler and it was stressful because I tried to make it what my other cruises had been. Lesson learned. My next cruise will be an evolution of my cruise expectations and will be built around my daughter. We will pack lighter and be better prepared mentally. I'm now comfortable with the idea of walking out of the MDR or missing it altogether. Perhaps I'll find a bit of magic in having dinner on the Lido deck watching a movie. All of my "me time" will take place when she's asleep and I'm fine with that. The struggle to strike a balance between my time and hers along with unjustifiably trying too hard not to allow my daughter to disturb others because she is a toddler was my source of stress.

The chair hogs are just a reality we have to deal with unfortunately.

I see it as a fun and informative discussion. 🤓

We booked months in advance but recently chose late boarding. Living close to the terminal, we don't park there so we hitch a ride with a family member or friend. We take their schedule into consideration when planning. Also, my wife would prefer to board as close to the times our rooms will be ready as possible so we don't carry our luggage around.

Size and weight were never factors in my decision to go mirrorless. Canon and Nikon had gone stagnant and I had outgrown what I had (Canon Rebel T4i). I was hungry for something new and somewhat future proof. After having already invested in Canon glass, I thought I was snared by Canon but upon learning that third party adapters (which obviously add weight) worked great with the new Sony A7R2, I bit the bullet. I don't think that mirrorless can quite yet replace traditional DSLR cameras because they just aren't quite as fast yet but the image quality is there imo. Let's not even discuss video.

It's been two years, but there are a few things I can think of that I had no idea would be so amazing.

 

First, the atmosphere of boarding the ship. From the moment we stepped out of our cab to the moment I crossed the threshold of the ship, I loved the positive vibe of the people waiting in anticipation to begin their vacations.

 

How beautiful the ship was. I was on Glory, and she is wonderful. I had zero complaints about her or the staff.

 

I was in an interior cabin, and I coveted my friends' cabin with the balcony. I spent a bit of time on their balcony before I went to bed thinking I wouldn't be able to sleep without it. Then I woke up the following morning and realized I slept so very well in the interior cabin.

 

My first sea day morning on the ship was my favorite memory. It's silly because we had an amazing week, but that first sea day morning was the epitome of what I seek in a vacation. I wake up early while on vacation, earlier than I do for work even, because I don't want to miss a moment. I ordered coffee to drink while I got around for the day and then I went to lido, picked out a few items to snack on, and found a seat right by the window. There was lots of action going on around me, but I lost myself in the sea. It took me away to serenity and I was there for a long while. I wasn't brought out of it until my friends joined me at my table. I bet it was a good 45 minutes.

 

I've always loved boating and being on the water, but I had no idea how mesmerizing the sea would be. It was an amazing surprise, for sure. I look forward to experiencing those moments again next month.

You made me close my eyes and smile with this one!

The light of the dive in movie reflecting off the lido.

I like how everyone standing in line inside the cruise terminal, pre cruise, are so giddy and kind to each other too.

Hi Babycat, great thread! I agree with all your thoughts. :)

 

My personal favorite is waking up on the first morning, taking a stroll outside, breathing the salty sea air and realizing I'm in the middle of the ocean, miles away from everything. In my opinion, nothing in this world is more relaxing than that feeling!

 

On another note, I took a look at your videos in your signature...1 word: AMAZING!!!

 

I mean, really, really amazing. Great work!

 

Happy cruising!

Thank you😊😊😊

All these little details are the free things! I can't wait for my next cruise but when I read these responses, in my head, I'm already gone! 😜

Waking up that first morning and looking at a different cieling as the golden sun light peeks through the curtain.

Walking to the curtain and sliding it over to unlatch the sliding door.

Sliding the balcony door open with a gust of warm ocean air and the ambient sounds.

Wondering if either the port or starboard side will face the island.

Hilarious!

The problem lies in the deceptive practice of failing to provide full disclosure. You've paid for that cruise and you lost valuable time that could have been spent doing other activities. That's just poor business.

Sometimes we watch for the large waves to make the big slow motion splashes off the bow.

These are all great. I feel like I'm cruising lol.

🎼So wave me and smile for me🎼

🎼Tell me that you'll be back for me🎼

🎼Hold me like you'll never let me go🎼

I had almost forgotten about the crossing of the threshold between the indoor buffet area to an outdoor area while feeling the temperature change with a strong gust of wind while trying not to slip and fall on the wet floor.

Looking for photos in the gallery is a good one. Discovering that it was actually a good photo is great too. I also like to see other peoples funny faces when they sometimes take those joke photos.

Good job!!

Here's a few more.

 

The ding, ding, ding coming from the casino.

The very first lunch on the Lido deck.

Seeing your first port of call as your ship docks.

Ahh. The ambient sounds of the casino! I agree. Seeing the first port is a good one too.

Wow you nailed so many... how about...

 

15. That first glimpse of the ship

16. Your first step onboard

17. Arriving back to your room after supper and finding your room cozied for the

Night.

18. Your first spoonful of warm melting chocolate cake.

19. Finding your room for the first time.

20. The feeling of being home..

Oh yeah! Those are great! The warm chocolate melting cake solidifies it. I like finding my room and opening my door for the first time too.

Sometimes it's the little intangible signature things that seemingly no one else cares about that whisk me away to euphoria. They invite me to let go of my stress. The sound of the card key sliding into the door slot and the little flashing green light is but one of many for me.

1. The aforementioned card key and flashing green light.

2. The Bing of the elevators and the voice that says "Lido Deck"

3. The salt on the balcony glass

4. The winds buffeting sound

5. The faint unique way that voices echo off the balcony dividers

6. The boing sound when inserting the cards getting on and off the ship

7. The looping television programs

8. The book with all the pictures inside the staterooms

9. The flying fish

10. The hot wooden deck. Ouch!

11. The accents of the crew

12. Watching other people pose for pictures as I pass by

13. The first night at dinner, wondering where and who you'll be seated with

14. Hoping that your team of waiters will be as awesome as the last time.

I absolutely cannot stand the sight of that luggage mat draped over the bed on the last day.

Money and time no option? I'd cruise Disney with my wife and 2 year old daughter. The New Orleans port is a 20 minute drive from home. Also, Carnival is all we know and my wife is a bit uneasy about an unfamiliar line.

Same here. Although I totally respect and appreciate op's review' date=' our last cruise on the Triumph just weeks ago was so much different including our lido room (9282). I wouldn't have enough cons to complete a sentence. Looking forward to our next sailing on the Triumph in April out of Nola. Again op, we might disagree on a lot here but thanks for taking the time to share you experience with us.[/quote']

 

I will be in 9218 this coming April 8th. I do vaguely recall some room temperature issues a few years ago but on balance the cruise experience was very good and among my most memorable.

Which cabin did you stay in?

The Triumph holds a special place in my heart. We've sailed her twice and we loved it and the crowd.